OET interlinear DAN 2:41

Section 2:1–49: Daniel explained the king’s dream

These Notes interpret Daniel 2:1–49 as a complete narrative unit. However, in some languages it may be helpful to divide this chapter into more than one section and to give each section a separate heading. For example:

1. The BSB has four sections.

   1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream (2:1–13)

   2. The Dream Revealed to Daniel (2:14–23)

   3. Daniel Interprets the Dream (2:24–45)

   4. Nebuchadnezzar Promotes Daniel (2:46–49)

2. The GNT has three sections:

(a) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1–13)

(b) God shows Daniel what the dream means (2:14–23)

(c) Daniel tells the king the dream and explains it (2:24–49)

This section tells how Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream. He asked his advisers to tell him what he had dreamed and its meaning. They were unable to do so, and the king threatened them with death. But God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel. Daniel then told the king what he had dreamed and what it meant. The king honored Daniel and Daniel’s God.

The climax of this narrative occurs in 2:47. There the king declared that the God whom Daniel worshiped was the greatest of all gods.

Special Translation Problems:

1. Lists: The author of the book of Daniel liked to use lists (2:2, 10). However, the author did not intend for these lists to be complete or exact. The lists usually provide examples of the types of people or things that belong in a certain group or category. The Notes will suggest options on how to translate these lists.

2. Synonyms: The text often uses different terms for similar ideas. For example, there are several verbs that mean “to reveal” or “to make known.” There are three different Aramaic verbs in 2:40 that mean “crush, break to pieces.” In some languages it may be difficult or confusing to use several different words for similar ideas. The Notes will suggest how you might translate these similar words and terms.

3. Poetry: You will need to think carefully about how you will translate the poetic section in this chapter (2:20–23). Authors of Hebrew poetry usually wrote using matching pairs of lines. The relationship between these parallel lines differs. Sometimes the second line repeats the information in the first line using different words. Sometimes the second line contrasts with the first line. Hebrew poetry also has word plays, figurative speech, and alliteration. It may not always be easy to translate these literary features into your language. The Notes will suggest ways of translating the different features of Hebrew poetry. For more information about how to translate Hebrew poetry, see the Bible Translation Handbook of the Psalms. The poetry in 2:20–23 is a song of praise or thanksgiving. If your language has a special poetic form that fits this song, you can use it here.

4. Ambiguity: In the section where Daniel interpreted the last part of the king’s dream, there are a number of ambiguous references. For example, in 2:44a Daniel referred to “those kings” without identifying who those kings were. In 2:44b Daniel spoke of “all these kingdoms.” The ambiguity may be deliberate, since the dream itself is a mystery. It will be important not to over-interpret these passages by assuming a particular historical context. The Notes will suggest several options for how to translate these verses.

5. Repetition: Daniel interpreted the meaning of the first three kingdoms in a very brief way. He used many more words to describe the fourth kingdom (2:36–45). In this section he also repeated much of what was described before. In this way, Daniel emphasized the fourth kingdom as the most important. Some of the repetition in this section emphasizes specific ideas. Sometimes the repetition has another function. You will need to evaluate if this kind of repetition is natural in your language. If not, you will need to find another way to emphasize these ideas.

Paragraph 2:39–2:43

In this paragraph, Daniel explained that the other parts of the statue represented three kingdoms that would have power after Nebuchadnezzar. Scholars disagree as to which historical kingdoms these are. These different views should not influence the way you translate. Scholars also differ in the way they interpret the fact that the metals progressively decline in value. It is best to translate this section as literally as possible.

And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron,

• Just as the feet and toes were partly baked clay and partly iron,

• You^(sing) saw in your dream that the feet and toes were made partly of baked clay and partly of iron.

so this will be a divided kingdom,

• so the fourth kingdom will not be united.

• That means the kingdom will not be united.

• In a similar way, the fourth kingdom will be divided.

General Comment on 2:41a–b

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder 2:41a–b. For example:

The fourth kingdom will not be united. That explains why the feet and the toes were part iron and part clay.Similarly, the GeCL98.

yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—

• However, part of the fourth kingdom will be strong as iron

• But it will contain some of the strength of iron,

just as you saw the iron mixed with clay.

• for you^(sing) saw that there was iron mixed with the baked clay.

• as you saw that

Comment on 2:41c–d

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder this clause. For example:

You saw in your dream that the iron was mixed with clay. This means that parts of the fourth kingdom will be strong as iron.