DAN 10:21 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. There is no one who stands strong with me against these, except Michael your prince.”

UST 20-21 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? It is to reveal to you what is written in the book which reveals God’s truth. But now I must return to fight against the evil spirit who rules the kingdom of Persia. After I have defeated him, the evil angel who guards Greece will appear and I must defeat him. Michael, who guards you Israelite people, will certainly help me, but there is no one else to help me.”

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these but Michael your prince.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince.

LSV but I declare to you that which is noted down in the Writing of Truth, and there is not one strengthening himself with me, concerning these, except Michael your head.”

FBV But before that I will tell you what is written down in the Book of Truth. No one helps me fight against these princes except Michael your prince.

T4T 20-21 Then he said, “◄Do you know why I came to you?/I will tell you why I came to you.► [RHQ] It is to reveal to you what is written in the book which reveals/contains God’s truth. But now I must return to fight against the evil spirit who rules the kingdom of Persia. After I have defeated him, the evil angel who guards Greece will appear and I must defeat him. Michael, who guards you Israeli people, will help me, but there is no one else to help me.”

LEB However, I will tell you _⌊what is inscribed_⌋[fn] in the book of truth, and there is not one who contends with me against these beings _⌊except_⌋[fn] Michael, your prince.”

10:21 Literally “the being inscribed”

10:21 Literally “but if”

BBE But I am going back to make war with the angel of Persia, and when I am gone, the angel of Greece will come. And there is no one on my side against these, but Michael, your angel.

Moff my only ally against them is Michael, your own guardian angel, who stands up to support me and defend me.

JPS Howbeit I will declare unto thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is none that holdeth with me against these, except Michael your prince.

ASV But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince.

DRA But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.

YLT but I declare to thee that which is noted down in the Writing of Truth, and there is not one strengthening himself with me, concerning these, except Michael your head.

Drby However, I will declare unto thee that which is set down in the scripture of truth; and there is not one that sheweth himself strong with me against these, but Michael your prince.

RV But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince.
(But I will tell thee/you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth/holds with me against these, but Michael your prince. )

SLT But I will announce to thee that recorded in the writing of truth: and not one strengthening himself with me upon these things but Michael your chief.

Wbstr But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

KJB-1769 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.[fn]
(But I will show thee/you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth/holds with me in these things, but Michael your prince. )

10.21 holdeth: Heb. strengtheneth himself

KJB-1611 [fn]But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of trueth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and footnotes)

10:21 Heb. strengtheneth himselfe.

Bshps Neuerthelesse, I wyll shew thee that that is noted in the scripture of trueth: and there is none that helpeth me in these thinges, but Michael your prince.
(Nevertheless, I will show thee/you that that is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that helpeth/helps me in these things, but Michael your prince.)

Gnva But I will shew thee that which is decreeed in the Scripture of trueth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
(But I will show thee/you that which is decreeed in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth/holds with me in these things, but Michael your prince. )

Cvdl Neuertheles, I wil shewe the the thinge, yt is fast noted in the scripture of treuth. And as for all yonder matters, there is none that helpeth me in them, but Michael youre prynce.
(Nevertheless, I will show the the thing, it is fast noted in the scripture of truth. And as for all yonder matters, there is none that helpeth/helps me in them, but Michael your(pl) prince.)

Wycl Netheles Y schal telle to thee that, that is expressid in the scripture of treuthe; and noon is myn helpere in alle these thingis, no but Myyhel, youre prynce.
(Nevertheless I shall tell to thee/you that, that is expressed in the scripture of truth; and noon is mine helper in all these things, no but Myyhel, your(pl) prince.)

Luth Doch will ich dir anzeigen, was geschrieben ist, das gewißlich geschehen wird. Und ist keiner, der mir hilft wider jene denn euer Fürst Michael.
(But will I you/to_you(sg) show/display(v), what/which written is, the certainly happen becomes. And is none/no_one, the/of_the to_me help(v) against those because/than your(pl) prince/ruler Michael.)

ClVg Verumtamen annuntiabo tibi quod expressum est in scriptura veritatis: et nemo est adjutor meus in omnibus his, nisi Michaël princeps vester.
(Nevertheless I_will_announce to_you that expressum it_is in/into/on scriptura to_the_truths: and nobody/no_one it_is helper mine in/into/on to_all his, except Michaël prince your. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–12:13: Daniel saw a vision of an angelic man and the end of the age

In this long final vision, Daniel was told of events leading up to the end of the age.

Paragraph 10:20–11:1

The angelic figure told Daniel that he was fighting against the demonic powers that controlled, or wanted to control, the kingdoms of Persia and Greece.

10:21a

But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth.

But first I will tell you what is written in the book that is true/reliable.
But before I go I will reveal to you what is written in the trustworthy book.

But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth: The angelic figure indicated that he would tell something to Daniel before he had to go away and fight again.

But first: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as But first here introduces the explanation of why the angel had come at this time (see 10:20a). The BSB has supplied the word first to help readers understand the flow of thought. This word is not explicit in the Hebrew.

what is inscribed in the Book of Truth: This is a passive phrase. In some languages it may be natural or necessary to use an active verb. However, the subject is not stated or implied, so it is best to leave it general. For example:

as they/one wrote in the Book of Truth

what God caused someone/them to write in the Book of Truth

inscribed: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as inscribed occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible. In this context it appears to be a synonym. You may use the same word or a synonym. Here is another way to translate this:

inscribed (NRSV)

the Book of Truth: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as the Book of Truth is literally “the writing of truth.” It is uncertain to what this refers. The word translated as Book is not the same as the word in Daniel 9:2 or 12:1, which is sometimes translated as “scroll.” It is a general word for something that is written. The written content is said to be Truth in the sense that it can be trusted as accurate and therefore reliable and dependable. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the true writings (GW)

a dependable book (NET)

10:21b

Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.

Yet in all these battles, no one takes my side against these enemies except Michael, your^(plur) prince.
You should know that only Michael, the prince of your people, joins me to fight against these spiritual/demonic powers.

Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince: This verse part is not connected to the previous verse part, but to the verse part that follows (11:1a in the BSB). In your translation, avoid suggesting that this is what is written in the Book of Truth. It is more likely parenthetical and gives some further information about the fight with the spiritual powers of Persia and Greece. Therefore, some English versions place 10:21b and 11:1a in parentheses (as in the NIV). Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

No one stands with me against these enemies except Michael, the angel ruling over your people. (NCV)

No one except Michael, the guardian angel of Israel, is on my side. (CEV)

No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince. (NLT)

Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael: In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a positive statement:

The only one who supports me against them is Michael.

Michael is my only helper/ally in my fight against those princes/rulers.

has the courage to support me: The Hebrew verb that the BSB translates as support means to strengthen another. That is, it means to help another to fight. Here are some other ways to translate this:

contends by my side (RSV)

stands firmly with me (NASB)

against these: The phrase against these in this context means “in the struggle/fight against them.” The pronoun these refers to the spiritual powers associated with Persia and Greece, the demonic figures mentioned in 10:20b and c. Translate this in a way that makes this clear. For example:

against these princes (NET)

when I fight these commanders (GW)

against these spirit princes (NLT)

your prince: The Hebrew pronoun your is plural. It refers to the people of Israel in general. Michael was the angel associated with Israel in some way. Here is another way to translate this:

Israel’s guardian angel (GNT)

Note that this verse part begins with a parenthesis marking in the NIV. This is possible but not necessary. However, it is necessary to indicate that 10:21b is closely connected to 11:1a. They should be translated as part of the same paragraph. A paragraph break can be made before 11:2a or b.

General Comment on 10:20–21

These verses may be difficult to understand because the answer to the question in 10:20a is not given until 10:21a. So in some languages it may be helpful to place 10:21a immediately following the question in 10:20a. The information in 10:20b–c can be moved to a position following that.

For example:

^20aHe said, “Do you know why I came to you? ^21aIt is to reveal to you what is written in the Book of Truth. ^20bNow I have to go back and fight the guardian angel of Persia. ^20cAfter that the guardian angel of Greece will appear. ^21bThere is no one to help me except Michael, Israel’s guardian angel. (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

אֲבָל֙ אַגִּ֣יד לְ⁠ךָ֔

however tell to/for=yourself(m)

This implies that the angel will tell Daniel about this immediately, before he goes away. Alternate translation: “But first I will tell you”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

אֶת־הָ⁠רָשׁ֥וּם בִּ⁠כְתָ֖ב אֱמֶ֑ת

DOM the_[thing],inscribed in,writing_of truth

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “what the Book of Truth says” or “what someone wrote in the Book of Truth”

וְ⁠אֵ֨ין אֶחָ֜ד מִתְחַזֵּ֤ק עִמִּ⁠י֙ עַל־אֵ֔לֶּה כִּ֥י אִם־מִיכָאֵ֖ל שַׂרְ⁠כֶֽם

and,there_[is]_not one(ms) contends with,me on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in these that/for/because/then/when if Mīkā\sup_ʼēl prince_of,your(pl)

Alternate translation: “Michael your prince is the only one to show himself strong with me against them” or “Michael your prince is the only one who helps me against them”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / you

מִיכָאֵ֖ל שַׂרְ⁠כֶֽם

Mīkā\sup_ʼēl prince_of,your(pl)

The word your is plural. It refers to Daniel and the rest of the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “Michael, the prince of your people”