DAN 2:41 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

2:41 OSHB variant note: מנ/הון: (x-qere) ’מִנְּ/הֵ֞ן’: lemma_4481 n_1.2.0.0 morph_AR/Sp3fp id_27eHZ מִנְּ/הֵ֞ן

2:41 OSHB note: We read one or more consonants in L differently from BHS.

2:41 OSHB variant note: ו/מנ/הון: (x-qere) ’וּ/מִנְּ/הֵ֣ין’: lemma_c/4481 morph_AC/R/Sp3fp id_27rKT וּ/מִנְּ/הֵ֣ין

Key: khaki:verbs.
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 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of the clay of a potter and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; some of the firmness of iron will be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay.

UST The feet and toes of the statue that you saw, that were a mixture of iron and clay, indicate that the kingdom they represent will later be divided.

BSB And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom, yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—just as you saw the iron mixed with clay.

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET In that you were seeing feet and toes partly of wet clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron mixed with wet clay.

LSV As for that which you have seen: the feet and toes, part of them potter’s clay, and part of them iron, the kingdom is divided: and some of the standing of the iron [is] to be in it, because that you have seen the iron mixed with miry clay.

FBV You saw the feet and toes made from iron and baked clay, and this indicates it will be a divided kingdom. It will have some of the strength of iron but mixed with clay.

T4T The feet and toes of the statue that you saw, that were a mixture of iron and clay, indicate that the kingdom they represent will later be divided.

LEB _⌊And just as_⌋[fn] you saw the feet and the toes, _⌊partly potter’s clay_⌋[fn] and _⌊partly iron_⌋,[fn] it will be a divided kingdom; and _⌊some hardness_⌋[fn] of the iron will be in it, _⌊just as_⌋[fn] you have seen the iron mixed with the wet clay.

2:41 Literally “And that”

2:41 Literally “from them clay of the potter”

2:41 Literally “from them iron”

2:41 Literally “from the hardness”

2:41 Literally “all of because that”

BBE And as you saw the feet and toes, part of potter's work and part of iron, there will be a division in the kingdom; but there will be some of the strength of iron in it, because you saw the iron mixed with the potter's earth.

Moff It shall be a divided kingdom--for you saw the feet and toes were partly potter’s clay and partly iron. But the firmness of iron shall be in it--for you saw there was iron mixed with the muddy clay.

JPS And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the firmness of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

ASV And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

DRA Arid whereas thou sawest the feet, and the toes, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron: the kingdom shall be divided, but yet it shall take its origin from the iron, according as thou sawest the iron mixed with the miry clay.

YLT As to that which thou hast seen: the feet and toes, part of them potter's clay, and part of them iron, the kingdom is divided: and some of the standing of the iron [is] to be in it, because that thou hast seen the iron mixed with miry clay.

Drby And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

RV And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(And whereas thou/you sawest/saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou/you sawest/saw the iron mixed with miry/boggy clay. )

SLT And that thou sawest the feet and toes, part of burnt clay of the potter, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; and from the firmness of iron to be in it, for which cause that thou sawest iron mingled with earthen-ware.

Wbstr And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with the miry clay.

KJB-1769 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(And whereas thou/you sawest/saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou/you sawest/saw the iron mixed with miry/boggy clay. )

KJB-1611 And whereas thou sawest the feete and toes, part of potters clay, and part of yron: the kingdome shalbe diuided, but there shalbe in it of the strength of the yron, forasmuch as thou sawest the yron mixt with myrie clay.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Where as thou sawest the feete & toes, parte of potters clay & part of iron, the kingdome shalbe deuided, but there shalbe in it of the strength of the iron, for so much as thou sawest the iron mixt with the clay and earth.
(Where as thou/you sawest/saw the feet and toes, part of potters clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided, but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, for so much as thou/you sawest/saw the iron mixed with the clay and earth.)

Gnva Where as thou sawest the feete and toes, parte of potters clay, and part of yron: the kingdome shalbe deuided, but there shalbe in it of the strength of the yron, as thou sawest the yron mixt with the clay, and earth.
(Where as thou/you sawest/saw the feet and toes, part of potters clay, and part of iron: the kingdom shall be divided, but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, as thou/you sawest/saw the iron mixed with the clay, and earth. )

Cvdl Where as thou sawest the fete and toes, parte of earth and parte off yron: that is a deuyded kyngdome, which neuertheles shal haue some off the yron grounde mixte with it, for so moch as thou hast sene the yron mixte with the claye.
(Where as thou/you sawest/saw the feet and toes, part of earth and part off iron: that is a divided kingdom, which nevertheless shall have some off the iron ground mixed with it, for so much as thou/you hast seen the iron mixed with the clay.)

Wycl Forsothe that thou siest a part of the feet and fyngris of erthe of a pottere, and a part of irun, the rewme shal be departid; which netheles schal rise of the plauntyng of irun, `bi that that thou siest irun meynd with a tijl stoon of clei,
(For_certain/Truly that thou/you seest/see a part of the feet and fingers of earth of a potter, and a part of iron, the realm shall be departed; which nevertheless shall rise of the plaunting of iron, by that that thou/you seest/see iron meynd with a tijl stone of clay,)

Luth Daß du aber gesehen hast die Füße und Zehen eines Teils Ton und eines Teils Eisen, das wird ein zerteilt Königreich sein; doch wird von des Eisens Pflanze drinnen bleiben, wie du denn gesehen hast Eisen mit Ton vermenget.
(That you(sg) but seen have the feet and Zehen one/a part/portions Ton and one/a part/portions iron, the becomes a zerteilt kingdom be; though/but becomes from the irons Pflanze inside remain/stay, as/like you(sg) because/than seen have iron with Ton vermenget.)

ClVg Porro quia vidisti pedum, et digitorum partem testæ figuli, et partem ferream, regnum divisum erit: quod tamen de plantario ferri orietur, secundum quod vidisti ferrum mistum testæ ex luto.
(Further because did_you_see feet, and fingerrum part testæ potters, and part to_carryam, kingdom divided will_be: that nevertheless from/about plant(n)rio iron will_rise, after/second that did_you_see iron mixed testæ from luto. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

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:

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)
The GNT has three sections:

(a) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1–13)

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

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.

2:41a

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.

And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron: This verse part introduces an explanation of the meaning of the feet and toes of the statue. Other ways to translate this include:

You also saw that the feet and the toes were partly clay and partly iron. This means that…. (GNT)

The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that…. (NLT)

You saw that the statue’s feet and toes were partly baked clay and partly iron. That means… (NCV)

the feet and toes: In some languages it may be unnatural to mention the toes separately. as they may form part of the feet. In those languages you may need to follow the NJB and leave them implicit:

The feet (NJB)

fired clay: For the word clay, see the Notes at 2:33b. The phrase that the BSB translates as fired clay is literally “clay of the potter.” This phrase refers to something people made from clay, pottery, rather than the raw material. English versions translate this material in different ways:

potter’s clay (RSV)

earthenware (NJB)

iron: See the Notes at 2:33a, where the same word is used.

2:41b

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.

so this will be a divided kingdom: The clause this will be a divided kingdom indicates the significance or meaning of the clay-iron mix in the feet and toes. Connect this clause to the 2:41a in a way that is natural in your language. The BSB has supplied the conjunction so. Other possible translations include:

showing that this kingdom will be divided (NLT)

This means that it will be a divided empire (GNT)

a divided kingdom: Scholars have interpreted the phrase a divided kingdom in two ways:

It indicates that the kingdom will lack internal harmony or unity. For example:
this kingdom will not be unified
It indicates that the kingdom will separate into two or more parts. For example:
a kingdom which will be split in two (NJB)

Most English translations use the word divided, which can have either meaning. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This fits best with the context of the rest of the verse. The different people groups or members of this kingdom/empire will not live in peace and harmony. There will be internal conflict.

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.

2:41c

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,

yet some of the strength of iron will be in it: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as yet here introduces a contrast. Although the feet would be a mixture of iron and clay, it would still have parts in it that were strong. Other ways to translate this include:

but some of the strength of iron shall be in it (NRSV)

It will have something of the strength of iron (GNT)

strength: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as strength refers to the quality of being firm or hard. Other ways to translate it include:

firmness (RSV)

stability (NJPS)

In some languages it may be natural to use an adjective. For example:

it will be…strong (CEV)

2:41d

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

just as you saw the iron mixed with clay: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as just as here probably introduces an explanation or reason for what Daniel had just said. For example:

for you saw iron mixed with wet clay (NET)

because there was iron mixed with the clay (GNT)

clay: The Aramaic phrase that the BSB translates clay is here literally “potter’s clay of clay.” The exact reference of this expression is not clear. However, the emphasis is on the weakness of the material. Use an expression that suggests or implies this. For example:

earthenware (NJB)

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.

Parallel DAN 2:41