Behold: see verse 5 as well as 2.31 and 4.10.

A hand: there is no indication of whose hand this was. It is therefore unwise to make it “the hand of the man dressed in linen,” although it is possible that this is what was intended. It is better to leave it vague, but translators should also avoid the suggestion of a detached hand. The best solution may be to say “someone’s hand.”

Touched me: the verb thus translated is a very general term, but in this context it is probably more than a light touch, because the result was that Daniel was raised from a lying position to one on his hands and knees. Translators may wish to say “grasped me” (New English Bible) or, as in Good News Translation, “took hold of me.”

Set me trembling: literally “caused me to waver (or tremble).” Although the primary meaning of this verb is “to totter” or “to waver,” it is used in a variety of senses. Here it is taken by many scholars to mean “caused me to rise up.” This, in fact, is the same as the rendering of the ancient Greek versions. And one of the manuscripts found at Qumran has a different Hebrew word meaning “moved me.” It is therefore better in this case to translate the idea “raising me” (New American Bible) or “lifting me.” Note that New Revised Standard Version revises Revised Standard Version to “and roused me to my hands and knees.”

On my hands and knees: literally “on my knees and the palms of my hands.” On the word used twice referring to the hands, see 5.5. Daniel was apparently in a crawling position prior to getting up completely (verse 11).

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .