And now: in some languages this wording may indicate that he had not been telling the truth up to this point. If this is the case, such meaning is definitely to be avoided. The idea is “here and now” (Revised English Bible), which is the normal introduction to a letter or a speech. In this case it marks the beginning of the long speech that continues to the end of this chapter.
I will show you the truth: these words, which introduce the long description of verses 2b-45, are a return to the wording of 10.21: “I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth.” The verb translated show here is the same as the one translated tell in 10.21; its meaning may be “announce, report” or “declare, make known” something previously hidden or misunderstood. This seems to be more appropriate to the context here. On the word for truth see comments on 8.12, 26 and 9.13, although the context is quite different here.
The meaning of this verse is not easy to understand, since it summarizes in a few words more than two centuries of Persian history (538-333 B.C.). The identification of the four Persian kings is uncertain, because there were in fact nine kings in succession who governed the empire during that period, and the apparent historical references are not precise enough to give us any positive confirmation.
Behold: see comments on 2.31; 4.10.
Shall arise: the verb used here has a different root from the ones in 2.39; 7.17, but the meaning is not radically different. The root here means rather “to stand,” and here the idea is that they will govern or be in command. New Jerusalem Bible restructures the whole sentence to say “Persia will have three more kings.”
And a fourth shall be far richer than all of them: literally “a fourth shall be rich with great richness more than all.” It is to be made clear that this fourth ruler will be wealthier than all those kings who ruled before he came to power.
When he has become strong through his riches: this reflects only two Hebrew words, literally “in-his-power by-his-wealth.” This statement whose meaning is not very clear has been rendered “strengthened by riches” (New American Bible), “by the power he obtains through his wealth” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “(when) by his wealth he has extended his power” (Revised English Bible), to give only a few examples.
Stir up all against the kingdom of Greece: the corresponding Hebrew text is not completely clear. It can mean “he will agitate all, namely the kingdom of Greece,” or “he will agitate all (others) against the kingdom of Greece.” New American Bible follows the former interpretation with “he will rouse all the kingdom of Greece,” but most English versions adopt the latter. Revised English Bible, for example, says “he will mobilize the whole empire against the kingdom of Greece.” The word Greece is literally “Javan,” as in 8.21 and 10.20.
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 .