New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, and New Revised Standard Version set forth as poetic the section beginning here and going through the end of verse 26, because the Hebrew text breaks into a kind of metrical form. But most other versions retain the prose format, since it is questionable whether the kind of meter used in the Hebrew should be so represented.

At the latter end of their rule: this refers to the four successors to Alexander the Great. Two of these kingdoms disappeared from the political scene fairly quickly. But the other two continued for about a century and a half, each directed by its own dynasty. The Ptolemys ruled in Egypt, and the Seleucids in Syria and Babylonia. The writer’s main interest, however, is in one particular ruler of the Seleucid dynasty—Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

The transgressors: while the Hebrew literally speaks of transgressors, this whole clause is problematic, and the ancient versions have “transgressions” rather than transgressors. Since it is unclear who these transgressors were, many modern English translations adopt the reading of the ancient versions: “transgressions” (New Jerusalem Bible and New Revised Standard Version), “sins” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “crimes” (An American Translation and Anchor Bible).

Reached their full measure: the idea here is something like “when they have gone as far as they can go in committing sin.” Another way of translating this is “when their sin is at its height” (Revised English Bible). The ancient notion seems to have been that God waited for sin to reach a certain level of gravity before intervening with punishment. Compare Gen 15.16, where the iniquity of the Amorites is said to be incomplete. See also Matt 23.32, where Jesus speaks of the Scribes and Pharisees completing the measure of their ancestors.

A king of bold countenance: literally “of stern faces.” This description of the new king who was to come to power seems to focus on his physical appearance. But the appearance of a person is related to his character. The two Hebrew words have been variously translated as “stern-faced” (New International Version), “proud faced” (New Jerusalem Bible), “defiant” (Moffatt), “of grim aspect” (Revised English Bible), “impudent” (New Jerusalem Bible).

One who understands riddles: this gives a very inadequate idea of the meaning of the text. New Jerusalem Bible has “ingenious-minded man,” but this likewise sounds too much like praise. The idea here is one of an evil genius—a thoroughly malicious, spiteful, and devious person. He was seen as a shrewd expert in cunning and deception. New Revised Standard Version translates “skilled in intrigue.” Good News Translation apparently translates this by the two nouns “vicious and deceitful.”

Arise: that is, “rise to power” or “take control” or “begin to govern.” See 7.17.

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 .