Deal with the strongest fortresses: taken at its face value, this seems to mean “He will come against the strongest (enemy) fortresses.” But a minor change in the Hebrew vowels makes it mean “He will defend (his own) fortresses,” as in Good News Translation (as well as New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New English Bible, An American Translation, and Moffatt). This is probably the best solution.

By the help of a foreign god: the text is extremely difficult, and many guesses have been made as to its real meaning. But a change in the vowel of the Hebrew word that Revised Standard Version translates by the help of makes it mean “people.” This gives the text a much better sense and is followed by New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible/Revised English Bible, and others, as well as Good News Translation. It is probably best to adopt this meaning in the translation, even though this is contrary to the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project.

Those who acknowledge him: this can mean either that they acknowledge the “god of fortresses” mentioned in verse 38 (Bible en français courant and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), or that they accept this king as the legitimate ruler of the country (Good News Translation). Still other versions take it to mean “those whom he (the king) acknowledges” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “those whom he favours” (New English Bible/Revised English Bible). Many English versions leave it rather vague but seem to suggest the interpretation that is expressed clearly in Good News Translation. It is probably best to follow Good News Translation‘s interpretation and make the meaning clear in the translation.

Make them rulers over many: the word here rendered many refers to common people or the “multitude” and is the same as used in verse 34.

Divide the land for a price: the last word usually referred to a sum of money that served either as payment for a purchase or as a reward to a person for something done. By extension the word came to mean the value of an article or a reward given to a person, even if the transaction did not involve money. In the present context either interpretation is possible. On the one hand it may mean the sale of conquered lands (at a bargain price) to the favorites of the king (New English Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible). But on the other hand it may refer to the distribution of the conquered territory to them as a reward for their services (An American Translation, New American Bible, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and Anchor Bible, as well as Good News Translation). The latter interpretation is probably to be preferred.

This verse seems to be a reference to the installation of the troops of Antiochus IV in Jerusalem, where they set themselves up even in the vicinity of the Temple itself. According to some, this is what was meant by the strongest fortresses.

In view of the numerous problems regarding the text and its interpretation in this verse, it is perhaps wise to summarize the recommended translation:

He will use foreigners who worship a different god, to protect his fortresses. And he will give great honors to those who acknowledge him as the true ruler of the country; he will give them positions of importance in his government, and he will distribute conquered lands to them as a reward for their loyalty to him.

In addition it may be a good idea to add a footnote indicating that the word fortresses may refer particularly to Jerusalem, where the Jews especially resented the presence of non-Jewish troops.

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 .