Daniel

The term that is transliterated as “Daniel” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter D and for “lion,” referring to the story in Daniel 6. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Daniel” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “prayer” that illustrates Daniel’s close relationship with God.


“Daniel” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Following is a hand colored stencil print on washi of Daniel by Sadao Watanabe (1965):

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe. For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

The following is a stained glass window depicting Daniel by Endre Odon Hevezi and Gyula Bajo from 1965 for the Debre Libanos Monastery, Oromia, Ethiopia:

Photo by Timothy A. Gonsalves, hosted by Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

See also Daniel.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Daniel in the Lions’ Den and Daniel .

complete verse (Daniel 12:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 12:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal to wait until the end of the world arrives. People will move around the world and wisdom shall increase.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “O Daniel, shut this book and put a wax seal [on it]. And don’t let anyone know about this word until the end of time. At that time many people will run hither and thither to gain knowledge."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But Daniel, close first this book, and do- not -tell the message of it until the end comes. While this has- not yet -been-revealed, many will-try to understand the things-that-are-happening.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But as for you, Daniel, close up the scroll on which you are writing, and seal it in order that no one can open it until the end of the world is near. Before that happens, many people will travel rapidly here and there, learning more and more about many things.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 12:4

For reasons of English style, Good News Translation closes the direct quotation at the end of verse 3 and introduces the continuation with the words “He said to me….” This will be unnecessary and even considered awkward in many languages where it will be quite possible to continue the direct quotation without such a break.

But: this is probably not the best transition word to use here since it usually marks contrast, and, although the action required of Daniel is different from the above, it is still a positive thing and not in sharp contrast with what comes before. It is important to start a new paragraph at this point, in spite of the fact that several English versions fail to do so. Both New American Bible and Anchor Bible begin this verse with “As for you, Daniel.”

Shut up the words, and seal the book: this does not refer to two different actions but rather to a single procedure: “keep the words secret by sealing up the book.” This temporary sealing of the book is necessary because the end of time is thought to be some distance away. The order given here contrasts with Rev 22.10, where the book is not to be sealed because the end was thought to be within sight. On the term seal see comments on 8.26 and 9.24. Here some translators may have to use a more general expression “put your mark on it.”

Until the time of the end: some other ways this has been rendered are “until the time of the final phase” (Anchor Bible) and “till the crisis at the end” (Moffatt). In some languages the best translation may be “until the last days,” although this has special theological connotations in English.

Many: see 11.14, 33, 39, as well as verse 2 above.

Run to and fro: based on a slight change in the Hebrew text, the corresponding verb is taken by Anchor Bible to mean “will apostatize.” Moffatt seems to follow this understanding when he translates “will give way.” Likewise at has “many shall prove disloyal.” Other commentators seem to feel that this has something to do with being perplexed about the book that is sealed up. Bible en français courant has “many will consult it (the book).” (This is presumably after it is reopened.) Still others translate more generally but probably understanding a wandering in search of truth: “many will be at their wits’ end” (New English Bible); “go here and there” (New International Version); “be running back and forth” (New Revised Standard Version). The verb in question is used elsewhere of rowing a boat in Jonah 1.13, of swimming in Isa 25.11, and of wandering (in search of a word from the Lord) in Amos 8.12. It is perhaps this latter meaning that is most appropriate in the present context.

And knowledge shall increase: this is the clear literal translation of the traditional Hebrew text, and it is also followed by New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible, as well as Revised Standard Version. But the meaning of this text is uncertain and the ancient versions present a wide variety of possibilities. A slight change in the text yields the reading “evil shall increase” (New American Bible). This is also adopted by New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation, New Revised Standard Version, and Moffatt. New English Bible follows the same text but translates “punishment will be heavy.” Revised English Bible, however, reverts to a rendering of the more traditional text with “… trying to gain such knowledge.” It will be better to preserve the meaning of the traditional Hebrew text at this point. Certain modern versions may be useful: “many will go here and there to increase knowledge” (New International Version) and “many will range far and wide and knowledge will increase” (New Jerusalem Bible). The following models may also be helpful: “people will learn more and more” or “learning will expand (or become greater and greater).”

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 .