The herald: the function of this person was to speak in a loud voice on behalf of the king. In many languages it may have to be translated “a spokesman” or “a messenger for the king.” But some languages have a more technical term for the person who makes announcements for the chief. Bible en français courant translates “the master of ceremonies.” There is no definite article in the original, so it will be misleading to give the impression that a particular person is in view. Several recent translations have simply “a herald” (Good News Translation, Anchor Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible).

You are commanded: this passive construction may be rendered actively as “The king has commanded (or is commanding),” or it may possibly be left to be understood by using imperative verb forms for the actions required of those present. Another possibility is to say at the beginning or end of this verse something like “Listen to the king’s command.”

O peoples …: the position of this vocative form in the sentence may have to be changed in some languages. Translators should consider which is the most natural order in their language.

Peoples, nations, and languages: here again we have another list. In this case the exaggerated language serves to show that the king wanted the worship of his statue to be universal. In some cases the three terms may have to be translated “people who come from all countries and who speak all languages.”

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 .