swift flight

The Hebrew that is translated as “(swift) flight” in English is translated in Dan with a word that can mean either “jump” or “fly.” (Source: Don Slager)

Gabriel

The name that is transliterated as “Gabriel” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “angel announce” (according to Luke 1:19) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


“Gabriel” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Following is a Greek Orthodox icon of the archangel Gabriel from the 13th century (found in Sinai Monastery).

 
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

offering

The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”

In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)

See also offering (qorban).

Translation commentary on Daniel 9:21

While I was speaking in prayer: this is only slightly different from the initial clause in the previous verse, but here it sets the stage for the appearance of Gabriel.

The man Gabriel: the writer does not intend to deny that Gabriel is an angel, but he focuses on the fact that Gabriel looked like a man. When Gabriel is first introduced it was said that he was “one having the appearance of a man” (see 8.15). Consequently, Anchor Bible translates “the manlike Gabriel.” It is also possible to say “the angel Gabriel, who looked like a man.” Perhaps because of the danger of misunderstanding a literal rendering, Good News Translation has chosen to leave this information out.

Had seen … at the first: the idea here is simply “had seen previously.” Some other ways of translating this are “had originally seen” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “had already seen” (Revised English Bible).

In swift flight: according to some interpreters, the traditional Hebrew text here can only mean “wearied in weariness,” but this is not very meaningful in the present context. Most others read it as “flying in flight,” and this is taken to mean “in rapid flight.”

The time of the evening sacrifice: this is a reference to the daily schedule of sacrifices in the Temple, which consisted of one in the morning and one in the late afternoon (see Exo 29.38-41; Num 28.4; 1 Kgs 18.29, 36). If the word evening is understood as referring to the period after dark, it will be necessary to select a different word indicating the time just before the sun sets.

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 .