RSV |
TEV |
PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and
Persians.” |
divisions, your kingdom is divided up and
given to the Medes and Persians.”I
I PERSIANS: In Aramaic the word for “Persians” sounds like the
word for “division.” |
PERES: this is the singular form of the plural parsin found in
verse 25. The word comes from a root meaning “divide,” “dissect,” or “cut in
two.” But there is a play on words in this verse, so that is also related to
the Persians mentioned at the end of the verse. While NJB and REB have
the plural form, this is not recommended. In fact, with all three terms, it
will be better to translate the meaning rather than retain the transliterated
form of the Aramaic. (René Péter-Contesse and John Ellington, A Handbook on
The Book of Daniel [New York: United Bible Societies, 1993], 151-52)