1 tn The meaning of Aramaic דַּחֲוָה (dakhavah) is a crux interpretum. Suggestions include “music,” “dancing girls,” “concubines,” “table,” “food” – all of which are uncertain. The translation employed here, suggested by earlier scholars, is deliberately vague. A number of recent English versions follow a similar approach with “entertainment” (e.g., NASB, NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT). On this word see further, HALOT 1849-50 s.v.; E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 37.
2 tn Aram “his sleep fled from him.”
3 sn Here they refers to Ptolemy II Philadelphus (ca. 285-246
4 sn The daughter refers to Berenice, who was given in marriage to Antiochus II Theos.
5 tn Heb “the strength of the arm.”
6 tn Heb “stand.” So also in vv. 7, 8, 11, 13.
7 tn Heb “and his arm.” Some understand this to refer to the descendants of the king of the north.
8 tc The present translation reads יַלְדָּה (yaldah, “her child”) rather than the MT יֹלְדָהּ (yolÿdah, “the one who begot her”). Cf. Theodotion, the Syriac, and the Vulgate.
9 sn Antiochus II eventually divorced Berenice and remarried his former wife Laodice, who then poisoned her husband, had Berenice put to death, and installed her own son, Seleucus II Callinicus (ca. 246-227
5 tn Heb “and he will set his face.” Cf. vv. 18, 19.
6 tc The present translation reads מֵישָׁרִים (mesharim, “alliances”) for the MT וִישָׁרִים (viysharim, “uprightness”).
7 tn Heb “him”; the referent (the king of the south) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
8 tn Heb “the daughter of the women.”