7:9 “While I was watching,
thrones were set up,
and the Ancient of Days 1 took his seat.
His attire was white like snow;
the hair of his head was like lamb’s 2 wool.
His throne was ablaze with fire
and its wheels were all aflame. 3
7:10 A river of fire was streaming forth
and proceeding from his presence.
Many thousands were ministering to him;
Many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him. 4
The court convened 5
and the books were opened.
1 tn Or “the Ancient One” (NAB, NRSV, NLT), although the traditional expression has been retained in the present translation because it is familiar to many readers. Cf. TEV “One who had been living for ever”; CEV “the Eternal God.”
2 tn Traditionally the Aramaic word נְקֵא (nÿqe’) has been rendered “pure,” but here it more likely means “of a lamb.” Cf. the Syriac neqya’ (“a sheep, ewe”). On this word see further, M. Sokoloff, “’amar neqe’, ‘Lamb’s Wool’ (Dan 7:9),” JBL 95 (1976): 277-79.
3 tn Aram “a flaming fire.”
4 tn Aram “were standing before him.”
5 tn Aram “judgment sat.”