28:3 Look, you are wiser than Daniel; 1
no secret is hidden from you. 2
1 sn Or perhaps “Danel” (so TEV), referring to a ruler known from Canaanite legend. See the note on “Daniel” in 14:14. A reference to Danel (preserved in legend at Ugarit, near the northern end of the Phoenician coast) makes more sense here when addressing Tyre than in 14:14.
2 sn The tone here is sarcastic, reflecting the ruler’s view of himself.
3 tn Heb “speaking in prayer.”
4 tn Heb “in the beginning.”
5 tn The Hebrew expression בִּיעָף מֻעָף (mu’af bi’af) is very difficult. The issue is whether the verb derives from עוּף (’uf, “to fly”) or from יָעַף (ya’af, “to be weary”). Many ancient versions and modern commentators take the first of these possibilities and understand the reference to be to the swift flight of the angel Gabriel in his coming to Daniel. The words more likely refer to the extreme weariness, not of the angel, but of Daniel. Cf. 7:28; 8:27; 10:8-9, 16-17; also NASB.
6 tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”
7 tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.
8 tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”
9 tn Heb “spoke this word.”