² sn The language of this verse is applied to Judas Iscariot in John 13:18.

² sn Habakkuk uses similar language to describe his faith during difficult times. See Hab 3:19.

² tn Heb “from the hand of the Philistines.” Here “hand” is figurative language for “control.”

² tn Heb “stinks.” The figurative language indicates that Israel had become repulsive to the Philistines.

² sn Joseph’s language here becomes warmer and more personal, culminating in calling Benjamin my son.

³ tn Heb “day of distress.” See Ps 20:1 which utilizes similar language.

¹ sn Heb “If upon the king it is good”; KJV “If it please the king.” Deferential language was common in ancient Near Eastern court language addressing a despot; it occurs often in Esther.

² tn Here ἐπί (epi) followed by the genitive = “before,” especially in the language of lawsuits (BDAG 363 s.v. 3).

¹ sn The figurative language calls for genuine repentance and not merely external ritual that goes through the motions.

² tn Heb “heavy of tongue.” Similar language occurs in Exod 4:10 and Isa 33:19.

¹ sn The proverb uses anthropomorphic language to describe God’s exacting and evaluating knowledge of all people.

³ sn The language in this verse, particularly the references to wheat and honey, is reminiscent of Deut 32:13-14.

¹ sn At this point the language of the book reverts from Aramaic (7:12-26) back to Hebrew.

¹ sn Contrary to common belief, the point here is not that the wise men (Chaldeans) replied to the king in the Aramaic language, or that this language was uniquely the language of the Chaldeans. It was this view that led in the past to Aramaic being referred to as “Chaldee.” Aramaic was used as a lingua franca during this period; its origins and usage were not restricted to the Babylonians. Rather, this phrase is better understood as an editorial note (cf. NAB) marking the fact that from 2:4b through 7:28 the language of the book shifts from Hebrew to Aramaic. In 8:1, and for the remainder of the book, the language returns to Hebrew. Various views have been advanced to account for this change of language, most of which are unconvincing. The change in language likely reflects stages in the transmission history of the book of Daniel or factors in its composition history.

¹ sn For purposes of diplomacy and governmental communication throughout the far-flung regions of the Persian empire the Aramaic language was normally used. Educated people throughout the kingdom could be expected to have competence in this language. But in the situation described in v. 22 a variety of local languages are to be used, and not just Aramaic, so as to make the king’s edict understandable to the largest possible number of people.

¹ sn Your house is forsaken. The language here is from Jer 12:7 and 22:5. It recalls exilic judgment.

¹ sn The figurative language of this verse speaks of the whole creation preparing for the arrival of a major figure, so all obstacles to his approach are removed.

⁵ sn Gives birth. The point of the figurative language is that Jerusalem finally finds relief from her suffering. See 4:10.

² tn Joel uses intentionally alliterative language in the phrases שֻׁדַּד שָׂדֶה (shuddad sadeh, “the field is destroyed”) and אֲבְלָה אֲדָמָה (ʾav^elah ʾadamah, “the ground is in mourning”).

¹ sn Similar language is used in reference to Israel’s adversaries in Num 33:55 and Josh 23:13.