^2:14Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel²⁶ to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. ^2:15He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?”²⁷ Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.

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Footnotes

26 Aram “returned prudence and counsel.” The expression is a hendiadys.
27 The Aramaic word מְהַחְצְפָה (méhakhtséfah) may refer to the severity of the king’s decree (i.e., “harsh”; so חצף; 1093 חֲצַף), although it would seem that in a delicate situation such as this Daniel would avoid this kind of criticism of the king’s actions. The translation above understands the word to refer to the immediacy, not harshness, of the decree. See further, F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 50, §116; E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 67.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.

NLTNew Living Translation

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Then Daniel responded prudently and discretely to Arioch, the commander of the imperial guard of the king, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. He asked and said to Arioch, the royal official of the king, “Why is the decree from the king so severe?” Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel.

KJV 1900King James Version

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

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