reads, “As I remained there with the king of Persia.” In this rendering Gabriel stayed with the king of Persia either in order to continue to influence him in favor of Israel (d’Envieu)35 or to counteract his malevolent enterprises against Israel (Shea). However, as has been demonstrated, this interpretation of the text does not take into account the clear distinction of meaning of the two terms שַׂר and מֶלֶךְ. On the other hand the term יָתַר can carry the meaning “to have advantage over.”36 Young