_Third, at the conclusion, so that it is called the fourth. (Jeremias xxv. 1.) (Cornelius a Lapide; Menochius) --- Nabuchodonosor began his expedition into Syria a year before he was king; (Salien, A. 3428 [in the year of the world 3428 or 624 B.C.]. Josephus, &c.) or he had the title before his fat... [ Continue Reading ]
_His god; Bel, or Belas, the principal idol of the Chaldeans. (Challoner) --- The king pretended to derive his pedigree from Belus, (Abyd. Eusebius, præp. 1.) and greatly enriched his temple, (Calmet) which Xerxes demolished. (Arrian.) --- God. Some part might be kept in the palace. (Chap. v. 10. an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eunuchs, or chief officers. The Jews assert that Daniel was made an eunuch. (Isaias xxxix. 7.) But he might be so styled on account of his dignity. (Calmet) --- Princes. Literally, "tyrants." (Haydock) --- This name was afterwards only rendered odious by the misconduct of several kings. (Calmet) --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blemish. Deformed people were excluded the throne, or the king's presence. (Procopius 1.) --- Science; well educated, or apt to learn. They were first to be taught the Chaldee letters, which then differed from the Hebrew. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meat: more exquisite. (De Dieu.) --- All was first served on the king's table. (Atheneus vi. 14.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Juda. It is thought all four were of royal blood. (Calmet) --- Others were also kept at court. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Baltassar, or as Chaldees ((Calmet) or Masorets. (Haydock)) pronounce, Beltesasar, "the treasurer of Baal." The names were changed to testify their subjection, (Calmet) and that they might embrace the manners of the Chaldees. (Menochius) --- The new names alluded to the sun. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Daniel, as head and nearer the throne, gave good example to the rest. (Worthington) --- Defiled, either by eating meat forbidden by the law, or which had before been offered to idols. (Challoner) --- It was customary among the pagans to make an offering of some parts to their gods, or throw it into... [ Continue Reading ]
_Malassar, another inferior officer. It means also one appointed over the mouth or provisions, (Calmet) and might be Asphenez (ver. 3, 9.) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pulse. That is, pease, beans, and such like. (Challoner) --- St. Basil hence shews the advantages of fasting; and Catholics, who imitate Daniel, may expect the like reward in heaven: and the hope that such a pattern would not displease their dissenting brethren, but rather screen them from their pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dreams. He was learned in all the sciences of the country, like Moses. (Acts vii. 22.) (Calmet) --- They studies these things, in order to refute what was erroneous: discunt....ut judicent. (St. Jerome) --- The Chaldeans paid great attention to dreams. Daniel acquired the knowledge of such as were... [ Continue Reading ]
_Diviners, or fortune-tellers. --- Wise men. Septuagint, "philosophers." (Calmet) --- Hebrew, Ashaphim, may come from the Greek sophoi. (Grotius) --- They had been educated three years. (ver. 5) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cyrus; and also to the third, (Chap. x) and of course during the whole of the captivity. (Worthington) --- He was maintained in power by the conqueror of Babylon. (Chap. vi. 18. and xiv. 1.) He first displayed his sagacity in the cause of Susanna, (Chap. xiii. (Calmet)) whose history was placed at... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER I.... [ Continue Reading ]