_Kingdom. Josephus, &c. say Darius had returned into Media, where he made these regulations. But if this did not take place at Babylon, it would be rather at Susa. (Chap. viii.) Josephus counts 300 or 360 governments, though when the monarchy was increased there were only 127. (Esther i.) (Calmet) -... [ Continue Reading ]
_Princes. Th.: "regulators." Chaldee: sacecin, (Haydock) may be put for (Calmet) scranim, (Haydock) the usual title (Calmet) of the highest officers, the surenas of Persia. (Amminan 30.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kingdom, as prime minister, to whom the three princes should be accountable, as the inferior governors where to them. (Haydock) ---The king was now advanced in years, and wished to ease himself of part of the burden, (Calmet) as he could entirely confide in Daniel. (Haydock) --- He reigned only one... [ Continue Reading ]
_Craftily. Chaldee: "came tumultuously to," &c. (Calmet) --- They hoped thus to convince the king, as they were so unanimous. He would not perceive the drift of their petition, adn was flattered with the idea of being like a god. Daniel was not consulted, though on other occasions the king reposed s... [ Continue Reading ]
_It, when it is confirmed both by the king and his nobility. (Esther viii. 8.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_It. Nabuchodonosor of Babylon, and of Ninive, had both pretended to be gods; (Chap. iii. 15; Judith vi. 29.) (Calmet) and Curtius (8.) remarks, "that the Persians follow the dictates of prudence as well as of piety, in worshipping their kings among the gods, the majesty of empire being its best pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before. He did not open the windows that he might be seen, as that would have been rashness; nor did many perceive what he was doing, (ver. 11.) (Worthington) as it was in an upper room, but only those who rushed in. (Haydock) --- It was the usual practice of the Jews, (Calmet) to pray turning towa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Carefully. Chaldee: "came in a tumultuous manner." as verses 6 & 15. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Perceiving. Chaldee: "assembled," (Protestant; Haydock) or "came quickly in a body." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Own ring, that none of his enemies might injure Daniel. The nobles also affixed their seal, (Haydock) that the king might not liberate him. (Menochius) --- All this shews that aristocracy was mixed with the monarchical form of government. Nothing of importance is done without the nobles._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meat. Chaldee: "music," (Calmet) or "incense." (De Dieu.) --- He was tired of his godship, to which he had unguardedly opened his heart. (ver. 6) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offence, as I neglected thy decree to obey a higher Master. (Calmet) --- The king had sense enough to approve of this distinction. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Believed, or trusted. (Calmet) --- St. Paul alludes to this miracle. (Hebrews xi. 33.) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Accused. They were punished as false witnesses; (Calmet) and the king justly made them suffer what they would have inflicted on the innocent, being convinced that Daniel had only acted according to his devotion. (Worthington) --- These wretches deserved to perish, though they had spoken nothing but... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VI.... [ Continue Reading ]