Daniel 5:7

aloud lit. with might, as Daniel 3:4; Daniel 4:14. Not simply -commanded," but -cried aloud": the king's alarm was reflected in the tones of his voice.

the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the determiners (of fates)] Cf. Daniel 4:7; and see on Daniel 1:21; Daniel 2:2; Daniel 2:27.

spake answered (Daniel 2:20). So Daniel 5:10.

the wise men of Babylon Daniel 2:12; Daniel 2:14, &c.

shew me declare to me (Daniel 2:4; Daniel 2:6, &c.).

scarlet purple (R.V.), as Exodus 25:4; Judges 8:26, &c. So Daniel 5:16; Daniel 5:29. Purple was a royal, or princely, colour among the Persians (Esther 8:15; Xen. Anab. i. Dan 5:8), the Medes (Cyrop.i. iii. 2, ii. iv. 6), and also (it may be inferred) among the Seleucidae (1Ma 10:20; 1Ma 10:62; 1Ma 10:64; 1Ma 14:43 f.; cf. Daniel 8:14).

a chain of gold about his neck Cf. Genesis 41:42, where Pharaoh decorates Joseph similarly. A golden necklace was worn also by Persians of rank (cf. Xen. Anab. i. Dan 5:8, viii. 29); and was given sometimes by the Persian kings as a compliment or mark of distinction: in Hdt. iii. 20 Cambyses sends -a purple garment, a golden necklace, bracelets," with other presents, to the Ethiopians; and in Xen. Anab. I. ii. 27 the younger Cyrus gives one to Syennesis. (The word, hamnukor hamnik, occurs in the O.T. only here and Daniel 5:16; Daniel 5:29. It is probably of Persian origin [hamyânak, a diminutive from hämyân-girdle." It is found in the Targums, in the form měnîkand in Syriac as hamnîkand hemnîk(see Genesis 41:42, Onk. and Pesh.); and it made its way into Greek as μανιάκης, LXX. Theod. here, Polyb., &c.).

and shall rule as one of three in the kingdom So R.V. marg.The expression (which recurs Daniel 5:16; Daniel 5:29) is difficult. The rendering of A.V. is however certainly not tenable. The word rendered -third" in A.V. is not that which is used anywhere else (either in the Targums or in Daniel) to denote the ordinal; but resembles most closely the word (tiltâor tûltâ) which both in the Targums and in Syriac means. a third part(e.g. 2 Kings 11:5-6, - a third partof you"). Hence the literal rendering appears to be, -shall rule as a third partin the kingdom," i.e. have a third part of the supreme authority in the country, be one of the three chief ministers, -rule as one of three." Cf. LXX. δοθήσεται αὐτῷ ἐξουσία τοῦ τρίτου μέρους τῆς βασιλείας.