Some join these verses to the end of the third chapter, but there is no reason for this; and it will clearly appear from the context that the edict is here set forth in the king’s name, and other events are inserted. Daniel, therefore, here, speaks in the person of the king; he afterwards narrates w... [ Continue Reading ]
In fine, this preface might seem a proof of an important conversion; but we shall directly see how far Nebuchadnezzar was from being entirely purged of his errors. It ought, indeed, to affect us exceedingly to behold the king wrapt up in so many errors, and yet seized with admiration of the Divine v... [ Continue Reading ]
Nebuchadnezzar here explains how he acknowledged the Supreme God. He does not relate the proofs which he had previously received; but since his pride was subdued in this last dream, he makes a passing allusion to it. Meanwhile, as he doubtless recalled his former dreams to mind, and condemned himsel... [ Continue Reading ]
With respect to the words used above, we have formerly freed ourselves from all trouble, because we cannot accurately define what science each professed. Clearly enough they covered their shamelessness by honorable titles, although they gave themselves up to every possible imposture. They called the... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the king of Babylon addresses Daniel kindly, since he saw himself deserted by his own teachers. And hence we gather that no one comes to the true God, unless impelled by necessity. Daniel was not either unknown or far off; for we saw him to have been in the palace. Since then the king had Danie... [ Continue Reading ]
9._O Belteshazzar, master of the Magi, since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret can escape thee _— _or _overcome thee, as I shall soon explain the word — _relate the visions of my sleep which I saw, and their interpretation _We yesterday shewed King Nebuchadnezzar to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Nebuchadnezzar relates his dream, of which the interpretation will follow in its place. Yet because this narrative is cold and useless unless we should say something of the subject itself, it is necessary to make some remarks — the rest shall be deferred. First of all, under the figure of a tre... [ Continue Reading ]
It is now added,_its height was great; _then, _it grew till it reached even to heaven, and its aspect extended itself to the furthest bounds of the land. _This is restricted to the Babylonian monarchy, for there were then other empires in the world, but they were either powerless or but slightly imp... [ Continue Reading ]
The _second _part of the dream follows here. Hitherto Nebuchadnezzar has described the beauty and excellency of his state under the figure of a lofty tree which afforded shade to the beasts and on whose fruit they fed, and next as giving, nests to the birds of heaven under its boughs. The cutting do... [ Continue Reading ]
He afterwards adds—_the angel cried with a loud voice, cut down the tree, strip off the leaves, cut off its boughs, scatter its fruits, _(or throw them away,) _and let the beasts flee from its shadow, and the birds of heaven dwell no longer under its branches _By this figure God meant to express tha... [ Continue Reading ]
The reason for this punishment follows, when it is added, _seven times shall pass over him; _and then, _do not cut off its lowest root, but let the rain of heaven water it; _and next; _his portion shall be with the wild beasts. _Although the chastisement is hard and horrible, when Nebuchadnezzar is... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse God confirms what he had shewn to the king of Babylon by means of a dream. He says, then, the king was instructed in a certain thing; since it had been so determined before God and his angels. The full meaning is this, —Nebuchadnezzar must know it to be impossible to escape the punishm... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Nebuchadnezzar repeats what he had formerly said about seeking an interpretation for his dream. He understood the figure which was shewn to him, but he could not understand God’s intentions nor even determine its relation to himself. On this point he implores Daniel’s confidence; he affirms his... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Daniel relates how he was in some sense astonished. And I refer this to the sorrow which the holy Prophet had _endured _from that horrible punishment which God had shewn under a figure; nor ought it to seem surprising for Daniel to be grievously afflicted on account of the calamity of the king... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we see what I have touched upon, namely, how Daniel acted respectfully to the king, and thus was mindful of his prophetic duty, while he punctually discharged the commands of God. We must notice this distinction, for nothing is more difficult for ministers of the Word than to maintain this midd... [ Continue Reading ]
Daniel follows up what he had begun with perseverance, shewing judgment to be overhanging the king of Babylon. He calls him lord, indeed, with cordiality; meanwhile he was the ambassador of the Supreme King, he did not hesitate to elevate his discourse above the king’s command — as all the prophets... [ Continue Reading ]
Daniel proceeds with the explanation of the king’s dream, to whom the last verse which I explained yesterday applies. This ought to be expressed, because this message was sorrowful and bitter for the king. We know how indignantly kings are usually compelled not only to submit to orders, but even to... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Daniel closes the interpretation of the dream, and shews how God did not treat King Nebuchadnezzar so severely by not giving way to _clemency. _He mitigates, indeed, the extreme rigor of the punishment, to induce Nebuchadnezzar to call upon God and repent, through indulging the hope of pardon,... [ Continue Reading ]
Since interpreters do not agree about the sense of these words, and as the doctrine to be derived from them depends partly upon that, we must remark, in the _first _place, that מלכי _, meleki, _means “my counsel.” Some translate it “my king,” and both words are derived from the same, root מלך, _mele... [ Continue Reading ]
After Nebuchadnezzar has related Daniel to be a herald of God’s approaching judgment, he now shews how God executed the judgment which the Prophet had announced. But he speaks in the third person, according to what we know to be a common practice with both the Hebrews and Chaldees. Thus Daniel does... [ Continue Reading ]
I now approach the matter before us. Some think Nebuchadnezzar to have been touched with _penitence _when instructed by God’s anger, and thus the time of his punishment was put off. This does not seem to me probable, and I rather incline to a different opinion, as God withdrew his hand till the end... [ Continue Reading ]
It now _follows, _— _While the speech was in the mouth of the king, a voice descended from heaven _—_They say unto thee, O King Nebuchadnezzar, thy kingdom has departed from thee! _God does not now admonish the king of Babylon by either the mouth of a Prophet or a dream by night; but he sends forth... [ Continue Reading ]
It follows, — _They shall expel thee from among men, and thy habitation shall be with the beasts of the field _— _or _of the _country, _— _they shall make thee eat grass like oxen! _Some think Nebuchadnezzar to have been changed into a beast; but this is too harsh and absurd. We need not fancy any c... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet concludes what he had said: As soon as the voice had come down from heaven, Nebuchadnezzar was cast out from mankind! Some occasion of expelling him might have preceded this; but since the divination is uncertain, I had rather leave undetermined what the Holy Spirit has not revealed. I o... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet again introduces King Nebuchadnezzar as the speaker. He says, then, _After that time had elapsed, he raised his eyes to heaven _Without doubt, he means those seven years. As to his then beginning to raise his eyes to heaven, this shews how long it takes to cure pride, the disease under w... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the opposite clause is added to complete the contrast, because though it follows that nothing is firm or solid in mankind, yet this principle flourishes, namely, God is eternal; yet few reason thus, because in words all allow God to be firm and everlasting, yet they do not descend into themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Nebuchadnezzar explains at length what he had previously touched upon but shortly; for he had recovered his soundness of mind, and thus commends God’s mercy in being content with a moderate and temporary chastisement; and then he stretched forth his hand, and out of a beast formed a man again!... [ Continue Reading ]
At the close of the edict, Nebuchadnezzar joins the ingenuous confession of his faults with the praises of God! What he says of the proud, he doubtless applies properly to himself; as if he had said, God wished to constitute me a remarkable monument of his method of humbling the proud for the instru... [ Continue Reading ]