Section I. - Authenticity of the Chapter The objections which have been urged against the authenticity of this chapter are much more numerous than those which have been alleged against the two previous chapters. I. The first which deserves to be noticed is stated by De Wette (p. 383, under the gene... [ Continue Reading ]
NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING MADE AN IMAGE OF GOLD - The time when he did this is not mentioned; nor is it stated in whose honor, or for what design, this colossal image was erected. In the Greek and Arabic translationns, this is said to have occurred in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. This is not... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING SENT TO GATHER TOGETHER THE PRINCES - It is difficult now, if not impossible, to determine the exact meaning of the words used here with reference to the various officers designated; and it is not material that it should be done. The general sense is, that he assembled... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY STOOD BEFORE THE IMAGE - In the presence of the image. They were drawn up, doubtless, so as at the same time to have the best view of the statue, and to make the most imposing appearance.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN AN HERALD CRIED ALOUD - Margin, as in Chaldee, “with might.” He made a loud proclamation. A “herald” here means a public crier. TO YOU IT IS COMMANDED - Margin, “they commanded.” Literally, “to you commanding” (plural); that is, the king has commanded. O PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES - The em... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT AT WHAT TIME YE HEAR THE SOUND OF THE CORNET - It would not be practicable to determine with precision what kind of instruments of music are denoted by the words used in this verse. They were, doubtless, in many respects different from those which are in use now, though they may have belonged t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHOSO FALLETH NOT DOWN AND WORSHIPPETH - The order in this verse seems to be tyrannical, and it is contrary to all our notions of freedom of religious opinion and worship. But it was much in the spirit of that age, and indeed of almost every age. It was an act to enforce uniformity in religion b... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE PEOPLE, THE NATIONS, AND THE LANGUAGES FELL DOWN ... - All excepting the Jews. An express exception is made in regard to them in the following verses, and it does not appear that any of them were present on this occasion. It would seem that only the “officers” had been summoned to be present... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE AT THAT TIME CERTAIN CHALDEANS CAME NEAR, AND ACCUSED THE JEWS - It does not appear that they accused the Jews in general, but particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3:12. They were present on the occasion, being summoned with the other officers of the realm Daniel 3:2, but t... [ Continue Reading ]
O KING, LIVE FOR EVER - A customary form of address to a monarch, implying that long life was regarded as an eminent blessing. See the notes at Daniel 2:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU, O KING, HAST MADE A DECREE ... - See Daniel 3:4. As the decree included “every man” who heard the sound of the music, it of course embraced the Jews, whatever religious scruples they might have. Whether their scruples, however, were known at the time is not certain; or whether they would have... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE CERTAIN JEWS WHOM THOU HAST SET OVER THE AFFAIRS OF THE PROVINCE OF BABYLON, SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABED-NEGO - Daniel 2:49. It is quite remarkable that the name of Daniel does not occur in the record of this transaction, and that he does not appear to have been involved in the difficulty.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN NEBUCHADNEZZAR, IN HIS RAGE AND FURY - The word rendered “fury” means “wrath.” Everything that we learn of this monarch shows that he was a man of violent passions, and that he was easily excited, though he was susceptible also of deep impressions on religious subjects. There was much here to r... [ Continue Reading ]
NEBUCHADNEZZAR SPAKE AND SAID UNTO THEM, IS IT TRUE - Margin, “of purpose;” that is, have you done this intentionally? Wintle renders this, “Is it insultingly?” Jacchiades says that the word is used to denote admiration or wonder, as if the king could not believe that it was possible that they could... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW, IF YE BE READY, THAT AT WHAT TIME ... - At the very time; on the very instant. It would seem probable from this that the ceremonies of the consecration of the image were prolonged for a considerable period, so that there was still an opportunity for them to unite in the service if they would. T... [ Continue Reading ]
SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABED-NEGO ANSWERED AND SAID TO THE KING - They appear to have answered promptly, and without hesitation, showing that they had carefully considered the subject, and that with them it was a matter of settled and intelligent principle. But they did it in a respectful manner, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT BE SO - Chaldee, איתי הן _hên_ _'ı̂ythay_ - “so it is.” That is, “this is true, that the God whom we serve can save us.” The idea is not, as would seem in our translation, “if we are to be cast into the furnace,” but the mind is turned on the fact that the God whom they served could save them... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF NOT - That is, “if he should “not” deliver us; if it should “not” occur that he would protect us, and save us from that heated oven: whatever may be the result in regard to us, our determination is settled.” BE IT KNOWN UNTO THEE, O KING, THAT WE WILL NOT SERVE THY GODS ... - This answer is f... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WAS NEBUCHADNEZZAR FULL OF FURY - Margin, “filled.” He was exceedingly enraged. He evidently was not prepared for a stand so firm and determined on their part, and he did not appreciate their motives, nor was he disposed to yield to them the privilege and right of following their honest convict... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE COMMANDED THE MOST MIGHTY MEN THAT WERE IN HIS ARMY - Margin, “mighty of strength.” Chaldee, “And to mighty men, mighty men of strength who were in his army, he said.” He employed the strongest men that could be found for this purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THESE MEN WERE BOUND IN THEIR COATS - They were seized just as they were. No time was given them for preparation; no change was made in their dress. In “autos-da-fe” of later times, it has been usual to array those who were to suffer in a peculiar dress, indicative of the fact that they were he... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, BECAUSE THE KING’S COMMANDMENT WAS URGENT - Margin, as in Chaldee, “word.” The meaning is, that the king would admit of no delay; he urged on the execution of his will, even at the imminent peril of those who were entrusted with the execution of his command. AND THE FURNACE EXCEEDING HOT... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THESE THREE MEN - FELL DOWN BOUND ... - That is, the flame did not loosen the cords by which they had been fastened. The fact that they were seen to fall into the furnace “bound,” made the miracle the more remarkable that they should be seen walking loose in the midst of the fire. In the Septua... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING WAS ASTONIED - The word “astonied,” which occurs several times in our translation Ezra 9:3; Job 17:8; Job 18:20; Ezekiel 4:17; Daniel 3:24; Daniel 4:19; Daniel 5:9, is but another form for “astonished,” and expresses wonder or amazement. The reasons of the wonder here w... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ANSWERED AND SAID, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE - From the fact that he saw these men now loose, and that this filled him with so much surprise, it may be presumed that they had been bound with something that was not combustible - with some sort of fetters or chains. In that case it would be a matter... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN NEBUCHADNEZZAR CAME NEAR TO THE MOUTH ... - Margin, “door.” The Chaldee word means door, gate, entrance. The “form” of the furnace is unknown. There was a place, however, through which the fuel was cast into it, and this is doubtless intended by the word “door” or “mouth” here used. YE SERVANT... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRINCES, GOVERNORS, AND CAPTAINS - Notes, Daniel 3:3. AND THE KING’S COUNSELORS - Notes, Daniel 3:24. BEING GATHERED TOGETHER, SAW THESE MEN - There could be no mistake about the reality of the miracle. They came out as they were cast in. There could have been no trick, no art, no legerdem... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN NEBUCHADNEZZAR SPAKE, AND SAID, BLESSED BE THE GOD OF SHADRACH ... - On the characteristic of mind thus evinced by this monarch, see the notes and practical remarks at Daniel 2:46. WHO HATH SENT HIS ANGEL - This proves that the king regarded this mysterious fourth personage as an angel, and tha... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I MAKE A DECREE - Margin, “A decree is made by me.” Chaldee, “And from me a decree is laid down,” or enacted. This Chaldee word (טעם _ṭ__e__‛êm_) means, properly, “taste, flavor;” then “judgment,” the power of “discerning” - apparently as of one who can judge of “wine,” etc., by the tast... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE KING PROMOTED SHADRACH ... - Margin, “made to prosper.” The Chaldee means no more than “made to prosper.” Whether he restored them to their former places, or to higher honors, does not appear. There would be, however, nothing inconsistent with his usual course in supposing that he raised th... [ Continue Reading ]