IV. (1) PEACE... — For this mode of address comp. Ezra 4:17; Ezra 7:12. The date of the matter recorded in this chapter cannot be ascertained, as a blank falls upon the last eighteen years of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The only facts that occurred during this period, so far as is known, are the terrib... [ Continue Reading ]
SIGNS AND WONDERS. — Comp. Isaiah 8:18. The appearance of various scriptural phrases in this letter leads us to believe that Daniel must have written it at the king’s request. THE HIGH GOD. — Referring to his language (Daniel 3:26).... [ Continue Reading ]
FLOURISHING. — A word generally employed to signify the growth of trees. Here, no doubt, it is suggested by the dream which follows, and is for that reason selected by Daniel. It may be observed that the LXX. version here, as in Daniel 3:1, gives the eighteenth year as the date. MY PALACE. — See La... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE LAST. — On account of his position as the chief of the governors of the wise men, Daniel would not “come in” till last. BELTESHAZZAR. — See Note on Daniel 1:7; Introduction, § 6. THE SPIRIT... — He means his own gods, for though he recognised Jehovah to be a “high God,” yet he acknowledged... [ Continue Reading ]
TROUBLETH THEE. — Literally, _goadeth thee,_ or, _causeth thee this difficulty._... [ Continue Reading ]
A TREE. — For this symbol of majesty, comp. Ezekiel 31:3, &c. The dream of Cambyses (Herod. i. 108) was of a similar nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TREE GREW. — It appeared in the vision to grow gradually larger and larger. According to the LXX., “The sun and moon dwelled in it and gave light to the whole earth.” THE SIGHT THEREOF — _i.e.,_ the tree could be seen from the most distant parts of the known world.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FRUIT THEREOF MUCH. — By this is implied the great quantity of fruit as well as the largeness of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WATCHER AND A HOLY ONE — _i.e.,_ a holy one who is watchful; translated “angel” by the LXX., but simply transliterated into “Eir” by Theodotion. The word is used twice by the king, and once by Daniel (Daniel 4:23), but it is to be noticed that the prophet substitutes “the Most High” for the words... [ Continue Reading ]
ALOUD — _i.e.,_ like a king’s herald. (Comp. Daniel 3:4.) HEW DOWN. — The plural is here used, implying that several persons are employed in carrying out the order.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STUMP. — The whole tree was not to be destroyed, but just so much was to remain as could produce a new sapling. (Comp. Isaiah 11:1.) As long as the stump remained, it might be hoped that the green branches might shoot forth again. (Comp. Daniel 4:36.) A BAND. — As the vision continues, the typic... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the metaphor of Daniel 4:15 is entirely discontinued, and a man is mentioned. SEVEN TIMES. — On the use of the number “seven” see Note on Daniel 3:19. The period intended by “time” is very uncertain: from the use of the word in Judges 17:10 it has been inferred that “years” are intended. This i... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE DECREE — _i.e.,_ the message to the king rests on this decree or sentence, and it is ascribed to the “watcher,” because to him pertained the execution of the decree. THE DEMAND. — Comp. Isaiah 44:26. According to the use of the word in Chaldee elsewhere, this can be the only true meaning. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS DREAM. — More correctly translated, _This in a dream I saw_ — _i.e.,_ it was communicated to me in a vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOUR. — Literally, _moment._ (Comp. Daniel 3:6.) TO THEM THAT HATE THEE. — A delicate way of expressing his hopes for the best. “May that which is implied in the interpretation overtake thine enemies.”... [ Continue Reading ]
It should be noticed that both in this and in the following verse the description of the tree given in Daniel 4:11 is curtailed. It was observed that, on the contrary, there was an expansion of details in the interpretation of the former dream. (See Note on Daniel 4:23.)... [ Continue Reading ]
This gives us to understand that Nebuchadnezzar had arrived at the zenith of his power. The extent of his dominions may be estimated with tolerable accuracy as follows: — Northwards he possessed Armenia, and a considerable portion of Asia Minor; in the west, Syria, and at one time Egypt; southwards,... [ Continue Reading ]
DESTROY IT. — Observe how, in this verse, these words stand for the whole of the latter part of Daniel 4:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS COME UPON. — See Note on Daniel 4:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL DRIVE THEE. — The third person plural verb in the active with an impersonal subject frequently stands for the second person singular passive. Thus these words mean “thou shalt be driven.” (Comp. Luke 16:9.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY COMMANDED — _i.e.,_ the watchers. We observe, however, in Daniel 4:13 that the command is only ascribed to one of the watchers. This makes it appear that they form a council in which one acts in behalf of all. THY KINGDOM. — To make the sense plain we must supply before this word, “The interpr... [ Continue Reading ]
BREAK OFF. — The metaphor is taken from a refractory beast casting off the yoke. (Comp. Genesis 27:40, where it is foretold that Esau’s posterity shall “break off” the yoke of Jacob.) In Chaldee the word is used for the most part in the sense of putting on one side. Daniel therefore counsels the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
TWELVE MONTHS — _i.e.,_ counting from the time of the vision. Sufficient time for repentance was mercifully granted to the king. PALACE OF THE KINGDOM OF BABYLON. — He had palaces in other towns. Daniel lays a stress upon the fact that this occurred in the town of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, the golde... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT BABYLON. — The area of Babylon is said to have been 200 square miles. It was surrounded by walls 85 feet in width, 335 feet high. In these were brazen gates leading to various terraces which faced the river Euphrates. Within the walls the city was laid out in smaller towns, separated from each... [ Continue Reading ]
A VOICE. — By this he would be reminded of his dream (Daniel 4:14), when he heard the watcher “cry aloud.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL DRIVE THEE. — This verse is only slightly abridged from Daniel 4:25 by the omission of the clause “they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THING FULFILLED. — The malady of Nebuchadnezzar has frequently formed the subject of discussion, and it is now for the most part agreed that it was a form of mania known as _lycanthropy._ The peculiar features of it mentioned in this verse are partially connected with the life which the sufferer... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFTED UP MINE EYES. — A sign of seeking help from heaven, as Psalms 123:1. By his “understanding” is not meant his consciousness so much as his sense of personality, which had been lost for a time. WHOSE DOMINION... — These words, like those in Daniel 4:3, recall Psalms 145:13; and the next verse i... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GLORY. — He means that the splendour returned, so as to increase the honour and glory of his reign.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF HEAVEN. — How far the king arrived at a belief in one God is not clear. There may be noticed, however, a progress in his spiritual character, effected by the grace of God, after each of the interviews which he held with the prophet. At first (Daniel 2:26) his belief was no higher than th... [ Continue Reading ]