Daniel 4:27

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS - as a galling yoke (Genesis 27:40). Sin is a heavy load, and all sinners are "heavy laden" (Matthew 11:28). The Septuagint and the Vulgate translate [ pªruq (H6562)], not so well, 'redeem,' which is made an argument for Rome's doctrine of the expiation of sins by meritorious works. Even were we to translate it so, it can only mean, Repent, and show the reality of thy repentance by works of justice and charity (cf....

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, _melek, _signifying “to reign; but it also signifies counsel”. There is no doubt flint this passage ought to be explained thus: — _May my counsel therefore please thee, and mayest thou redeem thy sins. _The word פרוק _, peruk, _is here translated “_to _redeem;” it often signifies “_to _break _off, _” or “_separate, _” or “abolish.” In this passage it may conveniently be translated, “_separate _or break off thy sins” by pity and humanity; as if he had said, Thus thou shalt make an end of sin, and enter upon a new course, and thus thy cruelty

19-27 Daniel was struck with amazement and terror at so heavy a judgment coming upon so great a prince, and gives advice with tenderness and respect. It is necessary, in repentance, that we not only cease to do evil, but learn to do good. Though it might not wholly prevent the judgment, yet the trouble may be longer before it comes, or shorter when it does come. And everlasting misery will be escaped by all who repent and turn to God....

Verse 27. _BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS_] Do _justice_. Thou hast been an _oppressive_ man; _show mercy to the poor_, many of whom have been made such by thyself: witness the whole nation of the Jews. He was to cease from his _sins-repent and bring forth fruits_ _meet for repentance_, in order that he might find mercy at the hand of God....

WHEREFORE, O KING, LET MY COUNSEL BE ACCEPTABLE UNTO THEE - Daniel was permitted to see not only the fact that this calamity impended over the king, but the cause of it, and as that cause was his proud and sinful heart, he supposed that the judgment might be averted if the king would reform his life. If the “cause” were removed, he inferred, not unreasonably, that there was a hope that the calamity might be avoided. We cannot but admire here the boldness and fidelity of Daniel, who not only gave a fair interpretation of the dream, in the case submitted to him, but who went beyond that in a faithful representation to the most mighty monarch of the age, that this was in consequence of his wicked life. AND BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS - By acts of righteousness or justice; by abandoning a wicked course of life. It is fairly to be inferred from this that the life of the monarch had be...

EXPOSITION DANIEL 4:1 THE MADNESS OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. We follow here the division of chapters which we find in our English Version, and as, indeed, in all modern versions. The Aramaic concludes the third chapter with the three verses which are placed in our version at the beginning of the fourth chapter. The arrangement of the Aramaic is followed by the Septuagint, by Theodotion, and by Jerome. The Peshitta and Paulus Tellensis follow the more logical division. Luther divides the chapters logically enough, but carries on the numbering of the verses from the preceding chapter. It is difficult to see anything that can even seem to be a reason for this division. It may indicate a suspicion of these verses at the time the chapters were divided....

WHEREFORE, O KING, LET MY COUNSEL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THEE,.... Since this is the true interpretation of the dream, and such evils are like to befall thee according to it, permit me, though thou art a king, and I am thy minister or servant, to give thee some advice; and let it be taken in good part, as done with a good design, and a hearty concern for thy welfare: AND BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS; this advice carries in it a tacit charge of sins, and a reproof for them; which shows the faithfulness of Daniel: these sins probably, besides pride, intemperance, luxury, and uncleanness, were tyranny, rapine, violence, and oppression of his subjects, to which righteousness is opposed; and by which, that is, by a course and series of righteous living, by administering public justice, and giving to everyone their due, he is advised to break off his sinful course of life; to break off the y...

CHAPTER 4 THE TREE VISION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR _ 1. The king's proclamation (Daniel 4:1)_ 2. The king relates the tree vision (Daniel 4:4) 3. Daniel interprets the vision (Daniel 4:19) 4. The tree vision fulfilled, the king's abasement and his restoration, (Daniel 4:28) Daniel 4:1. This chapter is in form, at least in part, of a proclamation. This proclamation must have been written after the king had passed through the experience recorded in this chapter....

DANIEL 4. This chapter takes us again into the realm of Apocalyptic. Nebuchadnezzar dreams a fresh dream. This time he sees a gigantic tree, the top of which reached to heaven, full of leaves and fruit. Suddenly a holy one appears from heaven, and cries the command, Hew down the tree, strip off the branches, but leave the stump in the ground. That the dream refers to some individual is clear, for the holy one continues, Let his portion be with the beasts. Let his heart be changed from a man's, and _let_ a beast's heart be given unto him. Daniel, who is summoned to interpret the vision, informs the king that the dream refers to himself. He is the tree which is soon to be cut down. For his pride madness will overtake him, and his portion will be with the beasts of the field for seven years. There are two difficulties about this chapter, the one connected with the form, the other connected...

COUNSEL. advice. Not the same word as in Daniel 3:24; Daniel 3:27; Daniel 4:36; Daniel 6:7. BREAK OFF. This is rendered in the Vulgate (the Authorized version of the Church of Rome) by "redeem"; but the Chaldee _perak_. break off. First occurs in Hebrew (_parak_) Genesis 27:40; Exodus 32:2; Exodus 32:3; E