With part of the vessels — In this expedition Nebuchadnezzar carried
away some captives, among whom were Daniel and his friends. His god
— Baal, or Bell, and Nebo, which words they put into the names of
their kings and favourites.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the eunuchs — These were chief among the king's servants; and
they are called eunuchs, because many of them were such. And of the
princes — Here was fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah had foretold,
Isaiah 39:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
The learning and the tongue — The Chaldeans were skilled above any
other nation, in natural philosophy. Their tongue differed from the
Hebrew in dialect and in pronunciation, which they learned that they
might be the more acceptable to the king, and court.... [ Continue Reading ]
The king's meat — Such as he had at his own table.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Azariah — Probably all of the royal lineage of Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gave names — That is, other names, relating to the idol — gods.
Belteshazzar — So Daniel had the name of Belteshazzar, from the
great Babylonian idol Baal or Bell. This was by the king's command,
and herein he put forth an act: of his sovereignty.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Daniel purposed — There may be several weighty reasons assigned
why Daniel did this. Because many of those meats provided for the
king's table, were forbidden by the Jewish law. Daniel knew these
delicates would too much gratify the flesh. He did not dare to eat and
drink things consecrated to i... [ Continue Reading ]
Fairer and fatter — The blessing of God upon homely fare, affords
often more health and strength, than more costly fare to them that eat
the fat, and drink the sweet.... [ Continue Reading ]
Before — Both in the presence chamber, and in the council chamber,
to try their proficiency; this shews the king's ability and judgment,
how else could he discern their fitness, and their excellency above
others.... [ Continue Reading ]
The king enquired — This is a farther confirmation of the king's
noble endowments, and of his great care whom he chose to be in offices
of trust, namely persons excellently qualified to serve him in the
great affairs of the kingdom. And thus did God pour contempt upon the
pride of the Chaldeans, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Continued — in the court of Babylon until Cyrus, and then he was in
the Persian court, and he lived in honour and high employment all that
time, yea, after Cyrus began to reign. For Daniel 10:1, he had visions
and revelations in the third year of Cyrus.... [ Continue Reading ]