Daniel 4:26

they commanded viz. the watchers (cf. Daniel 4:17). Or, in accordance with the principle just explained, it was commanded.

sure i.e. confirmed, secure: cf. Daniel 6:26 (-stedfast"). The object of the humiliation was (Daniel 4:25 b) to teach the king that his power was not his own, but delegated to him by God, the supreme ruler of the world; provision was therefore made that when he had learnt this lesson his kingdom should be restored to him (cf. Daniel 4:32 b).

that the heavens do rule The use of -heaven," either as a metonym, or as an expression of reverence, for God, does not occur elsewhere in the O.T.; but it is found in the Apocrypha, as Malachi 3:18; Malachi 3:18, R.V. [contrast 1 Samuel 14:6], 19 (cf. 1Ma 4:60), 1Ma 4:10; 1Ma 4:24; 1Ma 4:55, 2Ma 9:20; and it is especially frequent in the Mishna, as Abhoth, i. 3, -and let the fear of Heaven be upon you"; ii. 16, -let all thy deeds be in the name of Heaven"; iv. 7, -whoso profaneth the name of Heaven in secret, they punish him (i.e. he is punished) openly." Cf. Luke 15:18; Luke 15:21 [243].

[243] See further examples in Dalman, l.c., pp. 178 180; and cf. Schürer 2, ii. 454.

In connexion with the phrase here employed, it may be remarked that the original Jewish sense of the expression, -kingdom of heaven," is the rule, or government, of heaven [244].

[244] Dalman, pp. 75 77.