Section I. - Authenticity of the Chapter For the general argument in favor of the genuineness and authenticity of the Book of Daniel, see the Introduction, Sections II and III. To the genuineness and authenticity of each particular chapter in detail, however, objections, derived from something pecu... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE REIGN OF JEHOIAKIM KING OF JUDAH CAME NEBUCHADNEZZAR KING OF BABYLON UNTO JERUSALEM - This event occurred, according to Jahn (“History of the Hebrew Commonwealth”), in the year 607 b.c., and in the 368th year after the revolt of the ten tribes. According to Usher, it was in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD GAVE JEHOIAKIM KING OF JUDAH INTO HIS HAND - Jehoiakim was taken captive, and it would seem that there was an intention to convey him to Babylon 2 Chronicles 36:6, but that for some cause he was not removed there, but died at Jerusalem 2 Kings 24:5, though he was not honorably buried th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING SPAKE UNTO ASHPENAZ THE MASTER OF HIS EUNUCHS - On the general reasons which may have influenced the king to make the selection of the youths here mentioned, see the analysis of the chapter. Of Ashpenaz, nothing more is known than is stated here. Eunuchs were then, as they are now, in c... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN IN WHOM WAS NO BLEMISH - The word rendered “children” in this place (ילדים _y__e__lâdı̂ym_) is different from that which is rendered “children” in Job 1:3 - בנים _bânnı̂ym_). That word denotes merely that they were “sons,” or “descendants,” of Israel, without implying anything in regard t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING APPOINTED THEM - Calvin supposes that this arrangement was resorted to in order to render them effeminate, and, by a course of luxurious living, to induce them gradually to forget their own country, and that with the same view their names were changed. But there is no evidence that this... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AMONG THESE WERE OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH - That is, these were a part of those who were selected. They are mentioned because they became so prominent in the transactions which are subsequently recorded in this book, and because they evinced such extraordinary virtue in the development of the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO WHOM THE PRINCE OF THE EUNUCHS GAVE NAMES - This practice is common in Oriental courts. “The captive youths referred to in the notes on Daniel 1:5, in the Turkish court also receive new names, that is, Mahometan names, their former names being Christian.” - “Pict. Bible.” It is “possible” that... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART - Evidently in concurrence with the youths who had been selected with him. See Daniel 1:11. Daniel, it seems, formed this as a “decided” purpose, and “meant” to carry it into effect, as a matter of principle, though he designed to secure his object, if possible, by m... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW GOD HAD BROUGHT DANIEL INTO FAVOR - Compare Genesis 39:21; Proverbs 16:7. By what means this had been done is not mentioned. It may be presumed, however, that it was by the attractiveness of his person and manners, and by the evidence of promising talent which he had evinced. Whatever were the m... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRINCE OF THE EUNUCHS SAID UNTO DANIEL, I FEAR MY LORD THE KING - He was apprehensive that if Daniel appeared less healthful, or cheerful, or beautiful, than it was supposed he would under the prescribed mode of life, it would be construed as disobedience of the commands of the king on his p... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID DANIEL TO MELZAR, WHOM THE PRINCE OF THE EUNUCHS HAD SET OVER DANIEL ... - Margin, or, the “steward.” It is not easy to determine whether the word here used (מלצר _meltsâr_) is to be regarded as a proper name, or the name of an office. It occurs nowhere else, except in Daniel 1:16, applie... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVE THY SERVANTS, I BESEECH THEE, TEN DAYS - A period which would indicate the probable result of the entire experiment. If during that period there were no indications of diminished health, beauty, or vigour, it would not be unfair to presume that the experiment in behalf of temperance would be s... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN LET OUR COUNTENANCES BE LOOKED UPON - One of the “objects” to be secured by this whole trial was to promote their personal beauty, and their healthful appearance Daniel 1:4, and Daniel was willing that the trial should be made with reference to that, and that a judgment should be formed from th... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE CONSENTED TO THEM IN THIS MATTER - Hebrew, “he heard them in this thing.” The experiment was such, since it was to be for so short a time, that he ran little risk in the matter, as at the end of the ten days he supposed that it would be easy to change their mode of diet if the trial was unsucc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AT THE END OF TEN DAYS THEIR COUNTENANCES APPEARED FAIRER - Hebrew, “good;” that is, they appeared more beautiful and healthful. The experiment was successful. There was no diminution of beauty, of vigour, or of the usual indications of health. One of the results of a course of temperance appear... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS MELZAR TOOK AWAY THE PORTION OF THEIR MEAT ... - Doubtless permanently. The experiment had been satisfactory, and it was inferred that if the course of temperance could be practiced for ten days without unhappy results, there would be safety in suffering it to be continued. We may remark on thi... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR THESE FOUR CHILDREN - On the word “children,” see the notes at Daniel 1:4. Compare Daniel 1:6. GOD GAVE THEM KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL - See the notes at Daniel 1:9. There is no reason to suppose that in the “knowledge and skill” here referred to, it is meant to be implied that there was anything m... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AT THE END OF THE DAYS ... - After three years. See Daniel 1:5. THE PRINCE OF THE EUNUCHS BROUGHT THEM IN - Daniel, his three friends, and the others who had been selected and trained for the same purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING COMMUNED WITH THEM - Hebrew, “spake with them.” Probably he conversed with them on the points which had constituted the principal subjects of their studies; or he “examined” them. It is easy to imagine that this must have been to these young men a severe ordeal. AND AMONG THEM ALL WAS... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN ALL MATTERS OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING - Margin, “of.” The Hebrew is, “Everything of wisdom of understanding.” The Greek, “In all things of wisdom “and” knowledge.” The meaning is, in everything which required peculiar wisdom to understand and explain it. The points submitted were such as wo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DANIEL CONTINUED EVEN UNTO THE FIRST YEAR OF KING CYRUS - When the proclamation was issued by him to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem, Ezra 1:1. That is, he continued in influence and authority at different times during that period, and, of course, during the whole of the seventy years captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]