_In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia_ That is, the third after the death of Darius. Daniel must now have been above ninety years of age. It is reasonable to suppose that, being a youth when he was carried captive, he must have been at least twenty years of age; and that was seventy-three years... [ Continue Reading ]
_I Daniel was mourning_ The reason of Daniel's fasting and mourning might be, either because many of the Jews, through slothfulness and indifference, still remained in the land of their captivity, though they had liberty to return to their own land, not knowing how to value the privileges offered th... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the four and twentieth day of the first month_ “Nisan, if the Jewish computation be admitted; that is, the month in which was the paschal solemnity. Hence commentators have observed, from this fact of the prophet, that the Jews did not observe their festivals except in their own country, and in... [ Continue Reading ]
_I lifted up mine eyes_ Being by the river-side, in deep contemplation, I looked up, and saw a person appear before me, _clothed in linen_, &c. “Who this certain person was we may be at no loss to determine, if we consider him as described in the attire of the high-priest, and compare the passage wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men that were with me saw not the vision_ This was just as it happened to the company who were with St. Paul, when he had a vision, going to Damascus, Acts 9:7. God can cast a cloud before the eyes of any one when he pleases, so that the organs may not be able to perform their usual functions;... [ Continue Reading ]
_And behold, a hand touched me_ This was not the same angel, or personage, who is described Daniel 10:5, but some other of not so great brightness, probably the angel Gabriel in a human form, who had before been sent to Daniel on the like occasions. Whoever it was, his touch revived Daniel, and enab... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me_ Hebrew, עמד לנגדי, _stood before me._ Purver. And so Jun. and Tremel., referring it to an earthly prince. This is thought by some to be Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, intrusted with the management of affairs in the court of Persia when his father was... [ Continue Reading ]
_I set my face toward the ground_ The fear with which Daniel had been struck at the sight of the angel Michael still continued in some degree, so that he was afraid to look up at this angel, or to speak to him. _And behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men_ Daniel, gathering courage to loo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then there came again_, &c. This seems to be spoken of the same angel, namely, the angel Gabriel, touching him again, whereby he was rendered more composed, and had his strength revived. _And said, O man, &c., fear not_ Thou needest not be under such terrible apprehensions, as if this vision did po... [ Continue Reading ]
_Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee?_ Or, _Thou knowest for what cause I am come_, &c. “The angel, having strengthened the prophet, presumes that he also understood the general design of his errand. The Greek is, Ει οιδας, _Surely thou knowest_, according to a usual Hebrew idiom. _And now will... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I will show thee that which is noted in the Scripture_, or _writing, of truth_ Namely, that which is certainly determined by God. God's decrees are spoken of as if they were committed to writing, and registered in a book. _And there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your... [ Continue Reading ]