Daniel cast CHAP. VI. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any god or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled unto ́ the king, and said unto the king, Kaow, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree [into the lions' den, nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and NOTES. ber," which looked toward Jerusalem, (see 2 Kings viii. 48.) and where he was not likely, probably, to be overlooked, or overheard, had not these diabolical men placed themselves as spies, to watch him, ver. 11. Three times a day.- Sce Ps. Iv. 17. Ver. 12. Signed a decree-Wintle, "An obligation;" Gesenius," A prohibition." Ver. 14. Sore displeased with himself-Boothroyd, "Exceedingly distressed in himself." Ver. 17. A stone was brought. By this it should seem, that this den was a natural cavern, the descent to which was such as to prevent the lions from escaping; on this entrance, by the officiousness of those lords, a stone was placed and sealed, in like manner, and to as little use, as that placed on the mouth of our Lord's sepulchre. See Matt. xxvii. 06. Ver. 18. Neither were instruments of musickMarg. "A table." Most of the versions read, " And food was not brought," they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever; and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and CHAP. VI. [deliveranc he worketh signs and wonders in hea ven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (I) CHAP. VII. IN the first year of the reign of Bel shazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up EXPOSITION. (1) Daniel cast into the lions' den, but saved by an angel, and his enemies destroyed Darius, to whom his nephew Cyrus gave the kingdom of Babylon when he had taken it, having heard of Daniel's extraordinary talents, purposed to make him his prime minister, or viceroy over all the provinces of the kingdom. This raised him, of course, many enemies, who contrived a scheme to ruin him. Knowing his great prudence, honour, and integrity, they wisely concluded, there was no point in which he was vulnerable, but his religion. It seems to have been the custom for these princes and counsellors to draw up the royal edicts, and bring them for the king to sign, which probably he often did without much deliberation; at least such appears to have been the case in the present instance. Coming to the king in a body, and their proposal being clothed in the form of a loyal address, and intended to do him honour, Darius seems to have entertained no suspicion of a plot for the destruction of any man, much less the prime minister of his empire. Daniel, they well knew, was of that unyielding character in his religious principles, that compelled to enforce it, since the law admitted of no reversion. It is impossible, however, to justify his conduct, since what he knew of Daniel, and of Daniel's God, ought to have urged him rather to have risked his empire, than to have violated his conscience. He sold his peace, and risked his soul, for fear of endangering his kingdom. Daniel, indeed, hazarded his life in the preservation of his fidelity to God; but he came off more than conque ror, and is enrolled among the heroes of faith, and the servants of the most high God. Darius, however, is very anxious for the result, and could not but hope that Daniel's God, of whom he had heard so much, in reference to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, would preserve him from the lions, as he had preserved the three Hebrew youths from the fiery furnace. After a sleepless night, and tortured both by his conscience and his fears, he goes early in the morning, the entrance of the den, to inquire if he and with a melancholy voice calls down were yet alive; and when he finds that we is still living, in a paroxysm of joy and revenge, he delivers Daniel from the den, and sends down the most active of his enemies, to meet the fate they had de signed for him; and then issues a decree, as had been done by his predecessor Nebu Having, therefore, previously learned chadnezzar, in honour of God most High he would not decline his duties, even to save his life. that it was customary for the venerable We must not bere omit to remark, the Prophet to pray three times a day, they agent or instrument by whom Daniel was thus miraculously preserved. God sent his to that decree a penalty, which they calcu- angel into the lions' den, to close their contrived a prohibitory decree, and affixed lated would certainly destroy him. The mouths and protect his prophet: but when king, having been hurried into this strange his enemies came into the same place, and blasphemous edict, finds himself now there was no angel for their protection. from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. CHAP. VII. [of four beasts. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and break in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (K) 9¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and EXPOSITION. (K) Ver. 1-8. Daniel's vision of the four beasts.-Here begins the second part of this sublime book, which contains several prophetic visions imparted to Daniel, at various intervals, during the course of more than twenty years, from the first of Belshazzar to the third of Cyrus. The vision of the four beasts in this chapter evidently corresponds with Nebu. chadnezzar's dream, of the splendid image of gold and other metals (chap. ii.); both referring to the four great monarchies, which were successively to arise and continue, till they should all eventually give place to the universal kingdom of the Messiah. These monarchies are represented by beasts on account of their tyranny and oppression; they arise out of a stormy and tempestuous ocean; that is, out of the wars and revolutions of the world. They are indeed monstrous productions (a lion with .eagles' wings, &c.); but such emblems were usual among the castern nations, as appears from the NOTES. CHAP. VII. Ver. 1. Daniel had-Chal. "saw" a dreamHe wrote the dream, and related, &c.This may refute the idle report of some Talmudists, that Daniel did not write his own prophecies. Ver. 2. Strove upon the great sea. -- This refers to a storm in the Mediterranean, called Euroclydon, or, in modern terms, a Levanter. See Acts xxvii. 14. and compare Psalm ii. I. Ver. 4. And it was-Marg. "Wherewith it was " lifted, &c. So Wintle, Boothroyd, &c.——And made stand-Wintle, " And became erect." See Expos. Ver. 5. It raised up itself on one side-Wintle, "Which was raised."- And it had three ribsWintle and Boothroyd, "tusks; others, " rows of teeth;" either of which will agree with the command to devour much flesh; Father Calmet says, "The Persians have exercised the most severe and cruel government that we know of." Ver.6. A leopard-is proverbial for swiftness: see Hab. i. 8. The four wings may differently express the same thing, and corresponding with the four heads, show the similar character of Alexander's successors. For fowl we should read "bird," the domestic fowl cannot be here intended. Ver. 7. Great iron teeth-Ver. 19 it is added, and his nails of brass he was calculated in every way to destroy, whether by tearing, trampling, or devouring. The ten horns here answer to the "ten toes in Nebuchadnezzar's image. The ten horns of this fourth beast are also explained by Daniel (ver. 24.) to be "ten kings," or kingdoms, which shall succes sively arise, and these are variously reckoned by Commentators. Messrs. Horne and Townsend give five different lists from Machiavel, Mede, Hales, Sir Isaac Newton, and Bp. Newton, who differ both in the names of these minor kingdoms (or horns) and in the order of placing them. We shall give two of them, the most modern and popular. Bp. Newton numbers them thus: 1. The senate of Rome; 2. Ravenna; 3. The Lombards; 4. The Huns; 5. The Alemanni; 6. The Franks; 7. The Burgundians; 8. The Goths; 9. The Britons; 10. The Saxons.-Dr. Hales (who follows Bp. Lloyd) reckons thus: 1. The Huns; 2. The Ostrogoths; 3. The Visigoths, these arose in the fourth century; 4. The Franks; 5. The Vandals; 6. The Sueves and Alans; 7. The Burgundians; 8. The Herules, Rugians, and Thuringians; 9. The Saxons; 10. The Longobardi: these all arose in the fifth century. Yer. 8. Another little horn this may be considered as a new and singular power, which placked up three of the ten kingdoms by the root. Bp. Newton applies this to the three first in his list. Ver. 9. The thrones were cast down- - Wintle, "Were placed." So Boothroyd. But both come to the same meaning. The Asiatics have neither chairs nor stools, but to receive persons of rank," cast down" or "place" cushions round the room, for seats, which seem to be here alluded to. See Matt. xix. 28; Rev. xx. 4.-The ancient of days.-Compare Rev. i. 11, 14; xx. 11. monuments of Egyptian antiquity, and from the ruins of Persepolis, where winged lions and the like fictitious animals are still to be seen. These figures are supposed to have been the emblems of particular nations, and are not more strange than many others still used in heraldry. The first of these beasts, (like the golden head in Nebuchadnezzar's dream,) evidently intends the Babylonian monarchy, and is described as a lion with eagles' wings, having been before compared to those animals separately, both by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. (See Jer. iv.7; xlviii. 40; Ezek. xvii. 3, 12.) When we are informed that its wings had been plucked, we readily understand that its progress had been checked, and its glory was in the wane. Its standing on its hind feet as a man, and having a human heart given to it, may intimate the beast's approach to reason and humanity, the proper characteristics of a man. It may also allude to the circumstances of Nebuchadnezzar himself, who, after being transformed for his punishment into the figure of a beast, was restored, not only to the privileges of humanity, but to his celebrated rank in society. The second animal here named was a bear, and represents, as did the silver part of Nebuchadnezzar's image, the combined kingdom of the Medes and Persians. This bear is said to raise himself on one side, on which it is remarked, that at the siege of Babylon the Persians were subject to the Medes; but raised themselves in the person of Cyrus to pre-eminence. This aniinal was furnished with what our translators call three ribs, but which, from their situa. tion in the mouth, should be either tusks or rows of teeth. The last idea agrees with the command given to "devour much flesh," and is quite in harmony with the nature of the animal, which is remarkably voracious. The third beast was a leopard, with four heads, and four wings of a fowl, or bird rather; and this is understood to represent the Macedonian Empire. This animal was swift of foot, and variegated in the colours of its skin, which commentators explain, as intimating the rapidity of Alexander's conquests, (who was the founder of this Empire,) and the various nations of which his army was composed. The four heads of this beast may well represent the partition of the Empire after Alexander's death, under his four captains, Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucus; and the number of wings answering to the fort heads, may perhaps intimate that each of them partook, in some degree, of their master's character and success. The fourth beast, which represented the Roman Empire, was anonymous and nondescript. It has no name, and its form is the more terrible, from being left to our imagination to conjecture. It is evident, however, that it was made to raven and destroy, being furnished with teeth of iron, with nails of brass, and with feet of great strength to trample down its prey. But its chief peculiarity consisted in its! numerous horns. "It had ten horns," by which we are taught to understand ten minor kingdoms, answering to the ten toes on Nebuchadnezzar's image. These kingdoms are variously stated, (as may be seen in our notes,) and cannot, perhaps, at this distance of time, be ascertained with certainty; in most ages since, there have been about that number of inferior states which sprung out of the Roman Empire (here doubtless intended); but the most remarkable was the little horn, which rose after the others, and is by Protestant Commentators, (and we think with good reason,) explained of the ecclesiastical dominion of the Pope or Bishop of Rome. This is described by its small beginning; it was "a little born;" by its pretensions to wisdom, for this little horn had the eyes, that is, the discernment of a man; a tongue also "speaking great things." Of this little horn, we shall have occasion to speak more particularly when we come to St. Paul's "Man of Sin," and to the mystical beasts of St. John in the Apocalypse. (See 2 Thess. i. 3, &c.; Rev. xiii. xvii. and xix.) NOTES-Chap. VII. Con. Ver. 10. A fiery stream.—See Ps. 1. 3; xcvii. 3. Ver. 11. The beast was slain. The same power here represented as a little horn, is represented by St. John as a false prophet, in league with the beast, and doomed to the same terrible end. See Rev. xix. 20. The kingdom] CHAP. VII. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which [of the Messiah. came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. NOTES. Ver. 12. The rest of the beasts.-We learn from this verse, compared with the 6th, that no earthly prince can either acquire or retain dominion, otherwise than from God. See John xix 11. These all had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged-Chal. "A prolonging of life was given to them" for a season and time-Boothroyd, "For an appointed time." Ver. 13. Que like the son of man.-One in human form, though riding on the clouds of heaven. Compare Matt. xxiv. 30. Ver. 15. In the midst of my body.--Chal. "sheath;" for the body, according to Aben Ezra, may be considered as the sheath of the miud, as one said to Alexander the Great, "Dost thou not know that man's exterior form Is but the scabbard to the enlivening mind." Orient. Lit. No. 1053. Ver. 16. The truth-that is, the true meaning of all this.-So Boothroyd. See ver. 19. Ver. 18. The saints of the Most High-Chal. "Of the High Ones;" referring doubtless to the blessed Trinity. Ver. 21. Made war with the saints. See Rev. xiii.7. Ver. 22. The saints possessed the kingdom-that is, the kingdom of the Messiah was established. Ver. 23. Devour the whole earth the Romans boasted the conquest of the world. See Luke ii. 1. Ver. 25. Wear out the saints-that is, with exactions and oppressions. Until a time (i. e. a year), times (two years), and the dividing of time-that is, half a year, making in the whole three prophetic years and a half. See chap. xii. 7. Ver. 28. Hitherto (at this place) is the end of the matter-that is, of the angel's explanation. |