the dedication of the image which | buchadnezzar the king had set up; Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. and they stood before the image that 3 Then the princes, the govern- Nebuchadnezzar had set up. ors and captains, the judges, the 4 Then a herald cried aloud, To treasurers, the counsellors, the she- you bit is commanded, O people, riffs, and all the rulers of the pro- nations, and languages, vinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Ne with might. c. 3. 14. bthey command. cc. 4. 1. 6. 25. referred to in Daniel, corresponds precisely with this. The word used-IDDA -occurs nowhere else. It means, according to Gesenius, persons learned in the tion to that of Mufti among the Arabs, law; lawyers. The office had a close relathe term being derived from the same word, and properly means "a wise man ; one whose response is equivalent to law." word, wherever it occurs in Daniel, is rendered captains, ch. iii. 2, 3, 27, vi. 7; wherever else it occurs it is rendered governor, Ezra v. 3, 6, 14, vi. 6, 7, 13. The Hebrew word corresponding to this, 79, occurs frequently, and is also rendered indifferently governor or captain. 1 Kings x. 15; 2 Chron. ix. 14; Ezra viii. 36; 1 Kings xx. 24; Jer. li. 23, 28, 57, et al. It refers to the governor of a¶And all the rulers of the provinces. The province less than a satrapy, and is ap- term here used is a general term, and plied to officers in the Assyrian empire, would apply to any kind of officers or 2 Kings xviii. 24, Jer. xxxvi. 9; in the rulers, and is probably designed to emChaldean, Ezek. xxiii. 6, 23, Jer. li. 23, brace all which had not been specified. and in the Persian, Est. viii. 9, ix. 3. The object was to assemble the chief The word captains does not now very officers of the realm. Jacchides has comaccurately express the sense. The office pared the officers here enumerated with was not exclusively military, and was of the principal officers of the Turkish ema higher grade than would be denoted by pire, and supposes that a counterpart to the word captain with us. The judges. them may be found in that empire. See * This word occurs only here, the comparison in Grotius, in loc. He and in ver. 3. It means properly great supposes that the officers last denoted unor chief judges compounded of two der the title of "rulers of the provinces," words signifying greatness, and judges, were similar to the Turkish Zangiahos, See Gesenius, Lex. The treasurers, or viziers. Grotius supposes that the 7. This word occurs nowhere else. term refers to the rulers of cities, and The word -Gisbûr, however, the less extent and importance than that of places adjacent to cities-a dominion of same word with a slight change in the the rulers of provinces. To the dedicapronunciation, occurs in Ezra i. 8, vii. 21, tion of the image, &c. The public setand denotes treasurer. It is derived ting it apart to the purposes for which it from a word (134) which means to hide, was erected. This was to be done with to hoard, to lay up in store. The counsel- solemn music, and in the presence of the lors. 2 This word occurs no- principal officers of the kingdom. Until where else, except in ver. 3. It means one honour it was erected, it would not be it was dedicated to the god in whose skilled in the law; a judge. The office was evidently inferior to the one denoted regarded as an object of worship. It is by the word judges. The sheriffs. A easy to conceive that such an occasion sheriff with us is a county officer, to whom would bring together an immense conis entrusted the administration of the course of people, and that it would be laws. In England the office is judicial one of peculiar magnificence. as well as ministerial. With us it is 3. And they stood before the image. In merely ministerial. The duty of the the presence of the image. They were sheriff is to execute the civil and criminal drawn up, doubtless so as at the same time processes throughout the county. He has to have the best view of the statue, and charge of the jail and prisoners, and to make the most imposing appearance. attends courts, and keeps the peace. It 4. Then a herald cried aloud. Marg., is not to be supposed that the officer here as in Chald., with might. He made a loud 5 That at what time ye hear the kinds of music, ye fall down and sound of the cornet, flute, harp, worship the golden image that Nesackbut, psaltery, a dulcimer, and all buchadnezzar the king hath set proclamation. A herald here means a keren, means a horn, as e. g., of an ox, public crier. To you it is commanded. stag, ram. Then it means a wind instraMarg., they commanded. Literally, to ment of music resembling a horn, or peryou commanding' (plural); that is, the haps horns were at first literally used. king has commanded. ¶0 people, na- Similar instruments are now used, as the tions, and languages. The empire of French horn, &c. ¶Flute. sopp— Babylon was made up of different nations, speaking quite different languages. The mashrokitha. Gr. obpyyós. Valg, fistula, representatives of these nations were as- pipe. The Chaldee word occurs nowhere sembled on this occasion, and the com-else but in this chapter, vs. 5, 7, 10, 15, mand would extend to all. There was and is in each instance rendered flute. It evidently no exception made in favour of probably denoted all the instruments of the scruples of any, and the order would the pipe or flute class in use among the include the Hebrews as well as others. It Babylonians. The corresponding Hebrew should be observed, however, that no oth-word is ―hkâlil. See this explained ers but the Hebrews would have any scru- in the Notes on Isa. v. 12. The following ples on the subject. They were all accus- remarks of the Editor of the Pictorial Bitomed to worship idols, and the worship ble will explain the usual construction of of one god did not prevent their doing the ancient pipes or flutes: "The ancient homage also to another. It accorded with flutes were cylindrical tubes, sometimes the prevailing views of idolaters that of equal diameter throughout, but often there were many gods; that there were wider at the off than the near end, and tutelary divinities presiding over particular people; and that it was not improper to render homage to the god of any people or country. Though, therefore, they might themselves worship other gods in their own countries, they would have no scruples about worshipping also the one that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. In this respect the Jews were an exception. They acknowledged but one God; they believed that all others were false gods, and it was a violation of the fundamental principles of their religion to render homage to any other. sometimes widened at that end into a funnel shape, resembling a clarionet. They were always blown, like pipes, at one end, never transversely; they had mouth-pieces, and sometimes plugs or stopples, but no keys to open or close the holes beyond the reach of the hands. The holes varied in number in the different varieties of the flate. In their origin they were doubtless made of simple reeds or canes, but in the progress of improve. ment they came to be made of wood, ivory, bone, and even metal. They were sometimes made in joints, but connected 5. That at what time ye hear the sound by an interior nozzle which was generally of the cornet. It would not be practicable of wood. The flutes were sometimes to determine with precision what kind of double, that is, a person played on two instruments of music are denoted by the instruments at once, either connected or words used in this verse. They were, detached; and among the classical andoubtless, in many respects different from cients the player on the double-flute often those which are in use now, though they had a leathern bandage over his mouth to may have belonged to the same general prevent the escape of his breath at the class, and may have been constructed on corners. The ancient Egyptians used the substantially the same principles. A full double-flute." Illustrations of the flute inquiry into the kinds of musical instru- or pipe may be seen in the Notes on Isa. ments in use among the Hebrews, may be v. 12. Very full and interesting descrip found in the various treatises on the sub- tions of the musical instruments which ject in Ugolin's Thesau. Ant. Sacra. tom. were used among the Egyptians, may be xxxii. Comp. also the Notes on Isa. V. found in Wilkinson's Manners and Cus12. The Chaldee word rendered cornet-toms of the ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. -the same as the Hebrew word - pp. 222-327. The following cut will fur ANCIENT EGYPTIAN FLUTES, SINGLE AND DOUBLE. nish an illustration of the usual form of this instrument among the ancients. Harp. On the form of the harp, see Notes on Isa. v. 12. Comp. Wilkinson, as above quoted. The harp was one of the earliest instruments of music that was the Greek word caußurxn-sambuca (Lat.), to mean a triangular stringed instrument that made the highest notes, or had the highest key; but as an instrument which, on account of the shortness of the strings, invented, Gen. iv. 21. The Chaldee word had little power. Porphyry and Suidas was not esteemed as very valuable, and here used is not the common Hebrew word describe it as a triangular instrument, to denote the harp (1, kinnor), but is a furnished with cords of unequal length word which does not occur in Hebrew and thickness. The classical writers men-D-kathros. This occurs nowhere tion it as very ancient, and ascribe its else in the Chaldee, and it is manifestly invention to the Syrians. Musonius the same as the Greek Sápa, and the La- describes it as having a sharp sound; and tin cithara, denoting a harp. Whether we are also told that it was often used to the Chaldees derived it from the Greeks, accompany the voice in singing iambic or the Greeks from the Chaldees, however, Verses. Pict. Bib. It seems to have cannot be determined with certainty. It been a species of triangular lyre or harp. has been made an objection to the genu-¶Psaltery. The Chaldee is -peineness of the book of Daniel that the in- santerin. Gr. 4aλrnpiov; Vulg. psalterium. struments here referred to were instru- All these words manifestly have the same ments bearing Greek names. See Intro. origin, and it has been on the ground 22, IV. (c) (5). Sackbut. Vulg. Sam- that this word among others is of Greek buca. Gr. like the Vulg. capßókn. These origin, that the genuineness of this book words are merely different forms of wri- has been called in question. The word ting the Chaldee word 3p-sabbecha. occurs nowhere else but in this chapter, The word occurs nowhere else except in vs. 5, 7, 10, 15. The Greek translators this chapter. It seems to have denoted often use the word aλrnpiov-psalterya stringed instrument similar to the lyre for-nebhel, and --kinnor, and the or harp. Strabo affirms that the Greek instrument here referred to was doubtless word cauBurn-sambyke, is of barbarian, of the harp kind. For the kind of instruthat is, of oriental origin. The Hebrew ment denoted by the -nebhel, see word from which this word is not impro- Notes on Isa. v. 12. Comp. the illustrabably derived-, sabach-means to in- tions in the Pict. Bible on Psalm xcii. 3. terweave, to entwine, to plait, as e. g. It has been alleged that this word is of branches; and it is possible that this in- Greek origin, and hence an objection has strument may have derived its name from been urged against the genuineness of the intertwining of the strings. Comp. the Book of Daniel, on the presumption Gesenius on the word. Passow defines that, at the early period when this book feet; being thus of the same shape as that used by the water carriers. The pipes are usually of reeds, terminating in the tips of cows' horns slightly curved; the whole instrument being most primitively simple in its materials and construction." Pict. Bib. The annexed cut will furnish ..་་” is supposed to have been written, Greek | cumstances concur to show that this musical instruments had not been in- was probably the instrument intended troduced into Chaldea. For a general here. "The modern oriental bagpipe is reply to this, see the Intro. & 2, IV. (e) (8.) composed with a goat skin, usually with It may be remarked further in regard to the hair on, and in the natural form, but this objection, (1) that it is not absolutely deprived of the head, the tail, and the certain that the word is derived from the Greek. See Pareau 1. c. p. 524, as quoted in Hengstenberg Authentie des Daniel, p. 16. (2) It cannot be demonstrated that there were no Greeks in the regions of Chaldea as early as this. Indeed, it is more than probable that there were. See Hengstenberg, p. 16. seq. Nebuchadnezzar summoned to this celebration the principal personages throughout the realm, and it is probable that there would be collected on such an occasion all the forms of music that were known, whether of domestic or foreign origin. Dulcimer. NYPD sumponya. This word occurs only here, and in verses 13, 15 of this chapter. In the margin it is rendered symphony or singing. It is the same as the Greek word συμφωνίαsymphony, and in Italy the same instrument of music is now called by a name of the same origin, zampogna, and in Asia Minor zambonja. It answered probably to the Hebrew aw, rendered organ, in Gen. iv. 21, Job xxi. 12, xxx. 31, Ps. cl. 4. See Notes on Job xxi. 12. Comp. the tracts on Hebrew musical instruments inscribed schilte haggibborim in Ugolin, Thesau. vol. xxxii. The word seems to have had a Greek origin, and is one of those on which an objection has been founded against the genuineness of the book. Comp. the Intro. 2, IV. (c) (7.) The word dulcimer means sweet, and would denote some instrument of music that was characterized by the sweetness of its tones. Johnson (Dic.) describes the instrument as one that is "played by striking brass wires with little sticks." The Greek word would denote properly a casion. From the following extract from concert or harmony of many instruments; but the word here is evidently used to denote a single instrument. Gesenius describes it as a double pipe with a sack; a bagpipe. Servius (on Virg. Aen. xi. 27) describes the symphonia as a bagpipe: and the Hebrew writers speak of it as a bagpipe, consisting of two pipes thrust through a leathern bag, and affording a mournful sound. It may be added that this is the same name which the bagpipe bore among the Moors in Spain; and all these cir BAGPIPE. And an illustration of this instrument. Chardin it will be seen that the account 6 And whoso falleth not down, hour be cast into the midst of a and worshippeth shall the same burning fiery furnace. a Re. 13. 15. b b Je. 29. 22. place imperial. No nation was dispensed to worship this divinity, that would not with, whether Persians, Indians, Turks, be a prohibition against worshipping any Muscovites, Europeans, or others; which other. It was also in accordance with was immediately done. And this same all the views of heathenism that all protintamarre, or confusion of instruments, per honour should be rendered to the which sounded more like the noise of particular god or gods which any people war than music, lasted twenty days to- adored. The nations assembled here gether, without intermission, or the inter- would regard it as no dishonour shown to ruption of night; which number of the particular deity whom they wor twenty days was observed to answer the shipped, to render homage to the god number of the young monarch's years, worshipped by Nebuchadnezzar, as this who was then twenty years of age." p. 51. command implied no prohibition against Quoted in Taylor's Fragments to Calmet's worshipping any other god. It was only Dic. No. 485. It may be observed, also, in respect to those who held that there that in such an assemblage of instruments, is but one God, and that all homage rennothing would be more probable than that dered to any other is morally wrong, that there would be some having names of for- this command would be oppressive. Aceign origin, perhaps names whose origin cordingly the contemplated vengeance was to be found in nations not represented fell only on the Jews-all, of every other there. But if this should occur, it would nation, who were assembled, complying not be proper to set the fact down as an with the command without hesitation. argument against the authenticity of the It violated no principle which they held history of Father Chardin, and as little to render the homage which was claimed, should the similar fact revealed here be for though they had their own tutelary regarded as an argument against the gods whom they worshipped, they supgenuineness of the book of Daniel. Ye posed the same was true of every other shall fall down and worship. That is, people, and that their gods were equally you shall render religious homage. See entitled to respect; but it violated every these words explained in the Notes on principle on which the Jew acted-for he ch. ii. 46. This shows, that whether this believed that there was but one God rulimage was erected in honour of Belus, or ing over all nations, and that homage of Nabopolassar, it was designed that he rendered to any other was morally wrong. in whose honour it was erected should be Comp. Hengstenberg Authentie des Daworshipped as a god. niel, pp. 83, 84. Shall the same hour. 6 And whoso falleth not down and wor- This accords with the general character ehippeth. The order in this verse seems of an oriental despot, accustomed to ento be tyrannical, and it is contrary to all join implicit obedience by the most sumour notions of freedom of religious opin-mary process, and it is entirely conformion and worship. But it was much in able to the whole character of Nebuchadthe spirit of that age, and indeed of nezzar. It would seem from this, that there almost every age. It was an act to en- was an apprehension that some among force uniformity in religion by the au- the multitudes assembled would refuse to thority of the civil magistrate, and to obey the command. Whether there was secure it by threatened penalties. It any design to make this bear hard on the should be observed, however, that the Jews, it is impossible now to determine. command at that time would not be re- The word which is here rendered hourgarded as harsh and oppressive by heathen-is probably from to look, worshippers, and might be complied with and properly denotes a look, a glance of consistently with their views without in- the eye, and then the time of such a fringing on their notions of religious glance--a moment, an instant. It does not liberty. The homage rendered to one god did not, according to their views, conflict with any honour that was due to another, and, though they were required refer to an hour, as understood by us, but means instantly, immediately-as quick as the glance of an eye. The word is not found in Hebrew, and occurs in Chaldee |