The Book of Daniel Unlocked
BY
W. S. AUCHINCLOSS, C.E.
AUTHOR OF "LINK AND VALVE MOTIONS" (PUBLISHED IN BERLIN AS,
SCHEIBER-UND COULISSENSTEURUNGEN. PUBLISHED IN HOLLAND
AS, STOOMSCHUIF-EN SCHAARBEWEGINEN). AUTHOR OF
"NINETY DAYS IN THE TROPICS," ALSO OF
"WATERS WITHIN THE EARTH AND
LAWS OF RAINFALL"
INTRODUCTION BY
A. H. SAYCE, LL.D.
QUEEN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD, ENGLAND
NEW YORK
FOR SALE BY
D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY
SCIENTIFIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
23 MURRAY STREET
1905
COPYRIGHT, 1905
BY
W. S. AUCHINCLOSS
DORNAN, PRINTER,
PHILADELPHIA
[Illustration: (Autographed) Dedicated to:--M. T. K. Auchincloss.]
[Illustration: Queen's College Seal with motto:
"REGINÆ ERUNT NUTRICES TUÆ"]
QUEEN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD.
SEPTEMBER 4, 1902.
Mr. Auchincloss has asked me to prefix a few words of introduction to
his book:
There is little to say, as the book tells its own tale--clear and to
the point.
He has very rightly taken the sidereal year as the basis of
his calculations; any other system of computation ends only in
difficulties.
But the reader will find other novelties, not the least among them
being the fact that the prophecies of Daniel are made to end with
the beginning of the history of the Christian Church, instead
of lengthening out into a still unknown future; this is a great
advance on previous interpreters. And he will doubtless be struck by
calculations according to which the 1290 Days of the Hebrew Prophet
terminated in A.D. 33.
[Illustration: signature of A. H. Sayce. ]
ASSOUAN, EGYPT,
JANUARY 17, 1905.
Thus far I had written in 1902. Since then the public has shown that
it can appreciate good work by the rapidity with which copy after
copy of Mr. Auchincloss' little book has been called for. It is now
issued once more with additions and improvements, but otherwise in
an unchanged form.
There is one paragraph in it to which the Assyriologist is now able
to add a few words. Mr. Auchincloss draws attention to the sense of
completeness and perfection which is associated in the Old Testament,
not only with the number seven, but also with the number ten. It
has long been known that the Babylonians possessed a week of seven
days. But it is only recently that I have pointed out that they
also possessed a week of five days. Besides the week of five days,
however, there was a double week of ten days, the month consisting
of thirty days and being divided into three equal parts.
[Illustration: signature of A. H. Sayce. ]
PREFACE.
This study of the Book of Daniel is based on the conviction, that
its word is in very deed the Word of God. In approaching the subject
we have brought to the solution of its problems only such numerals
as were known to the ancient Hebrews and to the writers of the New
Testament. Numerals that were symbolized in their feasts and were
current before times of rejoicing. But towering over all, we have
brought God's own standard of time, viz: the sidereal year, which the
greatest of modern astronomers Laplace and Herschel tell us has not
varied the 1/100 part of a second of time in the last 2000 years. We
did so under the conviction that if the Book of Daniel was of human
origin, a piece of historic fiction, it could not stand this severe
test, yet if it was truly the Word of God it would be found resting
on that bed rock, viz:--a year whose length was
365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes and 9-6/10 seconds
a period unknown to the ancients but given to us by modern science.
The Book has stood the test and its true character comes out in bold
relief.
Without a perfectly fitting key, the tendency of its readers is to
treat the Book lightly, call in question its statements and smile at
its prophecies. Time, however, vindicates the statements of Daniel
and fixes on them the seal of truth. Also, newly-found inscriptions
both on rocks and tablets, together with ancient writings composed
in those times, bring to confusion adverse criticism.
The Book of Daniel is a most important part of the Word of God,
and is set like a gem among jewels. Its words of warning were
sounded 600 years before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. Its
prophecies are like mile-stones along the highway of Jewish history,
each one bringing the observer nearer to Messiah's kingdom, to that
"Great and Notable day of the Lord"--Pentecost of A.D. 33--when the
Holy Spirit was manifested to the Jews, also nearer to A.D. 39, the
year of the manifestation to the Gentiles. Daniel alone of all the
prophets received Divine illumination regarding these dates. They
mark the remotest boundary of his book, and therefore bar the way to
fanciful conclusions in regard to later times. Read aright, Daniel's
words have no uncertain sound, they are definite and exact like the
forecast of an astronomer.
Viewed from every standpoint the grand old President of the Chaldean
Court had a character of rare beauty and symmetry, that will continue
to shine throughout the ages. He will stand in his lot to the end
of the days; the noblest example of human courage coupled with
unquestioning faith, the typical companion, the nobleman, courtier,
seer and Prophet;--A MAN GREATLY BELOVED!
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introduction by Prof. A. H. Sayce, LL.D. 7
Preface 9
The Book of Daniel, with interpretation.
Part I. Historic Section 17-49
Part II. Prophetic Section 53-85
NOTES.
Notes. Jewish Independence Day 91
A. Darius, or Cyaxares 95
B. The Sum of the Matters 99
C. Days 103
D. Two Thousand and Three Hundred Days 107
E. The Exodus from Persia 113
F. Date of the Crucifixion 115
CHRONOLOGY.
The Birth of Christ. [See accompanying Chart] 121
Years in the Life of Christ 127
Years in the Life of Herod 129
Asmonean Dynasty 131
Reigns of the Chaldean and Medo-Persian Kings 133
THE BOOK OF DANIEL.
PART I.
HISTORIC SECTION.
CHAPTER I. [WRITTEN IN HEBREW].
[Sidenote: B.C. 606.]
1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
--This siege took place in B.C. 606. Verse 5 says that
Daniel and the royal captives received 3 years' training
and verse 18 shows that at the end of 3 years they
graduated. This brings us to the year B.C. 603 which
chapter 2 verse 1 says was the 2nd of Nebuchadnezzar's
reign, consequently Nebuchadnezzar began to reign in
B.C. 605. This date agrees with the figures given in the
Almagesta of Ptolemy, also with the statements of Berosus.
Besides it harmonizes perfectly the Bible account of
the first 5 years in Jehoiakim's reign, as set forth in
Jeremiah XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXXV, XXXVI, XLV, XLVI, and
II Kings XXIV. Still further a draughtsman can plot it
on a chart, with the same accuracy that a surveyor can
map a piece of land, provided he governs his work by that
remarkable group of locking-dates set forth in Jeremiah
XXV. 1. 2. 3. and Ezekiel XL. 1, also takes full account
of the historic events which happened in the 1st, 7th,
8th, 18th, and 19th years of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. It
thus will become manifest that Daniel and his companions
were taken captive in the Summer of B.C. 606.
2. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part
of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of
Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the
treasure house of his god.
As foretold in Jeremiah XXIX. 10. the captivity of Judah
lasted 70 years, B.C. 606 to B.C. 536, when the Lord
stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim freedom to the
captives. Ezra 1st. chap. Isaiah XLIV. 28.
3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that
he should bring _certain_ of the children of Israel, and of the
king's seed, and of the princes;
4. Children in whom _was_ no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful
in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science,
and such as _had_ ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and
whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
--Precisely as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, more than a
century prior to the event. Isaiah XXXIX. 7.
5. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat,
and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that
at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah:
7. Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto
Daniel _the name_ of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and
to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he
drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself.
--"Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were
in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their
righteousness." Ezekiel XIV. 14. Note in passing, that
by order of birth these names should be read Noah, Job
and Daniel. However, according to a custom common among
the writers of Scripture, the line of Divine favor was
followed in preference to the order of birth. For example,
Japheth, Ham, Shem was the order of birth; but the records
stands: "These are the generations of the sons of Noah;
Shem, Ham and Japheth." So too we read of "Abram, Nahor,
and Haran" when the order of birth was Haran, Nahor and
Abram. Also of "Aaron and Moses and Miriam," when the true
order was Miriam, Aaron and Moses.
9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the
prince of the eunuchs.
10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord
the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should
he see your faces worse liking than the children which _are_ of your
sort? then shall ye make _me_ endanger my head to the king.
11. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had
set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give
us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
The Scriptures everywhere associate a sense of
completeness and perfection with the numeral 7, also with
the numeral 10. The Mosaic Law teems with instances of
this sort. A Sabbatic period covered 7 years. Sprinklings
were administered 7 times, feasts lasted 7 days, priests
carried 7 trumpets, Jericho was compassed 7 times, Naaman
bathed 7 times in the Jordan, a servant bowed 7 times
to his lord and so on. As to the numeral 10, the Law
had 10 commandments, the tabernacle had 10 curtains,
10 pillars, 10 sockets. After the Israelites had tempted
the Lord 10 times, they were condemned to die in the
wilderness. Ten plagues were inflicted on the Egyptians.
In the matter of taxation, the herd was divided into
10 parts and one part set aside for the Lord.
When Nebuchadnezzar tested Daniel and his companions, "he
found them 10 times better than all the magicians and
astrologers." Thus we see plainly that the numerals 7 and
10 conveyed the idea of completeness and perfection to the
Hebrew mind.
[Sidenote: B.C. 603.]
13. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the
countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's
meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and
fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of
the king's meat.
16. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine
that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in
all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions
and dreams.
--"Behold art thou wiser than Daniel." Ezekiel XXVIII. 3.
18. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should
bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar.
--At the end of the 3 years spoken of in verse 5.
19. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found
none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood
they before the king.
20. And in all matters of wisdom _and_ understanding, that the
king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the
magicians _and_ astrologers that _were_ in all his realm.
21. And Daniel continued _even_ unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Cyrus began to reign, as king of Persia in B.C. 558, just
twenty years prior to his conquest of Babylon in B.C. 538.
The verse of course refers to the first year of his reign
as king of Babylon. In the following chapter the narrative
goes back to B.C. 603 which as already explained was the
2nd year of Nebuchadnezzar's individual reign. His father
Nabopolassar was still on the throne in B.C. 606, but on
his death in B.C. 605 Nebuchadnezzar returned at once to
Babylon and was made king, with full authority.
CHAPTER II. [HEBREW AND SYRIAC.]
[Sidenote: B.C. 603.]
1. And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and
his sleep brake from him.
2. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the
astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the
king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit
was troubled to know the dream.
From this point to the end of the VI chapter Daniel wrote
in the Syriac language. The rest of the book was written
in Hebrew. In our own day men of affairs converse and
write in several languages. Evidently one who was fitted
to preside over 120 princes had many languages at his
command.
4. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live
for ever; tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the
interpretation.
5. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone
from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the
interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses
shall be made a dunghill.
6. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall
receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me
the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
7. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the
dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
8. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain
the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, _there is but_
one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words
to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me
the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation
thereof.
10. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not
a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore
_there is_ no king, lord, nor ruler, _that_ asked such things at any
magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11. And _it is_ a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is
none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose
dwelling is not with flesh.
12. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded
to destroy all the wise _men_ of Babylon.
13. And the decree went forth that the wise _men_ should be slain;
and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14. Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the
captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise
_men_ of Babylon:
15. He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why _is_ the
decree _so_ hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to
Daniel.
16. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give
him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18. That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning
this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the
rest of the wise _men_ of Babylon.
19. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then
Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and
ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21. And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and
setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to
them that know understanding:
22. He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what _is_ in
the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast
given me wisdom and might and hast made known unto me now what we
desired of thee: for thou hast _now_ made known unto us the king's
matter.
24. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained
to destroy the wise _men_ of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him;
Destroy not the wise _men_ of Babylon: bring me in before the king,
and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
25. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said
thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will
make known unto the king the interpretation.
26. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name _was_
Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which
I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret
which the king hath demanded cannot the wise _men_, the astrologers,
the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
28. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh
known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:
29. As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came _into thy mind_ upon
thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth
secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
30. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for _any_ wisdom
that I have more than any living, but for _their_ sakes that shall
make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest
know the thoughts of thy heart.
31. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image,
whose brightness _was_ excellent, stood before thee; and the form
thereof _was_ terrible.
32. This image's head _was_ of fine gold, his breast and his arms of
silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
33. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
34. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which
smote the image upon his feet _that were_ of iron and clay, and brake
them to pieces.
35. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold,
broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer
threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was
found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great
mountain, and filled the whole earth.
36. This _is_ the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof
before the king.
37. Thou, O king, _art_ a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath
given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the
field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and
hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou _art_ this head of gold.
39. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee
--the Medo-Persian--
and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all
the earth
--the Macedonian.
40. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron:
--the Roman Empire--
forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as
iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay,
and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be
in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron
mixed with miry clay.
42. And _as_ the toes of the feet _were_ part of iron, and part of
clay, _so_ the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
43. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall
mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one
to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be
left to other people, _but_ it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
The birth of Christ took place in B.C. 2, in the palmiest
days of the Roman Empire. The angel Gabriel declared,
thou "shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and
shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and
he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there shall be no end."--Luke I. 31.--The
right of taxation is the prerogative of sovereign power.
When therefore Augustus Caesar began to enroll the Jews
for purposes of taxation in B.C. 2 the power of the holy
people was at an end and the full time of prophecy had
arrived. It was then that Christ was born in Bethlehem
of Judea. "The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor
a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and
unto him shall the gathering of the people be."--Genesis
XLIX. 10.
45. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the
mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the
brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made
known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream
_is_ certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
46. Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped
Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet
odours unto him.
47. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth _it is_, that
your God _is_ a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of
secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great
gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and
chief of the governors over all the wise _men_ of Babylon.
49. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but
Daniel _sat_ in the gate of the king.
CHAPTER III. [SYRIAC.]
[Sidenote: B.C. 593.]
1. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height _was_
threescore cubits, _and_ the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up
in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
--The dream described in the previous chapter, seems to
have touched the inventive genius of king Nebuchadnezzar in
a way, that inspired him to produce a mechanically perfect
image--a casting of gold of priceless value--especially
strong in every part, and one in which there were no planes
of weakness whatever. An image that seemed to bid defiance
to the course of events foreshadowed by the prophet Daniel.
2. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes,
the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the
counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to
come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had
set up.
--Doubtless it was in response to this invitation that
Zedekiah visited "Babylon in the 4th year of his reign."
Jer. LI. 59 to 64.
3. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the
treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the
provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image
that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the
image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people,
nations, and languages,
5. _That_ at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp,
sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down
and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up.
--A monarch so wealthy and whose sway covered so many
lands, must have had at his command musicians, highly
skilled in the use of a great variety of musical
instruments, gathered both from Europe and Asia.
6. And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be
cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of
the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick,
all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down, _and_
worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused
the Jews.
At the time of the Babylonian captivity the Hebrews began
to be known as Jews, or inhabitants of Judea.
9. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for
ever.
10. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall
hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and
dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the
golden image:
11. And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, _that_ he should be
cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of
the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men,
O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship
the golden image which thou hast set up.
13. Then Nebuchadnezzar in _his_ rage and fury commanded to bring
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before
the king.
14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, _Is it_ true,
O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor
worship the golden image which I have set up?
15. Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the
cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds
of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made;
_well_: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who _is_ that God that
shall deliver you out of my hands?
16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king,
O Nebuchadnezzar, we _are_ not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17. If it be _so_, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver _us_ out of thine
hand, O king.
18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve
thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
19. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage
was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: _therefore_
he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven
times more than it was wont to be heated.
--Or, 8 times as hot as the usual temperature. The
numeral 7 expressed the utmost intensity known to the king.
20. And he commanded the most mighty men that _were_ in his army to
bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, _and_ to cast _them_ into the
burning fiery furnace.
21. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their
hats, and their _other_ garments, and were cast into the midst of the
burning fiery furnace.
22. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the
furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took
up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
--This seems to have been what is technically called
"back-draught," which those who are skilled in feeding
furnaces are careful to guard against, but which a soldier
knows nothing about.
23. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down
bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste,
_and_ spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men
bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the
king, True, O king.
25. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the
midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth
is like the Son of God.
26. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery
furnace, _and_ spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye
servants of the most high God, come forth, and come _hither_. Then
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
27. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's
counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose
bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed,
neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed
on them.
28. _Then_ Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed _be_ the God
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and
delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the
king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor
worship any god, except their own God.
29. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and
language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses
shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can
deliver after this sort.
30. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the
province of Babylon.
CHAPTER IV. [SYRIAC.]
1. Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages,
that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God
hath wrought toward me.
3. How great _are_ his signs! and how mighty _are_ his wonders! his
kingdom _is_ an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion _is_ from
generation to generation.
4. I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my
palace:
5. I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed
and the visions of my head troubled me.
6. Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise _men_
of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the
interpretation of the dream.
7. Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and
the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not
make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8. But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was
Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom _is_ the
spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, _saying_,
9. O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that
the spirit of the holy gods _is_ in thee, and no secret troubleth
thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the
interpretation thereof.
10. Thus _were_ the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold
a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof _was_ great.
11. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached
unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12. The leaves thereof _were_ fair, and the fruit thereof much, and
in it _was_ meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under
it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all
flesh was fed of it.
13. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a
watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14. He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his
branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts
get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15. Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with
a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let
it be wet with the dew of heaven, and _let_ his portion _be_ with the
beasts in the grass of the earth:
16. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be
given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
In view of the fact that Nebuchadnezzar's probation lasted
for 12 months, see verse 29, it is reasonable to suppose
that his dementia lasted for 7 months, or until the moon
had passed over him 7 times, a period long enough to
permit a rank growth of both hair and nails and yet short
enough for a regency to hold his kingdom together without
losing hope of his final recovery. Besides the events in
the years of his reign are too well known to admit of a
much longer season of affliction.
17. This matter _is_ by the decree of the watchers, and the demand
by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know
that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18. This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou,
O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all
the wise _men_ of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the
interpretation: but thou _art_ able; for the spirit of the holy gods
_is_ in thee.
19. Then Daniel, whose name _was_ Belteshazzar, was astonied for
one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said,
Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof,
trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream
_be_ to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine
enemies.
20. The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose
height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the
earth;
21. Whose leaves _were_ fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it
_was_ meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and
upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22. It _is_ thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy
greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the
end of the earth.
23. And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down
from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave
the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron
and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with
the dew of heaven, and _let_ his portion _be_ with the beasts of the
field, till seven times pass over him;
24. This _is_ the interpretation, O king, and this _is_ the decree of
the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25. That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be
with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass
as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven
times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth
in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots;
thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known
that the heavens do rule.
27. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and
break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing
mercies to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
28. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the
kingdom of Babylon.
30. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have
built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for
the honour of my majesty?
31. While the word _was_ in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from
heaven, _saying_, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The
kingdom is departed from thee.
32. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling _shall be_
with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as
oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the
most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever
he will.
33. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and
he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was
wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles'
_feathers_, and his nails like birds' _claws_.
34. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes
unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me and I blessed
the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever,
whose dominion _is_ an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom _is_
from generation to generation:
35. And all the inhabitants of the earth _are_ reputed as nothing:
and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and _among_
the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto
him, What doest thou?
36. At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory
of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my
counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my
kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of
heaven, all whose works _are_ truth, and his ways judgment: and those
that walk in pride he is able to abase.
CHAPTER V. [SYRIAC.]
[Sidenote: B.C. 538.]
1. Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords,
and drank wine before the thousand.
--According to the Almagesta of Ptolemy, Nabonadios the
father of Belshazzar ruled Babylon for 17 years. During
the last 3 years of his reign the court and the army were
under the control of his son who became acting king. The
three tablets of Belshazzar fully establish his identity
and the annalistic tablet of Cyrus throws much light on
the affairs of the Chaldean court during the last years of
the joint-reign. It reads like a nice piece of detective
work.
2. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the
golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken
out of the temple which _was_ in Jerusalem; that the king, and his
princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
--Belshazzar's mother was a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar
and the word Father is used in the sense of grandfather,
exactly as in II Samuel 19. 24. Mephibosheth is spoken of
as the son of Saul, when in fact he was the grandson of
Saul.
3. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the
temple of the house of God which _was_ at Jerusalem; and the king,
and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of
brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote
over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the
king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled
him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote
one against another.
7. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans,
and the soothsayers. _And_ the king spake, and said to the wise
_men_ of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the
interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with purple,
--R.V.--
and _have_ a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third
ruler in the kingdom.
--First Nabonadios, second Belshazzar, his son, and third
the Interpreter.
8. Then came in all the king's wise _men_: but they could not read
the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
9. Then was the king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance
was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
10. _Now_ the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords
came into the banquet house: _and_ the queen spake and said, O
king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy
countenance be changed.
--This queen was the wife of Nabonadios and mother of
Belshazzar. Her death is recorded on the annalistic
tablet of Cyrus. Her funeral rites were conducted by
Cambyses in the "Temple of the Sceptre of the world," and
his free will offerings aggregated "Ten times the usual
amount," a most appropriate tribute to the daughter of
Nebuchadnezzar, that wonderful warrior, engineer and man
of letters.
11. There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom _is_ the spirit of the
holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and
wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king
Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, _I say_, thy father, made master
of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, _and_ soothsayers;
12. Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and
understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences,
and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the
king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew
the interpretation.
13. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. _And_ the king spake
and said unto Daniel, _Art_ thou that Daniel, which _art_ of the
children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought
out of Jewry?
14. I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods _is_ in
thee, and _that_ light and understanding and excellent wisdom is
found in thee.
15. And now the wise _men_, the astrologers, have been brought
in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known
unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the
interpretation of the thing:
16. And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations,
and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make
known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with
purple,
--R.V.--
and _have_ a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third
ruler in the kingdom.
17. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be
to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the
writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a
kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
19. And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and
languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and
whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he
would he put down.
20. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride,
he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from
him:
21. And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made
like the beasts, and his dwelling _was_ with the wild asses: they
fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of
heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of
men, and _that_ he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
22. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart,
though thou knewest all this;
23. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they
have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy
lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and
thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood,
and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose
hand thy breath _is_, and whose _are_ all thy ways, hast thou not
glorified:
24. Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was
written.
25. And this _is_ the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL,
UPHARSIN.
26. This _is_ the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath
numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and
Persians.
29. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple,
--R.V.--
and _put_ a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation
concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
31. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, _being_ about threescore
and two years old.
--After Cyrus entered Babylon and pacified its inhabitants
he started on other expeditions and temporarily placed on
the throne his uncle Cyaxares, king of the Medes, who was
known as Darius among his new subjects, a name less liable
to be confused with that of his illustrious nephew. It is
a well known fact, that expediency often determines the
choice of an official name for the sovereign. Thus the
present king of England might have been known as Albert I,
instead of Edward VII. For full explanation see NOTE A.
CHAPTER VI. [SYRIAC.]
[Sidenote: B.C. 538.]
1. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty
princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2. And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel _was_ first: that
the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have
no damage.
3. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes,
because an excellent spirit _was_ in him; and the king thought to set
him over the whole realm.
[Sidenote: B.C. 537.]
4. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against
Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor
fault; forasmuch as he _was_ faithful, neither was there any error or
fault found in him.
5. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this
Daniel, except we find _it_ against him concerning the law of his God.
6. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king,
and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes,
the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to
establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever
shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee,
O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it
be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which
altereth not.
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,
Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians _is_, That no
decree 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.
--Hebrews XI. 32, 33.
24. And the king commanded, and 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 he worketh signs and wonders in
heaven 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.
Here ends the historical portion of the book of Daniel.
PART II.
PROPHETIC SECTION.