Daniel 3

Daniel 3:2

2. — the princes, the governors, &c.] It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe with certainty the several officers and commanders here mentioned. W. Lowth, Wintle.

Daniel 3:3

3. How great are his signs! &c.] The king’s repeated experience had extorted from him the sublime confession contained in this verse; the latter part of which is a fine display of the infinite power and dominion of the true God. Wintle.

Daniel 3:4

4. — O people, nations, and languages.] From whatever part of the empire ye come, and whatever language ye speak: see ver. 29, and chap. iv. 1. This form of speech was designed to set forth the largeness and extent of the Babylonish empire, which had subjects of so many different languages. The same phrase was afterwards used under the Medes and Persians, chap. vi. 23; Esth. i. 22; iii. 12; viii. 9. W. Lowth.

5. I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:] God’s particular judgments often resemble the general one, in coming suddenly and unexpectedly, while men are indulging themselves in carnal security. See Ps. xxx. 6, 7; Matt. xxiv. 43, 44; 1 Thess. v. 2, 3. W. Louth.

Daniel 3:5

5 — cornet, flute, harp, &c.] There is much difficulty in determining the several musical instruments here intended. Though Dr. Burney, in his History of Musick, has one whole chapter on the musick of the ancient Hebrews, yet he only enumerates the names of these instruments, by quoting the verse; and probably in his researches could not meet with sufficient data to explain them in a satisfactory manner. Wintle.

5. — whose name was Belteshazzar.] See the note on chap. i. 7.

— in whom is the spirit of the holy gods:] Or, “of the holy God.” The words admit of a singular sense. It must be presumed, that this king had now the one

b Chap. 2. 48.

Daniel 3:6

6. — the same hour] This is the first place in the Old Testament where we meet with the division of time into hours. The Greeks ascribe the invention of hours to Anaximander, or Anaximenes; who probably learned it from the Chaldeans. W. Lowth.

— be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.]

Daniel 3:9

9. — the magicians.] This word may be understood as comprehending all the inchanters or diviners of every sort. Whether the religion of the Magi, properly so called, was received among the Babylonians, is perhaps not altogether certain. The Magians, or worshippers of fire, were first established in Persia; (Dr. Hyde;) their sect was propagated in Persia and India, and they remain there to this time. Dean Prideaux. But it is not improbable, that their principles were well known also, and partly received, in Chaldea and Babylonia; especially as these nations were immersed in all sorts of superstition: and the name “Magi” seems to have belonged to the countries of the East in general. Wintle.

— tell me the visions of my dream—and the interpretation thereof.] Nebuchadnezzar tells the dream himself in the following words: so the meaning of this sentence must be, Tell me the dream; that is, the interpretation thereof. The Greek translates it thus: “Hear the vision of my dream, and tell me the interpretation thereof.” W. Louth.

Daniel 3:10

10. — behold a tree in the midst of the earth, &c.] “The midst of the earth” is probably meant as a centre, from which the extensive circuit of his empire was described. The sovereigns of the world are often represented by large trees in the language of other countries, as well as in the prophetic language of the Hebrews; and by the shadow is denoted the protection which men may receive under government. Wintle.

a Chap. 2. 44.

testimony of the true religion before so many thousand witnesses, afford not only an example of suffering undauntedly for the cause of truth, but an encouragement so to suffer. When the whole creation is in flames, and all this world becomes one great fiery furnace, the faithful servants of Christ shall escape unhurt from that general conflagration. Upon their bodies the fire shall have no power; but, having endured temptation unto the end, they shall receive from the hand of God “a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” Wogan.

Chap. IV. ver. 1. — Peace be multiplied unto you.] An usual form of addressing the subjects of this vast empire: see chap. vi. 25. Wintle.

Daniel 3:15

15. — well:] The ellipsis, though familiar in the Hebrew and other ancient languages, is beautiful in this verse, and seems to point at the great wrath and overbearing impetuosity of the furious monarch, which is further denoted at the end of the verse. For a like ellipsis see Luke xiii. 9; Matt. xv. 5, 6, &c. Wintle.

— and who is that God &c.] Thus Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself above God Almighty, as Sennacherib had done before him, 2 Kings xviii. 35. Notwithstanding he had before made a confession of the true God, chap. ii. 47. W. Lowth.

Daniel 3:16

16. — we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.] In so plain a case, there is no room for deliberation: we have an answer ready at hand, that we ought to obey God rather than man. W. Lowth. See the note on chap. ii. 10.

God delivereth them. Nebuchadnezzar blesseth God. Before CHRIST about 580. filled. mighty of strength. word. governors.

Daniel 3:24

24. Then Nebuchadnezzar &c.] The hymn of the three children follows the twenty-third verse in the Latin, Greek, and some other versions. But this is generally now agreed to be a spurious production of much later date. From a review of the hymn, however pious and well designed, we cannot discover the usual style of Daniel, or any resemblance to the other parts of his book. Wintle. 25. — I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, &c.] This would be more easily understood, if we knew the true form of what is denominated “a furnace.” Probably it was either an inclosed building, with an opening large enough to admit a full view of it; or an uncovered building, an inclosure of fire, or an area surrounded by a wall, within which the fire raged; so that Nebuchadnezzar, still seated on his throne, might see the persons in the fire. Fragments to Calmet. — like the son of God.] Very bright and glorious, above the possibility of all human beauty and resplendence. Bp. Hall. “Like a son of God,” some angelick appearance: see ver. 28, and Job i. 6. Or, “like the Son of God,” that is, Christ: of whom Munster understanding it observes, that he thinks it no wonder that Nebuchadsee 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.

Daniel 3:26

26. — ye servants of the most high God.] This miracle calls to the king’s mind the confession he had formerly made of the true God, chap. ii. 47. W. Lowth.

Daniel 3:27

27. — upon whose bodies the fire had no power.] The several expressions here used are meant to shew, that not the least injury was received from the fire. The expressions rise in beautiful order. The fire not only had no prevailing power over their bodies, but neither was a hair of their head burnt, nor their flowing robes singed, nor even the smell of fire had passed on them. Compare this with Isa. xlii. 2. Wintle.

Daniel 3:28

28. — have changed the king’s word.] Have rendered his command of none effect, God Himself having suspended the execution of it. W. Lowth. 29. — which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, &c.] So Darius acknowledges “the God of Daniel,” chap. vi. 26, looking on Him as supcriou to other gods, but not as the only true God. W. Lowth.

Daniel 3:30

30. Then the king promoted Shadrach, &c.] Or, restored them to their former places and dignities. W. Lowth. These three blessed martyrs, who bore so noble a