Bible Commentary

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. 2. three presidents ] Aram. srak, prob. a form derived from the Pers. sr, ‘head,’ ‘chief,’ ‘prince.’ In the O.T. it is found only in this chap. ( Dan 6:2-4 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 6:2”

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 1. an hundred and twenty satraps ] see on Dan 3:2. No other notice of this organization has come down to us. The Persian empire was first organised into provinces under ‘satraps’ by Darius Hystaspis … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 6:1”

And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old. 31. And Darius the Median (or the Mede, as Dan 11:1) received the kingdom ] The idea of the writer appears to be that the Medes and Persians were acting in concert at the time of the capture of Babylon ( … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:31”

In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain – On the taking of Babylon, and the consequences, see the notes at Isa 13:17-22; Isa 45:1-2. The account which Xenophon (Cyrop. vii. s.) gives of the taking of Babylon. and of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:30”

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, 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. 29. Belshazzar fulfils the promise given in Dan 5:16. The unconcern exhibited by the king at Daniel’s interpretation, especially in presence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:29”

PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 28. the Medes and Persians ] See on Dan 5:31. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Peres – In Dan 5:25 this is Upharsin. These are but different forms of the same word – the word in Dan 5:25 being in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:28”

TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Tekel – This word ( teqel) is also, according to Gesenius, a passive participle (from teqal – to poise, to weigh), and means weighed. It would be used with reference to anything placed in a balance to ascertain its weight; and hence, like the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:27”

This [is] the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 26. finished it ] completed it, given it its full and complete measure of time. Cp. the cognate adj. in Gen 15:16 (‘full,’ ‘complete’). Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges This is the interpretation of the thing … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:26”

And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 25. written ] inscribed (R.V.). The word is not the one that ordinarily means to write, but one that means rather to print or stamp. Mene (pron. mn , to rhyme with bewray), Mene, Tekel (pron. tk l, to rhyme with bewail), Upharsin] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:25”

Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 24. Then was the palm ( Dan 5:5) of the hand sent forth from before him; and this writing was inscribed ] Dan 5:5. Then is here equivalent, virtually, to hence, therefore. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:24”