daniel-4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:6

Therefore made I a decree - The word here rendered decree (טעם ṭe‛êm) means, commonly, “taste, flavor,” as of wine; then “judgment, discernment, reason;” and then a judgment of a king, a mandate, edict. Compare Daniel 3:10. The primary notion seems to be that of a delicate “taste” enabling one to determine the qualities of wines, viands, etc.; and then a delicate and nice discrimination in regard to the qualities of actions. The word thus expresses a sound and accurate judgment, and is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:7

Then came in the magicians ... - All the words occurring here are found in Daniel 2:2, and are explained in the note at that verse, except the word rendered “soothsayers.” This occurs in Daniel 2:27. See it explained in the note at that verse. All these words refer to the same general class of persons - those who were regarded as endued with eminent wisdom; who were supposed to be qualified to explain remarkable occurrences, to foretell the future, and to declare the will of heaven from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:8

But at the last - After the others had shown that they could not interpret the dream. Why Daniel was not called with the others does not appear; nor is it said in what manner he was at last summoned into the presence of the king. It is probable that his skill on a former occasion Daniel 2:0 was remembered, and that when all the others showed that they had no power to interpret the dream, he was called in by Nebuchadnezzar. The Latin Vulgate renders this, Donee collega ingressus est - “until a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:9

O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians - “Master,” in the sense that he was first among them, or was superior to them all. Or, perhaps, he still retained office at the head of this class of men - the office to which he had been appointed when he interpreted the former dream, Daniel 2:48. The word rendered “master” (רב rab) is that which was applied to a teacher, a chief, or a great man among the Jews - from where came the title “rabbi.” Compare Daniel 2:48; Daniel 5:11.Because I know that the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:10

Thus were the visions of my head in my bed - These are the things which I saw upon my bed. When he says that they were the “visions of his head,” he states a doctrine which was then doubtless regarded as the truth, that the head is the seat of thought.I saw - Margin, “was seeing.” Chaldee, “seeing I saw.” The phrase would imply attentive and calm contemplation. It was not a flitting vision; it was an object which he contemplated deliberately so as to retain a distinct remembrance of its form... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:11

The tree grew - Or the tree was “great” - רבה rebâh. It does not mean that the tree grew while he was looking at it so as to reach to the heaven, but that it stood before him in all its glory, its top reaching to the sky, and its branches extending afar.And was strong - It was well-proportioned, with a trunk adapted to its height, and to the mass of boughs and foliage which it bore. The strength here refers to its trunk, and to the fact that it seemed fixed firmly in the earth.And the height... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:12

The leaves thereof were fair - Were beautiful. That is, they were abundant, and green, and there were no signs of decay. Everything indicated a vigorous and healthy growth - a tree in its full beauty and majesty - a striking emblem of a monarch in his glory.And the fruit thereof much - It was loaded with fruit - showing that the tree was in its full vigour.And in it was meat for all - Food for all, for so the word meat was formerly used. This would indicate the dependence of the multitudes on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:13

I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed - In the visions that passed before me as I lay upon my bed, Daniel 4:10.And, behold, a watcher and an holy one - Or rather, perhaps, “even a holy one;” or, “who was a holy one.” He evidently does not intend to refer to two beings, a “watcher,” and “one who was holy;” but he means to designate the character of the watcher, that he was holy, or that he was one of the class of “watchers” who were ranked as holy - as if there were others to whom the name... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:14

He cried aloud - Margin, as in the Chaldee, “with might.” That is, he cried with a strong voice.Hew down the tree - This command does not appear to have been addressed to any particular ones who were to execute the commission, but it is a strong and significant way of saying that it would certainly be done. Or possibly the command may be understood as addressed to his fellow-watchers Daniel 4:17, or to orders of angels over whom this one presided.And cut off his branches ... - The idea here,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:15

Nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth - As of a tree that is not wholly dead, but which may send up suckers and shoots again. See the note at Isaiah 11:1. In Theodotion this is, τὴν φυήν τῶν ῥιξῶν tēn phuēn tōn rizōn - the nature, germ. Schleusner renders the Greek, “the trunk of its roots.” The Vulgate is, germen radicum ejus, “the germ of his roots.” The Codex Chisianus has: ῥίξαν μίαν ἄφετε ἀυτοῦ ἐν τῇ γῇ rizan mian aphete autou en tē gē - “leave one... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 4:15

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