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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:5

The sound of the Cornet - There is not less difficulty in ascertaining the precise meaning of these musical instruments than there is in the offices in Daniel 3:2 . קרנא karna , here translated cornet, is the common blowing horn, which makes a deep and hollow sound, as well as one shrill and piercing. Flute - משרוקיתא mashrokitha , from שרק sharak , to whistle, shriek. A wind instrument which made a strong and shrill noise, such as the hautbois or clarionet. Harp - ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:6

Shall the same hour - This is the first place in the Old Testament where we find the division of time into hours. The Greeks say that Anaximander was the inventor. He had it probably from the Chaldeans, among whom this division was in use long before Anaximander was born. Be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace - This was an ancient mode of punishment among the Chaldeans, if we may credit the tradition that Abram was cast into such a fire by this idolatrous people because he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:8

Accused the Jews - That is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The other Jews were left unnoticed; and probably at this time Daniel was too high to be touched; but we may rest assured that he was not found among these idolaters, see Daniel 3:12 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:16

We are not careful - We have no need to put thee to any farther trouble; we have made up our minds on this subject, and have our answer ready: Be it known unto thee, We Will Not Serve Thy Gods. This was as honest as it was decisive. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:17

If it be so - Thou mayest cast us into the furnace; the terror of it has no effect on our minds to induce us to alter the resolution we have taken, nor shall the fire change our purpose. We serve a God who is able to deliver us. Should he not, we are equally determined; but we are satisfied that in some way or other he will deliver us out of thy hand. Thy power cannot affect us in the kingdom of our God to which we shall ascend from thy furnace, should he permit the fire to kindle upon us.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury - How strange is this, after having had so many proofs of the supremacy of Jehovah! He had seen how God poured contempt upon his authority in the case of the three Hebrews, and yet he will try his strength once more! How infatuated is man! Seven times more - As hot as it could be made. Seven expresses the great intensity of the heat. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:20

The most mighty men - The generals, or chief officers of his army; not strong men, there was no need of such. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:21

Their hats - This word, hat, is found only in this place in the Old Testament. The word סרבל sarbal properly means an outer garment. Herodotus, who lived about one hundred years after Daniel, says, "the dress of the Babylonians consisted of a tunic of linen reaching down to the feet; over this a tunic of woollen; and over all a white short cloak or mantle, χλανιδιον ; and on their heads they wore turbans, μιτρησι ." Following this, Mr. Parkhurst translates the verse thus: "Then these... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:23

And these three men - fell down bound - There is a most evident want of connection between this and the following verse; and it is between these verses that the apocryphal Song of the Three Children, as it is called, has been inserted by St. Jerome and others; but with this note: Quae sequuntur in Hebraeis voluminibus non reperi ; "What follows I have not found in the Hebrew books." And then begins, "They walked in the midst of the flame, praising God, and blessing the Lord." The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:25

Is like the Son of God - A most improper translation. What notion could this idolatrous king have of the Lord Jesus Christ? for so the place is understood by thousands. אלהין בר bar elahin signifies a son of the gods, that is, a Divine person or angel; and so the king calls him in Daniel 3:28 ; : "God hath sent his Angel, and delivered his servants." And though even from this some still contend that it was the Angel of the covenant, yet the Babylonish king knew just as much of the one... read more

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