1.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
In the third year, &c . It was in the third year of Jehoiakim that Nebuchadnezzar set out from Babylon; and Daniel, writing there, speaks of the starting, not of the arrival at Jerusalem. See note on "came", below. In the fourth year Jehovah says by Jeremiah ( Dan 25:9 ), "I will send". The date would be 497 B.C. and Daniel's sixteenth year, he being born probably in 513 B.C. (Josiah's eighteenth year).
came = went, set out, or proceeded. Hebrew. bo ', which means to go or come, according to the context and the point of view. It is rendered "went" in Genesis 7:9 , Genesis 7:16 ; Genesis 15:17 . Exodus 5:1 .Numbers 8:22 ; Numbers 14:24 .Judges 6:19 ; Jdg 18:18 . 1 Samuel 17:12 . 2 Samuel 2:24 ; 2Sa 12:16 ; 2 Samuel 17:25 ; 2 Samuel 20:3 , 2Sa 20:8 . 1 Chronicles 2:21 .Psalms 66:12 .Ezekiel 36:20 , Ezekiel 36:21 , Ezekiel 36:22 ; Ezekiel 41:3 . It is translated " go ", in the sense of proceed or set out, in Deuteronomy 4:1 ; Deuteronomy 6:18 ; Deuteronomy 8:1 ; Deuteronomy 11:8 ; Deuteronomy 12:26 ; Deuteronomy 22:13 ; Deuteronomy 26:3 .Joshua 23:12 .Ruth 3:4 . 1 Samuel 25:5 , &c. Jonah 1:3 , &c. It is rendered " entered " (of setting out) in 2 Chronicles 27:2 .Job 38:16 , Job 38:22 .Jeremiah 9:21 ; Jeremiah 14:18 ; Jeremiah 17:25 ; Jeremiah 22:4 ; Jeremiah 34:10 ; Jeremiah 37:16 . Lamentations 1:10 . Ezekiel 44:2 ; Ezekiel 46:2 . Eze 11:40 , Eze 11:41 .Amos 5:5 .Obadiah 1:11 .Zechariah 5:4 . Nebuchadnezzar did set out in Jehoiakim's third year, but was delayed by fighting the battle with Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish. In the next (the fourth) year (Jeremiah 46:2 ), he carried out the object with which he set out. Compare 2 Kings 24:1 , and 2 Chronicles 36:6 , 2 Chronicles 36:7 .
Nebuchadnezzar . This name is so spelled (i.e. with "n" instead of "r") by Berosus (who wrote his history from the monuments, Cent. 3, B. C). Both spellings were in vogue. Ezekiel uses the "r"; and Jeremiah uses "r" before en. 27; and then eight times the "n" ( Dan 27:6 where Nebuchadnezzar is once specially called Jehovah's appointed servant, 8, 20; Dan 28:3 , Dan 28:11 , Dan 28:14 ; Dan 29:1 , Dan 29:3 ); and after that, always with "r" except twice ( Dan 34:1 ; Dan 39:5 ). It is spelled with "n" in 2 Kings 24:1 , 2 Kings 24:10 , 2Ki 24:11 ; 2 Kings 25:1 , 2 Kings 25:8 , 2Ki 25:22 ; 1 Chronicles 6:15 . 2 Chronicles 36:6 , 2Ch 36:7 , 2 Chronicles 36:10 , 2 Chronicles 36:13 .Ezra 1:7 ; Ezra 2:1 .Nehemiah 7:6 . Esther 2:6 ).
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.
the LORD* . One of the 134 places where the Sopherim say they altered "Jehovah" of the primitive text to"Adonai". See App-32 .
gave . See Isaiah 39:6 , Isaiah 39:7 . Jeremiah 25:8-11 .Ezekiel 21:26 , Ezekiel 21:27 .
part . Others were brought later (2 Kings 24:13 . 2 Chronicles 36:10 ). See Ezra 1:7 for the subsequent restoration of them by Cyrus.
God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
the land of Shinar . Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:10 ; Genesis 11:2 ; Genesis 14:1 , Genesis 14:9 ). App-92 . Outside the Pentateuch found only in Joshua 7:21 (Hebrew text). Isaiah 11:11 .Zechariah 5:11 ; and here.
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;
the master of his eunuchs . Hebrew. rab sarisayn = master or chief of the eunuchs; whence the title "Rab-saris" in 2 Kings 18:17 . See note there. Called "prince" in Daniel 1:7 .
children = sons.
and = even, or both. Some codices, with six early printed editions, omit this "and": reading "sons of Israel, of the king's seed" (or "seed-royal").
princes = nobles. Hebrew. partemim, a Persian word, found only here and Esther 1:3 ; Esther 6:9 . Not the same word as in verses: Daniel 1:7 , Daniel 1:8 , Daniel 1:10 , Daniel 7:11 , &c.
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.
Children = Youths.
cunning = skilful.
in the king's palace . The Inscriptions show that there was a palace school with elaborate arrangements for special education. See below on "Chaldeans", and notes on Daniel 2:2 .
learning = character, or books. See Prof. Sayce's Babylonian Literature: which shows the existence of a huge literature and famous libraries, in which were arrangements for procuring books from the librarian as in our own day. These books related to all subjects, and were classified according to their subjects (pp. 12-14).
tongue . This was a special and important department.
Chaldeans . A name not peculiar to Daniel. From Genesis onward it is met with, especially in Jeremiah. They were distinct from the Babylonians (Jeremiah 22:25 .Ezekiel 23:23; Ezekiel 23:23 ), and belonged to South Babylonia. Used here of a special class, well known as such at that time (Compare Daniel 2:2 , Daniel 2:4 , Daniel 2:5 , Daniel 2:10 ), and distinct also from other learned classes (Daniel 2:4 ). The word (Hebrew. Chasdim) is used also in the wider sense of a nationality (Daniel 5:30 ). See Dr. Pinches on The Old Testament, p. 371; Rawlinson's History of Herodotus, vol. i; pp 255, 256; and Lenormant's The Ancient History of the East, i. pp. 493-5.
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.
meat = food. Hebrew. pathbag. A Persian or Aryan word. Occurs only in Daniel.
wine . Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .
three years . Say 497, 496, and 495 B.C. See note on Daniel 2:1 . It does not say these years were concluded before the events of Dan 2 took place.
stand before the king . Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 41:46 ).
6.
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel = God is my Judge. See note on the Title.
Hananiah = Jah is gracious; or, graciously given by Jah.
Mishael = who is (or is as) El? App-4 .
Azariah = helped of Jah, or Jah has helped.
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.
prince = ruler. Hebrew. sar .
gave names. In token of subjection. See 2 Kings 23:34 ; 2 Kings 24:17 . Compare Genesis 41:45 .
Belteshazzar . According to Dr. Pinches, this is an abbreviated form of Balat-su-usur = protect thou (O Bel) his life. Many such abbreviations are found in the inscriptions; but compare "Belshazzar" (Daniel 5:1 ).
Shadrach . According to Delitzsch = Sudur-Aku (= command of Aku, the moon-god).
Meshach . Perhaps Misha-Aku = who is as Aku?
Abed-nego = servant or worshipper of Nego. It is not wise to suppose this to be a corruption of Abed- nebo, while any day the name may be met with in the Inscriptions.
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.
purposed in his heart = made up his mind. Compare Proverbs 23:7 .
defile himself, &c . This was because meat was killed with the blood (contrary to Leviticus 3:17 ; Leviticus 7:26 ; Leviticus 17:10-14 ; Leviticus 19:26 ), and offered to idols (Exodus 34:15 . 1 Corinthians 10:20 . Compare Acts 15:29 ). Not because they were acting on vegetarian and temperance principles.
9.
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [Triune] God. App-4 .
tender love = compassion.
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.
And: or, Yet.
worse liking = sadder: i.e. thin and sad-looking. Compare Matthew 6:16 .
your sort = your own age.
11.
Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Melzar. Hebrew = the melzar = the steward or butler, who had charge of the wine, &c.
12.
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
pulse = vegetable food (to avoid the idol-tainted meat).
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.
understanding = discernment.
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.
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 inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
magicians and astrologers . See notes on Daniel 2:2 . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.
21.
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
continued = continued in office. See first occurance: Exodus 25:30 . Dan 25:30 , also Exodus 27:20 ; Exodus 28:29 , Exodus 28:30 , Exodus 28:38 ; Exodus 29:38 , Exodus 29:42 ; Exodus 30:8 , &c. Compare Ezekiel 39:14 , "continual employment".
the first year of king Cyrus: i.e. during the whole period of Babylonian supremacy over Israel for sixty-nine years (495-426 = 69). It does not say that he did not continue longer, but that he lived to see that important epoch. Compare Daniel 10:1 ; and see App-57 and App-58 .