M THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET DANIEL. CHAPTER I. 1 Jehoiakim's captivity. 3 Ashpenaz taketh Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 They refusing the king's portion, do prosper with pulse and water. 17 Their excellency in wisdoin. IN a A. M. 3397. a 2K1.24.1,2 2Ch.36.6,7 A. M. 3398. B. C. 606. b Foretold, 2K2017, 18. N the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 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 of his he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 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; b Is.39.7. drink. d e.4.8. e De. 32.38. A. M. 3401. 1 Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, requireth it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threatenings 10 They, acknowledging their inability, are judged to die. 14 Laniel obtaining some respite findeth the dream. 19 He blesseth God. 24 He, staying the decree, is brought to the king. 31 The dream. 35 The interpretation. 46 Daniel's advancement. AND in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. 4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of 5 The king answered and said to the Chalthe king's meat, nor with the wine which he B. C. 63. deans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will drank therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the of eunuchs. ple from Ps. 110.1. a Ge.41.8. F.&.6.1. ..17. o made. 7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it. h 8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. 9 But if ye will not make known unto me the Job 3.15 dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: 1.1.31. therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof. 10 T The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. d c.3.29. e Ezr.6.11. 15 And at the end of ten days their counte-fc.5.16. nances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of ver 19. 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. c.5.17. hor, buy. i 18.41.23. 17 As for these four children, God gave ver.23. them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. k Is.66.1,2. 1 Mat. 2.16. Daniel findeth and interpreteth Nebuchadnezzar's dream. men should be slain; and they sought Daniel Aness was excellent, stood before thee; and the and his fellows to be slain. n chief of 32 This image's head was of fine gold, his the execu-breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 18. 17.37.1 without m hands, which smote the image upon 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out 24.17, his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like "the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great P mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king: 37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior" to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I 13 have seen, and the interpretation thereof? 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose bright-ever.s. and gave him many great gifts, and made 48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, him ruler over the whole province of Baby score cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the bith province of Babylon. : 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the d counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. d 4 Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, e 5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: might. c.4.14. Vey com mand. 6.25. e symphony, or, singing. f Re. 13.15. g Je.29.22. h c.24. i c.2.49. 1 set no regard upon. k c.6.13. 1 ver. 19. m or, of purpose, as Ex.21. 13. n La.4.7,8. o Ex.32.32. Lu. 13.9. 18.35. 6 And whoso falleth not down and worship-PEx 52, peth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 8¶ Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. 9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: q Mat.10.19 r Ps. 121.5.. 7. 25. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. t 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar " full of fu ry, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was asAc.27.23, tonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? Ex. 20.3..5 They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 8 Job 12.15. Ac.4.19. Le.19.4. u filled. v Is.51.13. Lu. 12.4,5 w Pr. 16.14. 21.24. 27.3,4. x mighty of strength. 11 And whoso falleth not down and worship-d or, gopeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, I have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 13 T Then Nebuchadnezzar in his 1rage fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see 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. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the hmouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. n 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted m in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak 9 any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon. CHAPTER IV. 1 Nebuchadnezzar confesseth God's kingdom, 4 maketh relation of his dreams, which the magicians could not interpret. 8 Daniel heareth the dream. 19 He interpreteth it. 28 The story of the event. NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, unto all b people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. h 4 TI Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit * of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. n 10 Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a " tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had P shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. r 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a 9 watcher and a holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the "stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. B. C. 580. t made to prosper. A. M. cir. B. C. cir. Daniel interpreteth it. A. M. 3424. 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled & him. The king spake, and seemly be said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belte 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass * as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High 1 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave 2 Ch.28.22 the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break "off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. c ver. 8. d ver.9. Je. 2).7. f ver.10.12 g c.2.38. n Is.55.7. o P41.1,2. por, a healing qor, upon. Lu.12.19, 20. 1 Th.5.3. tver.25,26. 28 All this came upon the king Nebuchad nezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The kingspake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty ? 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth i. the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomoever he will. Belshazzar's impious feast. DANIEL.-CHAP. V. tion: y Ps. 115.3. a Job 9.12. c De 32.4. A hand writing on the wall. of the king and his lords came into the ban quet-house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chal deans, and soothsayers; r T 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are re-b Job 42 12 of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, puted as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? d Ex. 18.11. Job 40.11, 12. 3466. and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the A. M. cir. king. And the king spake and said unto DaBirniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 538. 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my king-b Je5219. dom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. b a E4.1.3. c.1.2 c or grand- 2 Sa. 9.7. d brought 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and forth." those that walk in pride a he is able to abase. CHAPTER V. d e Re.9.20. f c.4.31. 1 Belshazzar's impious feast. 5 A hand-writing, unknown to the magicians, troubleth the king of pride and idolatry. 25 readeth and interpreteth the writing. 30 The monarchy is translated to the Medes. the king. 10 At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought 17 He, reproving g 1.21.2.4. W 14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: 16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst * make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou or, shalt be clothed with scarlet, and hate a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. h bright- i changed it bindings, or girdles k Na.2.10. 2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels b which his father Nebuchadnezzar hadd taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and 22 his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. e 18. 47. 13. nor,purple o c.6.2 P bright nexxcs. ver.6. q c.4.8,9. father. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of or grand. ver.2 8 c.6.3. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. a P.119.46. And the king spake, and said to the wise men b Je27.7. of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with "scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all b people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. d 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And he was driven from the sons of men: and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomso ever he will. |