Daniel 1

Verse 1. Third, at the conclusion, so that it is called the fourth. Jeremiah 25:1. A. Lap. Menochius.—Nabuchodonosor began his expedition into Syria a year before he was king; (Salien, A. 3428. Jos. and so forth) or he had the title before his father Nabopolassar’s death. Usher, A. 3397.—The following year he took Joakim, with a design to convey him to Babylon; but left him on hard terms, and seized many of the sacred vessels, Daniel, and so forth Calmet.—Joakim reigned other eight years. 2 Chronicles 36:5. Worthington.

Verse 2. His god; Bel, or Belas, the principal idol of the Chaldeans. Challoner.—The king pretended to derive his pedigree from Belus, (Abyd. Eus. præp. 1.) and greatly enriched his temple, ( Calmet.) which Xerxes demolished. Arrian.—God. Some part might be kept in the palace. Calmet. 5:10 and 2 Chronicles 36:7.

The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”

The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

Verse 3. Eunuchs, or chief officers. The Jews assert that Daniel was made an eunuch. Isaiah 39:7. But he might be so styled on account of his dignity. Calmet.—Princes. Lit. “tyrants.” Bible.—This name was afterwards only rendered odious by the misconduct of several kings. Calmet.—Hebrew parthemim, ( Bible.) seems to be of Greek derivation, alluding to προτιμοι, or προτοι, “the first or most honoured.” Drus.—We find here other Greek words. Calmet.

or, seed

Verse 4. Blemish. Deformed people were excluded the throne, or the king’s presence. Procop. 1.—Science; well educated, or apt to learn. They were first to be taught the Chaldee letters, which then differed from the Hebrew. Calmet.

Verse 5. Meat: more exquisite. De Dieu.—All was first served on the king’s table. Athen. vi. 14.

Verse 6. Juda. It is thought all four were of royal blood. Calmet.—Others were also kept at court. Menochius.

Verse 7. Baltassar, or as Chaldees ( Calmet. or Masorets. Bible.) pronounce, Beltesasar, “the treasurer of Baal.” The names were changed to testify their subjection, ( Calmet.) and that they might embrace the manners of the Chaldees. Menochius.—The new names alluded to the sun. Calmet.

Verse 8. Daniel, as head and nearer the throne, gave good example to the rest. Worthington.—Defiled, either by eating meat forbidden by the law, or which had before been offered to idols. Challoner.—It was customary among the pagans to make an offering of some parts to their gods, or throw it into the fire. Theod. Calmet.—These reasons determined the pious youths, ( Bible.) who desired also to keep free from gluttony and other vices. Theod. Worthington.

Verse 11. Malassar, another inferior officer. It means also one appointed over the mouth or provisions, ( Calmet.) and might be Asphenez. verse 3, 9. Bible.

Verse 12. Pulse. That is, pease, beans, and such like. Challoner.—S. Basil hence shews the advantages of fasting; and Catholics, who imitate Daniel, may expect the like reward in heaven: and the hope that such a pattern would not displease their dissenting brethren, but rather screen them from their profane sarcasms. Bible.

Verse 17. Dreams. He was learned in all the sciences of the country, like Moses. Acts 7:22. Calmet.—They studies these things, in order to refute what was erroneous: discunt … ut judicent. Saint Jerome—The Chaldeans paid great attention to dreams. Daniel acquired the knowledge of such as were sent from heaven by the gift of God, as Joseph had done. To pay any regard to common dreams would be childish ( Calmet.) and sinful, if the person depend on them for the knowledge of futurity. Bible.

Verse 20. Diviners, or fortune-tellers.—Wise men. Septuagint “philosophers.” Calmet.—Hebrew Ashaphim, may come from the Greek sophoi. Grot.—They had been educated three years. verse 5. Bible.

Verse 21. Cyrus; and also to the third, (Calmet. 10) and of course during the whole of the captivity. Worthington.—He was maintained in power by the conqueror of Babylon. Calmet. 6:18 and 14:1. He first displayed his sagacity in the cause of Susanna, (Calmet. 13. Calmet.) whose history was placed at the head of the book, in Theodotion, (Saint Jerome in Isai. iii. 1) as in its natural order. Calmet.