In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a revelation was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The revelation was true, even a great warfare. He understood the revelation, and had understanding of the vision.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Third. This concurs with the first of Darius. Cyrus then reigned in Persia, and the king is here often mentioned, as the vision happened near it, on the banks of the Tigris. Only twenty-one days had elapsed since the former.—Strength. Hebrew “warfare,” or determinate time. Job 7:1. This shall surely take place, but not soon. Calmet.—For. Prot. “and had understanding,” and so forth Bible.—He was informed of the meaning, or strove to know what the preceding vision denoted. Calmet.—Pharao and Baltassar were not prophets, as they did not comprehend what they saw. For understanding is requisite, in order that a vision may be prophetical. Saint Thomas Aquinas ii. 2. q. 175 a. 2. Worthington.