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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:9

They spake and said to Nebuchadnezzar ,.... Having got access unto him, and within his hearing, they expressed themselves in the following manner: O king, live for ever ; this they said to show their fidelity and hearty attachment to him, and their regard to his welfare, and the continuance of his life; and the rather to ingratiate themselves into his affections, and gain audience of him; See Gill on Daniel 2:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:1

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold - It is supposed that the history given here did not occur till the close, or near the end, of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. For it was after his insanity, as we see Daniel 4:33-36 , and this happened near the close of his reign. The authorized version, which is followed in the margin, fixes the date of this event seventeen years earlier, and ten years before the king's insanity. A few observations on this image may be necessary: - It is not likely... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:2

Sent to gather together the princes - It is not easy to show what these different offices were, as it is difficult to ascertain the meaning of the Chaldee words. Parkhurst analyzes them thus: - The Princes - אחשדרפניא achashdarpenaiya , from אחש Achash , great or eminent, and דר dar , "to go about freely," and פנים panim , "the presence." Satraps or privy counsellors who had free access to the presence of the king. The Governors - סגניא signaiya , lieutenants or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:4

Then a herald cried aloud - בחיל קרא כרוזא caroza kara bechayil , "a crier called with might." A bedel cried mightili. - Old MS. Bible. read more

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:1

Verse 1 Very probably this statue was not erected by King Nebuchadnezzar within a short period, as the Prophet does not notice how many years had passed away; for it is not probable that it was erected within a short time after he had confessed the God of Israel to be the Supreme Deity. Yet as the Prophet is silent, we need not discuss the matter. Some of the rabbis think this statue to have been erected as an expiation; as if Nebuchadnezzar wished to avert the effect of his dream by this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:2

Verse 2 I do not know the derivation of the word “Satra p;” but manifestly all these are names of magistracies, and I allow myself to translate the words freely, since they are not Hebrew, and the Jews are equally ignorant of their origin. Some of them, indeed, appear too subtle; but they assert nothing but what is frivolous and foolish. We must be content with the simple expression — he sent to collect the satraps read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:3

Verse 3 We see how Nebuchadnezzar wished to establish among all the nations under his sway a religion in which there, should be no mixture of foreign novelty. He feared dissension as a cause of disunion in his empire. Hence we may suppose the king to have consulted his own private ease and advantage, as princes are accustomed to consult their own wishes rather than God’s requirements in promulgating edicts concerning the worship of God. And from the beginning, this boldness and rashness have... read more

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