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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:16

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat ,.... To himself, as the Syriac version adds; he took and carried it to his own family, and made use of it himself; and the portion of four such young gentlemen, maintained at the king's expense, and who had their provision from his table, must be, especially in the course of three years, of great advantage to this man and his family; for this was continued, as the word signifies, and may be rendered, "and Melzar was taking away &c.;" F6 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom ,.... As they prospered in their bodies, they succeeded in their studies, and improved in their minds, and became great proficients in all kind of lawful and useful knowledge; not owing so much to their own sagacity and diligence, and the goodness and ability of their teachers, as to the blessing of God on their instructions and studies; for, as all natural, so all acquired parts are to be ascribed to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in,.... That is, at the end of three years; which was the time appointed for their education, and when they were to be brought before the king for his examination and approbation: then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar ; even all the young men that were taken from among the children of Israel and Judah, as well as the four children before and after mentioned, appears by what follows. This... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:19

And the king communed with them ,.... He asked them several questions upon the several articles of literature in which they had been educated, to try and see what proficiency they had made; he discoursed with them on various topics of learning, that he might be able to form a judgment of them, and of their capacities, and what employments under him they would be most fit for, and capable of. This shows that the king was a man of learning and good sense, as well as prudence, to be capable of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:20

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them ,.... At the time of their examination before him, when he put questions to them, which they gave a ready, pertinent, and solid answer to: and afterwards, when he had occasion to consult them on any affair, he found them ten times , or ten hands F7 עשר ידות "decem manibus", Montanus. better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm; than all the magi and sophies, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:8

But Daniel - would not defile himself - I have spoken of this resolution in the introduction. The chief reasons why Daniel would not eat meat from the royal table were probably these three: - Because they ate unclean beasts, which were forbidden by the Jewish law. Because they ate, as did the heathens in general, beasts which had been strangled, or not properly blooded. 3. Because the animals that were eaten were first offered as victims to their gods. It is on this account that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:11

Then said Daniel to Melzar - Melzar was an officer under Ashpenaz, whose office it was to attend to the food, clothing, etc., of these royal captives. Others think מלצר meltsar , master of the inn or hotel, the name of an office. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:12

Give us pulse to eat - הזרעים hazzeraim , seeds or grain, such as barley, wheat, rye, and peas, etc. Though a vegetable diet might have produced that healthiness of the system in general, and of the countenance particularly, as mentioned here; yet we are to understand that there was an especial blessing of God in this, because this spare diet was taken on a religious account. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children - Young men or youths. Our translation gives a false idea. In all visions and dreams - That is, such as are Divine; for as to dreams in general, they have as much signification as they have connection, being the effects of the state of the body, of the mind, or of the circumstances of the dreamer. A dream may be considered supernatural, if it have nothing preposterous, nothing monstrous, and nothing irregular. If the whole order and consequences of the things... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days - That is, at the end of three years, Daniel 1:5 . read more

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