Bible Commentaries
Daniel

Dan THE BOOK OF DANIEL. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE. Daniel 1:1-21 . THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH. Historical Events Connected with its Beginning. *( Historic ) Dan 2:149 . THE DREAM OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. The Beginning and Duration of Gentile Dominion. Daniel 3:1-30 . DANIEL''S COMPANIONS. The "fiery Furnace". Angelic Deliverance. Daniel 4:1-37 . THE FIRST KING OF BABYLON. Nebuchadnezzar''s Dream of The "Great Tree", Revealing his Temporary Deposition. Daniel 5:1-31 . THE LAST KING OF BABYLON. Belshazzar''s Vision of The "Hand", Revealing his Final Doom. Daniel 6:1-28 . DANIEL HIMSELF. The "Den Of Loins". Angelic Deliverance. Daniel 7:1 - Daniel 8:27 . THE DREAM AND VISION OF DANIEL. The End of Gentile Dominion. *( Prophetic ) Daniel 9:1 - Daniel 12:13 . THE DESOLATIONS OF JERUSALEM. Prophetic Announcements Connected with Their End. For the Canonical Order and Place of the Prophets, see Appdx-1. For the Chronological Order of the Prophets, see Appdx-77. For the Inter-relation of the Prophetic Books, see Appdx-78 and Structure on p. 1206. For References to the Pentateuch in the Prophetic Books, see Appdx-92. For the Visions of chs. 7 12, see Appdx-89. For the Numbered "Days" in Daniel 8:14 ; Daniel 12:7 , Daniel 12:11 , Daniel 12:12 , see Appdx-90. For the Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:25 Daniel 9:27 ), see Appdx-91. The position of the book in the "Hagiographa", or third division of the Old Testament ("the Psalms", see Appdx-1), rather than in the second division ("the Prophets"), may be explained by the fact that, unlike the other three greater prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel), it stands in relation to them as the Apocalypse of the Old Testament; and as pertaining to what is yet future. And whereas those three greater prophets speak of the future from an Intro-Israelitish standpoint, Daniel has their prophecies as his background; and, instead of looking at Zion and its neighboring peoples, Daniel has universal Monarchies as his perspective; and is therefore separated from them in the Hebrew Canon, becoming to us the "light" or "lamp" of 2 Peter 1:19 , and the realization of 1 Peter 1:11 . The first part of the book (Daniel 1:1 - Daniel 6:28 ) is historic , while the latter half (Daniel 7:1 - Daniel 12:13 ) is prophetic . Moreover, of the former portion, Daniel 2:4 Daniel 7:28 is written in Aramaic (or Chaldee), while the latter portion, Daniel 8:1 Daniel 12:13 , is written in Hebrew. This is to teach us that the historic portion is in the Gentile language, because it is concerned with "the times of the Gentiles", and with Gentile supremacy in relation to Israel; while the prophetic portion is in Hebrew (the language of Israel), because it is concerned with "the time of the end", and with the events which will lead up to the time when God will "restore again the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6 ). In Hezekiah''s day (604 B.C.) Syriac (or Aramaic) was not understood by the Jews (2 Kings 18:26 ); but after the Exile, in Ezra''s day (426 B.C.) both languages were generally understood; and both could be, and were, thus used by him. If an impostor had written the book in Hebrew some 250 years later (as alleged by modern critics), why should he have defeated his own object by writing any portion in Aramaic as well, thus proving himself to be a fool as well as a "forger"? DANIEL = GOD [my] Judge, which accords with the character and contents of the book. Daniel was of the seed-royal of Judah. See note on v . 3. He is mentioned thrice by Ezekiel, his contemporary ( Dan 14:14 , Dan 14:20 ; Dan 28:3 ), and once by our Lord. In Matthew 24:15 (Mark 13:14 ), the Lord referred also to Daniel 8:13 ; Daniel 9:27 ; Daniel 11:31 ; Daniel 12:11 . In Matthew 24:30 ; Matthew 26:64 .Mark 14:62 .Luke 22:69 , He referred to Daniel 7:13 . In Matthew 24:15-17 , Matthew 24:20-22 , He referred to Daniel 12:1 . Daniel 1:1-21 . THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH. HISTORICAL EVENTS CONNECTED WITH ITS BEGINNING. Daniel 1:1-2 . The time. Daniel 1:3 . Daniel and his companions. Daniel 1:4 . Their attainments. Daniel 1:5 . Their provisions. (Appointment.) Daniel 1:6-7 . Daniel and his companions. Daniel 1:8-16 . Their provision. (Resolve.) Daniel 1:17-20 . Their attainments. Daniel 1:21 . The time. Daniel 2:1-49 . THE DREAM OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. THE DURATION OF THE GENTILE DOMINION. Daniel 2:1-3 . Chaldeans brought in. Daniel 2:4-9 . King''s requisition. Chaldeans. Daniel 2:10-11 . Their inability. Daniel 2:12-16 . King''s resentment. Daniel 2:17-18 . Daniel and others. Suspense. Daniel 2:19-23 . Revelation. Daniel 2:24-25 . Daniel brought in. Daniel 2:26-27 . King''s requisition. Daniel. Daniel 2:28-30 . Daniel''s ability. Daniel 2:31-45 . Communication. Daniel 2:46-48 . King''s gratitude. Captivity. Daniel 2:49 . Daniel and others. Daniel 3:1-30 . DANIEL''S COMPANIONS. THE FIERY FURNACE. Daniel 3:1-6 . Command to worship the image. Daniel 3:7 . Obedience. Daniel 3:8-12 . Accusation of the three. Daniel 3:13-15 . Command to worship the image. Daniel 3:16-18 . Refusal. Daniel 3:19-30 . Condemnation of the three. Daniel 3:19-30 . CONDEMNATION OF THE THREE. Daniel 3:19 . The king enraged. Daniel 3:20-21 . The three cast into the furnace. Daniel 3:22 . Fire. Power over the executioners. Daniel 3:23 . Deliverance to the fire. Fall. Daniel 3:24-25 . The king amazed. Daniel 3:26 . The Three called forth from the furnace. Daniel 3:27 . Fire. No power over the Three. Daniel 3:28-30 . Deliverance from the furnace. Promotion. Daniel 4:1-37 . NEBUCHADNEZZAR''S DREAM OF THE GREAT TREE. HIS TEMPORARY DEPOSITION. Daniel 4:1-3 . The Proclamation. Daniel 4:4-5 . The dream dreamed. Daniel 4:6-9 . Interpretation desired. Daniel 4:10-17 . The dream recited. Daniel 4:18 . Interpretation required. Daniel 4:19-23 . The dream repeated. Daniel 4:24-33 . Interpretation given and fulfilled. Daniel 4:34-37 . The proclamation. Daniel 5:1-31 . BELSHAZZAR''S VISION OF THE HAND. HIS FINAL DOOM. Daniel 5:1-29 . The Prediction. Daniel 5:30-31 . The Fulfillment. 5:1-29. THE PREDICTION. (BELSHAZZAR''S FEAST.) Daniel 5:1-4 -. Impiety. - Daniel 5:4 . Idolatry. Daniel 5:5 . The Hand. Daniel 5:6-15 . Interpretation required. Daniel 5:16 . Gifts promised. Daniel 5:17-23 -. Impiety. - Daniel 5:23 . Idolatry. Daniel 5:24 . The Hand. Daniel 5:25-28 . Interpretation given. Daniel 5:29 . Gifts given. Daniel 6:1-28 . DANIEL HIMSELF. THE DEN OF LIONS. Daniel 6:1-3 . Daniel''s prosperity. Daniel 6:4-6 . Conspiracy made. Daniel 6:7-9 . Decree obtained. Daniel 6:10-13 . Conspiracy succeeds. Daniel 6:14-17 . Decree enforced. Daniel 6:18-24 . Conspiracy fails. Daniel 6:25-27 . Decree reversed. Daniel 6:28 . Daniel''s prosperity. Daniel 7:1-28 ; Daniel 8:1-27 . THE DREAM, AND VISION OF DANIEL. THE END OF GENTILE DOMINION. Daniel 7:1-28 . The Vision of the Four Beasts. (Third year.) Daniel 8:1-27 . The Vision of the Two Beasts. (Third year.) Daniel 7:1-28 . THE VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS. Daniel 7:1-8 . The Four Beasts. Daniel 7:9-14 . The judgment of The Vision. the Son of Man. Daniel 7:15-16 . Daniel''s perturbation and inquiry. Daniel 7:17 . The Four Beasts. Daniel 7:18 . The judgment of The Interpretation. the Son of Man. Daniel 7:19-22 . Daniel''s inquiry. Daniel 7:23-25 . The Fourth Beast. Daniel 7:26-27 . The judgment of The Interpretation. the Son of Man. Daniel 7:28 . Daniel''s perturbation. Daniel 8:1-27 . THE VISION OF THE TWO BEASTS. Daniel 8:1-2 . Circumstances. Daniel 8:3-4 . Ram. Daniel 8:5 -. He-goat. - Daniel 8:5-7 . Great horn. Daniel 8:8 -. Great horn broken. The Vision. - Daniel 8:8 . Four horns. Daniel 8:9-12 . Little horn. (Future.) Daniel 8:13-14 . Time. Number of days. Daniel 8:15-16 . Command to Angel to give the interpretation to Daniel. Daniel 8:17-19 . The command obeyed by the Angel. Daniel 8:20 . Ram. Daniel 8:21 -. He-goat. - Daniel 8:21 . Great horn. Daniel 8:22 -. Great horn broken. The Interpretation. - Daniel 8:22 . Four horns. Daniel 8:23-25 . Little horn. Daniel 8:26 . Time. "Many days". Daniel 8:27 . Circumstances. Daniel 9:1 - Daniel 12:13 . THE DESOLATION OF JERUSALEM. Daniel 9:1-2 . The time. Daniel 9:3-19 . Daniel''s Humiliation. Daniel 9:20-23 -. The Hierophant . Daniel 9:23-27 . The Prophecy. Daniel 10:1 . The time. Daniel 10:2-3 . Daniel''s Humiliation. Daniel 10:4-21 . The Hierophant . Daniel 11:1-45 ; Daniel 12:1-13 . The Prophecy. Daniel 9:23-27 . THE PROPHECY. =Daniel 9:23 . Admonition. "Understand", "Consider". 24. The Seventy sevens. In whole. Daniel 9:25 -. Admonition. "Know", "Understand". - Daniel 9:25-27 . The Seventy years. In their parts. Daniel 9:24 . THE SEVENTY SEVENS. IN WHOLE. x To put an end to the transgression, y And to make an end of (hatham) sin. Internals. z And to make atonement for iniquity. x And to bring in everlasting righteousness. y And to make an end of the vision and the prophecy by fulfilling all that Externals. has been subject to the prophet. z And to anoint a Holy of Holies. Daniel 9:25-27 . THE SEVENTY SEVENS. IN THEIR PARTS. =Daniel 9:25 -. The City. Restoration. - Daniel 9:25 . Messiah. Coming. - Daniel 9:25 . Time. "Unto" seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. Daniel 9:26 -. Time. "After" the sixty-two sevens. - Daniel 9:26 -. Messiah. Cut off. - Daniel 9:26-27 . The City. Destruction. Daniel 9:26-27 . THE CITY. DESTROYED. =Daniel 9:26 -. The Coming Prince. (The Desolator.) - Daniel 9:26 . The Desolation (shamem) decreed. The end of the Desolation. Daniel 9:27 -. His Covenant made. - Daniel 9:27 -. The Time. One seven (= 7 years). - Daniel 9:27 -. The Time. The middle of the one seven (= 3 years). - Daniel 9:27 -. His Covenant broken (cp 11:30, 31). - Daniel 9:27 -. The Coming Prince. (The Desolator.) - Daniel 9:27 . The Desolation (shamem) decreed. The end of the Desolator. Daniel 10:4-21 . THE HIEROPHANT. Daniel 10:4-8 . The Hierophant. Daniel 10:9 -. His words. - Daniel 10:9 . Their effect. Daniel 10:10 . The Hierophant. Daniel 10:11-14 . His words. Daniel 10:15 . Their effect. Daniel 10:16 -. The Hierophant. - Daniel 10:16-17 -. Daniel''s words. - Daniel 10:17 . Their effect. Daniel 10:18 . The Hierophant. Daniel 10:19 -. His words. - Daniel 10:19 . Their effect. Daniel 10:20 -. The Hierophant. - Daniel 10:20-21 . His words. Daniel 11:1 - Daniel 12:13 . HIS PROPHECY. Daniel 11:1-20 . The Past. (Then Future to Daniel.) Daniel 11:21 - Daniel 12:3 . The Future. (Still Future to us.) Daniel 12:4-13 . Meanwhile. (As to Daniel himself.) Daniel 11:1-20 . THE PAST. THEN FUTURE TO DANIEL. Daniel 11:1-3 . The first king of Grecia. Daniel 11:4 . Four contemporary kings. Daniel 11:5-20 . Subsequent kings. Daniel 11:5-20 . SUBSEQUENT KINGS. Daniel 11:5 . The first king of the South. Daniel 11:6 . The first king of the North. Daniel 11:7-9 . The second king of the South. Daniel 11:10 . The second king of the North. 11-12. The second king of the South. Daniel 11:13-20 . The second king of the North. Daniel 11:21 - Daniel 12:3 . THE FUTURE. (STILL FUTURE TO US.) Daniel 11:21-31 . "The vile person" ("the little horn"). Daniel 11:32-35 . The People. Tried. Daniel 11:36-45 . "The willful king" (the little horn"). Daniel 12:1-3 . The People. Delivered. Daniel 11:32-35 . THE PEOPLE TRIED. Daniel 11:32 -. The unfaithful. - Daniel 11:32-34 -. The faithful. - Daniel 11:34 . The unfaithful. Daniel 11:35 . The faithful. Daniel 11:36-45 . "THE WILFUL KING." Daniel 11:36-39 His character. Daniel 11:40 -. His adversaries. Their Assault. - Daniel 11:40-43 . His conquests. Daniel 11:44-45 . His adversaries. Their Victory. Daniel 12:4-13 . MEANWHILE. AS TO DANIEL HIMSELF. Daniel 12:4 . The book closed and sealed. Daniel 12:5-6 . Inquiry of the two. "How long?" Daniel 12:7 -. The answer. - Daniel 12:7 -. The times. Three and a half years. - Daniel 12:7 . The end. Daniel 12:8 . Inquiry of Daniel. "What?" Daniel 12:9 . The book closed and sealed. Daniel 12:10 . The answer. Daniel 12:11-12 . The times. Daniel 12:13 . The end. The 1, 290 and 1, 335 days (Appdx-90).