John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. I ate no pleasant bread , etc.] Or, “bread of desires” f459 ; such as was made of the finest of the wheat, and was eaten in the courts of princes where Daniel was: according to some Jewish Rabbins in Ben Melech, hot bread is meant; but in general it means the best of bread, such as had good qualities to make it desirable; and this Daniel refrained from, while he was humbling and afflicting himself on this sorrowful occasion, but ate coarse bread, black and grainy: neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth ; not delicate meat, as of fish, fowl, deer, and the like, as Saadiah observes; but contented himself with meaner fare; nor did he drink generous wine, as he had used to do, living in a king’s court, and which his old age made necessary for him, since he could come at it; but he abstained from it, and other lawful pleasures of nature, the more to give himself up to acts of devotion and contemplation: neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled ; which was wont to be frequently done by the Jews, especially at feasts; and by the Persians every day, among whom he now was; but this he refrained from, as was usual in times of fasting and humiliation; (see Matthew 6:17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Daniel's vision near the river Hiddekel. (Dan. 10:1-9) He is to expec a discovery of future events. (Dan. 10:10-21)
Dan. 10:1-9. This chapter relates the beginning of Daniel's las vision, which is continued to the end of the book. The time would be long before all would be accomplished; and much of it is not ye fulfilled. Christ appeared to Daniel in a glorious form, and it shoul engage us to think highly and honourably of him. Let us admire his condescension for us and our salvation. There remained no strength in Daniel. The greatest and best of men cannot bear the full discoverie of the Divine glory; for no man can see it, and live; but glorifie saints see Christ as he is, and can bear the sight. How dreadful soeve Christ may appear to those under convictions of sin, there is enough in his word to quiet their spirits.
Dan. 10:10-21 Whenever we enter into communion with God, it becomes u to have a due sense of the infinite distance between us and the holy God. How shall we, that are dust and ashes, speak to the Lord of glory Nothing is more likely, nothing more effectual to revive the droopin spirits of the saints, than to be assured of God's love to them. From the very first day we begin to look toward God in a way of duty, he is ready to meet us in the way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear prayer When the angel had told the prophet of the things to come, he was to return, and oppose the decrees of the Persian kings against the Jews The angels are employed as God's ministering servants, Heb. 1:14 Though much was done against the Jews by the kings of Persia, God permitting it, much more mischief would have been done if God had no prevented it. He would now more fully show what were God's purposes, of which the prophecies form an outline; and we are concerned to stud what is written in these Scriptures of truth, for they belong to ou everlasting peace. While Satan and his angels, and evil counsellors excite princes to mischief against the church, we may rejoice tha Christ our Prince, and all his mighty angels, act against our enemies but we ought not to expect many to favour us in this evil world. Ye the whole counsel of God shall be established; and let each one pray Lord Jesus, be our righteousness now, and thou wilt be our everlastin confidence, through life, in death, at the day of judgment, and for evermore _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew לחם3899 חמדות2530 לא3808 אכלתי398 ובשׂר1320 ויין3196 לא3808 בא935 אל413 פי6310 וסוך5480 לא3808 סכתי5480 עד5704 מלאת4390 שׁלשׁת7969 שׁבעים7620 ימים׃3117
