John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. The king answered and said, I know of certainty , etc.] I see plainly and clearly what you are at, and am fully assured you mean nothing, but that ye would gain the time : or buy f78 , or redeem time, as in ( Ephesians 5:16), prolong time, put off the answer to longer time; spin out time, as people do in buying and selling; or have it in their possession and power when to answer; and so by gaining time, or being master of it, might hope something would turn up to their advantage, and extricate them out of their present difficulties: because ye see the thing is gone from me ; the dream he could not remember; or because the decree was certain which he had determined concerning them; (see Gill on “ Daniel 2:5”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The captivity of Daniel and his companions. (Dan. 1:1-7) Their refusa to eat the king's meat. (Dan. 1:8-16) Their improvement in wisdom (Dan. 1:17-21)
Dan. 1:1-7 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, took Jerusalem, and carried whom and what he pleased away. From this first captivity, most think the seventy years are to be dated. It is the interest of princes to employ wise men; and it is their wisdo to find out and train up such. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that these chose youths should be taught. All their Hebrew names had something of God in them; but to make them forget the God of their fathers, the Guide of their youth, the heathen gave them names that savoured of idolatry. It is painful to reflect how often public education tends to corrupt the principles and morals.
Dan. 1:8-16 The interest we think we make for ourselves, we mus acknowledge to be God's gift. Daniel was still firm to his religion Whatever they called him, he still held fast the spirit of a Israelite. These youths scrupled concerning the meat, lest it should be sinful. When God's people are in Babylon they need take special car that they partake not of her sins. It is much to the praise of youn people, not to covet or seek the delights of sense. Those who woul excel in wisdom and piety, must learn betimes to keep the body under Daniel avoided defiling himself with sin; and we should more fear tha than any outward trouble. It is easier to keep temptation at distance, than to resist it when near. And we cannot better improve ou interest in any with whom we have found favour, than to use it to kee us from sin. People will not believe the benefit of avoiding excess and of a spare diet, nor how much they contribute to the health of the body, unless they try. Conscientious temperance will always do more even for the comfort of this life, than sinful indulgence.
Dan. 1:17-21 Daniel and his fellows kept to their religion; and God rewarded them with eminence in learning. Pious young persons shoul endeavour to do better than their fellows in useful things; not for the praise of man, but for the honour of the gospel, and that they may be qualified for usefulness. And it is well for a country, and for the honour of a prince, when he is able to judge who are best fitted to serve him, and prefers them on that account. Let young men steadil attend to this chapter; and let all remember that God will honour thos who honour him, but those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ענה6032 מלכא4430 ואמר560 מן4481 יציב3330 ידע3046 אנה576 די1768 עדנא5732 אנתון608 זבנין2084 כל3606 קבל6903 די1768 חזיתון2370 די1768 אזדא230 מני4481 מלתא׃4406
