The events of this chapter took place in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia. Some captives had already returned to Jerusalem, as permitted by the decree of Cyrus; yet Daniel remained in exile. After a three-week period of mourning, possibly because of the discouraging reports from those who had returned (the work on the Temple had ceased), possibly also because of the poor spiritual condition of those still in exile, or because he wanted to know the future of his people, Daniel stood by the bank of the Hiddekel (Hebrew name for the Tigris). There, he saw a glorious man dressed in linen. The description reminds us of the Lord Jesus in [Rev 1:13-16].
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-9
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-04-09 Source: Title: Commentary on the Old Testament Title (Original): BBC – Believer’s Bible Commentary – Old Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1184 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck Translation: Christiane Eichler, Hermann Grabe, Sven und Esther Passig, Melanie Reimer, Alois Wagner Cover design: OTTENDESIGN.de, Gummersbach |
This chapter relates the beginning of Daniel’s last 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 yet fulfilled. Christ appeared to Daniel in a glorious form, and it should engage us to think highly and honorably 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 discoveries of the Divine glory; for no man can see it, and live; but glorified saints see Christ as he is, and can bear the sight. How dreadful soever Christ may appear to those under convictions of sin, there is enough in his word to quiet their spirits.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-9
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
In the third year of the reign of Cyrus the king of Persia, comparing this to what was mentioned in [Dan 1:21], “Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus”, it becomes clear that Daniel had retired at the age of 80, after King Cyrus had ruled for one year.
The reason for Daniel not returning to Jerusalem with Zerubabel, but his staying in Babylon was by God’s order to fulfill a special mission to serve his people in the captivity.
He saw this vision two years after he forsook his work before his departure. He was sure that God will fulfill what he had seen [Rev 22:6], for he said that the message was true. There was no doubt, although some of the events were unexpected. Anyway, Daniel knew that the appointed time was long. Some see that it was a long time because the fourth vision [Dan 10-12] extends until the resurrection of the dead and the life to come.
Daniel fully understood this vision, although he did not understand the previous vision.
Why did he mention here the name Belteshazzar, the name given to him in Babylon?
A. To confirm that in spite of him being retired, no one knew him by his original name, but he cleaved to the name that was imposed on him.
B. Since he still carries the Chaldean name, yet his heart is still attached to his God who reveals to him His mysteries and grants him understanding and wisdom.
The reason for Daniel not returning to Jerusalem with Zerubabel, but his staying in Babylon was by God’s order to fulfill a special mission to serve his people in the captivity.
He saw this vision two years after he forsook his work before his departure. He was sure that God will fulfill what he had seen [Rev 22:6], for he said that the message was true. There was no doubt, although some of the events were unexpected. Anyway, Daniel knew that the appointed time was long. Some see that it was a long time because the fourth vision [Dan 10-12] extends until the resurrection of the dead and the life to come.
Daniel fully understood this vision, although he did not understand the previous vision.
Why did he mention here the name Belteshazzar, the name given to him in Babylon?
A. To confirm that in spite of him being retired, no one knew him by his original name, but he cleaved to the name that was imposed on him.
B. Since he still carries the Chaldean name, yet his heart is still attached to his God who reveals to him His mysteries and grants him understanding and wisdom.
 | Author: Tadros Yacoub Malaty Rank: Monk Posted on: 2022-11-08 |
And how is it that we read at the end of the first vision, "And Daniel lived until the first year of Cyrus the King"? Well then, we understand that he enjoyed his former high position among the Chaldeans and was clothed in purple and fine linen right up until the first year of King Cyrus, when Cyrus overthrew the Chaldeans, and afterwards Daniel commenced service under Darius, the son of Ahasuerus of the Median line, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans. Or else, indeed, that Darius had already died in whose first year Daniel had learned of the mystery of the seventy weeks, and he is now relating that he beheld these things in the third year of King Cyrus. "And it was a true word and great strength" refers either to the strength of the God who was going to perform these things or to the strength of the prophet who would comprehend them.
 | Author: Jerome Rank: Priest AD: 420 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
