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Text -- Daniel 2:46 (NET)

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Context
2:46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage to Daniel. He gave orders to offer sacrifice and incense to him.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Daniel the prophet who wrote the book of Daniel,son of David and Abigail,head of clan (Ithamar Levi) who pledged to obey God's law,prophet who wrote the book of Daniel
 · Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon who took Judah into exile


Dictionary Themes and Topics: WORSHIP | Nebuchadnezzar | Daniel | DIVINATION | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Dan 2:46 - -- This was strange, that so great a monarch should thus worship his vassal, which he did in consternation and admiration. But doubtless Daniel put a sto...

This was strange, that so great a monarch should thus worship his vassal, which he did in consternation and admiration. But doubtless Daniel put a stop to it: though he could not hinder the king in his prostration, and in his word of command. And the king being instructed of Daniel, gives God all the glory in the next words.

JFB: Dan 2:46 - -- Worshipping God in the person of Daniel. Symbolical of the future prostration of the world power before Messiah and His kingdom (Phi 2:10). As other s...

Worshipping God in the person of Daniel. Symbolical of the future prostration of the world power before Messiah and His kingdom (Phi 2:10). As other servants of God refused such honors (Act 10:25-26; Act 14:13-15; Rev 22:8-9) would not taste defiled food, nor give up prayer to God at the cost of his life (Dan 6:7, Dan 6:10), it seems likely that Daniel rejected the proffered divine honors. The word "answered" (Dan 2:47) implies that Daniel had objected to these honors; and in compliance with his objection, "the king answered, Of a truth, your God is a God of gods." Daniel had disclaimed all personal merit in Dan 2:30, giving God all the glory (compare Dan 2:45).

JFB: Dan 2:46 - -- Divine honors (Ezr 6:10). It is not said his command was executed.

Divine honors (Ezr 6:10). It is not said his command was executed.

Clarke: Dan 2:46 - -- The king - fell upon his face - Prostrated himself: this was the fullest act of adoration among the ancients

The king - fell upon his face - Prostrated himself: this was the fullest act of adoration among the ancients

Clarke: Dan 2:46 - -- Worshipped Daniel - Supposing him to be a god, or Divine being. No doubt Daniel forbade him; for to receive this would have been gross idolatry.

Worshipped Daniel - Supposing him to be a god, or Divine being. No doubt Daniel forbade him; for to receive this would have been gross idolatry.

Calvin: Dan 2:46 - -- When the king of Babylon fell upon his face, it is partly to be considered as worthy of praise and partly of blame. It was a sign of both piety and...

When the king of Babylon fell upon his face, it is partly to be considered as worthy of praise and partly of blame. It was a sign of both piety and modesty, when he prostrated himself before God and his Prophet. We know the fierceness and pride of kings; nay, we see them act like madmen, because they do not reckon themselves among mortals, and become blinded with the splendor of their greatness. Nebuchadnezzar was really a very powerful monarch, and it was difficult for him so to regulate his mind as to attribute the glory to God. Thus the dream which Daniel explained could not be pleasing to him. He saw his monarchy cursed before God, and about to perish in ignominy others, too, which should succeed it were ordained in heaven; and though he might receive some comfort from the destruction of the other kingdoms, yet it was very harsh to delicate ears, to hear that a kingdom, which appeared most flourishing, and which all men thought would be perpetual, was of but short duration and sure to perish. As, therefore, the king so prostrated himself before Daniel, it is, as I have said, a sign of piety in thus reverencing God, and in embracing the prophecy, which would otherwise be bitter and distasteful. It was also a sign of modesty, because he humbled himself so before God’s Prophet Thus far the king of Babylon is worthy of praise, and we will discuss tomorrow the deficiency in his reverence.

TSK: Dan 2:46 - -- fell : Luk 17:16; Act 10:25, Act 14:13, Act 28:6; Rev 11:16, Rev 19:10, Rev 22:8 and sweet : Lev 26:31; Ezr 6:10

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Dan 2:46 - -- Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face - This was the common method of signifying profound respect among the Orientals. Compare Gen 17...

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face - This was the common method of signifying profound respect among the Orientals. Compare Gen 17:3; Gen 50:18; Lev 9:24; Num 14:5; Jos 5:14; Jdg 13:20; Rev 11:16.

And worshipped Daniel - The word rendered "worshipped"here ( סגד se gid ), in the Chaldee portions of the Bible is uniformly rendered "worship,"Dan 2:26; Dan 3:5-7, Dan 3:10-12, Dan 3:14-15, Dan 3:18, Dan 3:28. It occurs nowhere else, and in every instance, except in the one before us, is employed with reference to the homage paid to an idol, all the other cases occurring in the third chapter respecting the image that was set up by Nebuchadnezzar. The corresponding Hebrew word ( סגד sâgad ) occurs only in Isa 44:15, Isa 44:17, Isa 44:19; Isa 46:6; and is, in every instance, rendered "fall down,"also with reference to idols. The proper idea, therefore, of the word here is, that the monarch meant to render "religious"homage to Daniel, or such adoration as was usually paid to idols. This is confirmed by witat is immediately added, that he commanded that an oblation should be made to him. It is not, however, necessary to suppose that Daniel "received"or "approved"this religious homage of the king, or that he left the impression on his mind that he was "willing"to be honored as a god. The prostration of the king before him, of course, he could not prevent. The views and feelings which the monarch had in doing it he could not prevent. The command to present an "oblation and sweet odors to him"he could not prevent. But it is not a fair inference that Daniel approved this, or that he did anything to countenance it, or even that he did not, in a proper manner, rebuke it: for

(1) We are not to suppose that all that was said was recorded, and no one can prove that Daniel did not express his disapprobation of this religious honor shown to him.

(2) Daniel had in fact, expressed his views, in the clearest manner, on this very point before the monarch. He had, again and again, disclaimed all power to be able to reveal such secrets. He had directed his mind to the true God, as he who alone could disclose coming events, Dan 2:28, Dan 2:30, Dan 2:45. He had taken all possible precaution to prevent any such result, by declaring, in the most emphatic terms Dan 2:30, that this secret was not revealed to him "on account of any wisdom which he had more than any living."If now, after all this precaution, and these disclaimers, the king should prostrate himself before him, and, for the moment, feel that he was in the presence of a God, Daniel was not responsible for it, and it should not be inferred that he encouraged or approved it.

(3) It would seem, from the narrative itself, more than probable that Daniel did refuse the homage, and direct the thoughts of the monarch to the true God. In the very next verse it is said, "The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets.""Answered"what? Perhaps something that was said by Daniel. At all events, it is clear from this that whatever were the momentary expressions of wonder, gratitude, and adoration, on the part of the king, his thoughts soon passed to the proper object of worship - the true God. "And commanded, etc."The fact that this was "commanded"does not prove that it was done. The command was probably given under the excitement of his admiration and wonder. But it does not follow that Daniel received it, or that the command was not recalled on reflection, or that the oblation and odors may not have been presented to the true God.

That they should offer an oblation - That is, his attendants, or perhaps the priests to whom pertained the duty of making offerings to the gods. The word rendered "oblation"( מנחה minchāh ) does not refer to a, "bloody"sacrifice, but means a gift or present of any kind. It is applied in the Scriptures to denote

(1) "a gift,"or "present,"Gen 32:13, Gen 32:18, Gen 32:20 (Gen 32:14, Gen 32:19, Gen 32:21); Gen 43:11, Gen 43:15, Gen 43:25-26;

(2) "a tribute,"such as was exacted from a subject nation, under the notion of a present, 2Sa 8:2, 2Sa 8:6; 1Ki 4:21 1Ki 5:1,

(3) "an offering"or sacrifice to God, especially a bloodless offering, in opposition to ( זבח zebach ) - a bloody sacrifice, Lev 2:1, Lev 2:4-6; Lev 6:14 (7); Lev 7:9; Psa 40:6 (7); Jer 17:26.

See the word fully explained in the notes at Isa 1:13. There can be no doubt that Nebuchadnezzar meant that such an offering should be presented as was usually made in idol worship.

And sweet odors - incense was commonly used in worship (see the notes at Isa 1:13), and it is not improbable that in the worship of the gods it was accompanied with other fragrant odors. Sweet odors, or "savors,"expressed by the same word which is used here, were a part of the prescribed worship in the Hebrew ritual, Lev 1:9, Lev 1:13, Lev 1:17; Lev 2:2, Lev 2:9; Lev 3:5; Lev 6:21 (14); Num 15:7.

Poole: Dan 2:46 - -- This was strange, that so great a monarch should thus worship his vassal: thus was it sometimes done to men, as to Elias the prophet, 2Ki 1:13 : thi...

This was strange, that so great a monarch should thus worship his vassal: thus was it sometimes done to men, as to Elias the prophet, 2Ki 1:13 : this was done in consternation and admiration, because he saw so much of God in the prophet, and in the revelation of the dream; but why did Daniel suffer it to be done to him?

1. Though he could not hinder the king in his prostration, and in his word of command, yet doubtless he showed his averseness with much zeal and abhorrence, as the apostles did in the like case, Act 14:13-15 , because it was high sacrilege and idolatry.

2. It is not said they offered sacrifice to Daniel, but only the king commanded it, which doubtless Daniel refused, because he was so careful in not defiling himself with the king’ s dainties, Dan 1:8 ; also when he would not omit the worship of God, though with the hazard of his life, Dan 6:10 ; therefore the king, being instructed of Daniel, gives God all the glory, in the next words.

Haydock: Dan 2:46 - -- Daniel, taking him for a little god, under the great one, ver. 17. (Worthington) --- Victims. Chaldee: mincha, (Haydock) of flour, &c. But the ...

Daniel, taking him for a little god, under the great one, ver. 17. (Worthington) ---

Victims. Chaldee: mincha, (Haydock) of flour, &c. But the prophet had already declared his sentiments on this head, (ver. 28.) and abhorred such honours, like St. Paul, (Acts xiv. 10.; Calmet) though this is not here recorded. (Menochius)

Gill: Dan 2:46 - -- Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel,.... Imagining there was something of divinity in him, that he could so exactly...

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel,.... Imagining there was something of divinity in him, that he could so exactly tell him his dream, which was past and gone; and give him the interpretation of it, respecting things to come, which he concluded none but God could do; and therefore, after the manner of the eastern people, threw himself prostrate to the earth, with his face to it, and gave religious adoration to Daniel; for that this cannot be understood of mere civil respect appears by his following orders; and had he not thought that Daniel was something more than a man, he, a proud monarch, would never have behaved in this manner to him; but, being struck with amazement at the relation of the dream, and the interpretation of it, he forgot what both he and Daniel were; the one a mighty king, the other a mere man, a servant, yea, a captive: this shows that he was not exasperated at the account of the fall of his monarchy, as might have been expected, but was filled with wonder at the revelation made:

and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him; rising from the ground, he gave orders to his servants about him, some of whom might be the priests of Bel, that they would bring a meat offering, and incense with it, and offer them to him as to a god; but, though this was ordered, we do not read it was done; for it cannot be thought that Daniel, who had scrupled eating the king's food, and drinking his wine, lest he should be defiled, and afterwards chose rather to be cast into a den of lions than to omit prayer to God, would ever suffer such a piece of idolatrous worship to be paid to him; and though he could not hinder the king's prostration and adoration, which were very sudden; yet it is highly probable he reasoned with the king upon it, and earnestly desired that no such undue honours should be paid to him; declaring that this knowledge was not of himself, but of God, to whom the glory ought to be given.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Dan 2:46 Aram “fell on his face.”

Geneva Bible: Dan 2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and ( b ) worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto h...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Dan 2:1-49 - --1 Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threatenings.10 They acknowledging their inability are judged to...

MHCC: Dan 2:46-49 - --It is our business to direct attention to the Lord, as the Author and Giver of every good gift. Many have thoughts of the Divine power and majesty, wh...

Matthew Henry: Dan 2:46-49 - -- One might have expected that when Nebuchadnezzar was contriving to make his own kingdom everlasting he would be enraged at Daniel, who foretold the ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Dan 2:46-47 - -- The impression which this interpretation of the dream made upon Nebuchadnezzar, and the consequences which thence arose for Daniel. The announceme...

Constable: Dan 2:1--7:28 - --II. The Times of the Gentiles: God's program for the world chs. 2--7 Daniel wrote 2:4b-7:28 in the Aramaic langu...

Constable: Dan 2:1-49 - --A. Nebuchadnezzar's first dream: the big picture ch. 2 This chapter is important because it records the ...

Constable: Dan 2:46-49 - --8. The consequences of Daniel's interpretation 2:46-49 2:46-47 Clearly Daniel had done what everyone considered humanly impossible. He had told the ki...

Guzik: Dan 2:1-49 - --Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar Dreams of an Image A. Nebuchadnezzar's dream. 1. (1) The troubling dream. Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's rei...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Daniel (Book Introduction) DANIEL, that is, "God is my judge"; probably of the blood royal (compare Dan 1:3, with 1Ch 3:1, where a son of David is named so). Jerusalem may have ...

JFB: Daniel (Outline) THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY BEGINS; DANIEL'S EDUCATION AT BABYLON, &C. (Dan. 1:1-21) NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM: DANIEL'S INTERPRETATION OF IT, AND ADVANCEM...

TSK: Daniel 2 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Dan 2:1, Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threatenings; Dan 2:10, They acknowledging t...

Poole: Daniel (Book Introduction) BOOK OF DANIEL THE ARGUMENT IN Daniel and his prophecy, observe these things for the better understanding of this book, and the mind of God in it...

Poole: Daniel 2 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 2 In this chapter are four principal parts: I. The king’ s, dream, Dan 2:1 . II. The wise men’ s ignorance and danger, Dan 2:2-...

MHCC: Daniel (Book Introduction) Daniel was of noble birth, if not one of the royal family of Judah. He was carried captive to Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiachin, B. C. 606, whe...

MHCC: Daniel 2 (Chapter Introduction) (Dan 2:1-13) Nebuchadnezzar's dream. (Dan 2:14-23) It is revealed to Daniel. (Dan 2:24-30) He obtains admission to the king. (Dan 2:31-45) The drea...

Matthew Henry: Daniel (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Daniel The book of Ezekiel left the affairs of Jerusalem under a doleful aspect...

Matthew Henry: Daniel 2 (Chapter Introduction) It was said (Dan 1:17) that Daniel had understanding in dreams; and here we have an early and eminent instance of it, which soon made him famous in...

Constable: Daniel (Book Introduction) Introduction Background In 605 B.C. Prince Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonian army of h...

Constable: Daniel (Outline) Outline I. The character of Daniel ch. 1 A. Historical background 1:1-2 ...

Constable: Daniel Daniel Bibliography Albright, William F. From Stone Age to Christianity. 2nd ed. New York: Doubleday Press, Anc...

Haydock: Daniel (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL. INTRODUCTION. DANIEL, whose name signifies "the judgment of God," was of the royal blood of the kings of Juda, and one o...

Gill: Daniel (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL This book is called, in the Vulgate Latin version, "the Prophecy of Daniel"; and in the Syriac and Arabic versions "the Prop...

Gill: Daniel 2 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 2 The subject of this chapter is a dream which Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, but had forgot; upon which he calls his magicians...

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