2 Chronicles 24:9
edict <06963> [proclamation. Heb. voice. collection.]
2 Chronicles 36:22
[A.M. 3468. B.C. 536.]
This verse and the next have a double aspect. They look back to the prophecy of Jeremiah, and show how that was accomplished; and they look forward to the history of Ezra, which begins with a repetition of these two last verses.
first <0259> [in the first.]
Cyrus ................. Cyrus <03566> [Cyrus.]
promise <01697> [that the word.]
Lord moved <03068 05782> [the Lord stirred.]
<05674> [a proclamation.]
Leviticus 23:2
appointed times .......... appointed times <04150> [the feasts.]
God appointed several festivals among the Jews. The Passover was celebrated on the 14th, or rather 15th day of the first month in the ecclesiastical year, which was the seventh of the civil year, and lasted seven days. The Pentecost was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the passover, in memory of the law's being given to Moses on Mount Sinai, fifty days, or seven weeks after the departure out of Egypt. The word is derived from the Greek word [Pentekoste,] which signifies the fiftieth. The Hebrews call it the feast of weeks, Ex 34:22. The feast of trumpets, celebrated on the first day of the civil year, when a trumpet was sounded, to proclaim its commencement, which was in the month {Tisri,} answering to our September, Le 23:24, 25. The new moons, or first days of every month, were, in some sort, a consequence of the feast of trumpets. God ordained that, by giving him the first-fruits of every month they should acknowledge him as the Lord of all their time, and own his providence, by which all times and seasons are ordered. The feast of expiation or atonement was kept on the 10th day of {Tisri} or September: the Hebrews call it Kippur, i.e., pardon or expiation, because it was instituted for the expiation of their sins. The feast of tents or tabernacles was so called, because the Israelites kept it under green tents or arbours, in memory of their dwelling in their passage through the wilderness. It was celebrated on the 15th day of {Tisri,} and continued eight days: the first and last days are the most solemn. Besides the feasts mentioned by Moses, we find the feast of {lots,} or {Purim,} which was celebrated among the Jews of Shushan on the 14th of {Adar,} which answers to our February. The feast of the dedication of the temple, or rather, of the restoration of the temple, which had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes, which is thought to be the feast mentioned in the gospel Joh 10:22, was celebrated in the winter. {MoÆ’dim,} properly means assemblies, convened at an appointed time and place.
proclaim <07121> [proclaim]
Leviticus 23:4
Daniel 4:1-33
Nebuchadnezzar <05020> [Nebuchadnezzar.]
This is a regular decree, and one of the most ancient extant; and no doubt contains the exact words of Nebuchadnezzar, copied out by Daniel from the state papers of Babylon, and preserved in the original language.
all .......... all <03606> [unto all.]
Peace <08001> [Peace.]
delighted ..... about <06925 08232> [I thought it good. Chal. It was seemly before me.]
most high <05943> [that.]
great <07260> [great.]
kingdom <04437> [his kingdom.]
from <05974> [is from.]
I Nebuchadnezzar <0576 05020> [I Nebuchadnezzar.]
After he had successfully finished his wars in Syria, Egypt, etc., and the immense improvements and buildings at Babylon, and in the enjoyment of uninterrupted peace and prosperity in his palace.
was <01934> [was.]
dream <02493> [a dream.]
things ... imagined <02031> [and the thoughts.]
brought <05954> [to bring.]
When ......... entered <0116 05954> [Then came.]
unable <03809> [but.]
Belteshazzar <01096> [Belteshazzar.]
spirit <07308> [and in.]
chief <07229> [master.]
spirit <07308> [the spirit.]
no mystery <07328 03606> [no secret.]
set forth <0560> [tell.]
there was <01934> [saw. Chal. was seeing. a tree.]
This represented his exceedingly prosperous condition, the height of his exaltation, the extent of his dominions and renown, the splendour of his kingdom, the multitude of his subjects who received protection from him, and the peace and plenty they enjoyed.
reached far <04291> [reached.]
animals <02423> [the beasts.]
seek shade <02927> [shadow.]
birds <06853> [the fowls.]
visions <02376> [in the.]
a watcher. Either a holy angel, or a divine person, called a watcher, as watching over the affairs of men. .# 17,23 Ps 103:20
holy <06922> [an holy.]
loudly <02429> [aloud. Chal. with might.]
Chop down <01414> [Hew.]
animals <02423> [let.]
leave <07662> [leave.]
mind .............. mind <03825> [Let his.]
Here a transition is made from the tree to Nebuchadnezzar, whom it represented; the tree being lost sight of, a person came in its stead. This person having lost the heart, or disposition of a man, and conceiving himself a beast, should act as such, and herd among them.
altered <08133> [be changed.]
seven periods ... time <05732 07655> [seven times.]
That is, seven years, a time in the prophetic language denoting a year.
decree .......... pronouncement <01510 03983> [by the.]
holy ones <06922> [the holy.]
alive <02417> [that the living.]
Most High <05943> [the most High.]
bestows <05415> [giveth.]
lowliest <08215> [the basest.]
none <06903> [forasmuch.]
you ......................... you <0607> [but.]
Daniel <01841> [Daniel.]
[was astonished.]
He saw the design of the dream; and felt acutely for his prince and benefactor. Accordingly he expresses himself with the greatest delicacy and kindly feeling.
don't <0409> [let.]
Sir <04756> [My Lord.]
dream .............. dream <02493> [the dream.]
it ... you <0607> [thou.]
greatness <07238> [thy greatness.]
seeing <02370> [saw.]
periods <02508> [and let his.]
decision <01510> [the decree.]
happened <04291> [come.]
driven <02957> [drive.]
live <04070> [and thy dwelling.]
All the circumstances of Nebuchadnezzar's case, says Dr. Mead, agree so well with a hypochondriasis, that to me it appears evident the Almighty God brought this dreadful distemper upon him, and under its influence he ran wild into the fields: then fancying himself transformed into an ox, he fed on grass, after the manner of cattle; and, through neglect of himself, his hair and nails grew to an excessive length, so that the latter became thick and crooked, resembling bird's claws.
fed <02939> [to eat.]
before <05705> [till.]
leave <07662> [to leave.]
heaven <08065> [the heavens.]
advice <04431> [let.]
Break away <06562> [break.]
mercy <02604> [by shewing.]
Perhaps ..... be <02006 01934> [if it.]
prosperity .... prolonged <07963 0754> [lengthening of thy tranquillity. or, healing of thine error.]
After <07118> [end.]
battlements <05922> [in. or, upon.]
not <03809> [Is not.]
great <07229> [great.]
I <0576> [that.]
honor <03367> [and for.]
words <04406> [the word.]
came down <05308> [fell.]
kingdom <04437> [The kingdom.]
driven <02957> [they shall drive.]
before <05705> [until.]
moment <08160> [same.]
driven <02957> [and he was.]
