βIn the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.β
Third, at the conclusion, so that it is called the fourth, Jeremias xxv. 1. (Cornelius a Lapide; Menochius) β Nabuchodonosor began his expedition into Syria a year before he was king; (Salien, the year of the world 3428.; Josephus, &c.) or he had the title before his father Nabopolassarβs death. (Usher, the year of the world 3397.) β The following year he took Joakim, with a design to convey him to Babylon; but he left him on hard terms, and seized many of the sacred vessels, Daniel, &c. (Calmet) β Joakim reigned other eight years, 2 Paralipomenon xxxvi. 5. (Worthington)
βAnd the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.β
His god; Bel, or Belas, the principal idol of the Chaldeans. (Challoner) β The king pretended to derive his pedigree from Belus, (Abyd. Eus. prΔp. 1.) and greatly enriched his temple, (Calmet) which Xerxes demolished. (Arrian.) β God. Some part might be kept in the palace, chap. v. 10., and 2 Paralipomenon xxxvi. 7.
βAnd the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;β
Eunuchs, or chief officers. The Jews assert that Daniel was made an eunuch, Isaias xxxix. 7. But he might be so styled on account of his dignity. (Calmet) β Princes. Literally, βtyrants.β (Haydock) β This name was afterwards only rendered odious by the misconduct of several kings. (Calmet) β Hebrew parthemim, (Haydock) seems to be of Greek derivation, alluding to protimoi, or protoi, βthe first or most honoured.β (Drusius) β We find here other Greek words. (Calmet)
βChildren in whom was no blemish , but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.β
Blemish. Deformed people were excluded the throne, or the kingβs presence. (Procop. 1.) β Science; well educated, or apt to learn. They were first to be taught the Chaldean letters, which then differed from the Hebrew. (Calmet)
βAnd the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. the wine: Heb. the wine of his drinkβ
Meat: more exquisite. (De Dieu.) β All was first served on the kingβs table. (Athen. vi. 14.)
βNow among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:β
Juda. It is thought all four were of royal blood. (Calmet) β Others were also kept at court. (Menochius)
βUnto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.β
Baltassar, or as Chaldeans (Calmet) or Masorets (Haydock) pronounce, Beltesasar, βthe treasurer of Baal.β The names were changed to testify their subjection, (Calmet) and that they might embrace the manners of the Chaldeans. (Menochius) β The new names alluded to the sun. (Calmet)
βBut Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.β
Daniel, as head and nearer the throne, gave good example to the rest. (Worthington) β Defiled, either by eating meat forbidden by the law, or which had before been offered to idols. (Challoner) β It was customary among the pagans to make an offering of some parts to their gods, or throw it into the fire. (Theod.; Calmet) β These reasons determined the pious youths, (Haydock) who desired also to keep free from gluttony and other vices. (Theod.; Worthington)
βThen said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Melzar: or, the stewardβ
Malassar, another inferior officer. It means also one appointed over the mouth or provisions, (Calmet) and might be Asphenez, ver. 3, 9. (Haydock)
βProve thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. pulse: Heb. of pulse to eat: Heb. that we may eat, etcβ
Pulse. That is, pease, beans, and such like. (Challoner) β St. Basil hence shews the advantages of fasting; and Catholics, who imitate Daniel, may expect the like reward in heaven: and hope that such a pattern would not displease their dissenting brethren, but rather screen them from their profane sarcasms. (Haydock)
βAs for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel: or, he made Daniel understandβ
Dreams. He was learned in all the sciences of the country, like Moses, Acts vii. 22. (Calmet) β They studied these things, in order to refute what was erroneous: discuntβ¦.ut judicent. (St. Jerome) β The Chaldeans paid great attention to dreams. Daniel acquired the knowledge of such as were sent from heaven by the gift of God, as Joseph had done. To pay any regard to common dreams would be childish (Calmet) and sinful, if the person depend on them for the knowledge of futurity. (Haydock)
βAnd in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. wisdom: Heb. wisdom of understandingβ
Diviners, or fortune-tellers. β Wise men. Septuagint, βphilosophers.β (Calmet) β Hebrew Ashaphim, may come from the Greek sophoi. (Grotius) β They had been educated three years, ver. 5. (Haydock)
βAnd Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.β
Cyrus; and also to the third, (Chap. x) and of course during the whole of the captivity. (Worthington) β He was maintained in power by the conqueror of Babylon, chap. vi. 18., and xiv. 1. He first displayed his sagacity in the cause of Susanna, (Chap. xiii.; Calmet) whose history was placed at the head of the book, in Theodotion, (St. Jerome in Isaias iii. 1.) as in its natural order. (Calmet)