Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. II wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with the parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened : being a continuation of Mr. Pool's work by certain judicious and learned divines.

CHAP. IV.

1 NEbuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations and languages that dwell in all the earth, Peace be multiplied unto you d.

2 † I thought it good e to shew the Signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought to∣ward me f.

3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders g! his kingdom is an everlast∣ing kingdom, and his dominion is from generati∣on to generation h.

4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house i▪ and flourishing in my place k.

5 I saw a dream which made me afraid l, and the thoughts upon my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.

6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me m, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the sooth-sayers: and I told the dream before them, but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof n.

8 ¶ But at the last Daniel came in before me o whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit ‖ of the holy gods p, and before him I told the dream, saying,

9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy ‖ gods is in thee q, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

10 Thus were the visions of mine head r in my bed, † I saw, and behold , a tree s in the midst the earth, and the height thereof was great.

11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth.

12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much t, and in it was meat for all : the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs there∣of, and all flesh was fed of it.

13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher u, and an holy one came down from heaven.

14 He cried † aloud, and said thus x, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit, let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his bran∣ches.

15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth y, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field z, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts im the grass of the earth.

16 Let his heart be changed from mans, and let a beasts heart be given unto him, and let seven times pass over him a.

17 This matter is by the decree of the wat∣chers, and the ‖ demand by the word of the ho∣ly ones b: to the intent that the king may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men c, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men d.

18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen: now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the in∣terpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

19 ¶ Then Daniel (whose name was Belte∣shazzar) was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him e: the king spake and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the in∣terpretation thereof trouble thee f. Belteshaz∣zar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies g.

20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit there∣of much, and in it was meat for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their ha∣bitation:

22 It is thou, O king h, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown and reacheth unto heaven i, and thy dominion to the end of the earth k.

23 And whereas the king saw a watcher, and an holy one coming down from heaven, and say∣ing, Hew the tree down, and destroy it, yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.

24 This is the interpretation, O king l, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven m, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the king∣dom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will n.

26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee o, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule p.

27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be ac∣ceptable unto thee q, and ‖ break off r thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shew∣ing mercy to the poor, if it may be ‖ a lengthen∣ing of thy tranquillity s.

28 ¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchad∣nezzar.

29 At the end of twelve months t he walk∣ed ‖ in the palace of the kingdom of Baby∣lon.

30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great u Babylon that I have built x for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty y?

31 While the word was in the kings mouth, there fell a voice from heaven z, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, The king∣dom is departed from thee a.

32 And they shall drive thee from men b, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the king∣dom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon

Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men b, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles feathers, and his nails like birds claws c.

34 And at the end of the days, I Nebuchad∣nezzar lift up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me d, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation e.

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing f: and he doth according to his will g in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth h: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What dost thou i?

36 At the same time my reason returned unto k me, and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and † brightness returned unto me l▪ and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me m, and I was established in my king∣dom n, and excellent majesty was added unto me o.

37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extoll and honour the king of heaven p all whose works are truth, and his wayes judgment q, and those that walk in pride he is able to abase r.

Notes

• d

  i. e. All health and happiness, this was alwayes the form of greeting and salutation among the Eastern Nations, comprehending peace, plenty, with uninter∣rupted joy and felicity in all comfortable enjoyments; and from them it came derived down to the Penmen of the New Testament, and notes more, even peace with God in Jesus Christ, Spiritual and Everlasting: Now the reason hereof was that War being the root of all misery, especially where all Go∣vernment was Tyrannical, and when once it brake forth, it made all desolate; therefore Peace was as Heaven in compari∣son of the Hell of War, which made the Heathens paint Plu∣tus the god of Riches in the bosome of Peace.
• the Prophet Daniel here sets down another strange story; af∣ter he had finished that of the three young men: This the Prophet sets forth not in his own words, but in the words of the Kings own Proclamation, that it might pass with undoubt∣ed credit, and without all dispute; being sent to all his vast Kingdoms, and questionless put into the Kings Archives, and Court rolls, as the manner was. These three first verses of this 4th Chapter, are improperly annexed to the end of the fore∣going third Chapter, by some; seeing they are the Preface of the following History.
• †

  Chald. it was seemly before me▪
• e

  I did upon mature thoughts judge it very becoming me, yea it was my pleasure to let all the World know it.
• f

  1. Signs and wonders, 2. wrought by the high God, 3. toward me, wherein I was personally concerned, these were his reasons why he made it known to the World.
• g

  These two words signifie in their roots, admiration and astonishment; it seems these works of God had that impressi∣on upon this King; a great cause whereof was his ignorance of the true God, together with his own excessive Pride and Epi∣curisme. God by this following dream, and Daniels instructi∣on, had told him his fate, and that no Kingdom but God's Kingdom, was Everlasting, which he had told him once afore this, Dan. 2.44.
• chap. 2.44.
• h

  This Confession of the King was upon con∣viction, and it looks somewhat like repentance, but the sequel proves him to be no changling, though God made prodigious mutations in his Kingdom, and in the form of his person, as ye see, verse 31, 32. of this Chapter; he was Metamorphoz'd to a monstrous beast, and then to a man again, and yet no convert.
• i

  At rest his Warrs were over, which were great, and he victorious, then I sate down quiet, enjoying the spoiles of my enemies.
• k

  Which was most magnificent, there I lived in all delights and grandeur.
• l

  There is no felicity in this World lasting; a black Cloud big with storm and tempest, spoiles the fairest Sun-shine day. They that fear not God shall be frighted by him. God doth justly make Epicures and Tyrants uneasie in the midst of their fools Paradise, where if the fool saith in his heart there is no God, he shall soon find in his heart to think otherwise.
• m

  Though he had experienced before that these wisemen, were fool'd and could do nothing either in telling or interpre∣ting his dream, chap. 2. yet he will try them once again, possi∣bly because they might gain fresh credit with the King; or he would hear what they could do, and if they failed him, he would then make use of Daniel whom he had in reserve. Perhaps these Chaldean Doctors, and Wizards shunned, and scorned Daniels Company, and he was as much shy of theirs; therefore they came not together, but God had disposed of this whole scene, and for the honour of his name, suffered Daniel not to be sent for till the last.
• n

  And yet this was it they stood upon before, that the King should tell the dream, and they would interpret it, which now they could not do; this shews them to be meer Impostors, and that neither their natural skill, nor diabolical help could unfold Gods secrets.
• o

  Whether sent for by the King, or brought in by another appears not, but he was last, that it might appear he had the true understanding of these secrets: for if he had come first before the rest had done their best in trying all their skill, in vain they would have said, they knew as well as he, and so God would not have had the glory, but now its plain the spirit of God in the Prophet did all.
• chap. 1.7.
• ‖

  Or, of the holy God, Josh. 24.19. So Gr.
• p

  He speaks in the plural like an Idolater, and because he calls him Belteshazzar according to the name of his God, i. e. Bel or Baal, by the Spirit of God he means the Spirit of divination, or Prophesie of future contingent things which God only knows, and reveals by his Spirit as he pleaseth, which none of the Magicians were indued with.
• chap. 2.48. and 5.11.
• ‖

  Or, God, so Gr.
• q

  This argued he was convinced of Daniels great abilities, and that he truly deserved the title and dignity the King had honoured him with, and by this perswasion and confidence he had of him, Daniel would shew he answered both the opinion and expectation the King had of him.
• r

  Because the fancy, and imagination is in the head; and he calls them Visions or Seeings, because eyes and sight are at∣tributed to the understanding, and the thing seemed visible to him, as if he beheld it with his eyes.
• †

  Chald. I was seeing.
• Ezek. 31.3.
• s

  Those that write of the Language of the East tell us, that a Tree denotes some ex∣cellent man. Thus the Prophet Ezekiel, chap. 31. throughout describes the King of Assyria, and Pharaoh King of Egypt, in their flourish, height and great fall, comparing them to huge Cedars.
• t

  This notes the publick good and benefit of Magistracy: so that it is better living under Tyranny then Anarchy, as Calvin saith.
• Ezek. 31.6.
• u

  By Watcher is meant an Angel, a holy or good Angel, the instruments of God, and his Messengers to execute Gods judgments, which they watch constantly to perform, Psalm 103.20, 21.
• chap. 8.13.
• †

  Ch••••••. ••ight.
• x

  Whereby is shewn the consent of the Angels, when one stirs up another to cut down, i. e. to cast out and take away.
• y

  Here he mitigates and corrects the former rigour of his sen∣tence, that the Kingdom should remain, with hope of return, and readmission: God cuts off many flourishing Kingdoms to the stumps, by spoiling their riches, beauty and majesty.
• z

  Let the body of Nebuchadnezzar be preserved, and the Kingdom re∣main firm: though he be turned out to grass for a while among the beasts.
• a

  Let him live seven years as a Beast in mans shape among Beasts of the Field, let him become brutish without humane sense and understanding, and this appeared much also in his outward shape; nailes like claws, and hair like Feathers. Some think that he was truly changed into a Beast but this cannot be, for then the Chaldeans would never more have owned or resto∣red him. Others judge that he was not changed at all but in appearance only to the beholders and in their phansies, but this is a false construction of Gods works, when the Scripture saith it was truly done. It is probable he was mute, and bellowed only, that he went naked, and bowed, and eat grass among the Beasts, with whom his converse was a dreadful example upon the greatest man on Earth, for his brutish, and raging Tyran∣ny, and inhumane carriage, abasing himself, and abusing his honours, and great prerogatives to wickedness, and savage cruelty, to be thus forsaken of God and Men, and to be made a Prodigy and spectacle to the World, and that upon Record to all Generations.
• ‖

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• b

  The decree was Gods, and the demand was of the Holy Angels, if God would enact and ratifie it, the Angels as Com∣missioners had the dispensation of it put into their hands, and they all consent to it as a just judgment of God to be executed by them according to the will and pleasure of God: and they desire of God it may be done, alluding to the customs of some Nations, and speaking after the manner, for the holy Angels are zealous for Gods honour, and pray him to assert his own soveraignty against the bold encroachments of mortal men, especially rampant and savage Tyrants, to make them know themselves.
• c

  This Nebuchadnezzar and his flatterers conceited he was God in Earth, independant and unaccountable to any, and though he had notions of a supream God, yet he confined his Government to Heaven. Iupiter in Heaven, Caesar in Earth rules all, said the Heathen Poet. But the great God will make all men know he rules all in Earth too; and sets up at his pleasure whom he will, and plucks them down again: All po∣wer is of God, Rom. 13.1. who doth often make use of his power in this case, thereby declaring he only is Arbitrary and absolute, for instance,
• d

  He gives this dignity sometimes to the basest of men, as he took it from Sa••l and gave it David a poor Shepherds boy, Psal. 78.70, 71. and made him a name among the great men of the Earth, 1 Sam. 2.7, 8. 1 Chron. 17.7, 8.
• e

  Because he foresaw such tragical things coming upon the King, for whom he had such reverence for the high favours and honours he had conferred on him, and he was afraid to declare them, these things coming upon him while he was acted by a spirit of Prophesie, doubled his consternation, and troubled his thoughts, Dan. 10.16, 17.
• f

  Speak out freely let the event be what it will.
• g

  Though this King were a Tyrant, and an Enemy of God, and his People, yet the Prophet is grieved for him and prayed for him that God would avert his judgments from him and lay them rather upon his Enemies, Ieremiah 29.7.
• h

  Thou art he that is meant by it. The King is the Tree, the Branches are his Princes, Children and Nephews; the Leaves are his Nobles and Captains, the Fruits are his Riches and Revenues, the Shadow is the protection which his People had under him. See Achmetes of the Language of the East. Now in that he speaks plainly, and roundly the whole truth, this Prophet is herein a pattern to every faithful Minister of Christ. First to preach the Truth of God and to apply it without respect of persons, and yet with that Wisdom, and Moderation, that men may see they have a compassionate care for their souls.
• i

  Thou art High and Mighty in the majesty and splendor which God hath given thee.
• k

  Say some to the Caspian Sea North, to the Euxine and Aegean West, to the Mediterranean South, for it is not clear that it reached further, and this alone was great.
• l

  This is the Decree of the Most High which is come upon my Lord the King. By saying these words, my Lord the King, he indeavours to sweeten the bitterness of this cup of Gods dis∣pleasure as much as he can.
• chap: 5.21. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• m

  Because thou hast lived a brutish Epicurean Life, and wert lifted up above the common race of mankind, in thy Heart, therefore thy fate shall be, not to be cast out to live among the basest, and meanest sort of men, which were hard enough, no not among Herdsmen as if that were too good for him, but among the Beasts to Herd with them. This was such a thun∣dering peal, that it was wonderful the King could endure to hear without wrath, and fury boyling in his Heart, yet the Lord withheld him.
• ••er. 27.5.
• n

  How hard is it for lofty Princes to learn this lesson, that God is the giver of all they have, and will call them to account severely for all they do, and make the Kings and Kingdoms of the World to know they are his, and not theirs, and that their Tenure is but at the Will of the Lord solely, who can alter and alienate the property of all their enjoyments being the High Lord Paramount above all.
• o

  There shall be no other King chosen in thy room all the time thou livest as a stump of a Tree, Iob 14.7, 8, 9. Thou shalt recover all again, young branches shall sprout out of thee.
• p

  Verse 34, 35, &c. If Princes will not learn and know this, God will beat it into them. This is the end of all Gods rods upon them, if they would hear the voice of them, and him that hath appointed them, 2 Chron. 33.12, 13. Psal. 119.67, 71. Micah 6.9. Though Nebuchadnezzar never proved a convert, yet God made him acknowledge this Truth upon his Restoration.
• q

  These words Daniel addes out of his good will to the king if perhaps it might turn away this dreadful stroke from him: and give the King some hopes of mitigation at least, as it was with Ni••eveh and others.
• ‖

  Or, redeem. Prov. 16.6. So Gr.
• r

  The word is well translated break off, for so it properly signifies, and not redeem, as the Papists would wrest it, to establish their works of Satisfaction and Me∣rit, and is no more then this, cease to do evil and learn to do well, change thy course, instead of oppressing the poor shew them Mercy.
• ‖

  Or, an healing of thine error.
• s

  Daniel was not certain of pardon for him, nor did he altogether despair of it, as Peter dealt with Simon Magus, Act. 8.22. Ioel 2.14. who knoweth if he will return and re∣pent, Ionah 3.9. Zeph. 2.1, 2, 3. Though Daniel gave not this counsel to elude, or null the Decree of God which was immutable, yet it might turn to the Kings good many wayes, if he followed this counsel. 1. Hereby this judgment was shor∣ter in the time, and easier in the rigour. 2. That he might acknowledge God to be gracious to him in this chastisement. And 3. That he might become by his reformation more capa∣ble of pardon, and prepared for it.
• t

  Here we see God did forbear the execution of his judgment decreed the space of one whole year, which may be upon Dani∣els words, and he did reform somewhat, as Ahab was spared a good while upon his humiliation, 1 King. 21.27. and God would try him by giving him space of Repentance, as he did to them before the flood, Gen. 6.3. and to Iezebel, Rev. 2.21. but it is most probable though he may be a little astonied at the first, when he heard Gods Decree against him; yet he having this respite he grew hardened and thought it was over, and therefore spreads his plumes and strutted in his pride as high as ever.
• ‖

  Or, upon.
• u

  As to the greatness of this place it might be well called great, for most Historians and Geographers make it 45 miles about the walls, some 60; for the height of the walls, they affirm them to be a 100 cubits, and for their thickness such as six Chariots might go a breast upon the top of them. See Bochart in his Phaleg.
• x

  Which words of his are not true as to the first foun∣dation of Babylon: For that was done by Nimrod, or Bel which is the same, Gen. 10.10. but if ye speak touching the repairing, and inlarging of it after Nineveh was destroyed, so Nebuchadnez∣zar, might be said to build it, i. e. to make it so great and glorious as at last.
• y

  The manner of proud Tyrants is to in∣gross all honour to themselves, moreover he attributes nothing to the signal goodness of God to him, but takes all to himself. Now God that resists the proud, presently falls upon him, and down he comes while he stood crowing and pruning his gay feathers.
• z

  This made the judgment more remarkable, and argued the sin more provoking, and the anger of God more just against him. Sudden judgments are most dreadful whereof we have many instances, as in Herod, Elimas, Ananias and Saphyra, &c. this voice was from God.
• a

  This voice was alowd and clearly perceived by the King, and them about him which the dream intimated more obscurely; not the Kingdom, but the administra∣tion of the Government was transferred to others.
• verse. 25.
• b

  From the Society and Conversation of men.
• b

  Being bereft of his understanding, as a man distracted he fled, and betook himself to the woods, or was thrust and dri∣ven out either by popular tumults or conspiracy of his Nobles, or by his Son Evilmerodac, some think, when he raved he was bound with chains, and after turned off loose into the Woods among Beasts.
• c

  And his nailes like Birds claws, which might easily grow in seven years to a prodigious length and defor∣mity.
• d

  God shined upon his Soul, and gave him understanding to reflect upon his condition, to consider his sad state ••nd the causes of it.
• chap. 2.44. & 7.14. Mich. 4.7. Luke 1.33.
• e

  By Prayer and Praise adoring the Justice and Mercy of God towards him, giving God the glory of his soveraignty, and unchangeableness, chap. 4 35••
• Isa. 40.15, 17.
• f

  A due consideration of Gods infinite greatness makes the Creature appear as nothing in comparison of God. Creatures are nothing to help, nothing to hurt▪ nothing absolutely, no∣thing in duration, nothing solid and substantial, nothing with∣out dependance and influence, and support from God. God i•• I am•• and there is none else, verily every man in his best estate is altogether vanity, Selah▪ Psal. 39.5. Yea▪ less then vanity and nothing, Psal. 62 9. Isai. 40.17.
• g

  Psal 115.3. God only is arbitrary.
• h

  Being the Lord of Hosts, and the only absolu••e▪ and universal Monarch of the World.
• Job 9.12. Isai. 45.9.
• i

  He is irre••istable, and uncontroulable, Iob 9.12. Isaiah 45.9. Romans 11.33, 34.35▪ 36.
• k

  What is a Magistrate, yea, or a man without reason? A brute, as a Ship without a Pilot, as an Army without a Com∣mander, as Flock or Herd without a Shepherd.
• †

  Gr. ••orm.
• l

  Instead o•• the shape of a savage Beast, I got the Majesty of a King in my Countenance.
• m

  They who before despised and rejected me now were glad to creep to me and to know their place and dist∣ance
• n

  In my wonted power▪ and place▪ owned, and obey¦ed without Competitors by all; without question, or complaint, see chap 5 18, 19.
• o

  He was the most August and Magn••fi∣cent Pr••nce on Earth, therefore the Lady of Kingdoms▪ Isaiah 47.7, 8. so was his Kingdom called.
• p

  Thus can the Lord make the stoutest hearts to stoop, and do him homage. This Doxology proceeds from his heart
• q

  God is Truth essentially: He is the rule and standard of Truth, his Words are Truth, his ways are Truth; and they are judgment: He is wise and hath dealt justly with me for m•• pride, and in very faithfulness hath afflicted me, and in very tenderness hath restored me: I do and ever shall adore him for it.
• r

  As he hath declared upon me, in stupendious chan¦ges, which I proclaim to all the World to his glory. He had a just controversie with me, and I have no ground to quarrel with him, but to give him glory by this confession.