The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 94

1w difficulty in gaming RC<'CBB to the question, on the one hand, so on the prPEenec of A1foch. There e.re men who other, it wouhl not be nn ocoosion fo1· the hn'l"c n mn,::-n<>t.ic power over their follows, step Daniel immediately therenfter tool[. e.nd bend C'l"ery ono to their ·wny, and still We think, on the whole, that tho Mnssorolio g,<in their nffection. And Daniel seems reading nmended bore by the Peshittn is pre-eminently to h1we been a man of this the better. As lender of the royal body- type. Personal good looks and suave guard, the place of Arioch would be beside manners hud their own she.re, but some- Nebuohlldnezznr, even in the counoil- thing more WI\B needed to carry e. con- chamber. Ho would thus be quite cognizant demned man through the rn.nke of guards of everything that took pince-the demands right into the presence of their ohicf. Thie of the king, the e.rgumcnts of the wise men. is llll\de nil the more striking wh<>n we bear All this scene he could portre.y for the in mind that preparations were being made information of Daniel. The mere exhibition for the grent massacre. of a warrant would tell nothing more than Ver. 15.-Re answered and aid to Arioch the fact that the action of Arioah we.a in the king's oapta.in, Why is the decree so obedience to orders. hasty from the king! Then .&.riooh made Ver. 16.-Then Daniel went in, and the thing known to Daniel The opening desired of the king that he would give him clause in this verse is doubtful. In the time, and that he would show the king the Septuagint the verse is rendered, "And interpretation. The version of Theodotion h<l asked him saying, Ruler, why is it omits all mention of Daniel's going into the deoreed so bitterly by the king? And he palace, "And De.niel petitioned the king showed him the warrant." Thcodotion is the.t he should give him time, and he would yet briefer, "Ruler of the king, why he.s tell his interpretation to the king." The so harsh a sentence come forth from the rendering of the Peshitta agrees with this, king? And he deole.red (~11,/,pitr,) t.o him "'And Daniel petitioned the king for time, his orders." But briefest of all is the and he would show the interprete.tion to Peshitte.. It begins at once without any the king." The version of the Septuagint address, 11 Why is this harsh decree from is longer, "And Daniel went in quickly to the king? A.nd Arioch showed the matter the king,"and petitioned the.t time should (miUJui) to Daniel" As a rule, the be given him from the king, and he would shorter a reading is the better it is. There- show oJl things to the king." Jerome fore we are inclined to prefer the Peshitte. gives a rendering of the Massoretio text in rendering. " Answered and said " is a Latin condensation. The question ofreading formula that might ensi.ly be stuck in where here is of some importe.nce in the light of anything of the kind seemed needed. Here the apparent contradiction implied in the it is not suitable, as Daniel is already said twenty-fifth verse. There Arioch declares io have II answered .Arioch with counsel that he "had found a man of the captives of and pmdenoe." The addition of the Sep- J nde.h, that will mBke known unto the tuagint is more reasonable, " He asked him king the interpretation "-as if Nebuchad- mying, Ruler." Theodotion feels some nezzar had never seen him before, whereas, title is necessary, so he calls A.rioch "mler if the Massoretio recension is correot, of the king.'' It appears to us that the N ebuchadnezza.r had seen Daniel but e. brief Peehitta represents the best text. little while before, Aooording to the read- HaPty represents to some extent, though ing of Theodotion and the Peshittn, Daniel not fully, the element of blame implied in petitioned the king for time, but that the word m'halt'izpah in greater degree petition docs not imply neceSBa.rily that he than our English word would indicate. It we.a admitted into the king's presence : the means•• rough,"" raging,"" sh.e.meless;" it petition would pass through court officials, might be too strong to say that "scan- and reo.oh the king in due course. We may de.lous" represents Daniel's meaning. Some note the ease with which he granted this commentat.ore cannot imagine a man thus request, and look upon it e.s confirme.tory of criticizing a royal decree to one of the our notion that the king, now that his rage court officials. Much, however, is permitted had gone down, repented of his harsh to a man speaking about a decree which decree, and was hoping age.inst hope that has condemned him to death without his the catastrophe would be averted. The having e.n opportunity to defend himself. only other explanation that would save the It is possible that he might be able to use authenticity of both passages is that ull the more freedom by seeing that Ariooh Daniel's entrance int.o the palace and his had no favour for the bnsiness to which he petition t.o the king happened without was ordered. TLe Greek versions represent A.rioch being aware. The most natural that Arioch showed the warrant, the king's explanation of Arioch's condnct in post- ord<;r for the ex<;cution. As that wonld poning the execution of the royal decree is not bt, considertd an a.Il.l!wer to Daniel's that th<J postponement was during th( on. 11. 1-40.J 'l'Im DOOK OF DAN!EL. 5.j