Clarke's Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:21
Verse 21. Their hats] This word, hat, is found only in this place in the Old Testament. The word lbrs sarbal properly means an outer garment. Herodotus, who lived about one hundred years after Daniel, says, "the dress of the Babylonians consisted of a tunic of linen reaching down to the feet; over this a tunic of woollen; and over all a white short cloak or mantle, clanidion; and on their heads they wore turbans, mitrhsi." Following this, Mr. Parkhurst translates the verse thus: "Then these three men were bound [ whylbrsb besarbaleyhon] in their CLOAKS, [ whyŤymp patesheyhon] their TURBANS, [ whtlbrkw vecharbelathehon] and in their UPPER (woollen) TUNICS, [ whyŤwblw ulebushehon] and their UNDER (linen) TUNICS." And as, according to this interpretation, their ylbrs sarbaley were their outermost garments, we see the propriety with which it is observed at ver. 27 that these were not changed by the fire.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. Then these men were bound in their coats , etc.] Their upper coats, cloaks, or mantles, as Aben Ezra and Jacchiades; though, according to the use of the word in the Arabic language, the “femoralia” or breeches are meant: their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments : their turbants on their heads, which were usually wore in those countries; and their stockings and shoes, and other under garments, as waistcoats and shirts; which through haste or negligence, or with design, were kept on them, to make their torment the greater; but were intended by the Lord to make the miracle the more conspicuous. According to Cocceius and Bynaeus f139 , the first of these words signifies the outward covering of the body, as cloaks, etc.; the second the covering of the feet, as socks, shoes, and sandals; and the third the covering of the head, as caps, turbants, helmets, etc.; the last the inner garments that were under the upper ones: and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace ; in the manner and circumstances before related.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's dream. (Dan. 2:1-13) It is revealed to Daniel. (Dan 2:14-23) He obtains admission to the king. (Dan. 2:24-30) The dream an the interpretation. (Dan. 2:31-45) Honours to Daniel and his friends (Dan. 2:46-49)
Dan. 2:1-13 The greatest men are most open to cares and troubles of mind, which disturb their repose in the night, while the sleep of the labouring man is sweet and sound. We know not the uneasiness of man who live in great pomp, and, as others vainly think, in pleasure also The king said that his learned men must tell him the dream itself, or they should all be put to death as deceivers. Men are more eager to as as to future events, than to learn the way of salvation or the path of duty; yet foreknowledge of future events increases anxiety and trouble Those who deceived, by pretending to do what they could not do, wer sentenced to death, for not being able to do what they did not preten to.
Dan. 2:14-23 Daniel humbly prayed that God would discover to him the king's dream, and the meaning of it. Praying friends are valuabl friends; and it well becomes the greatest and best men to desire the prayers of others. Let us show that we value our friends, and their prayers. They were particular in prayer. And whatever we pray for, we can expect nothing but as the gift of God's mercies. God gives us leav in prayer to tell our wants and burdens. Their plea with God was, the peril they were in. The mercy Daniel and his fellows prayed for, wa bestowed. The fervent prayers of righteous men avail much. Daniel wa thankful to God for making known that to him, which saved the lives of himself and his fellows. How much more should we be thankful to God for making known the great salvation of the soul to those who are no among the worldly wise and prudent!
Dan. 2:24-30 Daniel takes away the king's opinion of his magicians an soothsayers. The insufficiency of creatures should drive us to the all-sufficiency of the Creator. There is One who can do that for us and make known that to us, which none on earth can, particularly the work of redemption, and the secret designs of God's love to us therein Daniel confirmed the king in his opinion, that the dream was of grea consequence, relating to the affairs and changes of this lower world Let those whom God has highly favoured and honoured, lay aside all opinion of their own wisdom and worthiness, that the Lord alone may be praised for the good they have and do.
Dan. 2:31-45 This image represented the kingdoms of the earth, tha should successively rule the nations, and influence the affairs of the Jewish church. 1. The head of gold signified the Chaldean empire, the in being. 2. The breast and arms of silver signified the empire of the Medes and Persians. 3. The belly and thighs of brass signified the Grecian empire, founded by Alexander. 4. The legs and feet of iro signified the Roman empire. The Roman empire branched into te kingdoms, as the toes of these feet. Some were weak as clay, other strong as iron. Endeavours have often been used to unite them, for strengthening the empire, but in vain. The stone cut out without hands represented the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, which should be se up in the kingdoms of the world, upon the ruins of Satan's kingdom in them. This was the Stone which the builders refused, because it was no cut out by their hands, but it is become the head stone of the corner Of the increase of Christ's government and peace there shall be no end The Lord shall reign, not only to the end of time, but when time an days shall be no more. As far as events have gone, the fulfilling thi prophetic vision has been most exact and undeniable; future ages shal witness this Stone destroying the image, and filling the whole earth.
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 Divin power and majesty, who do not think of serving God themselves. But all should strive, that God may be glorified, and the best interests of mankind furthered __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
באדין 116 גבריא 1400 אלך 479 כפתו 3729 בסרבליהון 5622 פטישׁיהון 6361 וכרבלתהון 3737 ולבשׁיהון 3831 ורמיו 7412 לגוא 1459 אתון 861 נורא 5135 יקדתא׃ 3345
