Commentary on Daniel Chapters 1-12 John Calvin (continued)
DANIEL
provide for us in thy heavenly kingdom. — Amen.
Lecture Tenth We have already explained God's intention in offering to King Nebuchadnezzar the dream concerning the four monarchies, and the kingdom of Christ which should put an end to them. We have shewn it to have been not for the king's sake so much as for the consolation and support of the remnant of the faithful in those very severe troubles which awaited them, and were close at hand. For when redemption had been promised to them, and the Prophets had extolled that remarkable beneficence of God in magnificent terms, their confidence might fail them amidst those revolutions which afterwards followed. For God wished to sustain their spirits, so that amidst such agitations and tumults they might remain constant, and patiently and quietly wait; for the promised Redeemer. Meanwhile God wished to render all the Chaldeans without excuse, because this dream of the king's was everywhere celebrated, and yet, none of them profited by it, as far as Christ's eternal reign is concerned. But this was the principal point in the dream, as we shall afterwards see. But God wished, in the first place, to consult the interests of his elect, lest they should despond among those so-called revolutions, which might seem contrary to those numerous prophecies, by which not merely simple liberty was promised, but perpetual and continued happiness under God's hand. We now understand the end which God intended by this dream. We must now treat its explanation. We have already touched upon some points, but Daniel himself shall lead the way along which we are to proceed. First of all he says-
Daniel 2:36-38 36. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
36. Hoc est somnium; et interpretationem ejus dicemus coram rege. 37. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
37. Tu rex, rex regum es, cui Deus coelorum regnum, potentiam et robur dedit, et 151 gloriam tibi. 152
38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
38. Et ubicunque habitant filii hominum, bestia agri, et volucris coelorum, 153 dedit in manum tuam, et praefecit to omnibus 154 tu ipse caput es aureum.
Daniel here declares "the golden head of the image" to be the Babylonian kingdom. We know that the Assyrians were subdued before the monarchy
151Some translate the nouns by adjectives or epithets — a strong and powerful kingdom. — Calvin.
152The word {,{לךlek, ``to thee,'' is redundant --- Calvin. 153That is, "birds;" there is a change of number — Calvin. 154Verbally, has made thee ruler over them all — Calvin.