26. Et quod dixerunt de relinquenda radice stirpiuus arboris, regnum (continued)
DANIEL
did not concern himself to behold the kingdoms of the earth, and to set up whom he would, and to prostrate all the proud. The princes of this world never consider their power to be from heaven, as if this were entirely out of God's hands; but, as I have said, they look right and left, before and behind. This is the reason why Daniel said, Power is from heaven. There is a contrast then between God and all mankind, as if he had said, Thou shalt know God reigns — as we have formerly seen. It follows:
Daniel 4:27 27. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
27. Propterea, rex, consilium meum placeat apud to, 223 et peccata tua 224 justitia redimas 225 et iniquitatem tuam in misericordia erga pauperes: ecce erit prolongstio pact tuae. 226
Since interpreters do not agree about the sense of these words, and as the doctrine to be derived from them depends partly upon that, we must remark, in the first place, that {,}מלכיmeleki, means "my counsel." Some translate it "my king," and both words are derived from the same, root {,}מלך melek, signifying "to reign; but it also signifies counsel". There is no doubt flint this passage ought to be explained thus: — May my counsel therefore please thee, and mayest thou redeem thy sins. The word {,}פרוקperuk, is here translated "to redeem;" it often signifies "to break off," or "separate," or "abolish." In this passage it may conveniently be translated, "separate or break off thy sins" by pity and humanity; as if he had said, Thus thou shalt make an end of sin, and enter upon a new course, and thus thy cruelty may be changed into clemency, and thy tyrannical violence into pity. But this is not of much consequence. The verb often signifies to free and to preserve; the context does not admit the sense of preserving, and it would be harsh to say, Free thy sins by thy righteousness. Hence I readily embrace the sense of Daniel exhorting the king of Babylon to a change of life, so as to break off his sins in which he had too long indulged. With respect to the clause at the end of the verse, behold there shall be a cure for thine error, as I have mentioned, the Greeks translate, "if by chance there should be a cure;" but the other sense seems to suit better; as if he had said, "this is the proper and genuine medicine," some translate, "a promulgation," since
signifies "to produce;" and at the same time they change the signification of the other noun, for they say, "there shall be a prolongation to thy peace or quiet." That sense would be tolerable, but the other suits better with the grammatical construction; besides, the more received sense is, this medicine may be suitable to the error A different sense may be elicited
signifies to be beautiful; but it is metaphorically transferred to approbation or complacency, as the phrase is, ``therefore my counsel shall please thee.'' --- Calvin.
224Or, "that" for {,{וvau, may be used in this way. --- Calvin. 225So it is usually translated: we shall discuss the word by and bye. — Calvin. 226The Greeks translate — if by chance — or a medicine for their error. — Calvin.