Commentary on Daniel Chapters 1-12 John Calvin (continued)
DANIEL
therefore, shews how very patiently God had borne with King Belshazzar in not instantly talking up arms and inflicting punishment; but he now begins to come forth as a judge, and to ascend his judgment seat; for the haughtiness was now desperate, and the impiety no longer tolerable. We observe with what emphasis the word then is used; as if he had said, Thou canst not complain of the swiftness of the penalty, as if God had exacted it before the time. Thou canst not here complain of God's swiftness in punishing thee; for think and consider in how many ways, and for how long a time, thou hast provoked his anger. And with 'regard to thy last crime, thou certainly hadst arrived at the height of impiety, when that hand appeared to thee. God, therefore, now drags thee to punishment in proper time, since he has hitherto borne with thee and thy sins. After this forbearance, what remains to prevent his destroying thee, because thou hast so proudly insulted him, and art utterly hardened, without the slightest hope of amendment.
He says also, from himself; for Belshazzar need not inquire whence the hand proceeded, it came from the presence of God; that is, This hand is a witness to the wrath of heaven; do not consider it as a specter which will vanish away, but see in this appearance a proof of God's displeasure at thy wickedness; and because thou hast arrived at thy last extremity, thy punishment is also ready for thee. And this writing, says he, has been marked; as if he had said, The eyes of King Belshazzar were not deceived, since this was really God's hand, being sent from his sight as a certain testimony of his wrath. He afterwards adds, —
Daniel 5:25-28 25. And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin 25. Et haec est scriptura quae notata est, 273 Mene, Mene, numera-tum est, numeratum est, Tekel, appensum est, 274 Upharsin, et dividentes.
26. This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
26. Haec interpretatio est ser-monis: Mene, numeravit Deus regnum tuum et complevit. 275
27. Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 27. Tekel, appende, vel, appensum est, appensus es in trutina, 276 et inventus es deficiens.
28. Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 28. Peres pro upharsin, divisum est regnum tuum, et datum Medis et Persis.
Daniel here explains these four verses which were written upon the wall. The king could not read them, either through stupor, or because God blunted all his senses, and blinded his eyes, as was formerly said. The same thing must be said of the magi and the soothsayers, for they could have read,
273Or, engraved. — Calvin. 274Some translate, number, number, weigh. — Calvin. 275Or, finished. — Calvin. 276Or, in a balance. — Calvin.