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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Daniel 4:13 - 4:13
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watcher and an holy one - rather, “even an holy one.” Only one angel is intended, and he not one of the bad, but of the holy angels. Called a “watcher,” because ever on the watch to execute God’s will [Jerome], (Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21). Compare as to their watchfulness, Rev 4:8, “full of eyes within ... they rest not day and night.” Also they watch good men committed to their charge (Psa 34:7; Heb 1:14); and watch over the evil to record their sins, and at God’s bidding at last punish them (Jer 4:16, Jer 4:17), “watchers” applied to human instruments of God’s vengeance. As to God (Dan 9:14; Job 7:12; Job 14:16; Jer 44:27). In a good sense (Gen 31:49; Jer 31:28). The idea of heavenly “watchers” under the supreme God (called in the Zendavesta of the Persian Zoroaster, Ormuzd) was founded on the primeval revelation as to evil angels having watched for an opportunity until they succeeded in tempting man to his ruin, and good angels ministering to God’s servants (as Jacob, Gen 28:15; Gen 32:1, Gen 32:2). Compare the watching over Abraham for good, and over Sodom for wrath after long watching in vain for good men it, for whose sake He would spare it, Gen 18:23-33; and over Lot for good, Gen 19:1-38 Daniel fitly puts in Nebuchadnezzar’s mouth the expression, though not found elsewhere in Scripture, yet substantially sanctioned by it (2Ch 16:9; Pro 15:3; Jer 32:19), and natural to him according to Oriental modes of thought.