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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Daniel 5:12 - 5:12
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The remarkable endowments of Daniel are again stated (according to Dan 5:11) to give weight to the advice that he should be called in. The words from מְפַשֵּׁר [interpreting] to פִטְרִין [doubts] are an explanatory parenthetical clause, after which the following verb, according to rule, joins itself to שָׂכְלְתָנוּ. In the parenthetical clause the nomen actonis אַחֲוָיָה [showing] is used instead of the participle, whereby the representation of the continued capability lying in the participle is transferred to that of each separate instance; literally, interpreting dreams, the explanation of mysteries and dissolving knots. The allusion of פִטְרִין מְשָׁרֵא to קִטְרֵי חר מִשְׁתָּרַיִן, Dan 5:6, is only apparent, certainly is not aimed at, since the former of these expressions has an entirely different meaning. Knots stands figuratively for involved complicated problems. That Daniel did not at first appear along with the wise men, but was only called after the queen had advised it, is to be explained on this simple ground, that he was no longer president over the magicians, but on the occasion of a new king ascending the throne had lost that situation, and been put into another office (cf. Dan 8:27). The words of the queen do not prove that Belshazzar was not acquainted with Daniel, but only show that he had forgotten the service rendered by him to Nebuchadnezzar; for according to Dan 5:13 he was well acquainted with the personal circumstances of Daniel.