Dan 1:17-20 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 17 As for these four children - Young men or youths. Our translation gives a false idea. In all visions and dreams - That is, such as are Divine; for as to dreams in general, they have as much signification as they have connection, being the effects of the state of the body, of the mind, or of the circumstances of the dreamer. A dream may be considered supernatural, if it have nothing preposterous, nothing monstrous, and nothing irregular. If the whole order and consequences of the things be preserved in them, from beginning to end, then we may presume they are supernatural. In such dreams Daniel had understanding.

‏ Daniel 1:17-20

Verse 17

As for these four children - Young men or youths. Our translation gives a false idea.

In all visions and dreams - That is, such as are Divine; for as to dreams in general, they have as much signification as they have connection, being the effects of the state of the body, of the mind, or of the circumstances of the dreamer. A dream may be considered supernatural, if it have nothing preposterous, nothing monstrous, and nothing irregular. If the whole order and consequences of the things be preserved in them, from beginning to end, then we may presume they are supernatural. In such dreams Daniel had understanding. Verse 18

Now at the end of the days - That is, at the end of three years, Dan 1:5. Verse 19

And among them all - All the young noble captives from different nations.

Therefore stood they before the king - It appears that only four were wanting. Verse 20

Magicians and astrologers - Probably the same as philosophers and astronomers among us.