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[239]
When Baltasar heard this, he called for Daniel; and when he had discoursed
to him what he had learned concerning him and his wisdom, and how a Divine
Spirit was with him, and that he alone was fully capable of finding out
what others would never have thought of, he desired him to declare to him
what this writing meant; that if he did so, he would give him leave to
wear purple, and to put a chain of gold about his neck, and would bestow
on him the third part of his dominion, as an honorary reward for his wisdom,
that thereby he might become illustrious to those who saw him, and who
inquired upon what occasion he obtained such honors. But Daniel desired
that he would keep his gifts to himself; for what is the effect of wisdom
and of Divine revelation admits of no gifts, and bestows its advantages
on petitioners freely; but that still he would explain the writing to him;
which denoted that he should soon die, and this because he had not learnt
to honor God, and not to admit things above human nature, by what punishments
his progenitor had undergone for the injuries he had offered to God; and
because he had quite forgotten how Nebuchadnezzar was removed to feed among
wild beasts for his impieties, and did not recover his former life among
men and his kingdom, but upon God's mercy to him, after many supplications
and prayers; who did thereupon praise God all the days of his life, as
one of almighty power, and who takes care of mankind. [He also put him
in mind] how he had greatly blasphemed against God, and had made use of
his vessels amongst his concubines; that therefore God saw this, and was
angry with him, and declared by this writing beforehand what a sad conclusion
of his life he should come to. And he explained the writing thus:"
MANEH. This, if it be expounded in the Greek language, may signify a Number,
because God hath numbered so long a time for thy life, and for thy government,
and that there remains but a small portion. THEKEL This signifies a weight,
and means that God hath weighed thy kingdom in a balance, and finds it
going down already.--PHARES. This also, in the Greek tongue, denotes a
fragment,. God will therefore break thy kingdom in pieces, and divide
it among the Medes and Persians."
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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