Primary Source

Hexapla in Danielem

Name: Hexapla in Danielem
Author: Andrew Willet

Andrew Willet 1610

A sixfold commentary on Daniel's prophecies examining textual variants, theological questions, doctrines, and moral applications.

EEBO-TCP A15415 (TEI), original spelling, printed page numbers. EEBO 99853451; STC/Wing STC 25689; ESTC S118243

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, from p. 2, in the spelling of this edition.

p. 22. The diuers language and readings observed in this Booke.

The originall text in this booke is partly written in the Hebrewe language, partly in the Chalde: from the beginning of the 1. Chap. to the 4. ver. of the second, and the fiue last chapters are all written in the Hebrewe tongue. And from the 4. v. of the second chap. to the ende of the 7. chap. the historie is penned in the Chalde dialect. Polan. The reasons whereof, are yeelded to be these. 1. For the credit of this historie, the Lord bringeth forth forreine nations, annalesque eorum testes, and their Chronicles as witnesses, least any should doubt of the truth thereof. Iun. 2. An other reason is, because God would haue some part of this historie come to the knoweledge of the heathen, as it was requisite, that the Chaldes should knowe the sinnes and impieties of that nation, and the iudgements which should befall them, ad testandam omnibus Dei veritatem, &c. to testifie vnto all the truth of God: therefore in generall the alteration of the terrene states and kingdomes, and the power of Christs kingdome are shadowed forth. c. 1. and c. 7. and published in the Chalde language, that the Gentiles might take knowledge thereof, but the particular histories of the comming of the Messiah, of his office, kingdome, and of the calamities and afflictions which should befall the people of God, are set forth in the Hebrewe tongue, in the fiue last chapters, as most specially concerning them, Iun. in cap. 7. 3. A third reason is, that the historie of Daniels acts, set forth in the 6. first chapters, beeing expressed in the Chalde speach, might giue testimonie vnto Daniel, that the Iewes might receiue him for a Prophet of God. qui erat admirabilis etiam profanis gentibus, &c. who was admired euen of the profane nations: Caluin. Proleg. in Daniel. 4. Vnto these may be added, that for better credit of the historie it pleased God, that the historie of such things, as were said and done in Chaldes, should be written in the same language, wherein they were first spoken: like as in Ezra the epistles and rescripts of the kings, are deliuered in the Chalde speach, as taken out of their publike acts and records. Iun. in proleg.

p. 2Beside the originall text thus consisting partly of the Hebrewe, partly of the Chalde tongue: there was the translation of the Septuagint, and three other Greeke translations beside, of Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion. But Hierome sheweth that the translation of the Septuagint, whatsoeuer was the cause thereof, whether they did not expresse the Chalde phrase, [Hieron. proleg. in Daniel.] or some one ignorant of the Chalde tongue did set it forth vnder their name, multum discordat à veritate, doth dissent much from the truth, & recto iudicio repudiatus est, &c. and therefore was vpon a right iudgement reiected of the Church: And therefore in the stead thereof the translation of Theodotion was receiued of the Church: as the same Hierome sheweth, [Lib. 2 contr. Ruffin.] which notwithstanding is in many places erroneous, as shall appeare in the differences of the reading throughout.

The latine translation also faileth in many points, as afterward shall be shewed, though Pintus giue it this commendation, [Pintus in pro •• m.] that it is nitore veritatis, grauitate, authoritate, omnibus alijs illustrior & praestantior: in the euidence of truth, grauitie, authoritie, more famous and excellent then any other, &c. but the contrary shall afterwards be prooued in the generall controuersies following; that the vulgar Latine is in many places corrupt, and erroneus. And herein they attribute more perfection to Hieromes translation, then he himselfe would haue acknowledged, thus modestly confessing, qui mihi videbar sciolus inter Hebraeos, caepi rursus discipulus esse Chaldaicus: I that seemed to know somewhat among the Hebrewes, began againe to be a scholler in the Chalde: in proleg.

p. 2Quest. 1. Of the author of this propheticall booke of Daniel.

1. Wicked Porphirie in the 12. booke of those which he wrote against the Christians, contendeth that this prophesie was not written by Daniel, but by some that liued in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, or after when all these things here prophesied of were fulfilled: but his cauillous obiections were long since refuted by Apollinaris, Methodius, Eusebius: and the falshood thereof is conuinced by this, that the Septuagint, who liued almost an 100. yeares before that Antiochus, did translate this booke into Greeke: and Iosephus in p. 3his 11. booke Antiquitat. Iuda. reporteth how Iaddus the high Priest shewed vnto Alexander the great this prophesie of Daniel, which foretold of a king, that should destroy the Persian Monarchie, in confidence whereof Alexander proceeded to that battell, and this was 60. yeares before Antiochus. 2. The Hebrewes thinke, [Lib. 6. Etym.] with whom Isidore consenteth, that this booke of Daniel, of Ezekiel, and of the 12. Prophets, were written by the wise men of the great Synagogue, who were in the time of Ezra. 3. But that this booke was written by the Prophet Daniel, who was so famous among the Kings of Chaldea, and of Persia, beside the title of the booke, which is called in the Hebrewe sepher Daniel, the booke of Daniel; our blessed Sauiour doth witnesse the same in the Gospell, When yee shall see the abhomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, &c. Matth. 24. 15. Perer. Osiand.

p. 3Quest. 2. Of the signification of the name Daniel.

1. The name Daniel signifieth the iudgements of God, or God is my iudge, which name was giuen him by the singular prouidence of God, for both per eum annntiata sunt iudicia Dei, by him the iudgements of God were denounced and declared, and God was present with him, as his defender and iudge against his aduersaries. Bullin.

2. Lyranus then is deceiued, who thinketh that in this name there is relation to that iudgement which Daniel awarded against the two adulterous Elders, which wrongfully accused Susanna: for that storie was not of Dauiels writing, neither is found in the originall, as afterward shall more fully be declared.

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TO THE MOST CHRISTIAN, RIGHT NOBLE, MOST excellent, and mightie Prince, IAMES by the…
THE PREFACE TO THE Christian Reader.
THE PROPHESIE OF DANIEL EXPLANED. Generall observations vpon the whole Booke.p. 1
1. The summe, argument, parts, and contents of the whole Prophesie.p. 1
2. The diuers language and readings observed in this Booke.p. 2
Quest. 1. Of the author of this propheticall booke of Daniel.p. 2
Quest. 2. Of the signification of the name Daniel.p. 3
Quest. 3. Of the kindred of Daniel.p. 3
Quest. 4. Why Daniels kindred is not particularly expressed in the…p. 3
Quest. 5. When Daniel beganne to prophesie, and at what age.p. 4
Quest. 6. Of the time when Daniel had his seuerall visions.p. 4
Quest. 7. Of the whole time of Daniels age, and time of prophesying.p. 6
Quest. 8. Why Daniel is not mentioned to haue returned with the rest…p. 6
Quest. 9. Of the times wherein Daniel liued, compared with f • rr • n…p. 6
Quest. 10. Of the excellencie, vse, and vtilitie, of this booke of…p. 6
Quest. 11. Of the authoritie of the prophesie of Daniel.p. 7
Quest. 12. Of the difficultie and obscuritie of this prophesie.p. 8
4. Places of doctrine.p. 9
1. Controv. The vulgar Latine translation not the best.p. 9
2. Controv. The historie of Susanna, the Song of the three children…p. 9
6. Morall observations.p. 11
1. The Argument and method.p. 11
2. The diuers readings.p. 12
1. Quest. v. 1. Of the third yeare of Iehoiakim, which is called the…p. 13
Quest. 2. How this third yeare of Iehoiakims raigne is to be counted.p. 14
Quest. 3. Of Iehoiakim and Iehoiachin, what difference betweene them.p. 15
Quest. 4. Why the King of Babel had such an enuie against Iehoiakim.p. 15
Quest. 5. Of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babel, and how many there…p. 15
Quest. 6. Of the acts and exploits of Nebuchadnezzar.p. 16
Quest. 7. Of the time of Nebuchadnezzars raigne.p. 17
Quest. 8. Of the citie of Babylon.p. 17
Quest. 9. ver. 1. Of the citie Ierusalem.p. 17
Quest. 10. v. 2. What this phrase meaneth, To be giuen into ones hand.p. 17
Quest. 11. How Iehoiakim was giuen into Nebuchadnezzars hand, whether…p. 18
Quest. 12. VVhether Daniel at this time went into captiuitie with…p. 18
Quest. 13. VVhy it pleased God that Daniel and others that feared God…p. 19
Quest. 14. Of the meaning of these words, ver. 2. Which he carried…p. 19
Quest. 15. Of the land of Shinar, or Shingar.p. 19
Quest. 16. Of the gods and idols of the Chaldes.p. 19
Quest. 17. Ver. 2. What is to be commended, what discommended in…p. 20
Quest. 18. Why it pleased God to suffer that the vessels of the…p. 20
Quest. 19. Of Ashpenah the master of the Enuches his name and office.p. 20
Quest. 20. Whether Daniel may be prooued from hence to haue beene an…p. 21
Quest. 21. Who are vnderstood here by the Princes.p. 21
Quest. 22. VVhy the children of the Princes and Nobles were taken…p. 22
Quest. 23. How the Lord performed his promise to Dauid that his…p. 22
Quest. 24. Whether it were lawfull for Daniel to be taught the…p. 22
Quest. 25. Of the Chalde language, and the difference betweene it…p. 22
Quest. 26. v. 4. Of the necessarie institution of schooles, and the…p. 23
Quest. 27. Why other names were giuen them.p. 23
Quest. 28. Of the signification of their names both the newe, and the…p. 24
Quest. 29. Ver. 8. Why Daniel refused to eate of the kings meate, and…p. 24
Quest. 30. The causes which mooued Daniel to forbeare the kings meate.p. 25
Quest. 31. vers. 8. How Daniel should haue beene defiled with the…p. 25
Quest. 32. Whether Daniel euer after abstained from the kings meate.p. 25
Quest. 32. Ver. 9. What fauour it was which Daniel found with the…p. 26
Quest. 33. Of Daniels request to the butler or officer.p. 26
Quest. 34. Whether Daniel tempted not God, in setting a certaine…p. 26
Quest. 35. vers. 12. Why Daniel did chuse rather to eate of pulse…p. 27
Quest. 36. vers. 15. Whether the beautie and strength in Daniel and…p. 27
Quest. 37. ver. 17. Of the knowledge and vnderstanding which God gaue…p. 28
Quest. 38. VVhether Daniel and the rest learned the curious arts of…p. 28
Quest. 39. Whether it be lawfull to vse the artes and inuentions of…p. 28
Quest. 40. Of the dreames and visions which Daniel had vnderstanding…p. 29
Quest. 41. Whether this gift of vnderstanding visions and dreames…p. 30
Quest. 42. Of the diuers kinds of dreames, and whether there be any…p. 30
Quest. 43. Whether there be any diuine dreames.p. 31
Quest. 44. Whether there be any truth or certentie in dreames.p. 31
Quest. 45. Of the causes of true dreames.p. 32
Quest. 46. How Diabolicall, and Diuine dreames may be discerned.p. 33
Quest. 47. Why it pleased God by visions and dreames to instruct his…p. 34
Quest. 48. Why visions and dreames are often shewed vnto simple and…p. 34
Quest. 49. Why dreames are not alwaies cleare and manifest, but…p. 34
Quest. 50. What dreames may be obserued, and by whome.p. 35
Quest. 51. Whether in diuine dreames there is a free vse of reason…p. 35
Quest. 52. vers. 21. How Daniel is said to haue beene vnto the 1.…p. 36
1. Doct. vers. 2. The translating of kingdomes, subduing of cities…p. 36
2. Doct. vers. 8. That mens hearts are in the hand of God.p. 37
3. Doct. vers. 12. Of th • commendation of fasting.p. 37
4. Doct. That true vertue consisteth in the inward purpose of the…p. 37
5. Doct. Of worldly feare which carrieth away carnall men.p. 37
6. Doct. ver. 12. Prooue thy seruants tenne dayes, of the certaintie…p. 38
7. Doct. That learning is necessarie in Kings.p. 38
8. Doct. That the perfection euen of humane arts and learning is to…p. 38
1. Controv. Whether the changing of the Popes name be grounded vpon…p. 38
2. Controv. That fasting is not meritorious, nor satisfactorie.p. 39
3. Controv. That the prescript of fasting daies for religion, and…p. 39
4. Controv. vers. 20. What the wisemen of the Chaldeans were: and…p. 40
5. Controv. v. 20. Of the Magicians among the Chaldeans, and how that…p. 40
1. Observ. v. 2. That victorie and conquest is to be vsed moderately.p. 41
2. Observ. Princes can doe no more then God permitteth.p. 41
3. Observ. The Lord punisheth by degrees.p. 41
4. Observ. God will not be honoured with euill gotten goods.p. 41
5. Observ. v. 8. Against the riotous liuing, and excessiue expenses…p. 41
6. Obserua. vers. 18. That time is to be redeemed.p. 42
1. The argument and Methode.p. 42
The diuerse readings.p. 43
Quest. 1. vers. 1. How the second yeare is to be counted wherein…p. 43
Quest. 2. What Nebuchadnezzar this was, and whence he was so called.p. 46
Quest. 3. vers. 1. Why he is said to haue dreamed dreames.p. 46
4. Quest. What manner of dreame this was which Nebuchadnezzar had.p. 47
Quest. 5. Why it pleased God to send this dreame vpon Nebuchadnezzar.p. 47
Quest. 6. vers. 1. Of the meaning of these words, and his sleepe was…p. 47
Quest. 7. Of the fower kinds of wisemen whom the king sendeth for.p. 48
8. Quest. Why Daniel was not called and sent for among the rest of…p. 49
9. Quest. v. 4. Of the Aramites language, whether it differ from the…p. 49
10. Quest. Why the Chaldeans speake in the Aramites language.p. 50
11. Quest. v. 8. Why the King saith, They would gaine or redeeme time.p. 50
12. Quest. v. 10. Of the Chaldeans answer vnto the King.p. 51
13. Quest. Of the impostures and falshoods in the answer of the…p. 51
14. Quest. What the Chaldeans meane in these words, Except the gods…p. 51
15. Quest. v. 12. Of the Kings rash sentence in commanding all the…p. 52
16. Quest. v. 13. Whether the wise men in deede were slaine.p. 52
Quest. 17. What office Arioch had, to whom Daniel maketh this motion.…p. 53
Quest. 18. vers. 15. How Daniel was ignorant of the kings decree…p. 53
Quest. 19. vers. 19. How this secret was reuealed vnto Daniel in the…p. 53
20. Quest. Of the forme and order of Daniels thanksgiuing.p. 54
Quest. 21. v. 19. How Daniel is said to haue blessed the God of…p. 54
22. Quest. vers. 21. How the Lord is said to change times, and…p. 55
23. Quest. vers. 22. VVhat secret things the Lord is said to discouer.p. 55
24. Quest. How light is said to dwell with God, v. 22. whereas it is…p. 55
Quest. 25. vers. 24. Whether Daniel did well in staying the execution…p. 56
Quest. 26. vers. 25. Whether Arioch lyed vnto the king! in saying, I…p. 56
Quest. 27. vers. 25. Why Arioch nameth Daniel to be one of the…p. 57
Quest. 28. vers. 26. How the king is said to answer no question…p. 57
Quest. 29. vers. 27. Why Daniel denieth that any of the wisemen of…p. 57
Quest. 30. vers. 28. VVhether God onely be the reuealer of secrets…p. 58
Quest. 31. vers. 28. VVhat Daniel meaneth by the latter dayes.p. 58
Quest. 32. vers. 29. Whether Nebuchadnezzars thoughts were the cause…p. 58
Quest. 33. vers. 29. Why it pleased God to impart vnto Nebuchadnezzar…p. 59
Quest. 34. vers. 30. This secret is not shewed me for my wisedome…p. 59
Quest. 34. vers. 30. Why Nebuchadnezzar could not vnderstand the…p. 59
Quest. 36. vers. 30. Of the two ends, why it pleased God to reueale…p. 60
Quest. 37. vers. 31. Of the vision which the King sawe in his dreame…p. 60
Quest. 38. Of the diuerse kinds of signes of things to come, and of…p. 60
39. Quest. What kingdomes of the earth are not comprehended in this…p. 61
40. Quest. Why the Chaldean Monarchie is compared to the head of gold.p. 61
41. Quest. Of the largenesse of the Empire and dominion of…p. 61
42. Quest. Whether Nabuchadnezzers dominion were at that time the…p. 62
43. Quest. v. 39. Of the second Monarchie described by the armes and…p. 63
44. Quest. v. 39. Why the Persian Monarchie is said to be inferiour…p. 63
45. Quest. Whether the Monarchie of the Chaldeans or of the Persians…p. 64
46. Quest. Why the Persian Monarchie is compared to siluer.p. 64
47. Quest. Why the third Monarchie is likened to the bellie and the…p. 63
48. Quest. Of the largenes of Alexanders Empire, and of other…p. 63
Quest. 49. vers. 40. Whether this fourth kingdome must be vnderstoode…p. 66
Quest. 50. That this fourth Monarchie diuided into two kingdomes…p. 69
Quest 51. Of the beginning and continuance of the foure generall…p. 71
Quest. 52. vers. 43. Of the meaning of these words, they shall mingle…p. 72
Quest. 53. vers. 44. What manner of kingdome the Prop • et speaketh…p. 72