Hippolytus of Rome

In his own words on Daniel

• Daniel 1:1

  Therefore it is necessary for us, while making a proof of these matters, to precisely take up for the persuasion of our listeners, the things set before us; and we shall not pass over what captivities befell the people, and what befell some of the kings. For these are the five sons of the blessed Josiah: Jehoahaz, Eliakim who was also called Jehoiakim, Johanan, Zedekiah who was also called Jeconiah, and Shallum. And Jehoahaz, after the death of his father, was anointed by the people into the kingdom, being twenty-three years old. Pharaoh Necho arose against him in the third month of his kingdom and, taking him prisoner, he brought him into Egypt. And the Jews set a tribute upon the earth of one hundred talents of silver and ten talents of gold and Pharaoh Necho set in his place Eliakim, his brother, as king of the land, who also changed his name to Jehoiakim. He reigned for eleven years. Then, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon arose against him and, taking him prisoner, brought him and some of the vessels of the House of the Lord, which were in Jerusalem, into Babylon. As a friend of Pharaoh he was imprisoned and the king, having been restored by the next king of Babylon in the thirtieth year, was brought out by Evil Merodach king of Babylon. And he raised his head and was his adviser and ate with him at his table until the day in which he died.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.2.1-6

• Daniel 1:1

  Wishing to precisely demonstrate the times of the captivity which befell the sons of Israel and the prophetic dreams of the blessed Daniel, and also the manner of his life from childhood in Babylon, I myself come forward to speak in order to testify to the holy and righteous prophetic man, even to him who became a witness of Christ, who not only then in those times, revealed the visions of king Nebuchadnezzar, but also similarly, having thoroughly taught his youths, led the faithful witnesses onward into the world. Now this occurred during the kingdom of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, according to the times of the prophecy of the blessed Jeremiah, who…together with the rest of the captives was captured and brought with them into Babylon.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.1.1-2

• Daniel 1:1

  This is the beginning of the book, "In the third year of the kingdom of Jehoiakim the king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came into Jerusalem and blockaded it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand as well as some of the vessels of the House of God and he brought them into the land of Shinar, into the house of his god." [Daniel 1:1-2] And so Scripture describes these things in this way so that it may indicate the occurrence of the captivity of the people, when Jehoiakim, the son of Eliakim who was also called Jehoiakim, was deported and the three youths together with Daniel were taken along with him. Thus, Jehoiakim was the husband of Susannah.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.6.1-3

• Daniel 1:2

  "And the Lord gave," etc. These words, "and the Lord gave," are written, that no one, in reading the introduction to the book, may attribute their capture to the strength of the captors and the slackness of their chief. And it is well said. "with part," for the deportation was for the correction, not the ruin, of the whole nation, that there might be no misapplication of the cause.

  Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel

• Daniel 1:2

  And so after his deportation his son Jehoiakim reigned three years. And so Nebuchadnezzar arose against him and deported both him and ten thousand men of the people into Babylon and set in his place Jeconiah the brother of his father, whom also changed his name to Zedekiah, with whom he, having made oaths and covenants, returned to Babylon. He, after reigning eleven years, withdrew from Nebuchadnezzar and gave himself to Pharaoh king of Egypt. But in the twelfth year, Nebuchadnezzar and all the power of the Chaldeans came against him and besieged the city and camped around it and pressed in on it from all sides; from then on many of them were destroyed by famine, others killed by the sword, and some of them were taken as captives. The city was burned in fire and the temple and the wall were demolished. And the power of the Chaldeans took all the treasures which were found in the House of the Lord and all the vessels, both the gold and silver and all the copper vessels. Nebuzaradan the captain cut them out and brought them into Babylon, and Zedekiah himself, who was also called Jeconiah, fled through the night with seven-hundred men, but the powers of the Chaldeans pursued Zedekiah and seized him in Jericho and brought him to the king of Babylon in Deblatha. And the king and those with him were judged in spirit because he transgressed the oath of the Lord and the covenant, which Nebuchadnezzar set before him. And taking his sons, Nebuchadnezzar slaughtered them before him and he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah who was also called Jeconiah, and shackled him in iron fetters and brought him into Babylon and he ground at the mill until the day in which he died. And when he died they took his body and hurled it behind the wall of Nineveh. At this the prophecy of Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, who said, "As I live, says the Lord, though Jeconiah, who is the son of Josiah the king of Judah, is the signet ring upon my right hand, I will remove you from there and I will deliver you into the hands of those who seek your life, of whom you were wary of their face, into the hands of the Chaldeans. And I will cast you and your mother who bore you into a land, in which you were not born, and there you will die. But to the land which they pray for in their souls, they will certainly not return. Jeconiah is dishonored as a useless vessel which is not needed, on account of this he is cast out and banished to a land which he does not know. O Land, land! Hear the word of the Lord! Mark this man as an exiled man, because in truth he is not worthy to have one from his seed grow to sit upon the throne of David, a ruler still in Judah." [Jeremiah 22:24-30]

  Commentary on Daniel 1.3

• Daniel 1:3-7

  And Scripture says, "And the king told Ashpenaz the chief of the eunuchs to bring in some of those from the sons of the captivity of Israel and from the seed of the king and from the princes, young men, who have no blemish, who are beautiful in appearance and are understanding in all wisdom, being well versed in knowledge, disposed to prudence, and who have in themselves the strength to stand in the house of the king, and to teach them the letters and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them on that very day to be nourished from the table of the king and from the wine which he drank in order for them to be nourished three years, and after these things to stand before the king. And there was among them from the sons of Judah, Daniel and Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah." [Daniel 1:3-7] It is necessary that those who love learning to not read these things cursorily, but to prepare the mind for the things that lie before us. For the divine writings do not idly preach to us, but their admonition is meant for us and also the blessing of these prophets and the demonstration of all the things which are spoken by them are for us as well. For when Hezekiah king of Judah was sick unto death, then "Isaiah the prophet came to him and told him 'Set in order your sons and your daughters and your father's house, for you will die and you will not live.'" [2 Kings 20:1, also see Isaiah 38:1] Having been grieved at this word, "Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord saying, 'Lord remember me just as I have walked before you in truth and in faith and with a full heart and I have done what is pleasing in your presence.' And Hezekiah wept with great weeping." [2 Kings 20:1-3] After this occurred, Isaiah was sent to him a second time and he said to him, "The Lord the God of David your father says this, 'I have heard your prayer and have seen your tears. Behold, I set before you the days of your life, ten and five years and I will deliver you from the hand of the king of the Assyrians. This will be a sign to you from the Lord that the Lord will bring about this word which he spoke. Behold, I turn back the shadow on the stairs of the house of your father which the sun descends upon, the shadow shall descend ten steps so that there will be in that day thirty two hours.'" [2 Kings 20:9] For after the sun ran its course and arrived at the tenth hour and the shadow had descended ten steps of the house of the temple, then the sun reversed again upon those ten steps behind it according to the saying of the Lord, and there were twenty hours in the day. And again the sun having encircled its own course according to its own path, it went to the west. Therefore there were thirty-two hours of daylight. But perhaps one will say, "This is not possible." O man, what is impossible for God? From the beginning did not he himself design all creation from what was not and set the measures in creation for illumination of day and night, and to whom do all things, being in subjection, serve and to whom does creation tremble at the hearing of his voice? And so what is impossible for men, these things are possible for God. [Matthew 19:26] But we also have another witness regarding this demonstration. For when Joshua the son of Nun was warring with the Amorites, the sun having descended already to the west and the battle nearly won, the blessed Joshua was shrewd lest night come to pass and the foreigners flee, so he shouted saying, "Stand still sun at Gibeon and moon at the chasm of Aijalon, as long as I war with this people." [Joshua 10:12-13] And the sun and moon stopped in their position and the sun did not go to set until the end of one day, so that that day was twenty-four hours of daylight. And on account of this Scripture testified saying, "There was never a day like that before when God heeded a man." [Joshua 10:14] And so from the beginning, having fixed the measures in heaven and having prescribed for these things perpetual courses according to his own authority, how could he not also divert and turn and change these things whenever he should will it to be possible? For before Joshua the sun stopped at Gibeon and the moon at the chasm of Aijalon for one day, but before Hezekiah the moon together with the sun reversed backwards, so that there would not be a disorderly collision of the two intervals of time, which follow one another. These periods of time not only happened before the Lord, when he suffered, but also the same day and all the world was shaken. For also then, Berodach the Chaldean, the king of Babylon, because he practiced the astrological art and precisely measured out the course of the sun and moon, and learning the cause of the phenomenon, was astounded at what happened to Hezekiah, and sent letters and gifts to Hezekiah. Just as in a similar manner also the Magi did, who came from the east. For after the Lord was born in Bethlehem and a star shone in heaven, according to what was prophesied, the Magi, being astonished at the occurrence of the sign, came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born the King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him." [Matthew 2:2] And so similarly also the Chaldeans then, not finding the habitual course of the sun, honored Hezekiah with gifts and letters as a God fearing and righteous man, having been amazed at the sign which was given by his God. Hezekiah rejoiced at these things and showed the Chaldeans all the treasures which were in the house of the Lord; next he showed them all the wealth and his glory. And so afterward, when Isaiah the prophet said "Who are these men and from where have they come to you?" Hezekiah answered, "They have come from a far off land to me, from the land of Babylon." Isaiah said to him, "What did they see in your house?" And Hezekiah said, "They saw all the things which are in my house and there is nothing which I did not show them, but even the things which are in my treasuries." And Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord, the all powerful Lord of Hosts. 'Behold, days are coming', says the Lord, 'when even all of the things which are in your house and as much as your fathers treasured until this day shall even go into Babylon and not one thing shall be left behind,' says the Lord, 'And from your children, who have come from you, being begotten by you, they shall be taken and be eunuchs in the house of the king of Babylon.'" [Isaiah 39:1-7] And so therefore what was spoken by the Lord was fulfilled and the prophet, who spoke truthfully, showed that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came and took all the treasures which were found in the house of the Lord and made the people captives, he also took to himself the sons of the king and from those who were wellborn of nobility from boyhood, among whom were also called Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael and Azariah, whose lineage Scripture passes over in silence, but it describes their piety and faith and the acts which occurred there.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.7.1-10.1

• Daniel 1:8

  For these, having acquired the fear of God from boyhood, did not want to partake from the table of the king nor to drink from the wine which he drank. O blessed boys, who guarded the covenant of the fathers and did not transgress the law which was given through Moses, but who feared God on account of his preaching! These captives who were in a strange land were not beguiled by the many foods nor enslaved by the pleasure of the wine, nor enticed by the kingly glory. They who were plundered kept their mouths undefiled and pure, as a pure word, which comes forth from a pure mouth, hymns through the mouth to the heavenly Father, just as it is written, "If you shall bring forth honor from worthlessness you will be as my mouth." [Jeremiah 15:19] And so, you know, O man, what has been spoken. A mouth brings forth the paternal honorable Word from itself, so that again a second time the Word is shown as being begotten by the saints, which always begets the saints and itself is begotten by the saints. And so Scripture says, "And Daniel set in his heart not to be defiled with what was on the table of the king and with the wine which he drank and he asked the chief eunuch to give them vegetables", so that it may be shown that a man does not live by bread alone. [Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3]

  Commentary on Daniel 1.10.2-11.1

• Daniel 1:9-10

  "And God gave Daniel mercy and favor before the chief eunuch. But the chief eunuch was saying to them, 'I myself fear my lord the king who has marked out your bread and your drink, lest he see that your face is sullen compared to the other youths at your assembly and you condemn my head to the king.'" [Daniel 1:9-10] And so what was spoken by Melgad was true. For he did not understand them because of their purposes, and was concerned that their appearance would seem sullen compared to the youths who were eating from the table of the king and that by this he, having been found culpable, would be put to death.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.11.2-3

• Daniel 1:12

  But they wished to prove to him that beauty and strength does not come by earthly food which was supplied to the humans, but that the grace of God which was given through the Word supplies beauty and strength, and so they said to him, "Then test your slaves for ten days and give us vegetables and we shall eat them and drink water and our appearances shall be seen and you shall see the appearances of the boys who eat from the table of the king and, just as you see, in this way do to us." [Daniel 1:12-13] Do you see the unalterable faith of the youths and the immutable fear of God? They asked for intervals of time, ten days, so that in this they may prove that they are not able to procure grace from God differently from other men, but only by believing the preaching of the word through Jesus.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.11.4-5

• Daniel 1:14-15

  And so Scripture says, "And the chief eunuch heard them and tested them for ten days and after the end of the ten days their appearances appeared better and stronger in body compared to the boys who ate at the table of the king." [Daniel 1:14-15] And so these boys, though nourished with bread and water alone, were equipped with heavenly wisdom, and they had grace beyond all the boys their same age.

  Commentary on Daniel 1.12.1-2

• Daniel 1:19

  "For God gave them understanding and prudence in all learning and wisdom and Daniel understood all visions and dreams. And after the end of the days the chief eunuch brought them before the king and the king spoke with them and none were found from all of them like Daniel and Hanniah and Mishael and Azariah." [Daniel 1:17-19] And so the Word brought them forth in all wisdom, displaying them as faithful witnesses in Babylon, so that through them the worship of the Babylonians might be disgraced and Nebuchadnezzar might be defeated by the three boys and through their faith the fire in the furnace might be banished and the blessed Susannah might be rescued from death and the profane lust of the lawless Elders might be convicted. These four boys, heeding God and having the fear of God in their hearts, carried out these victories in the city of Babylon. Therefore, come blessed Daniel, the avenger of Susannah, so that you may also show us the things that are destined to occur!

  Commentary on Daniel 1.12.3-5

• Daniel 2:1-6

  "In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream and his spirit was amazed, and his sleep departed from him. And the king said to call the enchanters and the magicians and the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to proclaim to the king his dream. And they came and stood before the king. And the king said to them, 'I dreamed and my spirit was amazed to know the dream.' And the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac, 'O king, live forever! Tell the dream to all your servants, and we will proclaim the interpretation.' But the king answered the Chaldeans, 'The memory has departed from me. And so, if you do not make known the dream to me and its interpretation you shall be destroyed and your houses shall be plundered. But if you do make known the dream and its interpretation to me, you will receive gifts and presents and much honor from me, only proclaim to me the dream and its interpretation.'" [Daniel 2:1-6] And so, the dream which was seen by the king was not earthly, that it might be interpreted by the wise men of the world, but it was heavenly, according to the plan and foreknowledge of God, which is fulfilled in their own times. And on account of this it was concealed from men who comprehend earthly things, so that to those who seek heavenly things, the heavenly mysteries may be revealed.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.1-2

• Daniel 2:2-3

  And so, the dream which was seen by the king was not earthly, that it might be interpreted by the wise men of the world, but it was heavenly, according to the plan and foreknowledge of God, which is fulfilled in their own times. And on account of this it was concealed from men who comprehend earthly things, so that to those who seek heavenly things, the heavenly mysteries may be revealed. For also in Egypt it happened similarly to Pharaoh. For he, seeing dreams, related them to all the interpreters of Egypt, and there was no one who declared them to Pharaoh. But when the blessed Joseph was present, the dreams, which were not apprehended by others, were in good time, unveiled. And on account of this the king, having been astonished, answered all his slaves, saying, "Have we ever found such a man, in whom is the Spirit of God?" [Genesis 41:38] Therefore, Scripture is indicating that no one will be able to describe the heavenly mysteries, unless he should interpret them as a partner of the Holy Spirit.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.2

• Daniel 2:5

  Therefore, in this way the vision was concealed from the king in Babylon, so that he who was chosen by God, was shown as being Daniel the prophet. For whenever a vision is hidden from others, yet is unveiled by another, this inevitably displays the one speaking as a prophet.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.2

• Daniel 2:8-13

  Therefore, so that the Chaldeans, who had plotted in some way, would not deceive the king with words of deceit, Nebuchadnezzar, who was sorely pricked, said to them, "'I myself know, in truth, that you are buying time, because you see that the matter has departed from me. And so if you do not report to me the dream, I know that you have contrived to say a false and twisted word before me until the matter is forgotten.' The Chaldeans answered the king saying, 'There is not a man on earth who is able to make known the king's concern, because every great king and ruler does not ask such a matter of an enchanter, magician, sorcerer, or Chaldean, because the word which the king asks is difficult, and there is not another being who is able to proclaim it before the king, except the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh.'" [Daniel 2:8-11] After these things were said, the king, having become angered, "ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be killed. And the edict went out that the wise men be killed." [Daniel 2:12-13]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.3

• Daniel 2:10-11

  And so since they said that what the king sought was impossible to be recounted by a man, God showed them that the things which are impossible with men, are possible with God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.4

• Daniel 2:14

  For Arioch the Chief-Butcher was about to kill both Daniel and his three friends, for he went out to kill the wise men of Babylon. For Scripture said that the Chief-Butcher himself began to take the sword. For even as a butcher kills all creatures and butchers them, in the same way also the rulers of this world kill men, butchering them as unreasoning animals, but Daniel went forth and said, "'For what reason has this reckless proposition come out from the face of the king?' For he sought to learn from him for what reason the Babylonians were slaughtered." [Daniel 2:15] And "Arioch made known the matter to Daniel." [Daniel 2:15] Daniel, having heard this, asked him a request, in order that he might give time to him so that he might make known the interpretation to the king. [Daniel 2:14-16]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.4

• Daniel 2:17-23

  "Then Daniel went into his house and made known the matter to Ananiah and Mishael and Azariah. And they sought mercies from the God of the heaven so that they would not also be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a dream at night and Daniel blessed the God of heaven saying, 'May the name of the Lord be blessed forever and ever, because wisdom and understanding and strength are his. And he himself changes seasons and times, and he appoints kings and removes them, who gives wisdom to the wise and insight to those who see with understanding. He himself reveals deep and hidden things, knowing the things in darkness, and light is with him. To you, God of my fathers, I give thanks and I praise you, because you have given to me wisdom and power and you have made known to me what we asked of you and you have made known to me the matter of the king.'" [Daniel 2:17-23] And so it is necessary for us to know the kind-heartedness of God, how to the worthy and to those who fear him, he swiftly reveals and unveils, fulfilling their petitions and requests, as the prophet says, "What wise man understands these things? Does even a man of understanding also know these things." [Hosea 14:9]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.5

• Daniel 2:23

  And so it is necessary for us to know the kind-heartedness of God, how to the worthy and to those who fear him, he swiftly reveals and unveils, fulfilling their petitions and requests, as the prophet says, "What wise man understands these things? Does even a man of understanding also know these things." [Hosea 14:9]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.5

• Daniel 2:24-25

  After this happened, Daniel rose and went to Arioch and said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon, but bring me before the king and I will proclaim to the king the dream and its interpretation." [Daniel 2:24] He, after hearing these things "brought in Daniel with haste and said, 'I found a man from the sons of the captivity of Judah, who will proclaim the interpretation to the king.'" [Daniel 2:25]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.6

• Daniel 2:27

  He was astounded and said to Daniel, "'Are you able to proclaim the dream which I saw and its interpretation?' And Daniel said, 'The mystery which the king asks about is not for magicians, enchanters, or soothsayers to proclaim to the king, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and makes known to king Nebuchadnezzar what must be in the last days.'" [Daniel 2:26-28] See how through these words he saves the Chaldeans from the danger which was to kill them and he teaches the king not to seek heavenly mysteries from earthly men, mysteries which are about to be fulfilled by God in his own times. And on account of this he, sending the mind of the king up to God, said, "There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries," [Daniel 2:28] who receives the man who requests mercies and petitions.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.6

• Daniel 2:29

  For after the king had taken Egypt and after taking over the Jewish land and deporting the people, he considered upon his bed what was there to do after these things. But he who knows the secrets of all and searches the considerations of the hearts, revealed to the king what will be through the image, but God hid the vision from him, so that the plans of God would be able to be explained not by the wise men of Babylon, but by the blessed Daniel, in as much as the things which were hidden from all, were revealed by the prophet of God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.6

• Daniel 2:30

  Just as he himself also, being lowly and humbling himself, and not boasting, though he was found wiser than all of the Babylonians, said, "Moreover this mystery was not revealed to me because the wisdom in me is greater than all those who dwell upon the earth, rather it was revealed to me for the sake of making known the interpretation to the king, so that you may know the considerations of your heart." [Daniel 2:30] For after the king had taken Egypt and after taking over the Jewish land and deporting the people, he considered upon his bed what was there to do after these things. But he who knows the secrets of all and searches the considerations of the hearts, revealed to the king what will be through the image, but God hid the vision from him, so that the plans of God would be able to be explained not by the wise men of Babylon, but by the blessed Daniel, in as much as the things which were hidden from all, were revealed by the prophet of God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.6

• Daniel 2:31-32

  "Thou sawest," etc. Apollinaris on this: He looked, and behold, as it were, an image. For it did not appear to him as an actual object, presented to the view of an onlooker, but as an image or semblance. And while it contains in it many things together, that is in such a way that it is not really one, but manifold. For it comprised a summary of all kingdoms; and its exceeding splendour was on account of the glory of the kings, and its terrible appearance on account of their power. Eusebius Pumphili, and Hippolytus the most holy bishop of Rome, compare the dream of Nebuchadnezzar now in question with the vision of the prophet Daniel. Since these have given a different interpretation of this vision now before us in their expositions, I deemed it necessary to transcribe what is said by Eusebius of Caesarea, who bears the surname Pamphili, in the 15th book of his Gospel Demonstration; for he expounds the whole vision in these terms: "I think that this (i.e., the vision of Nebuchadnezzar) differs in nothing from the vision of the prophet. For as the prophet saw a great sea, so the king saw a great image. And again, as the prophet saw four beasts, which he interpreted as four kingdoms, so the king was given to understand four kingdoms under the gold, and silver, and brass, and iron. And again, as the prophet saw the division of the ten horns of the last beast, and three horns broken by one; so the king, in like manner, saw in the extremities of the image one part iron and another clay. And besides this, as the prophet, after the vision of the four kingdoms, saw the Son of man receive dominion, and power, and a kingdom; so also the king thought he saw a stone smite the whole image, and become a great mountain and fill the sea. And rightly so. For it was quite consistent in the king, whose view of the spectacle of life was so false, and who admired the beauty of the mere sensible colours, so to speak, in the picture set up to view, to liken the life of all men to a great image; but (it became) the prophet to compare the great and mighty tumult of life to a mighty sea. And it was fitting that the king, who prized the substances deemed precious among men, gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, should liken to these substances the kingdoms that held the sovereignty at different times in the life of men; but that the prophet should describe these same kingdoms under the likeness of beasts, in accordance with the manner of their rule. And again, the king-who was puffed up, as it seems, in his own conceit, and plumed himself on the power of his ancestors-is shown the vicissitude to which affairs are subject, and the end destined for all the kingdoms of earth, with the view of teaching him to lay aside his pride in himself, and understand that there is nothing stable among men, but only that which is the appointed end of all things-the kingdom of God. For after the first kingdom of the Assyrians, which was denoted by the gold, there will be the second kingdom of the Persians, expressed by the silver; and then the third kingdom of the Macedonians, signified by the brass; and after it, the fourth kingdom of the Romans will succeed, more powerful than those that went before it; for which reason also it was likened to iron. For of it is said: "And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron; as iron breaketh and subdueth all things, so shall it break and subdue all things." And after all these kingdoms which have been mentioned, the kingdom of God is represented by the stone that breaks the whole image. And the prophet, in conformity with this, does not see the kingdom which comes at the end of all these things, until he has in order described the four dominions mentioned under the four beasts. And I think that the visions shown, both to the king and to the prophet, were visions of these four kingdoms alone, and of none others, because by these the nation of the Jews was held in bondage from the times of the prophet."

  Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel

• Daniel 2:31-32

  And so how can we not consider the ancient things which were prophesied by Daniel in Babylon and are now still being fulfilled in the world? For the image which was portrayed according to that season, embraced the model of the kingdom of all the world. In which season the Babylonians then reigned, as being the golden head of the image. Then after them the Persians ruled for two hundred forty-five years as they are shown to be silver. After them the Greeks ruled, beginning from Alexander of Macedon, for three hundred years, as they are bronze. After them the Romans, who are the iron legs of the image, being strong as iron. Next the toes of the feet, so that in each place democracies are shown, which are destined to be and which are divided into the ten toes of the image, in which the iron will have been mixed with clay.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.12

• Daniel 2:31-45

  In all events Scripture says, "You, O king, were looking, and behold, one image: Great was that image and its appearance was fearful. The head of the image was of pure gold, its hands and chest and its arms were silver, the stomach and thighs were bronze, its legs were iron, the feet were part iron, part clay. You were looking until you saw a stone, which was cut without hands and it struck the image at the iron and clay feet and crushed it completely. Then once for all, the clay, iron, bronze, silver and gold were ground and they became like chaff from the summer threshing floor. And the greatness of the wind carried them away and no place was found for them. And the stone which struck the image became a great mountain and it filled all the earth. This is the dream and we will tell its interpretation before the king. You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given a strong, mighty, and honorable kingdom in every place where the sons of men dwell, and he has given into your hand beasts of the field and birds of heaven and he has ordained you Lord of all. You are the head of gold. And after you another kingdom shall arise, which is lesser than you. And a third kingdom shall arise which is bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And a fourth kingdom will be strong as iron. In the way which iron grinds and subdues all, in this way it will grind and subdue all. And because you saw the feet and the toes, part of which were iron, part of which were clay, the kingdom shall be divided, and in it there shall be from the nature of iron, in which manner, you saw iron mixed with clay. And the toes of the feet, part of which were iron, part of which were clay: part of the kingdom will be strong, but it shall be broken because you saw iron mixed with clay, they shall be mingled in the seed of men and one shall not cleave with the other, just as iron does not mix with clay. In the days of those kings, the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left for another people. It shall grind and crush all the kingdoms and it shall be set up forever, in which manner you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain without hands and ground the clay, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has made known to the king what is necessary to happen after these things. And the dream is true and its interpretation is faithful." [Daniel 2:31-45]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.7

• Daniel 2:31-45

  And so since the blessed Daniel described the vision and was not silent about its interpretation, he left behind some questions for those who possess a keen mind, so that again what was spoken by Daniel may be explained by another. Yet it is necessary for the lovers of truth, to not merely read cursorily, but to seek to say the obscure and to understand what was spoken by the prophets. For Daniel sees a great image, and the head of this he likens to be as pure gold. Next, the shoulders and chest he describes as being silver. Then, the stomach and thighs are bronze. Next, the legs are iron. Likewise also the toes of the feet are clay and iron which has been mixed together. Then, a stone, which is cut from a mountain without hands, strikes the image and grinds it. And the same stone became a great mountain and filled all the earth. After saying these things concerning the image, he afterwards divides the image, in accordance with its sections, into kingdoms and he explains each part of the statue, proceeding to each part, saying that the gold is king Nebuchadnezzar himself, describing him to be the golden head of the image. Next, he names a second kingdom, implying that it is inferior, saying that it is silver. Next, a third which is bronze. Then, a fourth strong kingdom, which is iron. Next, the clay and iron, having been mixed together, exhibit the tips of the feet of the image. For I have begun from the head because it displays the gold. Next, the chest and arms and he names them silver. Then, the stomach and thighs, and he indicates them to be bronze. Next, he describes the legs, and he shows them to be iron. Then, the feet and ten toes, and he declares them to be clay and iron, after these things there is nothing left to see, but the stone which is cut from a mountain and which struck the image, and it became in the end a great mountain which also filled all the earth.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.11

• Daniel 2:33

  "His feet," etc. Hippolytus: In the vision of the prophet, the ten horns are the things that are yet to be.

  Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel

• Daniel 2:34

  After these things, what does Daniel say? "A stone was cut without hands and struck the image." [Daniel 2:34] For in all events after the iron was mixed with clay and spread to the tips of the toes and while they are discordant with one another of the seed of men, what is left which is necessary to await but Christ who comes from the heavens as a stone which is cut from a mountain, so that he removes the kingdoms of this world, but also sets up the heavenly kingdom of the saints which will never be destroyed, and the same mountain also became the city of the saints which fills all the earth.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.13

• Daniel 2:34

  "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut." Thou sawest, as it were, a stone cut without hands, and smiting the image upon its feet. For the human kingdom was decisively separated from the divine; with reference to which it is written, "as it were cut." The stroke, however, smites the extremities, and in these it broke all dominion that is upon earth.

  Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel

• Daniel 2:44-45

  For in all events after the iron was mixed with clay and spread to the tips of the toes and while they are discordant with one another of the seed of men, what is left which is necessary to await but Christ who comes from the heavens as a stone which is cut from a mountain, so that he removes the kingdoms of this world, but also sets up the heavenly kingdom of the saints which will never be destroyed, and the same mountain also became the city of the saints which fills all the earth. And on account of this blessed Daniel spoke, "And after the end of those days God shall set up the kingdom which shall not be left for another people." [Daniel 2:44] Therefore, so that one may not mistrust what was spoken and ask whether these things really will be or not, the prophet seals it, saying, "and the dream is true and its interpretation is faithful." [Daniel 2:45]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.13

• Daniel 2:46

  Nebuchadnezzar, after hearing these things, and after remembering the dream, recognized that what was spoken by Daniel was true, and, "he fell on his face and he worshipped Daniel and commanded slaves to offer gifts and perfumes to him." [Daniel 2:46] How strong is the grace of God, beloved, so that shortly before he was about to be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon, the king fell on his face and no longer worshipped this man as a man but as God and commanded slaves to offer gifts and perfumes to him. For also long ago the Lord announced the same thing to Moses saying, "Behold, I have given you as God to Pharaoh," [Exodus 7:1] so that through the signs which happened under him in Egypt, Moses no longer was acknowledged as a man, but as God worshipped by the Egyptians.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.8

• Daniel 2:47

  And so Nebuchadnezzar, having been astounded at what was spoken by Daniel, said, "In truth your God, he himself is God of gods and Lord of those who rule, who also reveals mysteries, because he was able to reveal this mystery!' And the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts and appointed him over all the lands of the Babylonians and appointed him as chief of the satraps over all the wise men of Babylon." [Daniel 2:47-48]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.9

• Daniel 2:48

  For since he himself humbled himself and declared himself to be the least of all men, the king extolled him and appointed him ruler of all the lands of Babylon. In which manner Pharaoh also did to Joseph, having then appointed him ruler of all the land of Egypt. For none of the men in all Egypt was found who was able to proclaim visions to Pharaoh, except Joseph alone, and none of the wise men in Babylon was able to declare the visions to the king, except Daniel alone. For God leads forth holy men to himself from generation to generation, who is obligated to be glorified in all the world.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.9

• Daniel 2:49

  "And Daniel asked a favor from the king and he appointed Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego over the affairs of the country of Babylon." [Daniel 2:49] And this which happened under Daniel is worthy of faith and approval. For since they themselves joined with Daniel in prayer to God, so that the vision might be revealed to him, and because of this Daniel himself received worth and honor from the king, Daniel remembered them and entrusted them with the work which happened under them on behalf of the king, so that they themselves also were esteemed with some honor as fellow-initiates and God-fearing men. For after requesting the heavenly things from the Lord, they were also engaged with the earthy things beside the king.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.10

• Daniel 3:1

  For Scripture says, "In the eighteenth year, Nebuchadnezzar the king made a golden image, its height was sixty cubits, and its breadth was six cubits, and he set it in the plain of Deira in the country of Babylon." [Daniel 3:1] And so through eighteen years he imitated Jesus the son of God, who was present in the world, who also raised his own human image from the dead and showed this image, which was pure and blameless as gold, to his disciples. Through the height of sixty cubits, there are sixty patriarchs, through whom the image of God according to the flesh, that is the Word, is molded and fashioned and is exulted on behalf of all the patriarchs. Through the breadth of six cubits this recalls the six days of creation. For on the sixth day man, having been molded from dust, came to be. And so the gold which Nebuchadnezzar molded into the representative image which he made, he set it up on the plain of Deira, in the country of Babylon, indicating the plain to be the world, and Babylon the great city. And at that time Nebuchadnezzar made only one image, but now the deceiver devises greater things in the world, so that through the many spectacles he may delude all men, some being carried about in one direction or another, some worshiping golden idols, others silver, others bronze, some that which is composed from ivory, many revering clay and stone. They all, abandoning the heavenly God, submit to empty and lifeless and useless idols, not wishing to look up to the height of heaven, nor wishing to apprehend the beauty of heaven, so that they, who do not recognize the God of this heaven, are not able to be saved. These things are the handiwork of the devil. He worked not only long ago in Babylon, but also now he does the same things and endeavors more reckless things against the slaves of God. Having prepared the furnace of fire beforehand, so that through it he might frighten men, who do not see the eternal punishment through fire which is prepared for the devil by God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.27.5-11

• Daniel 3:1

  And so, after sufficient time had passed and the eighteenth year had come, the king, having remembered his dream, made a golden image, which was sixty cubits high and its breadth was six cubits. For when the blessed Daniel, when he interpreted the same dream, answered the saying, "You are the head of the golden image," [Daniel 2:38] in this word king Nebuchadnezzar, having been puffed up and having been lifted up in heart, made the image as an anti-type of the dream, so that he might be worshiped as God by all. And so having furnished it in greatness he set it up in the plain of Deira in the country of Babylon.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.15.1-3

• Daniel 3:2-3

  And having sent out a command he summoned together the governors, captains and rulers and all of those in authority to come to the consecration of the image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king set up.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.15.4

• Daniel 3:7

  And so then, while all the men were coming together for the event and while the musical instruments rang out together, at that moment the peoples, tribes, and tongues, fell down and worshipped the image, some of them only because they feared the king, but all became idolaters, and they heeded the word which was prescribed by the king.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.15.5

• Daniel 3:13

  But someone will say, "You are making sophistries." Be educated, O man, about the things which happen under Antiochus Epiphanes. While the seven brothers together with their mother were taken, they were struck with scourges and whips, but one of them answered the whips, and he said, "Why do you delay to ask and to learn? For we are prepared to die rather than to transgress our patriarchal laws." [2 Maccabees 7:1-2] "But the king, becoming stirred up at this, commanded pans and cauldrons to be heated at once, and he commanded that the one of them who spoke first, that his tongue be rooted out and having been scalped, to be maimed. While the rest of the brothers looked on, and while the steam of the pans grew sufficiently, he exhorted one another in the voice of their fatherland saying, 'The Lord God watches over us, and in truth, he comforts us just as Moses through the song which he spoke before God's face long ago saying, "He will be comforted in his slaves."'" [2 Maccabees 7:3-6; Deuteronomy 32:36] You see how the Spirit of the Father cares for martyrs, he teaches, while urging and encouraging them, to despise this death and to hasten to what is better. For if anyone is apart from the Holy Spirit, this one cowers in agony and is afraid, and he hides and avoids the temporary death and cringes before the sword and does not submit to retribution. He holds this world before his eyes, the cares of life, and he prefers his wife and he loves his own children and seeks the riches of property. Such a one does not procure heavenly power and is recklessly destroyed. And so it is necessary for every man who accepts the Word, to listen to what the heavenly king and master prescribes, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me," [Matthew 10:38] and "He who does not renounce all his belongings is not able to be my disciple." [Luke 14:33]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.20.1-21.3

• Daniel 3:15

  But someone will likely say, "And so why did God rescue the martyrs long ago, but now he does not so rescue them?" For twice we find that the blessed Daniel, having been cast into the den of lions, was not destroyed by the beasts and the three boys in the furnace were not conquered by the fire. Take heed, O man, because even at that time God rescued whom he wished to still live, so that the magnificent work of God may be shown and it may be preached in all the world until now. But whom he wishes to testify, he, having crowned them, takes them. For he rescued the three boys, so that the boast of Nebuchadnezzar may be shown as being nothing, wishing to demonstrate this, that "what is impossible for men is possible for God." [Luke 18:27] For since Nebuchadnezzar was arrogant and said, "And who is the god who is able to rescue you from the furnace of fire?" [Daniel 3:15] God demonstrated to him that he is able to rescue his slaves whenever he wills. For also similarly it happened to Daniel, for after Darius said, "Is God whom you perpetually serve, able to rescue you from the mouths of the lions?" [Daniel 6:20] Daniel answered and said, "God sent his angel and he stopped the mouths of the lions and they did not hurt me." [Daniel 6:22] For also all the governors and satraps contrived a pretext, so that they handed Daniel over to the beasts in order to kill him. But God, seeing their machinations and the sincerity of the blessed Daniel, rescued him from the mouths of the lions, so that he rescues whom he wills but takes whom he wills. For we find also the seven martyrs who, under Antiochus, endured terrible punishments and were taken from the world. And so what of it? Was God not able to smite king Antiochus and to rescue the seven brothers? He was able, but he did not will to do this so that this example may become ours. For if he rescued everyone, who would he destine to testify? But if all were testifying and were killed, he would be reckoned by some of the faithless as being this: a powerless God. And so it is necessary for a man to not resist the plan of God. "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live or we die, we are of the Lord." [Romans 14:8] He rescued Jonah from the belly of the sea monster when he willed. And he rescued Peter from the hand of Herod and led him out of prison because he wished for him to still live. In time he took him who was crucified on behalf of the name, when he himself willed. He rescued Paul from many dangers because he willed. After a time he took him who was beheaded and this happened when he willed. He permitted Stephen to be stoned by the Jews, but he crowned him who endured. How do you today delay to testify when those who first, after testifying, were blessed? And so you have in an ancient testament many who have testified, yet many also who were rescued, so that one and the same God is demonstrated both long ago and now who also has authority to do to his slaves the very thing which he wills. But let us also go to him the King of Glory and let us speak concerning the Son of God. Was God not able to rescue his Christ, so that he may not be betrayed by the Jews? Yes he was able, but he allowed him to suffer so that we, through the cross of his death, may live. And on account of this the Lord seeing the plan of God, said, "Father not my will, but yours be done." [Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:53]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.35.1-36.8

• Daniel 3:15

  Do you see the boast of the tyrannical human king, who did not know he who said, "Do not fear men who are able to kill the body, in this they are not able to kill what is inside, but fear rather him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." [Matthew 10:28] The boys, who did not cower at these words, answered saying, "We have no need to answer you concerning this matter. For there is a God whom we serve, he is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire and from your hands, O king, he will rescue us, and if not, let it be known to you O king that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden image which you set up." [Daniel 3:16-18]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.17.1-2

• Daniel 3:16-18

  And so even then, in this way the three boys, who were disciples of faith in Babylon, answered the king saying, "We have no need to answer you concerning this matter." [Daniel 3:16] Daniel, having heard these words, approved. But again they said, "There is a God whom we serve, he is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire and from your hands, O king." [Daniel 3:17] The Blessed Daniel, being a prophet and foreseeing what is to come, approved as being true what was spoken by them. And the boys, so that they may exhibit to the king their unsurpassable faith, added saying, "And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not serve the golden image which you set up." [Daniel 3:18] Whom again the blessed Daniel, having heard their voice a third time, and having been amazed, crowned them in faith as speaking beautiful truths.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.22.1-5

• Daniel 3:16-18

  You see the assurance of the words which were spoken through one mouth, so that in no word may they stumble. For after the king threatened them and said, "Why do you not serve my gods and not worship the golden image which I set up?" [Daniel 3:14] They answered, "We have no need to answer you concerning this matter," [Daniel 3:16] not regarding him worthy of a defense of such a statement. Then, after the king said, "You shall be cast into the burning furnace of fire, and what god is there who shall take you out of my hands?" [Daniel 3:15] They added to the word which was spoken by the king and said, "There is a God whom we serve, he is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire and from your hands, O king." After the king again said, "And so, now if you are prepared, when you should hear the sound of the trumpet, pipes and lyres, harp and psaltery and all the family of musical instruments, fall down and worship the golden image." [Daniel 3:15] They said to him, "Let it be known to you O king that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden image which you set up." [Daniel 3:18]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.23.1-4

• Daniel 3:16-18

  For the king set before them three matters through one word, like those who contend for three prizes in a contest, so that even in one matter, having laid a trap, he might trip these boys up. But they, wishing to be defeated in nothing, genuinely answered in three statements. For they set at naught the first matter of the king, showing that the idol which was worshiped by him was not worthy of any account. Secondly, they taught the king that it is necessary to fear and worship a certain king, saying, "There is a God whom we serve, he is able to deliver us from the burning furnace of fire." [Daniel 3:17] Then thirdly, wishing to demonstrate their faith, they said, "And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden image which you set up." [Daniel 3:18] For in this, they fortified themselves through speech, lest, after they were cast into the furnace, they would also be incinerated and the Chaldeans would have boasted and deceived the king saying, "Do not be vexed, O king, you prevailed and you took the prize from them. For they, shrieking and burning in the fire, were saying, 'We beg you, Lord and king, we will do what is commanded by you, we will worship the image.'" Therefore after death believers, who did not wish to give a place of pretext to the devil, are called martyrs, according to every way they fortified themselves. For they who believe have carried up all authority and glory to God, because he is able to deliver us, but if not we would rather gladly die than to do what is prescribed by you, Nebuchadnezzar!

  Commentary on Daniel 2.24.1-8

• Daniel 3:16

  See, the three boys have become examples for all believing men; they who did not fear the crowd of satraps nor, having heard the words of the king, were terrified, nor, having seen the burning fire of the furnace, cringed, but they despised all men and the whole world, holding the fear of God alone before their eyes. Daniel, who was standing a far way off and keeping silent, taught these three to be courageous, while smiling at them, he himself even rejoicing at their witness, while observing the three boys who were about to be crowned against the devil. They were not deluded by musical skill nor enslaved by the pleasure of the instruments, nor carried away by the deceit of the Babylonians, nor subdued by the decree of the king, nor did they bend their knees before the golden image, which was wrought with a hammer. These three believing witnesses were found in Babylon, so that through them God may be glorified and Nebuchadnezzar may be shamed and the idols of the Babylonians be revealed as nothing.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.18.1-3

• Daniel 3:18

  I will dare to say something and I will not venture to say something else while speaking. These boys, having read the contents of Scripture, saw what was spoken by the prophet, that it was written concerning them. For how else did the contents of Scripture say to Babylon, "I shall make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know me," [Psalm 87:4] except if it foresees by the Spirit the mysteries of the economy there? For these, having seen all men worshiping the image and heeding the prescription of the king, settled their minds to speak. This is not idly written, brothers, this is similarly fulfilled in us now. For behold, it happened that even every family received our captives and they became slaves to the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar, just as the great devil, tyrannizes against us and having made a golden image compels people to idolatry. We the faithful stand fast unto death, lest we disgrace our teacher, Moses, or lest we permit our family to be ridiculed. Let us, as the three boys, conquer all the power of the Babylonians. God will deliver us from the hand of the king, as he rescued our forefathers from the hand of Pharaoh. Let us recall what happened long ago in the land of Egypt. When the sea was struck with a staff, it was put to flight and the Jordan River, when it saw the Ark, was turned back to its source, and Rahab the prostitute, when she was found faithful in the city of Jericho, she was preserved from the slaughter of the sword. And now God is able to easily quench the fire of the furnace. If you are threatened with the sword, let us submit to death; if thrown to wild beasts let us not cower before the beasts. Let not the crowd of the Babylonians prevail in that faithful day. Urging one another on as living combatants, the three young boys were led on by the Spirit to the pit, contending before myriads of unbelieving men.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.19.1-8

• Daniel 3:18

  But what is better for you O man, having testified to depart from this world in glory, or having been rescued here and waiting patiently to keep sinning? For we have seen many who have confessed before the tribunal who were, through some pretext against the design of God, destroyed, and we have seen they who lived a sufficient time and being found in transgressions, also were destroyed. How does a confession to God aid them? For it is better for them rather that they are taken from this world as pure, having a heavenly crown, then remaining here to heap up sins for themselves concerning which they have to render an account. Therefore let the one who is brought forth on account of the Name pray that at some time having testified in such a way, to depart. For this one will never in any way be judged, but he will judge "having his own share in the first resurrection." [Revelation 20:6] And so be firm O man, never stammering in faith, and whenever you are called to testify obey willingly, so that your faith may be shown. It has happened that God has tested you as he tested Abraham, when he demanded Isaac. Having been brought forward, perhaps he wills to deliver you, and in this you glorify God. And you mimic the three boys and understand their faith! For they said to the king, "God is able to release us, but if he does not will, we are under the authority of God, we would rather gladly die than do what is prescribed by you." [Daniel 3:18] Whom then Nebuchadnezzar also seeing the pure and blameless boys coming out from the furnace was astounded and amazed. For neither was their hair singed nor their cloaks changed nor was the smell of fire in them.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.37.1-7

• Daniel 3:19

  But someone will say, "And so was not Daniel, being a friend of the king, able to intercede on their behalf and pardon the three boys?" He was able, but it happened in this way so that the great works of God may be shown and the Babylonians may learn to fear God, and on account of this find rest, so that also their faith may be shown and God may be glorified in them. For if this had not happened the Babylonians would be able to say, "If Daniel did not intercede with the king on their behalf, these boys would today be destroyed in fire," and reckon grace to be human rather than the power of God. But why was the king not sorely pricked, having actually seen Daniel, who was a Jew, and why did he not say to him, "Why do you not worship the image?" He no doubt would have said to the king, "Because I do not worship works made with hands, but the living God who made heaven and earth and has lordship over all flesh." Just as he answered Cyrus in the presence of Bel. The king, having been stunned, said to him… … Bel, except according to the thoughts of the satraps. "For thirty days if one should ask any God or man but from you, he shall be cast into the den of lions." [Daniel 6:7] So it was necessary for the three boys alone to be glorified in the furnace, but before Bel and the reigning Cyrus, it was necessary for Daniel alone to be cast into the den of lions, each of them arranging their own part and observing their own season, so that even Nebuchadnezzar the king of the Babylonians, who saw that the three boys were not destroyed by fire, may glorify God, and Cyrus the Persian, who saw that Daniel was not swallowed by the lions, may be taught that God alone is the God of heaven. And so in this way in due time God administers the affairs of men through his slaves the prophets and persuades all men to come to knowledge of himself. [1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:7]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.25.4-26.4

• Daniel 3:19

  And so indeed they prevailed, if it is necessary to speak the truth, the boys… For as strong as the word of the boys was, so was the king wrathful and he said, "Heat the furnace seven times hotter," who was, as always, already defeated by them. For the king prevailed in terrestrial matters, but the three boys prevailed in faith towards God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.25.2-3

• Daniel 3:21

  And so, "Then the boys, after being bound with their garments and cloaks, were cast into the burning furnace of fire according to the proclamation of the king." [Daniel 3:21] Tell me, Nebuchadnezzar, on what account do you order these boys to be bound and cast into the fire? Lest they flee? Or being released they quench the fire with their feet? But you are not the one who does these things, but another in you, who works these things. And on account of this Scripture says, "Then the form of the king was changed." [Daniel 3:19] For there was another person there and Nebuchadnezzar became another person. For the king was a man who in the beginning feared God. Then, having been lifted up against God he changed, mimicking the works of the devil. And on account of this Scripture beautifully predicts, saying, "I am God and I will not change," [Malachi 3:6] so that God may be shown as being unmoved and unchangeable. The form of the king was changed so that he may be easily perceived as being a man and so that the deceiver who recklessly operates in him, may be recognized, who at all times mimics the works of God and wishes to beguile man in various ways.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.27.1-4

• Daniel 3:22

  And so the Babylonians, seeing the three boys hymning in the furnace, did not cease to heat the furnace with resin, pitch, tar, and brushwood and the flame climbed forty-nine cubits above the furnace and spread out against they who fought against the mighty God. Scripture says, "The fire broke out and engulfed those whom it found around the furnace of the Chaldeans." See how the fire itself was prudent and recognized and punished the culpable? For it did not singe the slaves of God, but consumed the faithless and godless of the Chaldeans, and those who were within the furnace were besprinkled by an angel, but those careless ones who imagined that they stood outside of the furnace, they were destroyed by fire.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.31.1-3

• Daniel 3:23

  Accordingly, after these things happened, Scripture says, "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, fell into the midst of the furnace while bound and that they were walking in the midst of the flame, hymning to God and blessing the Lord." [Daniel 3:23; Song of the Three Children 1] And so the bonds which the king put around them, these the fire consumed immediately, yet it did not singe their garments and cloaks so that even in this event the great work of God may be shown. For since the garments were clad around the bodies of the boys, these also with them were made holy and were not consumed by the fire, so that God, with the boys, may be honored in their witness. Let the arch-heretics, who deny the resurrection of themselves, tell me, how do they say there is no resurrection of the flesh, when the perishable garments and sandals, which came from the death of living creatures, are not destroyed by fire on account of the holiness which clothes their bodies? How also does the flesh, which is perishable and which clothes the holy soul, not also with the soul be made holy and be changed into incorruptible? For if what is corruptible in nature did not receive corruption, how does what is incorruptible in nature, but has died through disobedience, again having been made alive by the power of God, not actually be made alive? So that the Scripture persuades us in every way to believe in God from a whole heart, in which way those who are perfect, who have believed, may be preserved from the furnace of fire as perfect along with their garb and cloaks. For if then the fire did not tame them, how is the eternal fire able to master the saints and they who similarly believe?

  Commentary on Daniel 2.28.1-7

• Daniel 3:25

  Then Nebuchadnezzar seeing what happened "was amazed and rose up in haste and he heard their hymns and he said to his nobles 'Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?' But they said, 'Truly O king.' He answered and said, 'Here I indeed see four men speaking and walking in the midst of the fire and there is no destruction in them and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of God.'" [Daniel 3:25] Tell me, Nebuchadnezzar, for when did you see the Son of God, so that you confessed this one to be the Son of God? Who pricked your heart so that you plainly spoke such a word? With what sort of eyes were you able to see the light of him? But why was this shown to you alone and to none of the other satraps? But it is because it is said, "the heart of the king is in the hand of God." [Proverbs 21:1] The hand of God itself, the very thing which was the Word, pricked the heart of the king, so that you may recognize this one in the furnace and may glorify him. And this is not to be idly understood by us. For when the sons of Israel, seeing the Son of God in the world, were destined to not believe, Scripture proved that the nations were destined to recognize him in the flesh, when long ago Nebuchadnezzar seeing him not of flesh, observed him in the furnace and confessed him to be a son of God.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.33.1-5

• Daniel 3:26

  "Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the door of the burning furnace and he said, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, slaves of God Most High, come out and come here.'" [Daniel 3:26] For since he himself was not able to come into the furnace, he called them to come outside. And he called the names of the three, but he found he was not able to declare the fourth. For Jesus had not yet been born of the virgin.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.34.1-3

• Daniel 3:27

  "And the satraps and captains and governors and princes of the king came together and they saw the men, that the fire did not have lordship of their body and the hair of their head was not burned and their cloaks were not worsened and the scent of fire was not in them." [Daniel 3:27]

  Commentary on Daniel 2.34.4

• Daniel 3:27

  And you mimic the three boys and understand their faith! For they said to the king, "God is able to release us, but if he does not will, we are under the authority of God, we would rather gladly die than do what is prescribed by you." [Daniel 3:18] Whom then Nebuchadnezzar also seeing the pure and blameless boys coming out from the furnace was astounded and amazed. For neither was their hair singed nor their cloaks changed nor was the smell of fire in them.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.37.6-7

• Daniel 3:28-30

  And so in this way Nebuchadnezzar said, "'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel and rescued his boys because they obeyed him and they opposed the word of the king and handed their bodies over to the furnace, that they might not serve any God except their God. And I have set out a decree: 'All people, tribes, and tongues who shall ever speak blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be destroyed and their houses shall be plundered, because there is no other God who is able to rescue in this way.' And he prospered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the country of Babylon and strengthened them and promoted them to lead all the Jews who were in his kingdom." [Daniel 3:28-30] And so it is necessary to observe, beloved, how faith towards God pours out such great grace. For even as they handed themselves over to death, they glorified God himself, in this way again they also were not only glorified by God but also by the king and they taught the tribes and the barbarian nations to revere God. For this truly happens to befall us even now, for when one of the saints is called to martyrdom and magnificent things are done by God for him, immediately all who see wonder, and many believe through the signs and in this way they also become martyrs of God. To whom we also have believed, so let us also inspire ourselves to be worthy before God, being chaste in body, soul, and spirit, so that we ourselves may receive the incorruptible crown together with the blessed martyrs, and may hymn with them to God. For his glory is forever and ever. Amen.

  Commentary on Daniel 2.38.1-5

• Daniel 3:30

  "Then the king promoted," etc. For as they honoured God by giving themselves up to death, so, too, they were themselves honoured not only by God, but also by the king. And they taught strange and foreign nations also to worship God.

  Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments - Scholia on Daniel

• Daniel 4:1-3

  And so at that time Nebuchadnezzar, after seeing the marvels which happened to the three boys and being pricked in heart, set forth through a decree to publically announce to all peoples, tribes, and tongues who were under him, that namely they who hear what occurred, should fear God and should glorify him, just as he himself also praised God and said, "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and his authority is from generation to generation." [Daniel 4:3]

  Commentary on Daniel 3.2.1