Commentaries of the divine John Calvin, upon the prophet Daniel, translated into English, especially…Commentaries of the diuine Iohn Caluine, vpon the prophet Daniell, translated into Englishe, especially…

Daniel doth here declare and history which was done at the same time that Babylon was taken: but in the mean season he leaveth the judgement of God to be considered of the readers, of the which the Prophets prophesied before the people was banished. Here doth he not use a prophetical stile (as we shall see afterward) but is content with the simple narration: but the use of the history may be learned by those words which follow. Therefore it is now our duty to weigh in this history, that which may make to the edification of faith and of the fear of God. In the first place we must note the time in the which Beltsazar did celebrate this feast. Now the seventy years were passed from that time that Daniel was brought into exile. For although Nebuchadnezzar were called afterward the father of Beltsazar, yet is it manifest enough that Evilmerodah was betwixt them two. And Evilmerodah reigned three and twenty years. Other also number two kings before Beltsazar: for they do put Regassar after Labassardach, which two make eight years more. Metastenes saith so, & many do follow him. But it is manifest that Nebuchadnezzar the great (which brought Daniel away, which was the son of the first Nebuchadnezzar) reigned 45. years. Other do transfer two years to his fathers Empire. Howsoever it is, he obtained the kings power 45. years. Now add moreover 23. years to Evilmerodah, ⟨image 82⟩which will make threescore and eight. Beltsazar also reigned 8. years. Therefore we see 72. years to be passed after Daniel was carried away captive. Metasthenes reckoneth 30. years in the reign of Evilmerodah: and moreover there are added unto him 8. years: So should the years be more then fourscore. And this is probable enough. Although it seemeth that Methasthenes erred in this that he made diverse kings, seeing they were only diverse names. For Herodotus ¹doth not call this king of whom now mention is made, Beltsazar: but calleth his father Labinetus, & him also by the same name. Therefore it seemeth that Methasthenes was deceived in the names. But forasmuch as belongeth to the reckoning of time, I willingly receive that which he saith, that Evilmerodah reigned thirty years. For when we speak of the seventy years whereof Jeremiah did prophecy, we may not begin at the captivity of Daniel., neither at the destruction of the City:

DAniel doth here declare and history which was done at the same tyme that Babylon was taken: but in the meane season hee leaueth the iudgement of God to be considered of the readers, of the which the Prophetes prophecied before the people was banished. Here doth he not vse a propheticall stile (as we shall sée afterward) but is content wyth the simple narration: but the vse of the history may be learned by those wordes which folow. Therfore it is now our dutie to weigh in this history, that which may make to the edification of fayth and of the feare of God. In ye first place we must note the tyme in the which Beltsazar did celebrate thys feast. Now the seuenty yeares were passed frō that tyme that Daniel was brought into exile. For although Nebuchadnezer were called afterward the father of Beltsazar, yet is it manifest enough that Euilmerodah was betwixt them two. And Euilmerodah raigned thrée and twenty yeares. Other also number two kings before Beltsazar: for they do put Regassar after Labassardach, which two make eight yeares more. Metastenes sayth so, & many do folow hym. But it is manifest that Nebuchadnezer the great (which brought Daniel away, which was the sonne of the first Nebuchadnezer) raigned 45. yeares. Other do transferre two yeares to hys fathers Empire. Howsoeuer it is, he obtayned the kinges power 45. yeares. Now adde moreouer 23. yeares to Euilmerodah,