John Calvin Commentary Daniel 2:25

"Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation." — Daniel 2:25 (ASV)

A question may arise here: in what sense does Arioch speak of bringing Daniel before the king, as if it were something new? For Daniel had already requested time for prayer from the king, as we have seen. Why then does Arioch now boast of having found a man of the captives of Judah, as if he were speaking of an obscure and unknown person?

However, Daniel very probably requested the time for prayer from Arioch. We learn from history how difficult it was to approach those kings, as they considered it a profanation of their majesty to be polite and humane.

It is therefore probable that Arioch was the intermediary through whom the king granted Daniel the time for prayer.

Alternatively, we may suppose Arioch's words are not a straightforward account. Instead, Daniel might be illustrating the great boasting of courtiers, who always praise their own services and adorn them with the splendor of words. In this view, Arioch would be reminding the king how he had encountered Daniel and had finally obtained what the king so urgently desired.

Therefore, I will not dwell on this point any longer, since there are several possibilities: Arioch might have then explained more clearly to the king that Daniel could interpret his dream; or he combined this with what had previously been done; or Daniel had obtained this permission before; or Arioch himself had begged the king that some time should be given to Daniel.

The biblical text uses the expression sons of transmigration, or captivity, a common scriptural term for captives, although this expression is collective.