And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel;
Ver. 4. And on the four and twentieth of the first month.] The day is thus noted, because the matters here revealed were most memorable.
As I was by the side of the great river.] Meditating likely, because the city was full of noise and tumult, and praying. as Act 16:13 Broughton giveth this reason, because Seleucus Nicator, founder of the Seleucidae, much spoken of in the ensuing vision, built his chief city upon this river.
Which is Hiddekel,] i.e., Sharp swift; called also Tigris, from the swiftest of all beasts, the tiger; but Curtius and Pliny a say, that Tigris in the Median language signifieth an arrow. Here Daniel was personally present, and not visionally only. See Daniel 10:7 .
a Plin, lib. vi. cap. 7.