APAD: A Daniel come to judgement

Meaning:

   Someone who makes a wise judgement about something that has previously proven

   difficult to resolve.

 

Background:

   This phrase doubtless alludes to the Biblical character Daniel, who was

   attributed with having fine powers of judgement. In Daniel 5:14 (King James

   Version) we have:

 

     I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that

     light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

 

   The first use of the phrase as we now know it is from Shakespeare's The

   Merchant of Venice, 1596:

 

     SHYLOCK:

     A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!

     O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!

 

- www.phrases.org.uk

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[It should have been 'came' or 'comes,' I thought first and then suspected they

omitted 'has.' I checked the play's text and searched the subtitles of the 2004

drama starring Al Pacino and indeed it was 'come.' A reason might exist yet is

moot. It is idiomatic.]

 

Shylock was thrilled as the judge admitted his right by law to his pound of

flesh. By the time a "second Daniel" came, however, he knew he lost and had to

beat a hasty retreat.

 

     PORTIA, as Balthazar:

     Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.

     Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more

     But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak'st more

     Or less than a just pound, be it but so much

     As makes it light or heavy in the substance

     Or the division of the twentieth part

     Of one poor scruple-nay, if the scale do turn

     But in the estimation of a hair,

     Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.

 

     GRATIANO:

     A second Daniel! A Daniel, Jew!

     Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.

 

     PORTIA, as Balthazar:

     Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.

 

     SHYLOCK:

     Give me my principal and let me go.