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.
