VIII (1) THE HEBREW LANGUAGE IS HERE RESUMED. The visions recorded in the remaining portion of the book having no connection with Babylon, the Chaldee dialect is dropped. THIRD YEAR. — Most probably, not long before the end of his reign. This vision is supplementary to the one recorded in the prec... [ Continue Reading ]
AT SHUSHAN — _i.e.,_ Susa. At this time (see _Records of the Past,_ vol. 1, p. 71, &c.) Susa was, as Daniel describes it, in the province of Elam; at a later period it became the capital of the Persian empire. Daniel was at Susa only in vision, he was not bodily transported thither. The Ulai is the... [ Continue Reading ]
A RAM — _i.e.,_ a single ram. The ram was standing before the river, or eastward of it, and represented the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 8:20). The two horns, like the two breasts and arms of the image, or the two sides of the bear, symbolise the twofold character of this empire. The higher horn deno... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAW THE RAM PUSHING. — The ram pushes in three different directions. This corresponds to the three ribs in the mouth of the bear. The animal does not push towards the east, as it is presumed that he has already made conquests in those quarters.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HE GOAT. — This, according to Daniel 8:21, means the Greek empire, the large horn being the first king, or Alexander the Great. It may be remarked that the goat and the ram form the same contrast as the panther and the bear. Matchless activity is contrasted with physical strength and brutal fierc... [ Continue Reading ]
RAN UNTO HIM. — The wonderful rapidity of Alexander’s movements, incredible, if it were not so well attested in history, is here pointed out. From the battle of Granicus to that of Arbela only three years elapsed. During this brief period the whole Persian empire fell to pieces.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS BROKEN. — This points to the sudden and unexpected end of Alexander, B.C. 323. The “four horns,” which take the place of the “notable horn,” may mean either that this empire was dispersed to the four winds of heaven on the death of its founder (comp. Daniel 7:2; Daniel 11:4; Jeremiah 49:36; Zech... [ Continue Reading ]
LITTLE. — Literally, _out of littleness._ (Comp. Daniel 7:8.) This is explained more fully in Daniel 8:23. The southern campaigns of Antiochus Epiphanes are related 1Ma. 1:16; for his eastern wars see 1Ma. 3:31-37; 1Ma. 6:1-4. THE PLEASANT LAND — _i.e._, Palestine, which here, as in Isaiah 19:23, is... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOST OF HEAVEN. — Probably meaning the stars, as Jeremiah 33:22, but in a metaphorical sense indicating the people of Israel. (Comp. Exodus 7:4; Numbers 24:17.) The actions of Antiochus, predicted here, are related 1Ma. 1:24; 1Ma. 1:30; 1Ma. 1:37; 1Ma. 2:38; 2Ma. 9:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRINCE OF THE HOST — _i.e._, Jehovah Himself. (Comp. Daniel 8:25; Daniel 11:36.) THE DAILY — _i.e.,_ everything permanent in the worship of God, such as sacrifices, &c. (See Note on Leviticus 6:13.) On this conduct of Antiochus see 1Ma. 1:39; 1Ma. 1:45, &c., 1Ma. 3:45. PLACE OF HIS SANCTUARY — _i.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HOST... — The host is apparently the same as that which is mentioned in Daniel 8:10, and means some of the Jewish people. It is known that some of them lapsed under the persecutions of Antiochus, and joined in his idolatrous rites. These apostates were given into his hand, and on account of their... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE SAINT — _i.e._, an angel, who, however, has not been mentioned before. This part of the vision recalls Daniel 7:16. It is implied that the angels were conversing upon the subject of this awful revelation concerning the future of God’s people. Only a portion of what they said is here recorded. T... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED DAYS. — It is clear from the language that the period here spoken of terminates with the cleansing of the sanctuary, and that it begins with the transgression that led to the awful events that occurred in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. Judas Maccabeus took Jerus... [ Continue Reading ]
APPEARANCE OF A MAN. — From Daniel 8:16 it appears that this was the angel Gabriel. The “man’s voice” mentioned in Daniel 8:16 proceeded from Him Who alone has authority to command angels. (Comp. Daniel 12:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BETWEEN THE... ULAI. — The city, as it would appear, stood between the two branches of the river. The two branches were the Eulæus and the Choaspes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIME OF THE END — _i.e.,_ either at the final period of earthly history, or at the time which lies at the limit of the prophetic horizon. St. Jerome observes that what happened in the times of Antiochus was typical of what shall be fulfilled hereafter in Antichrist.... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEEP SLEEP. — On the effects of heavenly visions upon those who beheld them, see Genesis 16:13; Exodus 33:20, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
END OF THE INDIGNATION — _i.e._, the revelation of God’s wrath at the end of the time of the prophecy. AT THE TIME APPOINTED — _i.e.,_ the vision refers to the appointed time in the end.... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-22) See Notes on Daniel 8:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT IN HIS POWER — _i.e.,_ not like the first king.... [ Continue Reading ]
TRANSGRESSORS... — When transgressors have filled up the measure of their guilt so as to exceed the limits of God’s mercy, then this event shall take place. The transgressors are the apostate Jews. Here, as in the other visions, the particulars respecting the most prominent objects of the vision are... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT BY HIS OWN POWER. — Not might, but cunning, will cause his success. (Comp. 1MMalachi 1:10, &c.) Thus his destructive powers become astonishing. THE MIGHTY. — No special individuals are pointed out, but rulers in general.... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH HIS POLICY. — This is explained more fully in the next two sentences. Through his craft he succeeds, and becomes able to destroy many unexpectedly, and finally raises up himself against God. WITHOUT HAND. — Not by the hand of man (comp. Daniel 2:34), but by the act of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
The concluding words of the angel are intended to comfort the Jewish Church in the days of her persecution. They teach her that God has foreseen her affliction, that it comes from Him in His love, and that it shall last only for a short while. This promise accounts for the firmness which was exhibit... [ Continue Reading ]