Daniel 8:25

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. BY PEACE SHALL DESTROY MANY - by pretending "peace" and friendship; in the midst of security (Gesenius) suddenly striking his blow (cf. note, , "a spoiler at noon-day"). HE SHALL ALSO STAND UP AGAINST THE PRINCE OF PRINCES - not merely against the Jews (; ). BUT HE SHALL BE BROKEN WITHOUT HAND - by God's special visitation. The stone "cut out of the mountain without hands," i:e., Christ, is to smite the world-power image on hi...

It follows next; _He shall magnify himself in his heart, or _he shall raise himself, and bear himself magnificently; although this expression implies boasting and pride, and is taken in a disadvantageous sense. _He shall be insolent, therefore, in his heart. _The angel seems to distinguish here between the scheming and penetration of Antiochus, and his pride of heart; for, although he should obtain great: victories, and should subdue many nations according to his desires, yet he would oppress the Jews, and _then, should be magnified in heart; _that is, should be puffed up with greater pride than before, on account of those continuous successes. And _in peace he shall destroy many, _or the brave; for the word רבים _rabbim, _signifies either. Some translate, on account of his prosperity, because the Lord wished to relax the reins, so that no one should hinder the course of his victories. O...

15-27 The eternal Son of God stood before the prophet in the appearance of a man, and directed the angel Gabriel to explain the vision. Daniel's fainting and astonishment at the prospect of evils he saw coming on his people and the church, confirm the opinion that long-continued calamities were foretold. The vision being ended, a charge was given to Daniel to keep it private for the present. He kept it to himself, and went on to do the duty of his place. As long as we live in this world we must have something to do in it; and even those whom God has most honoured, must not think themselves above their business. Nor must the pleasure of communion with God take us from the duties of our callings, but we must in them abide with God. All who are intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly; and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if true believers, look...

Verse Daniel 8:25. _HE SHALL CAUSE CRAFT TO PROSPER_] They subdued as many by their _diplomatic skill_ and _political intrigues_ as they did by the _sword_. _HE SHALL ALSO STAND UP AGAINST THE PRINCE OF PRINCES_] Against _Christ_; for it was by the _Roman_ authority that he was condemned to death and crucified; and their persecutions had nearly destroyed the Christian religion; but the house was founded on a _rock_. _BUT HE SHALL BE BROKEN WITHOUT HAND._] The tide was turned by the invisible hand of God; and thus heathen Rome was overcome, and converted to Christianity....

AND THROUGH HIS POLICY - The word rendered “policy” here (שׂכל _s'êkel_) means, properly, intelligence, understanding, wisdom; and then, in a bad sense, craft, cunning. So it is rendered here by Gesenius, and the meaning is, that he would owe his success in a great measure to craft and subtilty. HE SHALL CAUSE CRAFT TO PROSPER IN HIS HAND - He shall owe his success in a great measure to a crafty policy, to intrigue, and to cunning. This was true in an eminent sense, of Antiochus. See his history in Prideaux, above referred to, and the books of Maccabees. Compare the notes at Daniel 11:21. The same character is given of him by Polybius, “Relig.” lib. xxi. c. 5, tom. iv. p. 501, ed. Schweighauser; Appian, “de reb. Syr.” xlv. t. 1, p. 604, ed. Schweigh. Compare 2 Macc. 5:24-26. He came t

EXPOSITION DANIEL 8:1 THE RAM AND THE HE-GOAT This chapter marks the change from Aramaic to_ _Hebrew. The character of the chapter is like that which immediately precedes it. It consists, like it, of the account of a vision, and the interpretation of it. The subject of this vision is the overthrow of the Persian monarchy by Alexander the Great, the division of his empire, and the oppression of Israel by Epiphanes. DANIEL 8:1 IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING BELSHAZZAR A VISION APPEARED UNTO ME, EVEN UNTO ME DANIEL, AFTER THAT WHICH APPEARED UNTO ME AT THE FIRST. The text of the Septuagint does not differ greatly f

AND THROUGH HIS POLICY ALSO HE SHALL CAUSE CRAFT TO PROSPER IN HIS HAND,.... His schemes were laid in such deep policy, and he managed so artfully and craftily in the execution of them, that he commonly succeeded; as in getting the kingdom of Syria from his nephew; and, under a pretence of peace and friendship, and to defend Philometer king of Egypt, a minor, and by large promises to the nobles of the land, made himself master of it; and by deceitful methods he prevailed in Judea; see Daniel 11:21: AND HE SHALL MAGNIFY HIMSELF IN HIS HEART; swell with pride, on account of success, through his policy, craft, and cunning, and think himself above all mortals, and equal to God himself; yea, as his antitype antichrist, exalt himself above all that is called God; fancy that he could command the seas, weigh the mountains in scales, and reach heaven itself, in the Apocrypha:...

CHAPTER 8 THE RAM AND THE HE-GOAT _ 1. The vision (Daniel 8:1)_ 2. The interpretation of the vision (Daniel 8:15) Daniel 8:1. Beginning with this chapter to the end of the book prophecy will lead us mostly upon Jewish ground. While some of these prophecies were fulfilled in the past, most of them are related to the future when the great end fulfillment takes place before the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven to receive the kingdom. The phrases “the latter times,” “the time of the end,” “in the last end of the indignation,” appear several times in these Chapter s. These phrases describe the same period of time mentioned in the seventh chapter, “a time, times and dividing of times; “ the 1,26

DANIEL 8. THE VISION OF THE RAM AND THE HE-GOAT. This chapter gives an account of another vision which came to Daniel in Shushan. Near the river Ulai a ram with two horns is seen pushing invincibly westward and northward and southward. Suddenly from the W. a he-goat appears, attacks the ram, and breaks his horns. Then, the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly. The notable horn between his eyes is broken and four other horns spring up to take its place. Out of these four horns proceeded another, a little horn, which moved towards the E. and the S. and attacked the land of Palestine, exalting itself against God, desecrating the Temple, and abolishing the sacrifices for 2300 days. The interpretation of the vision which is given by Gabriel to Daniel is exceptionally clear, and leaves no manner of doubt that it refers to the events of the Maccabean age. The ram with the two horns represents...

CRAFT. deceit. BY PEACE. by their prosperity, or careless security. THE PRINCE OF PRINCES: i.e. the Messiah. HE SHALL BE BROKEN WITHOUT HAN d. To understand this read Isa 11:4. 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 19:20. Compare Isaiah 10:12; Isaiah 14:25; Isaiah 31:8; Micah 5:6;...