SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:23
Y al cabo del imperio de éstos, cuando los prevaricadores estan en su colmo, se levantará un rey altivo de rostro, y entendido en dudas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:23
Verse 23. When the transgressors are come to the full] When the utmost degradation has taken place, by the buying and selling of the high priesthood; for Onias was ejected for a sum of money, to make room for wicked Jason; and Jason again was supplanted for a greater sum by a worse man, if possible, than himself, Menelaus; and the golden vessels of the temple were sold to pay for this sacrilegious purchase. Thus transgressions were come to the full, before the Romans had commission to destroy Jerusalem and its temple, &c. A king of fierce countenance] The Roman government, as before; for king is often taken for kingdom or empire.
Understanding dark sentences] Very learned and skillful in all things relating to government and its intrigues. The learning of Rome is proverbial to the present time.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And in the latter time of their kingdom , etc.] Toward the close of the kingdom of the four kings that divided Alexander’s kingdom; for though they were four distinct kings, and had four separate kingdoms, yet these all belonged to one kingdom or monarchy, the Grecian empire; and when that was decreasing, and coming into the hands of the Romans, there rose up, stood, and flourished awhile, King Antiochus, afterwards described, who began to reign in the hundred and thirty seventh year of the Seleucidae, “And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.” (1 Maccabees 1:10) and 166 B.C., and the same year that he set up the abomination of desolation in the temple at Jerusalem, as Mr. Mede has observed, Aemilius the Roman consul conquered Perseus king of Macedon, whereby all Greece came into the hands of the Romans; so that this king may be truly said to arise and stand in the latter part of the Grecian empire, when that was declining, and the Roman empire was taking place: when the transgressors are come to the full ; many among the Jews, who apostatized from their religion, turned Heathens, even some of the priests, when their number was completed, and they had filled up the measure of their iniquities; in the Apocrypha: “In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. etc.” (1 Maccabees 1:11) a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up ; meaning Antiochus; as is generally agreed, both by Jewish and Christian interpreters, and to whom these characters agree: he was “hard of face” f400 , as it may be rendered; an impudent brasen faced man, who had no shame nor fear in him; regarded neither God nor man; committed the most atrocious crimes in the most public manner; and particularly was daring and impudent in his blasphemy against God and the true religion; and it may also signify that he was cruel, barbarous, and inhuman, especially to the Jews, as his persecution of them abundantly proves: and his “understanding dark sentences”, or “riddles” f401 , which he could both propose and answer, shows him to be sagacious and cunning, well versed in wicked craft and policy; he had the art of inveigling and deceiving men; it was by deceit and cunning he got the kingdom from his nephew; and, by the wicked art of persuasion he was master of, he seduced many of the Jews to relinquish their religion, and embrace Heathenism; and so well skilled he was in wicked politics, that he could cover his own designs, and penetrate into the secrets of others; according to Jacchiades, he was skilful in the art of magic and astrology. This is the little horn that was to rise out of one of the four horns or kingdoms; as Antiochus did from that of Seleucus, and stood and reigned more than twelve years.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Daniel's vision of the ram and the he-goat. (Dan. 8:1-14) The interpretation of it. (Dan. 8:15-27)
Dan. 8:1-14 God gives Daniel a foresight of the destruction of othe kingdoms, which in their day were as powerful as that of Babylon. Coul we foresee the changes that shall be when we are gone, we should be less affected with changes in our own day. The ram with two horns wa the second empire, that of Media and Persia. He saw this ram overcom by a he-goat. This was Alexander the Great. Alexander, when abou thirty-three years of age, and in his full strength, died, and showe the vanity of worldly pomp and power, and that they cannot make a ma happy. While men dispute, as in the case of Alexander, respecting the death of some prosperous warrior, it is plain that the great Firs Cause of all had no more of his plan for him to execute, and therefor cut him off. Instead of that one great horn, there came up four notabl ones, Alexander's four chief captains. A little horn became a grea persecutor of the church and people of God. It seems that the Mohammedan delusion is here pointed out. It prospered, and at one tim nearly destroyed the holy religion God's right hand had planted. It is just with God to deprive those of the privileges of his house wh despise and profane them; and to make those know the worth of ordinances by the want of them, who would not know it by the enjoymen of them. Daniel heard the time of this calamity limited and determined but not the time when it should come. If we would know the mind of God we must apply to Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdo and knowledge; not hid from us, but hid for us. There is muc difficulty as to the precise time here stated, but the end of it cannot be very distant. God will, for his own glory, see to the cleansing of the church in due time. Christ died to cleanse his church; and he wil so cleanse it as to present it blameless to himself.
Dan. 8:15-27 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 tha long-continued calamities were foretold. The vision being ended, charge was given to Daniel to keep it private for the present. He kep 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 thos 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 ar intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if tru believers, look forward to a happy issue. Thus should we endeavour to compose our minds for attending to the duties to which each is appointed, in the church and in the world __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ובאחרית 319 מלכותם 4438 כהתם 8552 הפשׁעים 6586 יעמד 5975 מלך 4428 עז 5794 פנים 6440 ומבין 995 חידות׃ 2420
