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.
In the third year: 426 B.C. (see App-50 ). Daniel being eighty-seven.
a vision . Like the vision in Daniel 7 , this also is complete in itself, but is necessary to contribute its proof of the unity of the book as a whole. This vision (and the rest of the book from here) is written in Hebrew; because its purpose is to show how Gentile dominion (of Daniel 2 ) specially concerns and affects Israel.
after . Two years after. At the end of the Babylonian empire, for Belshazaar reigned little more than two years.
2.
And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
I was at = I was in. Daniel may have retired there (during the lycanthropy of Nebuchadnezzar) when Nehemiah and Mordecai were in the court of Astyages (Nehemiah 1:1 ). That Daniel was there employed by Astyages is clear from Daniel 8:27 .
Shushan . The chief city of all Persia.
river . Hebrew. 'ubal = canal. Only here, and in verses: Daniel 8:3 , Daniel 8:6 .
3.
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
saw = looked.
a ram . In Daniel 8:20 this is interpreted of Persia. A ram is always the symbol of Persia. Found to-day on ancient Persian coins. The king wore a ram's head of gold, and rams' heads are to be seen on the sculptured pillars of Persepolis.
two horns. In Daniel 8:20 these are interpreted of the kings of Media and Persia.
higher, &c . Cyrus (the latter) became greater than his father Astyages. Both were in existence when Daniel saw the vision. Compare Daniel 8:20 .
4.
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
pushing = butting: always hostile.
westward = to the west. Not the same word as in Daniel 8:5 .
became great = acted proudly.
5.
And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
he goat = a leaper of the goats. The acknowledged symbol of Greece, as the ram was of Persia (see Daniel 8:3 ), because the first colony was directed by an oracle to take a goat for a guide and build a city, which they did, and called it Egeae (from Aix = a goat). Figures of a goat are found to-day on ancient Macedonian monuments.
from the west . Hebrew. ma'rab. Not the place of origin, but the direction from it. In Daniel 8:4 the Hebrew = to the west.
on = over.
notable = conspicuous.
6.
And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had there seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
ran unto him . Symbolizing the rapidity of Alexander's conquests, which, in the short space of thirteen years, subdued the world.
7.
And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
was moved with choler = moved himself, or strove violently with.
choler = bile. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for anger or wrath, which was supposed to be due to excess of bile. Greek, cholos = bile; whence we have "cholera".
none that could, &c . = no deliverer for.
hand = power. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power put forth by it.
8.
Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
waxed very great. Referring to the great extent of Alexander's conquests, as "ran" (Daniel 8:6 ) refers to the rapidity of them.
very = exceedingly.
great: or, proud. Compare Daniel 8:4 .
broken = broken in pieces.
for it = instead of it.
came up . Septuagint adds "afterward".
four notable ones = four conspicuous [ones].
the four winds. See note on Daniel 7:2 .
winds . Hebrew. rua c h . App-9 .
9.
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
one = [the] one.
a little horn. See note on Daniel 7:8 , where it is already shown that this name, and these members (Daniel 8:9 and Daniel 8:23 ) belong to the still future time of the end. See App-90 .
waxed = grew. Anglo-Saxon, weaxan = to grow. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "grew [and became]"
south: i.e. Egypt.
east: i.e. Babylonia and Persia.
pleasant land = the glory of [gems]: i.e. the land of Israel. Only Ezekiel ( Dan 20:6 , Dan 20:15 ) and Daniel here use this term of the Holy Land. The same land as in Daniel 11:16 , Daniel 11:41 . Compare Psalms 106:24 .Jeremiah 3:19 . Zechariah 7:14 .
10.
And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
even to = as far as.
host = stars. Compare Revelation 12:4 .
of the host and of the stars . Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ), for emphasis = the starry host.
stamped upon them = trampled them under foot. Compare Daniel 8:13 ; Daniel 7:21 , Daniel 7:25 .
them: i.e. the people symbolized by them.
11.
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
to = against.
the Prince of the host . God Himself, the Creator and Ruler of the starry host, verses Daniel 10:11 are "difficult" only if Antiochus Epiphanes is assumed to fulfil them. There is no difficulty arising from "the state of the text".
Prince = Ruler. Hebrew. sar . See note on Daniel 10:13 .
by him . . . was taken: or, it took away from Him: i.e. God.
daily sacrifice = the continual [burnt offering]: i.e. the morning and evening sacrifice (Numbers 28:3 . 1 Chronicles 16:40 . 2 Chronicles 29:7 ). This belongs to the time of the end, and was not fulfilled by Antiochus. His career was a foreshadowing of it, to show that the fulfillment will yet be exhausted by him who is "the little horn". See App-90 ; and note all the references there given (Daniel 8:11 , Daniel 8:12 , Daniel 8:13 ; Daniel 9:27 ; Daniel 11:31 ; Daniel 12:11 ). Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:38 . Numbers 28:3 ). App-92 .
12.
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
an host. Here the word is used of a military host, in opposition to the "host" of Numbers 4:23 , Numbers 4:30 , Numbers 4:35 , Numbers 4:39 , Numbers 4:43 ; Numbers 8:24 , Numbers 8:25 .
was given him against = was set over: i.e. war is raised against "the daily sacrifice".
by reason of = by.
transgression . Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .
it cast down the truth = truth was cast down. The verb is passive.
truth: i.e. the truth of God as revealed in the law and the prophets.
practised = did it with effect. Compare Daniel 8:24 .
and prospered = and succeeded.
13.
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
saint = holy [one]. An angelic attendant. Compare Daniel 4:13 .Deuteronomy 33:2 .Job 5:1 ; Job 15:15 .Psalms 89:5 , Psalms 89:7 . Zechariah 14:5 .
that certain saint = a certain [unnamed] one, or such an one, as in Ruth 4:1 . Or, a proper name Palmoni = the wonderful one, or the wonderful [numberer], as in Judges 13:18 . Isaiah 9:6 . Psalms 139:6 .
How long . . . ? Referring to the duration of what is said concerning "the daily sacrifice" and the desolation; not the interval before the fulfillment.
concerning, &c . = of "the daily sacrifice" [as taken away].
and . Supply "and [the setting up of] the desolating (or astounding) rebellion.
to give, &c. : or, after He hath given over the sanctuary, &c.
the host. Here it is the "host", the technical term for the ministers of the sanctuary. Compare Numbers 4:23 , Numbers 4:30 , Numbers 4:35 , Numbers 4:39 , Numbers 4:43 ; Numbers 8:24 , Numbers 8:25 .
14.
And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
me. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "him".
two thousand and three hundred days. See App-91 , and note on Daniel 8:26 below.
days = evenings and mornings, the times of the offering of the "continual" or daily sacrifice.
cleansed = vindicated or sanctified: in this form, occurs only here. Compare Daniel 9:24 ; and see App-90 .
15.
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
man = a mighty man. Hebrew. geber . App-14 . Here it is Gabriel, whence his name.
16.
And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
man's. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
Gabriel . The first of two angels who are named in Scripture (Compare Daniel 9:21 .Luke 1:19 , Luke 1:26 ). The second is Michael (Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Jude 1:9 . Revelation 12:7 ).
17.
So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
son of man . Only Daniel and Ezekiel so called, beside Messiah. See note on Psalms 8:4 .
at the time of the end . This gives the time to which this vision refers. See the interpretation in (verses: Daniel 8:20-25 ), and especially (verses: Daniel 8:23-25 ). See also App-90 ; and Compare Daniel 7:26 ; Daniel 9:26 ; Daniel 11:40 ; Daniel 12:4 , Daniel 12:9 , Daniel 12:13 ; and Matthew 24:14 .
shall be . Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) by reading "[belongeth]".
18.
Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
I was in = I fell into.
19.
And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
the last end . Another indication of the time of the fulfillment of the vision at the time appointed, &c.
indignation = wrath [of God].
20.
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
the kings . Here in Daniel 8:20 we have the beginning of the interpretation; which commences with past history with which the prophecy (which belongs to the future) is linked on. This is to connect the anticipatory and partial, or foreshadowing, fulfillment, which shows how the "little horn" will act, in a similar way as an individual, and not as a series of kings or popes.
21.
And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
is = representeth. It is the Figure of speech Metaphor ( App-6 ).
king: or, kingdom.
Grecia = Greece.
is the first king = representeth the first king: i.e. Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:5 ).
22.
Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
for it = in the place thereof.
four kingdoms . These are said to have been: (1) Ptolemy's (Egypt, Palestine, and some parts of Asia Minor); (2) Cassander's (Macedonia and Greece); (3) Lysimachus's (Bithynia, Thrace, Mysia, &c.); (4) Seleucus's (Syria, Armenia, and territory east of the Euphrates). But the continuity of Alexander's dominion ceased with him, and will not be seen again till "the little horn" arises.
the nation . Septuagint and Vulgate read "his nation".
not in his power: i.e. not with Alexander's vigour of action and endurance.
23.
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
the latter time of their kingdom, &c . This is a further indication as to the interpretation of this vision.
the transgressors . The Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "transgressions". Hebrew. pasha ', as in Daniel 8:12 = rebellions. Compare Daniel 9:24 .
are come to the full: or, have filled up their measure. Therefore not full yet. This is a blow to all who are vainly trying to make the world better, and to "realize the kingdom of God on earth" now.
a king of fierce countenance = a king of mighty presence. One of the titles of the antichrist. See note on Daniel 7:8 .
understanding dark sentences = skilled in dissimulation.
24.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
not by his own power. We are not told here who is the giver of the power, but we are not left in ignorance. Revelation 13:2 , and 2 Thessalonians 2:9 , 2 Thessalonians 2:10 , are clear on this point.
mighty = mighty ones.
holy People = People of the holy ones. These are "the holy ones of the Most High" (Daniel 7:18 , Daniel 7:22 ).
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.
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 5:6-7 . Zephaniah 2:13 .Zechariah 10:11 .Nahum 1:11 .
26.
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
the evening and the morning . See note on "days" ( App-90 ). These are interpreted as being 2,800 days. No one may interpret the interpretation and say they are "years".
is true = it [is] truth.
shut thou up . As in Daniel 12:4 .
it shall be, &c . Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "it [belongeth] to many days [to come]": i.e. to a yet future time
27.
And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
fainted . The Septuagint omits "fainted, and".
the king's business . In Shushan, whither he had gone. See note on Daniel 8:2 .
astonished = dumb.
understood = became aware of.