Daniel 8

Daniel 8:1

AT the first] in the first yeare of Belshazzar, Daniel 7:1.

Daniel 8:2

I was] some hold that he was there in vision, as Ezek. 8. 3. & 40. 2. Others corporally, which seemes to be confirmed by Daniel 10:4. and that the Province of Shushan was then under the Babylonians Empire, whereof notwithstanding, the stories make no mention Palace] the place of royall residence where the Kings of Persia afterwards kept their Court, and dwelt one part of the yeare Of Elam] namely of Persia Of Ulai] called by historians Eulean.

Daniel 8:3

A [Ram] a figure of the Persian and Median Empire, signified by the two hornes, Dan. 2. 39. & 7. 5 But one] namely, the Persian, which though it was founded upon the Median; grew a great deale greater then it, by the means of Cyrus the Persian his victories, Who took away Media from his Grandfather, and afterwards took Babylon, and many countries moe.

Daniel 8:4

Westward] See Daniel 7:5 What e] and none could hinder his enterprizes nor actions.

Daniel 8:5

An e Goat] a figure of the Grecians kingdome under Alexander. v. 21. See Dan. 2. 39. & 7. 6 From the west] namely, from Greece and Macedon west from Asia, where the Prophet was, and where the Persians reigned The whole] so those great Monarchies through ambition called themselves universall; though they possessed but a small part of the world, Daniel 2:39. Yet it was that which was most esteemed, and best knowne Touched not] whereby is signified Alexanders extreame celerity in his conquests, as if he had flien; and not walked. See Daniel 7:6 A notable borne] the Italian, A crooked borne] this is Alexanders person in his kingdome, which is signified by the Goat.

Daniel 8:6

And he came] a description of Alexanders acts against Persia, by which he overthrew the Empire, and made himselfe Lord of Asia.

Daniel 8:8

The great] that is to say, Alexander died suddenly in the flower of his age, and the middle of all his victories Foure] these are the foure Satrapies or kingdomes of the Grecians, which were seazed upon, by Alexanders Captaines, out of the shipwrack of his Empire. Babylon towards the East, Asia towards the North, Macedonia towards the West, and Egypt towards the South, which in processe of time came to two: the Seluecides towards the North; and the Lagides towards the South. Daniel 11:5-6.

Daniel 8:9

Out of one] namely; out of the Seleucides, who reigned in Asia, and Babylon A little born] namely; Antiochus Epiphanes Toward the South] in Egypt, which Antiochus seazed upon, Daniel 11. 25. 40, 43 The East] in Persia, which was also conquered by Antiochus The pleasant land] the land of Israel, so called in Scripture, by reason of its great prerogatives: both spirituall and temporall. See Jer. 1. 3. 19. Ezek. 20. 6. 15. Dan. 11. 16. 41, 45. Zach 7. 14. See of these enterprizes of Antiochus upon Judea. Daniel 11:30. and the following verses.

Daniel 8:10

Even to the] even to war against Gods Church, which is as heaven; where God dwelleth in grace: and where the faithfull doe hold the place of Angels, Isay 14 13. Dan. 8. 24. & 11. 32.

Daniel 8:11

Even to the Prince] daring to push at God himselfe, by blaspheming him, and violating his service and glory. See Dan. 7. 25. & 11. 22, 36 The daily sacrifice] namely; the morning and evening sacrifice. Exodus 29:38. Numbers 28:3. whereby is meant, all Gods service. See 1Ma 1:47.

Daniel 8:12

And an hoste was given] the faithfull shall be in great danger of apostating from the true religion; and Antiochus shall give them many occasions to doe it, and shall seek to induce them to it: and the Lord shall put them to this triall, Daniel 11:32; Daniel 11:35 Cast downe] all use, preaching, and profession of Gods truth, and doctrine of salvation shall be forbidden and suppressed by Antiochus; Who, did seek to destroy even the very books of the law, 1Ma 1:59.

Daniel 8:13

One Saint] an Angell, The vision] that is to say; the things signified by it The transgression] the idolatry of the Olimpian Jupiter, which Antiochus had set up in the Temple, instead of Gods pure service, 2Ma 6:1. which caused the extreame desolation of the Temple: in some, spirituall; by apostacy: in othersome, bodily; by persecutions and torments, Dan. 11. 31. & 12. 11.

Daniel 8:14

He said unto me] for that Angell, had asked that question in Daniels name: and for to instruct him concerning it Vnto two] this time containes six yeares, three moneths, and eighteen dayes: and, that ending at the purification of the Altar, 1Ma 4:25. it is likely that we must take the beginning of it, from that time which is set downe, 1Ma 1:12. & 2Ma 4:23 Of evening and morning] the Italian addeth dayes] that is to say; the day and night of foure and twenty hours. Genesis 2:5 Cleansed] the Italian, Justified] that is to say, freed by Gods just judgement, from Antiochus his tyranny: Who had made it a receptacle of Idols; to be againe according to its first institution, the holy Temple of the true God. Others, it shall be purified from its uncleannesses.

Daniel 8:15

The appearance] namely, the Angell Gabriell in humane shape. v. 16. Daniel 9:21.

Daniel 8:16

Betweene] the Italian, in the mids of] betweene the two banks of that river, or in some Island incompassed by it Gabriel] the name of an Angell, which signifieth, strong man of God. See Daniel 9:21. Luke 1:26.

Daniel 8:17

The vision] the things foretold in it, shall happen about the time of the Messias his comming, who shall fulfill the prophesies and the old age. For to bring in a new one, by renewing the state of the Church. See Ezek. 38 8. Daniel 9:24.

Daniel 8:18

A deepe sleepe] that is to say, in my propheticall extasie, I lost all manner of action and motion, like a man that were overcome with sleepe.

Daniel 8:19

What shall be] what shall befall the Jews in these last afflictions, which God shall send them for a punishment for their sins: after which; shall be revealed the great and eternall reconciliation in Christ, Daniel 9:24; Daniel 11:36 The end] there shall be a certain prefixed time, for the lasting of these calamities. Daniel 11:35.

Daniel 8:21

The first King] namely, Alexander.

Daniel 8:22

The nation] namely, of the Greek or Macedonian nation, though not of Alexanders posterity.

Daniel 8:23

Of their Kingdome] Over Gods people, who, after Antiochus, did shake off the yoake of the Seleucides: Daniel 7:22. who notwithstanding a long time after that; raigned over the remainder of their Kingdome The transgressors] Which are amongst Gods people Are come to the ull] Of open impietie, and formall apostasie: Dan. 11. 30. 1 Mal 1:12 A King]namely, Antiochus Epiphanes: Dan. 7. 20. and 11. 21 Darke sentences] See Daniel 7:8.

Daniel 8:24

Not by his owne power] But by his cunning devices, and the perfidiousnesse and trecheries of other men, Daniel 11:23 The mighty] Great Kings and Princes; and especially them of Epypt, Daniel 11:25 The holy people] namely, The Church of God.

Daniel 8:25

His policy] His cunning and deceits By peace] See 1 Mac. 1. 30. 31, 32 The Prince] namely, against God himselfe; who is King of kings, v. 11 Broken downe] shall perish, stricken by God, and not by men, 1 Mac. 6 8.

Daniel 8:26

The vision] Concerning that determined number of dayes, v. 14 Shut thou up] As Isaiah 8:16. Daniel 12:4. Keepe it to thy selfe, and reserve it in writing for posterity, without much publishing of it at the present; for it is not so much for the use of this age, as for the use of ensuing ages.