DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:1 In this next vision, Daniel sees what is
to come of the Medo-Persian Empire, Alexander the Great’s empire,
and the Hellenistic empires that succeed it. The upheavals to come
will mean terrible times for God’s people, but they must endure,
knowing that God rules over all.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:3 In this vision, Daniel saw an all-powerful
RAM with TWO HORNS, ONE of which was longer THAN THE OTHER. The ram
represents the Medo-Persian Empire, with the HIGHER horn representing
the stronger, Persian part.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:5 A MALE GOAT CAME FROM THE WEST. Alexander
the Great came from Greece, which was to the “west” of both
Babylon and Persia. WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND. Alexander conquered
the mighty Persian Empire with amazing speed.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:7 HE WAS ENRAGED. Alexander’s father was
king of Macedonia and brought all of Greece under his control by 336
B.C. Alexander was only 20 when his father was murdered, but he
consolidated his hold on Greece and unified the Greeks.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:8 THE GOAT BECAME EXCEEDINGLY GREAT.
Alexander the Great’s kingdom extended all the way to India,
exceeding any kingdom before it in size. THERE CAME UP FOUR
CONSPICUOUS HORNS. After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.,
four of his generals divided his kingdom into f... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:9 A LITTLE HORN grows out of one of the four
horns and expands his realm. Most scholars identify this little horn
as Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled 175–164 B.C.). Antiochus IV tried
to unify his kingdom by forcing his subjects to adopt Greek cultural
and religious practices. H... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:11 The PRINCE OF THE HOST probably refers to
God, because of the similar expression “Prince of princes” in v.
Daniel 8:25. THE PLACE OF HIS SANCTUARY WAS OVERTHROWN. When the Jews
refused to adopt Antiochus IV’s pagan religion, he punished them
severely.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:12 Because of renewed TRANSGRESSION on the
part of God’s people, the saints and the temple sacrifices were
handed over to Antiochus IV, but only for a limited period: 2,300
EVENINGS AND MORNINGS, or a little over six years. In the end, the
little horn will be judged and the s... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:15 The angel Gabriel explains to Daniel that
the vision concerns the future of the region, which God rules for his
purposes. The vision is given to prepare God’s people for the coming
events, even the severe persecutions under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:20 Unlike the vision of ch. Daniel 7:1, the
vision of Daniel 8:3 is precisely interpreted by the angel. The
two-horned RAM represents the KINGS OF MEDIA AND PERSIA, of whom
Cyrus, king of Persia, became the dominant partner. The GOAT was THE
KING OF GREECE, Alexander the Grea... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:23 The “little horn” of v. Daniel 8:9
corresponds to a KING OF BOLD FACE, who was completely wicked. This
describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 B.C.). See note on
vv. 9–10.
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:25 HE SHALL EVEN RISE UP AGAINST THE PRINCE
OF PRINCES. This title refers to God. Antiochus IV rebels against even
God’s legitimate sovereignty, as he shows by desecrating the temple
(see note on 11:31–32).
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DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 8:27 Even though Daniel DID NOT fully
UNDERSTAND the VISION, he was nonetheless OVERCOME and APPALLED, for
he recognized the severity of the suffering coming on his own people.
Like the other prophets, he sympathized with his people when they
faced the judgment of God. Yet in s... [ Continue Reading ]