Daniel 8:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 8:15-27

Here we have, I. Daniel's earnest desire to have this vision explained to him (Dan. 8:15): I sought the meaning. Note, Those that rightly know the things of God cannot but desire to know more and more of them, and to be led further into the mystery of them; and those that would find the meaning of what they have seen or heard from God must seek it, and seek it diligently. Seek and you shall find. Daniel considered the thing, compared it with the former discoveries, to try if he could... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:20

The ram which thou sawest having two horns ,.... Here begins the particular explanation of the above vision, and of the first thing which the prophet saw in it, a ram with two horns: which two horns, he says, are the kings of Media and Persia ; Darius the first king was a Mede, and Cyrus, that succeeded him, or rather reigned with him, was a Persian: or rather the ram with two horns signifies the two kingdoms of the Medes and Persians united in one monarchy, of which the ram was an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:20

The ram which thou sagest - See this explained under the vision itself, Daniel 8:3 ; (note), etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:20

Verse 20 We have previously given a brief explanation of all these subjects. But here the angel removes all doubt, lest we should still anxiously inquire the meaning of the ram which Daniel saw, and of the he-goat which followed and prostrated the ram. The angel, therefore, here pronounces the ram to represent two kingdoms, which coalesced in one. Cyrus, as we have said, granted it for a time to his father-in-law Cyaxares, but yet; drew the whole power to himself, and the Persians began to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:1-27

EXPOSITION 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. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:3-22

Two world-empires. "The ram which thou sawest," etc. ( Daniel 8:20 , Daniel 8:21 ). The only way in which the substance of the vision can be legitimately treated seems to us the expository. But be it remembered that the exposition of a chapter like this is really an explication of the gradual unfolding of a part of the history of the kingdom of God antecedent to the Incarnation. We set up here simply directing-posts to mark the way. Note particularly the partial character of this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:9-25

The scourge of Israel. "He shall stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand" ( Daniel 8:25 ). As in the previous homily, we give a mere directive outline, for the help of those who may care to make the antichrist of the later Hebrew time the subject of treatment. The sketch given by the prophet undoubtedly applies to Antiochus Epiphanes. The only question has been raised by those who wish to throw discredit on the supernatural in prophecy, and who, struck... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:13-26

Prophecy's sure fulfilments. "Unto evenings and mornings, two thousand and three hundred; The vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true" ( Daniel 8:14 , Daniel 8:26 ). Two thousand three hundred days, that is, six years and a hundred and ten days. Whence reckoned? To what time? The cleansing of the sanctuary took place under Judas Maccabaeus, December 25, b.c. 165. Reckoning back two thousand three hundred days, we come to August 1, b.c. 171. Up to this latter date... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:13-27

The place of angelic ministration. Angels appear upon Daniel's visionary scene, and indicate the manifold services they discharge for men. In all probability they have individual and special qualifications for different kinds of service. The utmost variety of gift is consistent with wisdom, happiness, and purity. I. OBSERVE THEIR HOLY CHARACTER . They are denominated "saints," i.e. "holy ones." Our Lord distinctly styles them by this epithet, "the holy angels." They are capable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 8:20

The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. All the versions—the Septuagint, Theodotion, the Peshitta, and the Vulgate—have read, not מַלְכֵי , as we find in the Massoretic text, but מֶלֶד The ancient construct case in Hebrew was formed by adding י to the root. Possibly this may be a survival of that usage. In this case the change is due to scribal blunder. When we turn to Jeremiah 25:25 and Jeremiah 51:11 , Jeremiah 51:58 , we have the same... read more

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