daniel-8:1-4-nvi

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 8:1-14

Here is, I. The date of this vision, Dan. 8:1. It was in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar, which proved to be his last year, as many reckon; so that this chapter also should be, in order of time, before the fifth. That Daniel might not be surprised at the destruction of Babylon, now at hand, God gives him a foresight of the destruction of other kingdoms hereafter, which in their day had been as potent as that of Babylon. Could we foresee the changes that shall be hereafter, when we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:1

In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar ,.... Which some say F20 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 28. p. 81. was the last year of his reign; but, according to Ptolemy's canon, he reigned seventeen years; and so says Josephus F21 Antiqu. l. 10. c. 11. sect. 4. ; however, this, as well as the preceding vision, were seen before what happened recorded in the "fifth" and "sixth" chapters. The following vision was seen by Daniel, according to Bishop Usher F23 Annales Vet. Test. A. M.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:2

And I saw in a vision ,.... The following things: and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam ; not in reality, but so it seemed to him in the vision; as Ezekiel, when in Babylon, seemed in the visions of God to be at Jerusalem, Ezekiel 8:3 . This city Shushan, or Susa, as it is called by other writers, and signifies a "lily", was so called from the plenty of lilies that grew about it, or because of the pleasantness of it; it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:3

Then I lifted up mine eyes ,.... To see what was to be seen in this place, where he in the vision was brought; he lifted up the eyes of his understanding, being enlightened by the vision of prophecy, and the eyes of his body, to which objects of corporeal things formed in the fancy were represented: and saw, and, behold ; he saw something wonderful in a visionary way, and which struck his mind, and raised his attention: there stood before the river ; the river Ulai, near Shushan, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:4

I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward ,.... That is, with his horns, as rams do; these kingdoms using all their power and strength, wealth and riches, in fighting with and subduing nations, and pushing on their conquests in all parts here mentioned; to the west, Babylon, Syria, Asia, and part of Greece; to the north, Iberia, Albania, Armenia, Scythia, Colchis, and the inhabitants of the Caspian sea; and to the south, Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and India; all which places... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:1

In the third year of the reign of - Belshazzar - We now come once more to the Hebrew, the Chaldee part of the book being finished. As the Chaldeans had a particular interest both in the history and prophecies from Daniel 2:4 ; to the end of chap. 7, the whole is written in Chaldee, but as the prophecies which remain concern times posterior to the Chaldean monarchy, and principally relate to the Church and people of God generally, they are written in the Hebrew language, this being the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:2

I saw in a vision - Daniel was at this time in Shushan, which appears to have been a strong place, where the kings of Persia had their summer residence. It was the capital of the province of Elam or the Elymais; which province was most probably added to the Chaldean territories by Nebuchadnezzar; see Jeremiah 49:34 , Jeremiah 49:35 . Here was Daniel's ordinary residence; and though here at this time, he, in vision, saw himself on the banks of the river Ulai. This is the same as the river... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:3

A ram which had two horns - In the former vision there were four beasts, pointing out four empires; in this we have but two, as only two empires are concerned here, viz., the Grecian and the Persian. The Babylonish empire is not mentioned; its fate was before decided, and it was now at its close. By the ram, the empire of the Medes and Persians was pointed out, as explained by the angel Gabriel, Daniel 8:20 ; and particularly Cyrus, who was the founder of that empire. Cyrus was the son... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:4

I saw the ram pushing westward - The Persians, who are signified by the ram, as well as their founder Cyrus, pushed their conquests west, north and south. The principal theater of their wars, says Calmet, was against the Scythians, northward; against the Greeks, westward; and against the Egyptians, southward. He did according to his will - There was no other nation at that time that could stay the progress of the Persian arms. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:1

Verse 1 Here Daniel relates another vision, differing from the former as a part from the whole. For God wished to show him first what various changes should happen before Christ’s advent. The second redemption was the beginning of a new life, since God then not only restored afresh his own Church, but as it were created a new people; and hence the departure from Babylon and the return to their country are called the second birth of the Church. But as God at that time afforded then only a taste... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 8:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 8:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 8:1

Group of Brands