Antiguo Testamento

Daniel — Capítulo 8

This chapter contains Daniel's vision of the ram and he-goat, Dan 8:1-14; referring, as explained by the angel, to the Persian and Grecian monarchies, Dan 8:15-26. The little horn mentioned in the ninth verse, (or fie…

Versión

Texto — Reina-Valera 1960

1En el año tercero del reinado del rey Belsasar me apareció una visión a mí, Daniel, después de aquella que me había aparecido antes.

2Vi en visión; y cuando la vi, yo estaba en Susa, que es la capital del reino en la provincia de Elam; vi, pues, en visión, estando junto al río Ulai.

3Alcé los ojos y miré, y he aquí un carnero que estaba delante del río, y tenía dos cuernos; y aunque los cuernos eran altos, uno era más alto que el otro; y el más alto creció después.

4Vi que el carnero hería con los cuernos al poniente, al norte y al sur, y que ninguna bestia podía parar delante de él, ni había quien escapase de su poder; y hacía conforme a su voluntad, y se engrandecía.

5Mientras yo consideraba esto, he aquí un macho cabrío venía del lado del poniente sobre la faz de toda la tierra, sin tocar tierra; y aquel macho cabrío tenía un cuerno notable entre sus ojos.

6Y vino hasta el carnero de dos cuernos, que yo había visto en la ribera del río, y corrió contra él con la furia de su fuerza.

7Y lo vi que llegó junto al carnero, y se levantó contra él y lo hirió, y le quebró sus dos cuernos, y el carnero no tenía fuerzas para pararse delante de él; lo derribó, por tanto, en tierra, y lo pisoteó, y no hubo quien librase al carnero de su poder.

8Y el macho cabrío se engrandeció sobremanera; pero estando en su mayor fuerza, aquel gran cuerno fue quebrado, y en su lugar salieron otros cuatro cuernos notables hacia los cuatro vientos del cielo.

9Y de uno de ellos salió un cuerno pequeño, que creció mucho al sur, y al oriente, y hacia la tierra gloriosa.

10Y se engrandeció hasta el ejército del cielo; y parte del ejército y de las estrellas echó por tierra, y las pisoteó.

11Aun se engrandeció contra el príncipe de los ejércitos, y por él fue quitado el continuo sacrificio, y el lugar de su santuario fue echado por tierra.

12Y a causa de la prevaricación le fue entregado el ejército junto con el continuo sacrificio; y echó por tierra la verdad, e hizo cuanto quiso, y prosperó.

13Entonces oí a un santo que hablaba; y otro de los santos preguntó a aquel que hablaba: ¿Hasta cuándo durará la visión del continuo sacrificio, y la prevaricación asoladora entregando el santuario y el ejército para ser pisoteados?

14Y él dijo: Hasta dos mil trescientas tardes y mañanas; luego el santuario será purificado.

15Y aconteció que mientras yo Daniel consideraba la visión y procuraba comprenderla, he aquí se puso delante de mí uno con apariencia de hombre.

16Y oí una voz de hombre entre las riberas del Ulai, que gritó y dijo: Gabriel, enseña a este la visión.

17Vino luego cerca de donde yo estaba; y con su venida me asombré, y me postré sobre mi rostro. Pero él me dijo: Entiende, hijo de hombre, porque la visión es para el tiempo del fin.

18Mientras él hablaba conmigo, caí dormido en tierra sobre mi rostro; y él me tocó, y me hizo estar en pie.

19Y dijo: He aquí yo te enseñaré lo que ha de venir al fin de la ira; porque eso es para el tiempo del fin.

20En cuanto al carnero que viste, que tenía dos cuernos, estos son los reyes de Media y de Persia.

21El macho cabrío es el rey de Grecia, y el cuerno grande que tenía entre sus ojos es el rey primero.

22Y en cuanto al cuerno que fue quebrado, y sucedieron cuatro en su lugar, significa que cuatro reinos se levantarán de esa nación, aunque no con la fuerza de él.

23Y al fin del reinado de estos, cuando los transgresores lleguen al colmo, se levantará un rey altivo de rostro y entendido en enigmas.

24Y su poder se fortalecerá, mas no con fuerza propia; y causará grandes ruinas, y prosperará, y hará arbitrariamente, y destruirá a los fuertes y al pueblo de los santos.

25Con su sagacidad hará prosperar el engaño en su mano; y en su corazón se engrandecerá, y sin aviso destruirá a muchos; y se levantará contra el Príncipe de los príncipes, pero será quebrantado, aunque no por mano humana.

26La visión de las tardes y mañanas que se ha referido es verdadera; y tú guarda la visión, porque es para muchos días.

27Y yo Daniel quedé quebrantado, y estuve enfermo algunos días, y cuando convalecí, atendí los negocios del rey; pero estaba espantado a causa de la visión, y no la entendía.

ADAM CLARKE BIBLE COMMENTARY

Versículo 1

I. In the third year of the reign of - Belshazzar - We now come once more to the Hebrew, the Chaldee…

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 Dan 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 tongue in which God chose to reveal all his counsels given under the Old Testament relative to the New.

Versículo 2

II. I saw in a vision - Daniel was at this time in Shushan, which appears to have been a strong place…

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 Jer 49:34, Jer 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 Euleus, which divided Shushan or Susiana from Elymais.

Versículo 3

III. A ram which had two horns - In the former vision there were four beasts, pointing out four empire…

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, Dan 8:20; and particularly Cyrus, who was the founder of that empire. Cyrus was the son of Cambyses, king of Persia; and grandson of Astyages, king of Media, by his daughter Mandane, who had been given in marriage to Cambyses. Cyrus marrying Roxana, the daughter and only child of his uncle Cyaxares, called in Scripture Ahasuerus, succeeded to both crowns, and thus united Media and Persia. A ram was the symbol of the Persians; and a ram's head with two horns, one higher than the other, appears as such in different parts of the ruins of Persepolis. See the plates of these ruins in the supplement to the seventh volume of the ancient part of the Universal History. This ram had two horns; that is, two kingdoms, viz., Media and Persia; but one was higher than the other; and the higher came up last. Media, signified by the shorter horn, was the more ancient of the two kingdoms. Persia, the higher horn, had come up but lately, and was of little historic or political consequence till the time of Cyrus; but in the reigns of this prince and his immediate successors, Persia attained a political consequence greatly superior to that possessed at any time by the kingdom of Media; therefore, it is said to have been the higher, and to have come up last.

Versículo 4

IV. I saw the ram pushing westward - The Persians, who are signified by the ram, as well as their fou…

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.

Versículo 5

V. Behold, a he-goat - This was Alexander the Great; and a goat was a very proper symbol of the Grec…

Behold, a he-goat - This was Alexander the Great; and a goat was a very proper symbol of the Grecian or Macedonian people. Bp. Newton very properly observes that, two hundred years before the time of Daniel, they were called Aegeadae, the goats' people; the origin of which name is said to be as follows: Caranus, their first king, going with a multitude of Greeks to seek a new habitation in Macedonia, was advised by an oracle to take the goats for his guides; and afterwards, seeing a herd of goats flying from a violent storm, he followed them to Edessa, and there fixed the seat of his empire, and made the goats his ensigns or standards; and called the place Aege or Aegea, the goats' town; and the people Aegeadae, the goats' people; names which are derived from αιξ, αιγος, a goat. The city Aege or Aegea, was the usual burying-place of the Macedonian kings; and, in reference to this origin, Alexander called his son by Roxana, Alexander Aegus, Alexander the goat. All this shows the very great propriety of the symbol here used. Came from the west - Europe lies westward of Asia. On the face of the whole earth - Carrying every thing before him. Touched not the ground - Seemed to fly from conquest to conquest. By the time Alexander was thirty years of age he had conquered all Asia: and, because of the rapidity of his conquests, he is represented as a leopard with four wings, in the preceding vision. A notable horn between his eyes - This, says the angel, is the first king, Dan 8:21, that is, the first kingdom of the Greeks in Asia, which was erected by Alexander; and continued some years in his brother Philip Aridaeus, and in his two young sons, Alexander Aegus and Hercules. See Newton.

Versículo 6

VI. And he came to the ram - This and the following verse give an account of the overthrow of the Per…

And he came to the ram - This and the following verse give an account of the overthrow of the Persian empire by Alexander. And ran unto him in the fury of his power - The conflicts between the Greeks and the Persians were excessively severe. Alexander first vanquished the generals of Darius, at the river Granicus, in Phrygia; he next attacked and totally routed Darius, at the straits of Issus, in Cilicia; and afterwards at the plains of Arbela, in Assyria. One can hardly read these words, says Bp. Newton, "the ram - which I had seen standing by the river, ran unto him in the fury of his power," without having the image of Darius' army standing and guarding the river Granicus and of Alexander on the other side, with his forces plunging in swimming across the stream, and rushing on the enemy, with all the fire and fury that can be conceived.

Versículo 7

VII. And brake his two horns - Subdued Persia and Media; sacked and burnt the royal city of Persepolis…

And brake his two horns - Subdued Persia and Media; sacked and burnt the royal city of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian empire, and, even in its ruins, one of the wonders of the world to the present day. This he did because "he was moved with choler" against Darius, who had endeavored to draw off his captains with bribes, and had labored to induce some of his friends to assassinate him. Alexander, finding this, would listen to no proposals of peace; and was determined never to rest till he had destroyed Darius and his whole empire. In Media, Darius was seized and made prisoner by some of his own treacherous subjects, and afterwards basely murdered. There was no power in the ram to stand before him - Alexander's victories over the Persians were as easy as they were rapid and decisive. He cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him - Totally destroyed the family, and overturned the whole monarchy.

Versículo 8

VIII. The he-goat waxed very strong - He had subdued nearly the whole of the then known world.

The he-goat waxed very strong - He had subdued nearly the whole of the then known world. The great horn was broken - Alexander died in the height of his conquests, when he was but about thirty-three years of age. His natural brother, Philip Aridaeus, and his two sons, Alexander Aegus and Hercules, kept up the show and name of the Macedonian kingdom for a time; but they were all murdered within fifteen years; and thus the great horn, the Macedonian kingdom, was broken, Alexander's family being now cut off. And for it came up four notable ones - The regal family being all dead, the governors of provinces usurped the title of kings; and Antigonus, one of them, being slain at the battle of Ipsus, they were reduced to four, as we have already seen. 1. Seleucus, who had Syria and Babylon, from whom came the Seleucidae, famous in history. 2. Lysimachus, who had Asia Minor. 3. Ptolemy, son of Lagus, who had Egypt, from whom sprang the Lagidae. And, 4. Cassander, who had Greece and the neighboring countries. These held dominion towards the four winds of heaven. Cassander had the western parts, Lysimachus had the northern regions, Ptolemy possessed the southern countries, and Seleucus had the eastern provinces.

Versículo 9

IX. Out of one of them came forth a little horn - Some think that Antiochus Epiphanes is meant; but B…

Out of one of them came forth a little horn - Some think that Antiochus Epiphanes is meant; but Bp. Newton contends that it is the Roman government that is intended; and although very great at its zenith, yet very little in its rising. Waxed - great toward the south - The Romans made Egypt a province of their empire, and it continued such for some centuries. Toward the east - They conquered Syria, and made it a province. Toward the pleasant land - Judea, so called Psa 106:24; Jer 3:19; Dan 11:16, Dan 11:41. It is well known that they took Judea, and made it a province; and afterwards burnt the city and the temple, and scattered the Jews over the face of the earth.

Versículo 10

X. The host of heaven - The Jewish hierarchy. The stars, the priests and Levites. The powers or host…

The host of heaven - The Jewish hierarchy. The stars, the priests and Levites. The powers or host of heaven are probably intended by our Lord, Mat 24:29, to signify the whole Jewish hierarchy.

Versículo 11

XI. Even to the prince of the host - They seemed, in this case, to fight against God himself.

Even to the prince of the host - They seemed, in this case, to fight against God himself. The daily sacrifice was taken away - By the destruction of the city and temple; and has never been restored from that day until now.

Versículo 12

XII. And a host was given him - That is, power; or perhaps the host of heaven - the priesthood - the w…

And a host was given him - That is, power; or perhaps the host of heaven - the priesthood - the whole sacrificial system, by reason of transgression. They had filled up the measure of their iniquities, in rejecting the Lord that bought them; and the daily sacrifice, being no longer of use, was given up with the rest to destruction. Cast down the truth - Probably the whole Jewish ritual and religion. Practiced, and prospered - Prosperity or success followed all their acts.

Versículo 13

XIII. One saint speaking, and another saint said - One angel asked another how long the sanctuary was t…

One saint speaking, and another saint said - One angel asked another how long the sanctuary was to be trodden down?

Versículo 14

XIV. Unto two thousand and three hundred days - Though literally it be two thousand three hundred even…

Unto two thousand and three hundred days - Though literally it be two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings. Yet I think the prophetic day should be understood here, as in other parts of this prophet, and must signify so many years. If we date these years from the vision of the he-goat, (Alexander's invading Asia), this was A.M. 3670, b.c. 334; and two thousand three hundred years from that time will reach to a.d. 1966, or one hundred and forty-one years from the present a.d. 1825. This will bring it near to the time mentioned Dan 7:25 (note), where see the note.

Versículo 15

XV. As the appearance of a man - Supposed to be the Messiah.

As the appearance of a man - Supposed to be the Messiah.

Versículo 17

16. At the time of the end shall be the vision - Or, as Houbigant, "The vision shall have an end at t…

At the time of the end shall be the vision - Or, as Houbigant, "The vision shall have an end at the proper time."

Versículo 20

17. The ram which thou sagest - See this explained under the vision itself, Dan 8:3 (note), etc.

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

Versículo 22

18. But not in his power - The four kingdoms which shall arise out of the Macedonian empire shall not…

But not in his power - The four kingdoms which shall arise out of the Macedonian empire shall not be of Alexander's power or family, nor have his strength and dignity.

Versículo 23

19. When the transgressors are come to the full - When the utmost degradation has taken place, by the…

When the transgressors are come to the full - When the utmost degradation has taken place, by the buying and selling of the high priesthood; for Onias was ejected for a sum of money, to make room for wicked Jason; and Jason again was supplanted for a greater sum by a worse man, if possible, than himself, Menelaus; and the golden vessels of the temple were sold to pay for this sacrilegious purchase. Thus transgressions were come to the full, before the Romans had commission to destroy Jerusalem and its temple, etc. A king of fierce countenance - The Roman government, as before; for king is often taken for kingdom or empire. Understanding dark sentences - Very learned and skillful in all things relating to government and its intrigues. The learning of Rome is proverbial to the present time.

Versículo 24

20. But not by his own power - The strength of the other kingdoms consisted in themselves; but the Ro…

But not by his own power - The strength of the other kingdoms consisted in themselves; but the Roman empire, as a horn or kingdom of the goat, was not mighty by its own power - was not strong by virtue of the goat, but drew its nourishment and strength from Rome and Italy. There grew the trunk and body of the tree; though the branches extended over Greece, Asia, Syria, and Egypt. - Bp. Newton. Shall destroy wonderfully - In the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans ninety-seven thousand Jews were made captives, and eleven hundred thousand were slain. So they destroyed this once mighty and holy people!

Versículo 26

21. He shall cause craft to prosper - They subdued as many by their diplomatic skill and political in…

He shall cause craft to prosper - They subdued as many by their diplomatic skill and political intrigues as they did by the sword. He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes - Against Christ, for it was by the Roman authority that he was condemned to death and crucified; and their persecutions had nearly destroyed the Christian religion; but the house was founded on a rock. But he shall be broken without hand - The tide was turned by the invisible hand of God; and thus heathen Rome was overcome, and converted to Christianity. The vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true - That mentioned in Dan 8:14. For it shall be for many days - Not less than two thousand three hundred years!

Versículo 27

22. Daniel fainted - To foresee the desolations that were coming on the land, the city, the temple, a…

Daniel fainted - To foresee the desolations that were coming on the land, the city, the temple, and the people. Did the king's business - Transacted the affairs of state that belonged to my department, after having been sick for certain days through the effects of this vision. He had a pious and feeling heart; and he was distressed for the desolations that were coming upon his people.

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