Daniel 8

Daniel 8

MacArthur - Many believe that the description here transcends that of Antiochus alone, and uses him as a type of the Antichrist who will oppose Christ during the Great Tribulation. Certainly the devious work of Antiochus and of the Antichrist is of the same heinous character. Shrewdness (07922)(sekel from sakal = to be prudent) can convey the ideas of prudence, good sense, insight, understanding but clearly here speaks of these traits in a bad sense which could be summed up as cunning, treachery (only such negative use). Sekel speaks of intelligence that is more than just mere book knowledge or learning about a particular subject. It has a greater significance and means insight or understanding. Sekel - 16v - 1 Sam 25:3; 1 Chr 22:12; 26:14; 2 Chr 2:12; 30:22; Ezra 8:18; Neh 8:8; Job 17:4; Ps 111:10; Prov 3:4; 12:8; 13:15; 16:22; 19:11; 23:9; Dan 8:25. NAS Usage: discretion(3), insight(4), intelligent*(1), repute(1), sense(1), shrewdness(1), understanding(4), wisdom(1). Deceit (04820)(mirmah) is a feminine noun meaning fraud, deceit and describes intentional misleading of someone through distorting or withholding the truth. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing through deceit (Ge 27:35; cf. Ge 34:13). Deceit fills the heart of those who plan evil (Pr. 12:20; cf. Ps. 36:3; Pr 12:5, 17; 14:8). The Septuagint (Lxx) translates mirmah with dolos which is the word of bait for fish and then spoke of any cunning contrivance for deceiving or catching (think o the Trojan horse). Dolos was used of a mouse trap. This word includes any trick or stratagem. Mirmah - 38v - Gen 27:35; 34:13; 2 Kgs 9:23; Job 15:35; 31:5; Ps 5:6; 10:7; 17:1; 24:4; 34:13; 35:20; 36:3; 38:12; 43:1; 50:19; 52:4; 55:11, 23; 109:2; Prov 11:1; 12:5, 17, 20; 14:8, 25; 20:23; 26:24; Isa 53:9; Jer 5:27; 9:6, 8; Dan 8:25; 11:23; Hos 11:12; 12:7; Amos 8:5; Mic 6:11; Zeph 1:9. Mirmah in NAS Usage: deceit(21), deceitful(6), deceitfully(2), deception(2), deceptive(1), dishonest(1), false(3), treacherous(1), treachery(2). To succeed (06743)(see salah above) is from a root which means to accomplish satisfactorily what is intended. ) is from a root which means to accomplish satisfactorily what is intended. Magnify himself in his heart (Literally = "in his heart he will act arrogantly") - Obviously this speaks of Antiochus' pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation. In fact, Antiochus Epiphanes even had coins minted which bore his image on one side and an inscription on the other (see above) which said "Antiochus, image of God, bearer of victory". He will destroy many while they are at ease (ESV = Without warning he shall destroy many; NIV = When they feel secure, he will destroy many) Destroy (corrupt)(07843)(shachath) means to decay, to go to ruin, to corrupt, to destroy (Sodom and Gomorrah = Ge 13:10, Ge 18:28, 31-32), to lay waste (Egypt from swarms of flies -Ex 8:24). At ease (KJV = by peace) - The NET note states that "The Hebrew word used here is difficult. It may refer to the security felt by those who did not realize the danger of imminent attack, or it may refer to the condition of being unaware of the impending danger." The Prince of princes - This could be a reference to God. Or possibly it is a specific reference to Messiah (cp "Messiah the Prince" in Da 9:25) Some interpreters see this as a piece of evidence that the description in Da 8:23-25 applies to someone else other than Antiochus, specifically to the end-times Antichrist. However simply observing the text Da 8:23 clearly states that a king will arise "in the latter period of their rule." This time phrase begs the question whose rule? The nearest antecedent is the "four kingdoms" that arose after Alexander died and his kingdom of Greece was divided into "four conspicuous horns." (Da 8:22, Da 8:4) So clearly the king of Da 8:23 arises from the third great world kingdom (in its divided stage). In other words this king earlier referred to as the "rather small horn" (Da 8:9) arises from 4 horns and would be essentially the "fifth" horn. In contrast the Little Horn of Da 7:7-8-note arises from the fourth kingdom (Rome) in its "10 horn" stage and would essentially be the "eleventh" horn. Notice how the subsequent description of the king (in Da 8:23) is linked by "and" (5 times) in Da 8:23-25. Given that this description applies to the king that originates from the third world kingdom, it is highly unlikely that the statement "He will even oppose the Prince of princes" now should be interpreted as describing the actions of the future Antichrist. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the future Antichrist will manifest a similar character and conduct as that ascribed to this king (Antiochus Epiphanes). And so Paul warned the saints at Thessalonica exhorting them to… Let no one in any way deceive you (implying such would be the case), for it (Day of the Lord in 2Thes 2:2) will not come unless (1) the apostasy comes first, and (2) the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) is revealed (apokalupto), the son of destruction (cp description of Antiochus - Da 8:24, 25), who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship (cp Da 8:25), so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2Thes 2:3,4) Walvoord on prince of princes - Another problem is the statement that the king “shall also stand up against the Prince of princes.” H. A. Ironside expresses a common viewpoint that the “Prince of princes can be none other than the Messiah; consequently, these words were not fulfilled in the life and death of Antiochus.” However, this objection is not unanswerable, because opposition to God, to Israel, and to the Messianic hope in general, which characterized blasphemers of the Old Testament, can well be interpreted as standing up against “the Prince of princes.” After all, Christ existed in Old Testament times as God and as the Angel of Jehovah and as the defender of Israel. Broken without human agency - Was Antiochus "broken without human agency?" The phrase means that he would not be killed by another human, but (by implication) ultimately terminated by God the Righteous Judge (cp what happened to King Herod - Acts 12:21-23 = "immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died."). Similarly the Antichrist will be defeated and destroyed by God, specifically at the return of the King of kings (see Rev 19:11-16, Rev 19:20) First Maccabees records the events surrounding the death of Antiochus… As King Antiochus (Epiphanes) was traversing the inland provinces, he heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais (Note in New American Bible = Elymais: the mountainous region of Elam, north of the Persian Gulf. This section continues the story from 1 Macc 3:37 and pertains to events preceding those in 1 Macc 4:37, 38, 39), famous for its wealth in silver and gold, 2 and that its temple was very rich, containing gold helmets, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander, son of Philip, king of Macedon, the first king of the Greeks. 3 He went therefore and tried to capture and pillage the city. But he could not do so, because his plan became known to the people of the city 4 who rose up in battle against him. So he retreated and in great dismay withdrew from there to return to Babylon. 5 While he was in Persia, a messenger brought him news that the armies sent into the land of Judah had been put to flight; 6 that Lysias had gone at first with a strong army and been driven back by the Israelites; that they had grown strong by reason of the arms, men, and abundant possessions taken from the armies they had destroyed; 7 that they had pulled down the Abomination (cp Abomination of desolation Antiochus set up in Da 11:31 - a foreshadowing of the future "Abomination of Desolation" described by Jesus in Mt 24:15 [cp Da 9:27, 2Th 2:3,4] which would mark the beginning of the horrible "indignation" [Da 8:19, Is 26:20], the "time of Jacob's distress" [Jer 30:7], Great Tribulation) which he had built upon the altar in Jerusalem; and that they had surrounded with high walls both the sanctuary, as it had been before, and his city of Beth-zur. 8 When the king heard this news, he was struck with fear and very much shaken. Sick with grief because his designs had failed, he took to his bed. 9 There he remained many days, overwhelmed with sorrow, for he knew he was going to die. 10 So he called in all his Friends and said to them: “Sleep has departed from my eyes, for my heart is sinking with anxiety. 11 I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation have I come, and in what floods of sorrow am I now! 12 Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’ But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem, when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver that were in it, and for no cause gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed. 13 I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.” 14 Then he summoned Philip, one of his Friends, and put him in charge of his whole kingdom. 15 He gave him his crown, his robe, and his signet ring, so that he might guide the king’s son Antiochus and bring him up to be king. 16 King Antiochus died in Persia in the year one hundred and forty-nine. (Note in the New American Bible on this verse = The year one hundred and forty-nine: September 22, 164, to October 9, 163 B.C. A Babylonian list of the Seleucid kings indicates that Antiochus died in November or early December of 164) Daniel 8:26 THE VISION OF THE EVENINGS AND MORNINGS WHICH HAS BEEN TOLD IS TRUE; BUT KEEP THE VISION SECRET, FOR IT PERTAINS TO MANY DAYS IN THE FUTURE: BGT Daniel 8:26 τὸ ὅραμα τὸ ἑσπέρας καὶ πρωὶ ηὑρέθη ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας καὶ νῦν πεφραγμένον τὸ ὅραμα ἔτι γὰρ εἰς ἡμέρας πολλάς --- Daniel (TH) 8:26 καὶ ἡ ὅρασις τῆς ἑσπέρας καὶ τῆς πρωίας τῆς ῥηθείσης ἀληθής ἐστιν καὶ σὺ σφράγισον τὴν ὅρασιν ὅτι εἰς ἡμέρας πολλάς LXE Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and morning that was mentioned is true: and do thou seal the vision; for it is for many days. KJV Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. NET Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that was told to you is correct. But you should seal up the vision, for it refers to a time many days from now." CSB Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true. Now you must seal up the vision because it refers to many days in the future." ESV Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." NIV Daniel 8:26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future." NLT Daniel 8:26 "This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is true. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret." NRS Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true. As for you, seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." NJB Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been revealed is true, but you must keep the vision secret, for there are still many days to go.' NAB Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings is true, as spoken; Do you, however, keep this vision undisclosed, because the days are to be many." YLT Daniel 8:26 And the appearance of the evening and of the morning, that is told, is true; and thou, hide thou the vision, for it is after many days.' GWN Daniel 8:26 The vision about the evenings and mornings that was explained to you is true. Seal the vision, because it is about things that will happen in the distant future." BBE Daniel 8:26 And the vision of evenings and mornings which has been talked of is true: and keep the vision secret; for it has to do with the far-off future. RSV Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been told is true; but seal up the vision, for it pertains to many days hence." NKJ Daniel 8:26 "And the vision of the evenings and mornings Which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, For it refers to many days in the future." ASV Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come. DBY Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which hath been told is true; but close thou up the vision, for it is for many days to come. BHT Daniel 8:26 ûmar´Ë hä`eºreb wühaBBöºqer ´ášer ne´émar ´émet hû´ wü´aTTâ sütöm he|Häzôn Kî lüyämîm raBBîm NIRV Daniel 8:26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given to you is true. But seal up the vision. It tells about a time far off." vision: Da 8:11-15 10:1 But: Da 12:4,9 Eze 12:27 Rev 10:4 22:10 For it pertains: Da 10:1,14 Isa 24:22 Ho 3:3,4 Daniel 8 Resources - multiple sermons and commentaries Keep the vision of secret (ESV, NIV, NET = "seal up the vision") in some passages can mean to authenticate or certify, but in the present passage is more compatible with shutting the vision for safekeeping and preservation. This verb could allude to the ancient practice of making a scroll secure and preserving it by "shutting" it with a wax seal. Certainly this vision was given so that the Jews of a later generation would be able to refer to it and thereby clearly recognize Antiochus Epiphanes and resist him (knowing that he would have only 2300 days in order to carry out his evil persecution of the Jews). John MacArthur on keeping the vision secret - Since he told it here (Ed: That is it was clearly not kept a total secret in the strict sense of the word!), this did not mean to shut it up to secrecy but to preserve it as truth even if not to be fulfilled for a long time. Keep… secret (shut...up - KJV) (05640)(satam) is a verb which means "to stop, to stop up. It means to plug up, to stop the function of a well by filling the well cylinder with dirt and debris (Ge. 26:15, 18). It describes the filling in of springs as well (2Kgs. 3:19, 25); or gaps in a broken wall (Neh. 4:7). It is used, with be on the front, as an adverb to mean secretly, in secret (Ps. 51:6). It means to hide or to keep something hidden, secret (Dan. 8:26; 12:4)." (Baker) Brown-Driver-Briggs Expanded Definition - Satam - סָתַם verb stop up, shut up, keep close 1 stop up springs of water 2 Kings 3:19,25; 2 Chronicles 32:3,4, compare 2 Chronicles 32:30. 2 shut up, keep close, prophetic words Daniel 8:26; Daniel 12:4,9; בְּסָתֻם Psalm 51:8 in (the) closed (chamber of the breast; "" טֻחוֺת). — כָּלסָֿתוּם Ezekiel 28:3 usually no secret is too dark for thee, but doubtful (see II. עמם); ᵐ5 σοφοί, Co חַרְטֻמִּים < Toy חֲכָמִים, or Berthol. קֹסְמִים. Niph`al Infinitive construct לְהִסָּתֵם Nehemiah 4:1 the breaches [in the walls] had begun to be stopped up. Pi`el Perfect 3 plural suffix סִתְּמוּם Genesis 26:16; Imperfect 3 masculine plural suffix וַיְסַתְּמוּם Genesis 26:18, both of stopping wells quite up (R JE). Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary says satam means - "to stop up," "to block" or "to keep secret," sātham occurs thirteen times in the Bible, ten times in the Qal stem, one time in the Niphal stem and two times in the Piel stem. The verb is widely attested in Semitic. In the Qal stem, sātham refers to stopping up a spring of water belonging to an enemy (2 Ki. 3:19, 25) and to stopping up one's own springs of water to prevent enemy forces from obtaining water to sustain them during a siege (2 Chr. 32:3f). King Hezekiah stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon in order to reroute the water by tunnel to the west side of Jerusalem (2 Chr. 32:30). Sātham is also used to refer to shutting up or sealing a book of prophecy (Dan. 12:4), to figuratively shutting up or keeping secret the words of a prophecy (v. 9) or to shutting up or sealing a vision (Dan. 8:26). The Qal passive participle is used as a noun to refer to the hidden parts of one's inner being (Ps. 51:6). Used in parallel with "inward parts," it refers to a secret, that is, something closed up in one's inner being (Ezek. 28:3). The Niphal stem is used to refer to closing up the gaps in broken city walls (Neh. 4:7). The Piel stem, with a more intensive sense, refers to stopping up a well by filling it with dirt (Gen. 26:15, 18). Satam - 13v - NAS Usage: closed(1), conceal(1), concealed(1), cut off(1), hidden part(1), keep the secret(1), secret(1), stop(1), stopped(5). Genesis 26:15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth. 18 Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them. 2 Kings 3:19 'Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.'" 25 Thus they destroyed the cities; and each one threw a stone on every piece of good land and filled it. So they stopped all the springs of water and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth only they left its stones; however, the slingers went about it and struck it. 2 Chronicles 32:3 he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him. 4 So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?" 30 It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did. Nehemiah 4:7 ¶ Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Ezekiel 28:3 Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you. Daniel 8:26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future." Daniel 12:4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." 9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Bible Knowledge Commentary - Daniel was told to seal up the vision in the sense of concluding it, not in the sense of keeping it secret, because it needed to be preserved for the future. He kept it in his mind and later preserved it in writing when he wrote it down under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al) It pertains to many days - First note that "in the future" is added by the NAS translators. Nevertheless the context does support that this time phrase is a reference to "many days" in the future. If Daniel received this vision in about 551BC and Antiochus Epiphanes did not come on the scene until 175BC, the fulfillment of this vision would not be for "many days" (in fact about ~376 years). This time phrase could also be an allusion to the fact that this historical fulfillment in Antiochus is also a foreshadowing of the Antichrist. In his fourth vision Daniel receives a similar message… Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future. Comment: This passage identifies this vision as a reference to the future culminating in the events surrounding the second coming of Christ. As an aside note that there are a number of closely related time phrases used in the OT which are eschatological (refer to future events): Latter days = Dt 4:30 31:29 Jer 30:24 48:47 Da 2:28 10:14 Last days = Isa 2:2 Je 23:20 49:39 Ho 3:5 Mic 4:1 Days to come = Ge 49:1 Isa 27:6 Nu 24:14 Related Resources: Genesis 49:1 Commentary The Great Tribulation Deuteronomy 4:30 Commentary Last-Eschatos (Greek Word Study) Daniel 8:27 THEN I, DANIEL, WAS EXHAUSTED AND SICK FOR DAYS. THEN I GOT UP AGAIN AND CARRIED ON THE KING'S BUSINESS; BUT I WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE VISION, AND THERE WAS NONE TO EXPLAIN IT: BGT Daniel 8:27 ἐγὼ Δανιηλ ἀσθενήσας ἡμέρας πολλὰς καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐπραγματευόμην πάλιν βασιλικά καὶ ἐξελυόμην ἐπὶ τῷ ὁράματι καὶ οὐδεὶς ἦν ὁ διανοούμενος --- Daniel (TH) 8:27 καὶ ἐγὼ Δανιηλ ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ἐμαλακίσθην ἡμέρας καὶ ἀνέστην καὶ ἐποίουν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἐθαύμαζον τὴν ὅρασιν καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ συνίων LXE Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fell asleep, and was sick: then I arose, and did the king's business; and I wondered at the vision, and there was none that understood it. KJV Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. NET Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up and again carried out the king's business. But I was astonished at the vision, and there was no one to explain it. CSB Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was greatly disturbed by the vision and could not understand it. ESV Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. NIV Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. NLT Daniel 8:27 Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it. NRS Daniel 8:27 So I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days; then I arose and went about the king's business. But I was dismayed by the vision and did not understand it. NJB Daniel 8:27 At this I, Daniel, lost consciousness; I was ill for several days. Then I got up to discharge my duties in the king's service, keeping the vision a secret and still not understanding what it meant. NAB Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was weak and ill for some days; then I arose and took care of the king's affairs. But I was appalled at the vision, which I could not understand. YLT Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, have been, yea, I became sick for days, and I rise, and do the king's work, and am astonished at the appearance, and there is none understanding. GWN Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up and worked for the king. The vision horrified me because I couldn't understand it. BBE Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, was ill for some days; then I got up and did the king's business: and I was full of wonder at the vision, but no one was able to give the sense of it. RSV Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days; then I rose and went about the king's business; but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. NKJ Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king's business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it. ASV Daniel 8:27 And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king's business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it. DBY Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days: then I rose up, and did the king's business. And I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. BHT Daniel 8:27 wa´ánî däniyyë´l nihyêºtî wüne|Hélêºtî yämîm wä´äqûm wä´e|`éSè ´et-müleº´ket hammeºlek wä´ešTômëm `al-hammar´è wü´ên mëbîn P NIRV Daniel 8:27 I was worn out. I lay sick for several days. Then I got up and returned to my work for the king. The vision bewildered me. I couldn't understand it. exhausted: Da 8:7 7:28 10:8,16 Hab 3:16 Carried on: Da 8:2 2:48,49 5:14 6:2,3 1Sa 3:15 but: Da 8:15-17 Daniel 8 Resources - multiple sermons and commentaries Then I Daniel was exhausted and sick for days - Donald Campbell writes - Daniel is shaken as he sees in prophetic vision a coming conflict between two great powers. Clouds of doom are gathering, which portend deep trials for his own people, the Jews… A retired United States Army colonel introduced himself after I had concluded a prophetic message at a church in a southwestern city. He seemed eager to tell his story. Having been retired from the army for only a short time, he said that the last thing he did while still in the military was to participate in a mock staging of World War III. Joining other officers from the Pentagon, he left Washington, D.C., and went to a remote underground retreat, established to carry on the affairs of government in the event of a nuclear attack. There these military men staged the "final conflict" between the nations. They projected that it would begin with a nuclear exchange between Israel and the Arab nations. The great superpowers, the U.S.A. and Russia, would next be drawn in and, finally, the European nations would join the conflict. The ensuing worldwide nuclear warfare would result in the loss of 55 million lives in the U.S.A. alone. So shaken at the prospect was this Christian army officer that he resigned his commission and now spends his time trying to reach people, especially children, with the gospel before the end comes.(Borrow Daniel, decoder of dreams - well written, practical, recommended) Related Resource: Sermon notes by Chuck Smith Doing the King's Business