Accused. They were punished as false witnesses; (Calmet) and the king justly made them suffer what they would have inflicted on the innocent, being convinced that Daniel had only acted according to his devotion. (Worthington) --- These wretches deserved to perish, though they had spoken nothing but the truth. (Haydock) --- Wives. Many examples of such punishments occur, (Calmet) as it was presumed that children and wives were infected by the bad example, and would imitiate it, (Junius) if they had not concurred already. (Menochius) --- This must have been the case, to make it just. (Haydock) See Joshua vii. --- Abominand\'9c leges, says Ammianus, speaking of the customs of Persia, per quas ob noxam unius omnis propinquitas perit. (Calmet) CHAPTER VI. Baltassar. Chaldee: a letter is wanting. (Haydock) --- This Baltassar was slain. (Chap. v.) (Calmet) --- The two visions happened before that event. (Worthington) --- The. Protestant: "visions of his head, upon his bed. Then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters." (Haydock) Winds, to imply the tumults occasioned by fresh kingdoms (Worthington) in the world. (Theod.) Four great beasts; viz. the Chaldeans, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires. But some rather choose to understand the fourth beast of the successors of Alexander the great, more especially of them that reigned in Asia and Syria, (Challoner) or in Egypt. (Chap. ii. 40.) (Haydock) Man. The emperors of Babylon were forced to confess that they were nothing more. (Calmet) --- Their cruel and rapid conquests (Worthington) are denoted by this monstrous animal. Its wings shew how the lands were divided between the Medes and Persians. Perhaps Neriglissor, &c. shared a part. (Chap. v. 1.) (Calmet) Bear, which is cruel, and eats what is set before it greedily. (Worthington) --- Side. Cyrus did not attack the Jews. (St. Jerome) --- He stood ready to attack the Chaldeans. --- Three. He ruled over the Medes and Chaldeans, as well as over the Persians. (Calmet) --- Rows. Greek: "wings or sides" of an animal, (Haydock) or "bones." (Grotius) --- Cyrus was always at war; and Justin (1.) says, that Tomyris II. of Scythia, ordered his head to be cut off, and thrown into a vessel full of blood. His troops are styled robbers, Jeremias li. 48. The ambition of Cambyses, Hystaspes, &c. are insatiable. Leopard, a small spotted beast, may denote the size and disposition of Alexander, as well as his rapid conquests. When he was asked how he had subdued so many, he answered, "by never putting off." (Calmet) --- Four. He led his forces on all sides; (Haydock) and after his death, his empire was divided into four, (Worthington) Egypt, Syria, Asia, and Macedon, (Theod.) as he had united in his person the empire of the Chaldees, Medes, Persians, and Greeks. (Calmet) Unlike. It is not named: but shews the incomparable power of the Romans, governed by kings, consuls, tribunes, dictators, emperors, at different times. (Worthington) --- This in the opinion generally received, which we shall explain. Yet many think that the kingdoms of Syria and Egypt are designated, as Chap. ii. 40. St. Jerome acknowledged that what is understood of antichrist, had been partly verified in Epiphanes, his figure. The beast was to be slain before the coming of the Son of man. (verses 11, 26.) It would persecute for three years and a half; but God would grant victory to his saints, as he did to the Machabees. Yet they only exhibited a faint idea of what has been done by the Church. The same subject is treated, Chap. xi. Many things caused the dominion of the successors of Alexander to be unlike that of others. It was never united, and was very destructive to the Jews. (Calmet) --- Horns. That is, ten kingdoms, (as Apocalypse xvii. 12.) among which the empire of the fourth beast shall be parcelled: or ten kings of the number of the successors of Alexander, as figures of such as shall be about the time of antichrist. (Challoner) --- Epiphanes was the eighth king, and Laomedon, Antigonus, and Demetrius, had been governors of Syria before. Most understand this of antichrist, whom Epiphanes foreshewed. Others think that it points out Vespasian, the tenth successor of C\'e6sar, who made war on the Jews. The same prediction may regard different events, as the abomination (Chap. ix.) may allude to the profanations committed by Epiphanes, by the Romans at the last siege, and by antichrist. Others apply this to the Turkish empire, which may be paving the way for the great antagonist of Christ. (Calmet) Dioclesian and Julian may also be meant, as well as other forerunners of the man of sin. (Haydock) --- He shall overcome many, but his fury shall continue but a short time. (ver. 25.) (Worthington) Little horn. This is commonly understood of antichrist. It may also be applied to that great persecutor, Antiochus Epiphanes, as a figure of antichrist. (Challoner) --- He was the youngest son of Antiochus the great, and was a hostage of Rome. While he was returning, his elder brother died, and Epiphanes excluded his son Philometor, of Egypt, and the usurper Heliodorus. He also defeated three, Philometor, on the south; Artaxias, king of Armenia, on the east; and the strength, or God's people, verse 24. and Chap. viii. 9. --- Man. He gained several at first, by his affability. --- Things: blasphemy. (1 Machabees i. 23. 43.) (Calmet) Ancient. The Son is born of the Father, and the Holy Ghost proceeds from both, yet all three are coeternal. (Worthington) --- Hence the Father is sometimes painted in this manner, though he be a pure spirit. His throne resembled that seen by Ezechiel, Chap. i. (Haydock) --- He takes cognizance of all, and punishes accordingly. (Calmet) Fire. Psalm xcvi. 3. --- Thousands. Greek implies one million and one hundred millions. (Menochius) --- The angels are very numerous, particularly the highest, styled assistants. (St. Thomas Aquinas; Worthington) Spoke. I wished to see how the king would be punished. He felt the hand of God as he was going to destroy all the Jews, when he pretended to repent. (1 Machabees vi. and 2 Machabees ix. 4.) His successors could not much disturb the Jews. (ver. 13.) (Calmet) Time. Each of the four empires had its period assigned. That of Rome attracted the prophet's attention most, and is mentioned first. (Menochius) Heaven. Christ appeared about sixty years after the subversion of the Syrian monarchy. Yet these expressions literally refer to his second coming. (Matthew xxvi. 64.) (Calmet) --- He had the form of man, as he had the nature. (Menochius) --- He is clearly predicted. by his power antichrist is overthrown. (Worthington) Destroyed. The eternal dominion of Christ could not be expressed in stronger terms. He seems to allude to them, Matthew xxviii. 18. (Calmet) Earth. The first was on the point of disappearing. (Chap. v. 31.) (Haydock) Most High, (Th.) or rather Chaldee: "the very high saints of God;" as also verses 22, 25, and 27. Saints. The Machabees at last prevailed. Christ will punish the Jews. (Matthew xxiv. 30.) Greater. Chaldee: "unlike," as verse 7. Epiphanes was a greater scourge of the Jews than any of the preceding. CHAPTER VII. Mightier. Chaldee again, "unlike." Antiochus the great had lost many provinces: but his son was the most implacable enemy of God's people. He subdued them, Egypt and Armenia; or his three competitors. (verse 8.) Against, or "over against," like an accuser. Sym.: "as if he were God." --- Laws. He did this with regard to the Jews, (1 Machabees i. 41.) (Calmet) prohibiting their festivals. Antichrist will do the like, and pretend to work miracles. (Haydock) --- A time, &c. That is, three years and a half; which is supposed to be the length of the duration of the persecution of antichrist. (Challoner) (Apocalypse xi. 2. and xii. 14.) --- Josephus (Bel. pref. [Jewish Wars, preface]) says the sacrifices were discontinued so long, or rather this time elapsed from the publishing his edict till the temple was purified. During six months, people offered sacrifice clandestinely. (1 Machabees iv. 36. 52.) Him. The power of the Machabees was too limited, to be here understood. The Church and Christ must be meant. Word. The angel spoke no more at this time. (Calmet) Beginning. This vision was to explain what he had seen Chap. vii. respecting the four monarchies. The conflict of the Persians with Alexander, after two hundred years and twenty years, is here described. (Worthington) Castle; some read "city." Here the kings had a palace; and Hystaspes, &c. generally resided in it. Nabuchodonosor seems to have subdued Elam. Cyrus had it for his share; but Darius, the Mede, appears from Eschylus to have plundered Susa again. Daniel probably spent the latter part of his life in this city. (Calmet) --- Gate, or "stagnant water;" ( paludem. ver. 3. Haydock) though most understand the river Euleus, on the side of Susiana. The prophets often sought retired places. (Chap. x. 4.; Ezechiel i. l.) (Calmet) A ram. The empire of the Medes and Persians. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- Cyrus, the founder, was allied to both. --- Higher, denoting the Persians; or Hystaspes, and his posterity, the second branch of the royal family, which reigned to the end: whereas Cambyses was the only one of the race of Cyrus who succeeded to the throne. Others think that he alludes to Codomannus, whom Alexander certainly attacked. --- Afterward is not in Hebrew. St. Jerome supposed that another ram was designated, but it is the same. South. Codomannus reigned in peace for two years, when he was invaded. But his predecessors had made war chiefly in Greece, Scythia, and Egypt. The stupendous preparations of Xerxes against Greece only accelerated the fall of his own kingdom, by irritating the two nations. (Calmet) A he-goat. The empire of the Greeks, or Macedonians. --- He touched not the ground. He conquered all before him with so much rapidity, that he seemed rather to fly than to walk upon the earth. --- A notable horn. Alexander the great. (Challoner) --- He succeeded his father when only twenty years old, and the next year was chosen generalissimo of the Greeks against Persia, which he invaded at the head of 30,000 foot and 4,000 horses, having only seventy talents of silver and provisions for one month. With this he attacked the most flourishing empire, and conquered it in less than four years' time, when Darius was slain in the year 3674 [326 B.C.]. Alexander survived only six years and ten months, yet subdued so many nations that it is almost incredible that he should have travelled over them. He is the belly of brass and the leopard, Chap. ii. 39. and vii. 6. (Calmet) --- He died in the midst of his prosperity, (Haydock) when not quite thirty-three years old, (Worthington) and left no heirs to succeed him. This conqueror would be painted with two horns, to intimate that he was the son of Jupiter Ammon. (Calmet) Hand. He routed all the forces of his enemy (Haydock) at the Granicus, at Issus; and at Gaugamela, (Calmet) or Arbela, Darius escaped, but was slain by his own servants. (Haydock) --- The clemency of the conqueror towards the fallen royal family is not here specified. (Calmet) Broken, by death. Usher, in the year 3681 [319 B.C.] --- Four. Seleucus, Antigonus, Philip, and Ptolemeus, the successors of Alexander, who divided his empire among them. (Challoner) --- Other generals held out for some time. Philip was only a nominal king; Antipater governed Macedon and Greece. Syria, Asia, and Egypt, formed three other kingdoms. All four marked out by the four heads of the leopard. (Chap. vii. 6.) But the prophet is intent upon Syria and Egypt, which had most to do with the Jews. (Calmet) A little horn. Antiochus Epiphanes, a descendant of Seleucus. He grew against the south and the east, by his victories over the kings of Egypt and Armenia; and against the strength, that is, against Jerusalem and the people of God. (Challoner) --- He persecuted God's people, and set up the idol of Jupiter Olympius in the very temple. (Worthington) Even unto, or against the strength of heaven. So are here called the army of the Jews, the people of God, (Challoner) and particularly the teachers. Many priests gave way to idolatry. (1 Machabees i. 48. and 2 Machabees iv. 14.) (Calmet) Strength; the God of armies, (Haydock) over whom Epiphanes seemed to triumph. Strength. Hebrew: "the army was delivered up to him, for the," &c. While several contended for the high priesthood, and imitated the manners of the Greeks, the sacrifices were neglected, and then Antiochus prevailed. (2 Machabees iv. 7.) --- Ground. The ambitious pontiffs, as well as the king and his officers, kept not their promises. Onias, the lawful high priest, being displaced, went to seek redress at Antioch, in the asylum at Daphne. Andronicus prevailed on him to come out by treacherous promises, and slew him; whereupon even Epiphanes wept, and ordered the murderer to be punished. (2 Machabees iv. 32.) The following year he entered Jerusalem, and committed horrible profanations. Another. We do not inquire how the angels explained themselves, or whether they instruct each other. This conversation was for the prophet's information. (Calmet) --- One angel asked the other a question about futurity. (Worthington) Days. That is, six years and almost four months; which was the whole time from the beginning of the persecution of Antiochus till his death. (Challoner) --- He began A. [in the year] 143, and died A. [in the year] 149, according to the era of Seleucus. (Haydock) --- The temple was purified in the mean time. (1 Machabees i. 21. and vi. 16.) (Worthington) --- Full days are specified. Sacrifice entirely ceased for three years, in the year 145. (Chap. vii. 25.) Sym. [Symmachus?] has 2,400, others 2,200, as quoted by St. Jerome. We know not whether the solar year of 365 days, or the lunar of 354, be meant. Ver 16. Between, in an island formed by the river. It was the Son of God, (Calmet) or St. Michael, (St. Jerome) directing Gabriel to explain the vision. Man. So Ezechiel is usually styled, to shew that the human nature is different from that of angels, and would be greatly honoured by Jesus Christ, who takes this appellation. (Worthington) --- Of the end, or determined. This shall take place, (Calmet) but the period is distinct. (Grotius ver. 26.) Malediction. Hebrew: "wrath" against the people of God, and their enemies. (Calmet) Is. Hebrew: " are the kings," (Haydock) including all. (ver. 3.) Nation, yet not his children. (ver. 8.) Shameless. Hebrew: "hard," cruel, and impudent, as Epiphanes was. (1 Machabees i. 2.) Marcellinus styles him "wrathful and savage." --- Sentences, making use of artifice to seize the estates of his nephew Philometor, and to oppress the Jews. (2 Machabees v. 24.) (Calmet) --- The history speaks of Antiochus: antichrist is also meant, as Chap. xii. and Matthew xxiv. (Worthington) By. Hebrew: "not to his (Alexander's) strength." (ver. 22.) Epiphanes conquered Egypt and the Jews: but the former had an infant king, and the latter were unprovided. He shewed more cunning than prowess. Prince: God. --- Hand of man. He confessed that he was justly punished. (1 Machabees vi. 10.) Greek: "He shall raise himself by the ruin of many, and he shall break them like eggs with his hand." Morning of this day, or of what shall happen in certain full days. (ver. 14.) --- Seal. When the predictions were to take place, soon they were dated and published. (Calmet) --- This will remain obscure till after the event. (St. Jerome) --- What regarded the temple, happened in 300 years' time. But it alludes also to antichrist. (St. Gregory, Mor. xxx. 12.) (Worthington) Business, at Susa. Nabuchodonosor had given him the province of Babylon. --- It. All prophecies have a degree of obscurity before they be accomplished. Hebrew may intimate that none could tell the cause of his anxiety. (Calmet)