Daniel 8:23

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, etc.] Toward the close of the kingdom of the four kings that divided Alexander’s kingdom; for though they were four distinct kings, and had four separate kingdoms, yet these all belonged to one kingdom or monarchy, the Grecian empire; and when that was decreasing, and coming into the hands of the Romans, there rose up, stood, and flourished awhile, King Antiochus, afterwards described, who began to reign in the hundred and thirty seventh year of the Seleucidae, “And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of…”

“transgressors are come to the full--This does not hold good of the times of Antiochus, but of the closing times of the Christian era. Compare Luk 18:8, and Ti2 3:1-9, as to the wickedness of the world in general just before Christ's second coming. Israel's guilt, too, shall then be at the full, when they who rejected Christ shall receive Antichrist; fulfilling Jesus words, "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" (compare Gen 15:16; Mat 23:32; Th1 2:16). of fierce countenance-- (Deu 28:50); one who will spare neither old nor young. understanding dark sentences--rather, "artifices" [GESENIUS]. Antiochus made himself…”

“And in the latter time of their kingdom - When it shall be drawing to an end. All these powers were ultimately absorbed in the Roman power; and the meaning here is, that taking the time from the period of their formation - the division of the empire after the battle of Ipsus (see the notes at Daniel 8:8), until the time when all would be swallowed up in the Roman dominion, what is here stated - to wit, the rise of Antiochus - would be in the latter portion of that period. The battle of Ipsus was fought 301 b.c., and the Roman power was extended over all those regions gradually from 168 b.c. - the battle of Pydna, when Perseus was defeated, and Macedonia was reduced to a Roman province, to 30…”

“8:23-25 The small horn (8:9) was a fierce king. The description matches Antiochus IV (175–163 BC), one of the Seleucids (cp. 11:21-45). He bore the name “Epiphanes” (“The Manifest Presence [of God]”), but many, including Jews, mockingly called him “Epimanes” (“Mad Man”). By desecrating the Temple and Jewish worship (8:11-12), Antiochus tried to destroy Judaism and unify his kingdom under the cult of Hellenistic culture. Some Jews were swept up in the program of Hellenism and adopted Greek ways.”

“in the: Dan 10:14; Num 24:24; Eze 38:8, Eze 38:16; Ti1 4:1 when: Gen 15:16; Mat 23:32; Th1 2:16 come: Heb. accomplished a king: The Roman empire, which reduced Judea to a province, burnt the city and temple, and scattered the Jews to the four winds of heaven. Dan 8:9-12, Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:25; Deu 28:50 and understanding: Dan 8:25, Dan 11:21, Dan 11:24; Th2 2:9-11; Rev 13:11-14, Rev 19:20 shall stand: Dan 8:6 Daniel 8:24”