Daniel 8:25

“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand, etc.] His schemes were laid in such deep policy, and he managed so artfully and craftily in the execution of them, that he commonly succeeded; as in getting the kingdom of Syria from his nephew; and, under a pretence of peace and friendship, and to defend Philometer king of Egypt, a minor, and by large promises to the nobles of the land, made himself master of it; and by deceitful methods he prevailed in Judea; (see <271121>Daniel 11:21,22,24): and he shall magnify himself in his heart; swell with pride, on account of success, through his policy, craft, and cunning, and think himself above all mortals, and equal to God…”

“by peace--by pretending "peace" and friendship; in the midst of security [GESENIUS], suddenly striking his blow (compare Note, see on Jer 15:8). "A spoiler at noon-day." also . . . against the Prince of princes--not merely against the Jews (Dan 8:11; Dan 11:36). broken without hand--by God's special visitation. The stone "cut out of the mountain without hands," that is, Christ is to smite the world power image on his feet (Dan 2:34), that is, in its last development (compare Dan 7:11). Antiochus horrible death by worms and ulcers, when on his way to Judea, intending to take vengeance for the defeat of his armies by the Maccabees, was a primary fulfilment, foreshadowing God's judgment on the…”

“And through his policy - The word rendered “policy” here (שׂכל s'êkel) means, properly, intelligence, understanding, wisdom; and then, in a bad sense, craft, cunning. So it is rendered here by Gesenius, and the meaning is, that he would owe his success in a great measure to craft and subtilty. He shall cause craft to prosper in his hand - He shall owe his success in a great measure to a crafty policy, to intrigue, and to cunning. This was true in an eminent sense, of Antiochus. See his history in Prideaux, above referred to, and the books of Maccabees. Compare the notes at Daniel 11:21. The same character is given of him by Polybius, “Relig.” lib. xxi. c. 5, tom. iv. p. 501, ed.…”

“8:25 The Prince of princes is the King of Israel, the ruler of heaven and earth (7:9-10, 13-14). Antiochus, at the time of his death, exalted himself as God and intended to destroy Jerusalem. • he will be broken: Just as Antiochus IV’s rise was not by his own power (8:24), so he was destroyed by God’s hand rather than by human power. His end was to be eaten by worms (1 Maccabees 6:7-16 and 2 Maccabees 9:4-28; cp. Herod Agrippa, Acts 12:20-23).”

“through: Dan 8:23, Dan 8:24, Dan 7:8, Dan 11:21-25, Dan 11:32, Dan 11:33 magnify: Dan 8:11, Dan 11:36, Dan 11:37; Jer 48:26 peace: or, prosperity, Dan 11:21 stand: Dan 8:11, Dan 11:36; Rev 17:14, Rev 19:16 but: Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Dan 7:26, Dan 11:45; Job 34:20; Lam 4:6; Act 12:23; Rev 19:19-21 Daniel 8:26”