What Does it all Mean Part 2
Introduction
The Fourth Beast
These may be 10 Seleucid rulers. While seven of these rulers are easily identifiable, the other three are unknown. The number 10 may also be a round symbolic number, which is a common feature in apocalyptic literature. For those who believe the fourth beast is Rome, the 10 horns may represent a 10-nation confederation that will arise during a seven-year tribulation period preceding Christ’s return.
for a time and two times and half a time The approximate duration of Antiochus’ Jewish persecution—three-and-a-half years. If the little horn is the antichrist, this is the final three-and-a-half years of the tribulation period.
The writer now starts talking about what Antiochus did in Jerusalem, and translators may begin a new paragraph at this point.
Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year: Chislev is the name of one of the Jewish months. GNB spells it “Kislev,” which we prefer. The fifteenth day of Chislev corresponds to December 7. The one hundred and forty-fifth year of the Seleucid kingdom in Syria is the year 167 B.C. It is possible to begin this verse with “On the seventh day of December [or, Early in December] of the year 145 of the Syrian Kingdom,” but it will involve problems later on. In verse 59 something is dated to the twenty-fifth day of the month, and we cannot be certain at that point if the reference is to ten days after the event here, or to a monthly occurrence. The best solution is probably to follow GNB, which has “On the fifteenth day of the month Kislev in the year 145.” The following footnote could be added: “This corresponds to a date in early December (perhaps December 7) in 167 B.C.”
They erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering: Instead of they erected, The printed Greek texts read “he erected,” so GNB translates “King Antiochus set up.” However, most manuscripts read “they erected,” which might refer to the renegade Jews, but more likely the king’s officials (see the comments on verse 58). In Greek the next sentence certainly has the subject pronoun “they” (They also built …), so it seems best to read it here also as in RSV. NEB uses the passive voice in this sentence as well as the next one; it is a neat solution, and those who are able to do this may certainly choose to do so. However, in languages that do not have a passive voice, translators may use the pronoun “they” or the phrase “the king’s officials.” The desolating sacrilege (NEB “abomination of desolation”) is also referred to in Dan 9:27; 11:31; and 12:11 (compare Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14). Most scholars interpret this to refer to the altar mentioned in verse 59, an altar built over the Temple’s sacrificial altar, and dedicated to Zeus, chief of the Greek gods (compare 2 Macc 6:2). Other scholars see it as an idol. Whatever its identity, it was an “Awful Horror” (GNB) or “Horrible Thing” (CEV) to faithful Jews—something unspeakably insulting and offensive to their faith. Translators would do well to check their translation of the phrase in Daniel and the Gospels, and use here the same phrase used there, if appropriate. Upon the altar of burnt offering may be expressed as “on the altar for burnt offerings in front of the Temple.”
They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah: Here GNB resorts to the passive voice, since it understood the pronoun “he” as subject of the preceding sentence. If translators follow the Handbook’s preference for a plural subject in the preceding sentence, the subject here can be simply They. GNB renders altars as “pagan altars” to make it clear that these were altars where pagan gods were worshiped. Another possible model is “altars dedicated to foreign gods.” For in the surrounding cities of Judah, GNB provides a helpful model with “in the towns throughout Judea” (GNB). NEB is similar with “throughout the towns of Judaea.”
54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; 55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. 56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. 57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death. 58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. 59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. 60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. 61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. 63 Wherefore they chose rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died. 64 And there was very great wrath upon Israel.