Daniel 8.23-In the Latter Part of the Reign of the Four Kings, A Bold Face King Will Assume by Intrigue
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Tuesday September 3, 2013
Daniel: Daniel 8:23-In the Latter Part of the Reign of the Four Kings, a Bold-Face King Will Assume Power By Intrigue
Lesson # 250
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 8:1.
Daniel 8:1 During the third year of Belshazzar’s reign, the king, a vision appeared to me, I, Daniel after the one appearing to me previously. 2 Indeed, I was staring because of this vision. Specifically, I myself was in a trance like state staring as I myself was in Susa, the citadel, which was in the province of Elam. Furthermore, I was staring because of this vision as I myself was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 Then, I lifted up my eyes and then I was staring as behold a ram was standing in front of the canal with it possessing two horns. Furthermore, the two horns were long. However, one was longer than the other with the longer one growing up last. 4 I saw this ram continually butting westward as well as northward and in addition southward as all the beasts could by no means stand in front of it. Furthermore, none could deliver out from its power so that it acted according to its desire. Indeed, it became great. 5 Then, I myself was in a trance like state as behold a male-goat who is ruler over the goats, was traveling from the west over the earth’s surface. In fact, it was not touching the earth’s surface. Also, this male-goat had a conspicuous horn between its eyes. 6 Next, it traveled up to the ram possessing two horns which I saw standing in front of the canal. In fact, it charged against it in a powerful rage. 7 Consequently, I saw it wage an attack opposing this ram while causing itself to become enraged against it. Indeed, it repeatedly struck this ram so as to shatter its two horns. Also, there was no ability in the ram to stand in front of it. Then, it drove it to the ground as well as trampled on it repeatedly. Indeed, to the detriment of the ram, there was none who could deliver from its power. 8 So the male-goat who is the ruler over the goats was very great. However, as soon as it became powerful, the unusual horn was broken. Then, in its place, four conspicuous ones arose towards the heaven’s four winds. 9 Next, from one of them, a small horn in comparison emerged which grew excessively large toward the south as well as the east and in addition the beautiful land. 10 Specifically, it grew larger than the heaven’s host. Indeed, it caused some of this host, yes some of these stars to fall to the earth. Also, it trampled on them. 11 It even presented itself as great as the host’s Commander while taking away the daily sacrifice from Him so that His holy place was abandoned. 12 Consequently the host along with the daily sacrifice were delivered over to it through transgression. Also, it caused the truth to be thrown to the ground. Indeed, it executed, yes it succeeded. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and a holy one said to this particular one who was speaking, “How long is the vision, the daily sacrifice, specifically the transgression making desolate so as to deliver over both the sanctuary as well as the host to be trampled?” 14 Consequently he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings, and mornings. Then, the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.” 15 Now, I was in a trance like state staring at this vision, which I, Daniel desired to understand as behold one like a man in appearance was standing directly in front of me. 16 Then, I heard a human being’s voice between the banks of the Ulai. Indeed, it ordered and said “Gabriel, enable this one to understand the vision.” 17 Therefore, he approached my location. Indeed, when he approached, I was terrified so that I fell upon my face. Then, he said to me, “Please, understand descendant of Adam that the vision extends to the end time.” 18 Now while he was speaking with me for my benefit, I was caused to enter the state of being in a deep sleep with my face to the ground. However, he touched me so that he caused me to stand upon my feet. 19 Then, he said, “Behold, I am about to cause you to know what will take place during the righteous indignation related to the end because the vision extends to an appointed period of time related to the end. 20 This ram which you saw possessing the two horns represents the kings ruling over Media as well as Persia. 21 Also, the male-goat, the shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece. In addition, the unusual horn which was between its eyes represents the first king. 22 Furthermore, the one which was broken and in whose place four took its position, represents four kings taking its position from his nation but not by means of its power.” (My translation)
Daniel 8:23 “In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue.” (NASB95)
“In the latter period of their rule” is composed of the preposition bĕ (בְּ) (beh) “in” and its object is the noun ʾǎ·ḥǎrîṯ (אַחֲרִית) (akh-ar-eeth´), “the latter period of” and then we have the noun mǎl∙ḵûṯ (מַלְכוּת) (mal-kooth), “rule.”
The noun ʾǎ·ḥǎrîṯ means “the end, the latter time, the latter end, later in the time” since it refers to the last point of a period of time.
The noun mǎl∙ḵûṯ means “dynasty” referring to the succession of rulers of the same line of descent and refers to a family which holds power for a long time and thus speaks of the dynasty of the four kings who are Alexander the Great’s four generals.
It does not mean “reign” referring to the time during which the four kings ruled nor does it mean “rule” referring to a period during which a specific ruler or rulers exercises control or power over a nation.
The reason is that history tells us that Antiochus Epiphanes was not the direct descendant of one of these four generals but rather he was one of a succession of rulers that descended from Seleucus.
The noun ʾǎ·ḥǎrîṯ is also the object of the preposition bĕ, which means “during” since it is a marker of an extent of time within a larger unit indicating that Gabriel is telling Daniel that a king will take another’s position “during” the latter part of the dynasty of the four kings represented by the four horns.
“When the transgressors have run their course” is composed of the preposition k- (ךְּ־) (kee), “when” and its object is the verb tā·mǎm (תָּמַם) (taw-mam´), “have run” which is followed by the verb pā·šǎʿ (פָּשַׁע) (paw-shah´), “the transgressors.”
The verb pā·šǎʿ means “to rebel” referring to the act of being in open defiance of an authority who in our context is the God of Israel.
The verb tā·mǎm means “to be brought to an end” and is used of those kings who descended from the kings represented by the four horns which history records represents Alexander the Great’s four generals who divided up his kingdom after his death.
Therefore, this verb refers to these kings “being brought to their end.”
The subject of this verb is not a reference to those in Israel who rebelled against the God of Israel since there is nothing in Daniel chapter eight which would indicate this.
In fact, in the vision of this chapter, Israel is symbolically persecuted by the king who will emerge from the four kings replacing the king represented by the broken horn who history tell us is Alexander the Great.
The preposition b- is a temporal marker and means “following” since it is marking this king as succeeding the reign of those who came from the four kings and rebelled against the God of Israel.
The preposition denotes that this king who will be wicked and persecute Israel will follow a long line of kings who will rebel against the God of Israel.
“Insolent” is composed of the adjective ʿǎz (עַז) (az), “insolent” and the noun pā∙ně(h) (פָּנֶה) (paw-neh), which is not translated.
This adjective ʿǎz means “strong and is employed with the masculine plural form of the noun pā∙ně(h), which means “countenance” or “face.”
Therefore, this expression describes this king as literally as “strong of countenance” or we would say he was “bold-face.”
“Will arise” is the verb ʿā∙mǎḏ (עָמַד) (aw-mad), which means “to take another’s position” indicating that the king represented by the small horn “will take the position of” another king implying that this king will take the throne of a kingdom from another person who was the rightful heir.
This same verb appeared in Daniel 8:22 where it meant “to take another’s position” and was used of the four horns indicating that they took the position of the unusual conspicuous horn after it was broken.
Now, here in verse 23, the verb is used of the king represented by the small horn who unlike the four kings represented by the four horns, will assume the throne through intrigue.
“And skilled in intrigue” presents the reason for the previous statement that the king represented by the small horn will take a throne from its rightful heir.
“Skilled in intrigue” is composed of the verb bîn (בִּין) (bene), “skilled in” and the noun ḥî·ḏā(h) (חִידָה) (khee-daw´), “intrigue.”
The verb bîn means “to have skill” referring to possessing a specialized knowledge which one can effectively implement but since the participle form of this verb is functioning as a substantive, it means “master” referring to someone with consummate skill in a particular area.
The noun ḥî·ḏā(h) is in the plural and means “plots” referring to a secret plan for accomplishing an evil or unlawful end.
Therefore, these two words indicate that the king represented by the small horn will assume the throne of a kingdom, which he is not the rightful heir, as a result of being skilled in intrigue.
Daniel 8:23 “Then, during the latter part of their dynasty, following those who rebel being brought to their end, a bold-face king will take another’s position because of being a master of intrigue.” (My translation)
Gabriel now proceeds to give Daniel the interpretation of the small horn which is described in verses 9-12.
The elect angel informs him that this small horn represents a king who will appear on the pages of history during the latter part of the dynasty of the four kings.
History tells us that these four kings were Ptolemy, Casander, Lysimachus and Seleucus.
Gabriel goes on to tell Daniel that this king represented by the small horn in the vision will follow those who rebel being brought to their end, which is a reference to the kings preceding the king represented by the small horn who descended from the four kings and were a part of their dynasty.
The angel tells Daniel that this king represented by the small horn will take another’s position as a result of being a master of intrigue.
This refers to the fact that this king will assume the throne of a kingdom in which he is not the rightful heir.
History records that this king was Antiochus Epiphanes IV who was the eighth king of the Seleucid dynasty in Syria reigning from 175-164 B.C.
In 175 B.C., he ascended the throne of the Seleucid dynasty after murdering his brother.
History confirms that God is omnipotent in that He brought to pass that which He predicted through the vision recorded here in Daniel chapter eight.
In the sixth century B.C. Daniel received this vision and interpretation from Gabriel.
As we have seen the ram with the two horns represented Medo-Persia, the male goat represents Greece and the conspicuous horn of the male goat represents Greece’s first king which history records as being Alexander the Great.
The fact that this horn was broken represents Alexander’s death and the four horns which emerged after him represent Alexander’s four generals.
Now, here in verse 23, Gabriel begins to interpret the meaning of the small horn.
The interpretation and the vision of the small horn coupled with history makes clear that this king represented by the small horn is Antiochus Epiphanes IV.
History confirms that the book of Daniel as well as the rest of the Bible is inspired by God since this book predicted in the sixth century B.C. that Greece would be a world-wide empire defeating Medo-Persia.
The book of Daniel predicted that a great ruler of the Greeks would die at the height of his power and have his empire divided up by his four generals.
God predicted in the sixth century B.C. that a king would emerge from the dynasty of Alexander’s four generals and would assume power by intrigue and then persecute the Jewish people.
This prophetic vision in chapter eight and history also confirms that God is sovereign in that He alone decided that this would all take place in history.
God is sovereign over the nations in that He raises up men to power and deposes them from power like Alexander the Great, his four generals and Antiochus Epiphanes IV (Daniel 2:20-23).
All this should compel God’s people here in the twenty-first century to trust God’s Word to govern their lives rather human viewpoint which is propagated through the media today.
It teaches God’s people to trust in God’s Word and not in rulers or politicians since they have received their power to rule from God Himself.
Daniel 8:23 along with the rest of Daniel chapter eight and the book of Daniel should cause us to exercise faith in God’s Word rather than in the word of men, or human viewpoint which is expressed in psychology, philosophy and politics today.
The fulfillment of the prophecies contained in Daniel chapter eight regarding the Medo-Persian Empire, the Greek Empire, Alexander the Great and his four generals along with Antiochus Epiphanes IV should serve as an encouragement to God’s people that God is in control of history.
The prophecies contained in Daniel chapter eight served as a great encouragement to the faithful remnant in Israel who lived during the time when these great empires and individuals reigned over all the earth since it told them that God was in control and had a plan.
It told them that God gave these empires and individuals their power and that they did not achieve their power without God.
As we have noted many times, this prophetic vision recorded in Daniel chapter eight took place in the sixth century B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes and his persecution of the Jewish people did not appear on the pages of history until the second century B.C. and thus God is forewarning the nation of Israel of this persecution.
He is encouraging the faithful Jewish remnant in Israel that this persecution will only last a certain amount of time and will end.
In fact, God will judge Antiochus Epiphanes and remove him from power.
The fact that God warns the faithful remnant in Israel in this prophetic vision centuries before the persecution led by Antiochus Epiphanes took place reveals that warns His people before they face undeserved suffering and persecution.
In 2 Timothy 3:11, the apostle Paul forewarns Timothy and all church age believers that those who live godly lives in fellowship with Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
By God forewarning us of persecution, He is reminding us that He is sovereign and in control and not those who persecute us.
