the reigning prince. Bp. Newton (who is followed by Mr. Wintle and most others) reckons them thus: Cambyses (or Ahasuerus) son of Cyrus; Smerdis, the Artaxerxes of Ezra, (ch. iv. 6, 7,) and Darius Hystaspes, who married the daughter of Cyrus. The second of these being a Magian usurper and impostor, reigned only eight months. Of the fourth it was said he should be far richer than the others, which was notoriously the case with Xerxes, whose immense riches fell into the hands of Alexander the Great, "the mighty king" here mentioned. It is admitted that there were several other kings of Persia, who are not here enumerated, as not being connected with the sacred history.

It was mentioned above, (ch. viii. 22,) that from Alexander's empire, four kingdoms should arise, but not in his own family, for they were all miserably slain (as we are informed) by one another. After this, four of Alexander's chief commanders divided the empire among themselves, of whom the two chief form the subject of the predictions now before us; namely, the kings of Egypt and Syria, or the north and south, being so situated with respect of Judea, which lay between them.

In a course of time, and after many coutentions, these two kings formed an alliance, and Ptolemy Philadelphus (as here predicted) brought his daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theus, who was the grandson of Seleucus Nicanor; and gave with her an immense dowry, on condition of Ptolemy putting away his former wife. He did so, but this "preserved not the power of the arm;" that is, she did not maintain her interest with him; for soon after he recalled his former wife Leodice, who caused him to be poisoned, lest he should again change

his mind, and placed her eldest so upon the throne. After this she procurad the murder of her rival Berenice, het attendants, and her son. In a few years more, however, the brother of Berenice, Ptolemy Euergetes, succeeding to the throne of Egypt, invaded Syria, slew the infamous Leodice, took Seleucia, overran the country, carried off great spoil, and survived Seleucus his antagonist several years. The sons of Seleucus (king of the north) meditated a re-action, and raised a great army; but Ceraunus, the elder, was poisoned within two or three years, and did nothing. His brother, however, Antiochus the Great, invaded Egypt with all his force; but being defeated by Ptolemy Philopater in a most sanguinary battle, made peace and retreated.

The king of Egypt being a most aba¤doned character, now gave himself up to every species of licentiousness, and wreaked his vengeance on all the Jews within his power, killing many thousands, until at length he died in consequence of his own debaucheries, and was succeeded by Ptolemy Epiphanes, then a child.

Antiochus, after recovering strength, and preparing a great military force, had also recourse to artifice. He returned to Egypt, gave to the young prince his daughter Cleopatra, with a royal dowry, and in the hope to induce her to betray her husband into his hands. But in this he was disappointed; and then turning his army toward Greece, was completely defeated by the Romans; and upon his returning home in disgrace, was slain by his own subjects.

Thus doth the Almighty strike together "the potsherds of the earth," making them mutually the instruments of his just judgments upon each other.

Ver. 20. A raiser of taxes Heb." One that causeth an exactor to pass over," &c. This refers to the agents employed by Seleucus Philopater to collect the annual tribute; for they were like a blight, or a cloud of locusts, passing over the glory of the kingdom.”—Neither in anger nor in battlethat is, neither in duel nor in war.

Also the

Ver. 22. With the arms of a flood-Wintle, "The arms of the overflowing land," (i. e. Egypt) ** shalt be overflown," or conquered by him. covenanted prince-i. e. Philometer, with whom the young Antiochus had formed a league.

Ver. 24. He shall scatter among then the preAntiochus was remarkable for the rewards and

The kings of the north]

he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

:

[and of the south.

31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil many days.

34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god : for he shall magnify himself above all.

bribes which be profusely scattered, whenever he wanted to gain a point.- -He shall forecast his derices-Heb. "Think his thoughts," i. e. form his designs. So next verse.

Ver. 25. The king of the south is here Philometer, who appears to have been betrayed into the bands of Antiochus by some of his servants, "those who ate of his food." Boothroyd.

Ver. 26. His army shall overflow-Wintle and Boothroyd, "Be overwhelmed." So Vulg. & Syr. Ver. 27. To do mischief—that is, to circumvent each other.

Ver. 29. Not as the former, &c.—that is, not succeed like any of his former expeditions.

Ver.30. The ships of Chittim—that is, of the Romans; see Note on Num. xxiv. 24. This refers to the Roman ambassadors, who came by sea to forbid Antiochus from proceeding.Shall have (Boothroyd, maintain") intelligence with them, &c.that is, with the apostate Jews.

Ver. 31. Arms-Boothroyd, "Armies." So Gesenius, ver. 15, 22, and here, The sanctuary of strength.-See Ps. xcvi. 6.

Ver. 32. Against the covenant—that is, God's holy Covenant, ver. 30.

Ver. 34. Holpen with a little help.-In our Expos sition we have followed Bp. Newton, in referring this to the conversion of Constantine; but perhaps it refers only to the short intervals of rest between the different persecutions.

Ver. 35 And some of them-Wintle, "Of those that have understanding (the more learned and intelligent) shall (some) fall," &c. Yet for a time appointed-Mede, Wintle, Boothroyd, and others, join this to the next verse, as follows: "For still (or yet) for an appointed time, a (certain) king shall do," &c.

Ver. 33. And the king (i. e. a certain king) shall do according to his will.-From this expression he has indeed been denominated, by some commentators, "the wilful king,” a title equally applicable to Antiochus, to the Romans, to the Antichrist, and many others.

37. The desire of women has been usually explained of the desire of men for them; but we think unjustly. Woman is the desire of man, (Ezek. xxiv. 16.) but children are the desire of women, at least this was remarkably the case among the ancients, Gen. xxx. 1. This monster had no regard to the desire of women.

Ver. 38. The God of forces-or fortresses, is the

38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass

over.

41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape

[predictions.

ont of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palaces between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Q)

(Q) Ver. 20-45. Prophecies relative to the Greeks and Romans.-This chapter contains a series of prophecies, in which are blended many minute and intricate circumstances, that were fulfilled with a degree of exactness, to which we scarcely recollect any parallel; and its comparison with ancient history, down to the middle ages, must greatly contribute to establish the faith of candid, but wavering minds. (Bp. Newton has done this at considerable length. (Diss. xvi. xvii.) Ours is an abstract.)

We have already (though in a very cursory way) brought down the comparison to the death of Antiochus the Great, as he has been commonly called, in comparison with his successors. We have mentioned his shameful defeat by the Romans, to whom he became tributary, and was obliged to send hostages for its payment. This not only rendered him hateful to his subjects,

and was probably the cause of his death; but also deeply involved his son and suc cessor, Seleucus Philopater, who was little more than "a raiser of taxes (as he is here called) all his days, in order to paya thousand talents annually to the Romans. To accomplish this, he was tempted to commit sacrilege by plundering the temple at Jerusalem, and after a short and inglorious reign of about eleven years, was treacherously slain by one of his own servants.

His successor, Antiochus Epiphanes (or the illustrious), is here justly called "a vile persou," for he obtained the kingdom, as it is here predicted, by flatteries and deceit. Among others, he flattered the Romans, by sending with his annual tribute some valuable presents; and they flattered him in return, with the foolish title above mentioned. Thus he contrived to gain the advantage of his competitors for the crown, and though certainly not the legitimate heir,

favourite idol of kings and heroes; but the Hebrew reads, Mauzzim, (or Mabuzzim), which is supposed to signify patron gods, or "protecting powers;" which some apply to the idolatry of Pagan, and others to Christian, Roce. Mr. Wintle renders the verse before us, "Yet near to God in his seat will be honour Mahuzzim, even near the God whom his fathers knew not, will he do honour," &c.

Ver. 39. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds, &c.-Wintle," And he shall provide for fortresses of Mahuzzim together with God, whom he will certainly acknowledge." These fortresses Mr. Wintle explains of the shrines, or ter ples of the

Roman saints.

Ver. 40. At the time of the end the king of the

south, &c.-In the time of Antiochus, the south meant Egypt; but in the latter days, of which this passage speaks, the south is supposed to refer to the Saracens, and the north to the Turks. Compare Ezek. ch. xxxviii. xxxix.

Ver. 41. Glorious land-see ver. 16.—Childres of Ammon-inhabitants of Arabia Petræ.

Ver. 42. He-that is, the Turk.

Ver. 43. At his steps-that is, ready to follow his

commands. Mede.

Ver. 45. Between the seas—that is, between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. In the glorious holy mountain-Marg," Mount of delight of hu ness." Wintle.The tabernacles of his palaces** that is, the tents of his princes and generals.

obtained a peaceable possession of the kingdom. Induced by bribery, he removed the good Onias from the Jewish high-priesthood, and placed his unworthy brother Jason in his stead; but with him also he dealt deceitfully, and on receiving a second bribe, gave the office to another brother. He then "came up" to Egypt with a small company, and by his artifices, obtained footing there, and plundered several of the provinces. After this he raised a powerful army, and by some means got into his possession his nephew Ptolemy Philometor. They often ate and drank together, and formed a covenant or treaty; hut both practised great duplicity, and each deceived the other.

At length Antiochus returned to Syria with spoils of immense value (1 Macc. i. 19, 20.); and then "his heart was (set) against the holy covenant:" for Jason (above mentioned) hearing a report of his death, attempted to recover the highpriesthood; and for that end raised 1000 men, and took possession of the temple. Antiochus, supposing that the Jews had all rebelled, beseiged and took the city, slew 40,000 of the inhabitants, and set up an idol in the sanctuary.

After this he made another attempt on Egypt, but without success; the haughty Romans ordering him instantly to leave that country. He then again turned his revenge upon the Jews: slew many, wasted their city, and built a fortress near the temple to prevent them from attending on its worship. (1 Mac. i. 41. &c.) Thus was the temple deserted, and the daily sacrifice discontinued. Soon after this Antiochus issued a decree for a uniformity of worship, and (of course) the suppression of the Jewish religion. Many commentators however extend this (at least in a secondary view) to the final pollution of the temple, and its destruction, by the Romans; and to the persecutions which then followed, as well on the Christians as the Jews.

When it is here said "they that understand shall instruct many," it is naturally asked, how can this be applied to the pious Jews in the time of Antiochus? Did they labour to make proselytes to Moses? Perhaps not: but did not their example instruct many? and did not, in fact, many Chris

tian Martyrs and Confessors, in after times, derive much hope and consolation from the history of these Jewish Martyrs? As to the character of Antiochus, it is difficult to name any feature of wickedness to which it does not correspond. He neither feared God, nor regarded man.

Yet it must be confessed, that there are some points in which this "wilful king" far more resembles the Antichrist of St Paul and St. John, than the tyrant now before us. But as there are many prophecies which have a double reference to David and to Christ; so we see no absurdity in considering this abandoned monarch as a type of Antichrist, whose character, however, will fall more properly under our notice in the New Testament, and particularly in the book of the Revelation. In the mean time, we must confess that we can neither find, nor form, any satisfactory, interpretation of the last verses of this chapter. Some expositors have brought them down to our own times, particularly Mr. Faber, and still more recently, the Rev. Ed. Cooper, of whose hypothesis the following is an outline.

He refers the character now before us to the celebrated Napoleon Bonaparte, whose exploits are still fresh in every memory. Educated a Catholic, he renounced all revealed religion, though he liberally tolerated all. "The God of forces," however, was the idol of his idolatry, and he is said to have dedicated a military chapel to the god Mars. In 1799, he turned his arms against the holy land, and invaded Syria. He then, by a series of rapid successes, made himself master of Egypt, where he professed the faith of Mahomet and imposed taxes to maintain his army, which was recruited from all the conquered countries. Here he is alarmed by the preparations of the Turks and the Pacha of Damascus: hence he passes to the holy land, and pitches his camp between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.-In 1808, he is resisted by the Spaniards in the south, and driven beyond the Pyrennees; he is afterwards attacked by Austrin on the south, Russia and Germany on the north, and dies in exile at St. Helena, (See Brit. Rev. No. 48, p. 450.)

The resurrection]

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river,

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have ac

CHAP. XII.

[and last judgment.

complished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8 And I heard, but I understood not then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried ; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh de solate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (R)

(R) The prophecies summed up by a reference to the resurrection and last judgment. We have been obliged to place the concluding verses of the preceding chapter

CHAP. XII. Ver. 1. Michael.-Lightfoot, Horsley, Witsius, Faber, and many others, apply this to our Saviour, Christ; but Mede, Warburton, and other learned men, explain it of a created angel. Preb. Townsend's O. T. Arr. vol. ii. p. 722. The common explanation of Michael is," one like God,” but nothing can be argued from Hebrew names. Gabriel signifies "The strong God;" Elijah, "God the Lord;" and Elisha, “God the Saviour," &c.

Ibid. Such as never was. See Matt. xxiv. 21; Rev. xvi. 18.-Written in the book that is, of God's remembrance. See Mal. iii, 16; Luke x, 20, &c.; Rev. xx. 12.

Ver. 2. Many of them-Wintle, "Multitudes that sleep," &c. Compare John v. 28.

Ver. 3. They that be wise- Marg. "Teachers;" the same word as used chap. xi. 33. They that understand shall instruct many."

Ver. 5. Upon the bank-Heb. “ Lip," or margin. Ver. 6. Upon (Marg. "above") the waters.-It should be remembered that these are represented as angelic, or aerial beings, who could walk equally well on water as on land.

Ver. 7. His right hand and left.-It was the usual form of swearing to lift up one hand, and usually the right; but we recollect no other instance of lifting up both; it is supposed to give emphasis.-For a time, times, &c.-Mr. Wintle has shown, that both the New Testament and Classic writers use times (or seasons) for years; so we sometimes say, so many summers, or winters. These years usually consisted of 360 days, prophetically used for years. Thus three years and a half, or 1260 days, will stand for

"And

so many years, as in verses 11 and 12. When be shall have accomplished to scatter, &c. -Winte reads (and Boothroyd to the same effect), after the accomplishment of the dispersions of the holy people (i.. Israel), all these things shall be fulfilled." This is the same period, it should be recollected, which is ascribed to" the little hore," the Roman Antichrist, in chap. vii. 25.

Ver. 11. One thousand two hundred and sinsty days.-This again is the same period, differently expressed; for three years and a half, of 360 days each. make just 1260 days. As the prophecies of these two last chapters refer chiefly to the Eastern empire, while the little horn, chap. vii., refers evidently to the west, commentators have distinguished between the east and western Antichrist, referring the former to Mahomet, and the latter to the Pope, both having arisen about the same time; that is, the western Astichrist assumed his temporal authority, which made him a prophetic beast, in 606, and Mahomet, according to Prideaux, in the same year began the forgery of his Koran. If we date 1260 years from this period (as does Bp. Newton and most modera commentators), it will bring us to A. D. 1866, toward the close of the present century, by which time many expect, and more hope, that both Popery and Mahometanism will be overthrown. If we date the 1290 days in this chapter from the same period, it will bring us to very near the close of the present century, when we hope the ruins of both establishments may be cleared away; perhaps also the Jews converted, and return to their own land; and the blessed period alluded to in ver, 12, may be the eye