Ver. 1. In the first year of Belshazzar.] Here beginneth, to speak properly, the prophecy of Daniel, or rather the second part of Daniel’s works, which is concerning visions exhibited of God by divine revelations, not to others, but to himself. This vision is the subject and groundwork of the rest that follow to the end of the prophecy. One not unfitly compareth it to a general map of the whole world; the rest to particular tables of various countries. Daniel had a dream and visions of his head.] God renewed unto him the same thing by vision which he had exhibited before by dream, in recompense of his religious care to know the matter and to record it for the Church’s comfort. Then he wrote the dream.] It was God’s will the visions of the prophets should be written (Isaiah 30:10) and published to the Church. (Isaiah 30:30) Jun.
Ver. 2. Daniel spake and said.] His writing is called his speaking, to teach us to receive the writings of the prophets and apostles with no less reverence than if we had heard them speak with their own mouths. I saw in my vision by night.] The night doth in Scripture frequently signify trouble. This “vision by night” was of troublesome businesses—viz., hurlyburlies in the world, and persecutions in the Church. And behold the four winds of the heavens strove upon the great sea,] i.e., There was a huge bustle upon the earth, by means of the four successive monarchies. See Revelation 13:1,11. The world is fitly called the “great sea,” ever unquiet and full of commotions; which are also called “winds” for their boisterousness, contrariety of nature, and inconstance. Willet.
Ver. 3. And four great beasts.] Regnorum feritas bestiarum nomine demonstratur, saith Jerome. The fierceness of the four kingdoms is set forth by the name of beasts. Bellum a belluis. Monarchies are mostly gotten, kept, and governed with violence and tyranny. (Psalms 76:4 Song of Solomon 4:8) Regna mundana parantur et retinentur bellis. Commune vitium monarchiis et tyrannis.
Ver. 4. The first was like a lion.] Which is the king of beasts (as the eagle is of birds), generous, strong, fierce, fair-conditioned; so were the Assyrian monarchs in comparison of those that followed them. And had eagle’s wings.] Whereby is noted their victorious celerity and alacrity in seizing upon kingdoms. [as Obadiah 4 2 Samuel 1:23 Jeremiah 4:13 48:40 Ezekiel 17:3] I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked,] scil., By the Medes and Persians, taming Babel’s insolence, and making her inhabitants tributaries and slaves, to till their ground and to maintain their garrisons, saluting them as their masters wherever they met them. And made stand upon the feet as a man,] i.e., Brought down to the common rank of men, and no longer lift up as an eagle. And a man’s heart was given to it.] Which before thought itseff as good as God, now had low and common spirits; not as once, imperious and impetuous. Xenophon. Cor humanum, id est, molle ac timidum. -Piscat.
Ver. 5. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear.] Which is nothing so generous and ingenuous as a lion; but slow, dull, cruel, ravenous. Such were the Persians; a mountainous, rough, uncivil people, of barbarous and beastly cruelty. And it raised up itself on one side,] scil., By joining with the Medes, by whose help Cyrus subdued the Syrians, Assyrians, Arabians, Cappadocians, and many more nations act easily reckoned, who, to gratify him, desired to be ruled according to his pleasure. And it had three ribs in the mouth of it.] While they conquered three parts of the known world, pushing westward, northward, and southward. (Daniel 8:4) Westward by Cyrus, southward by Cambyses, and northward by Darius Hystaspis. And they said (or, it was said) thus unto it, Arise, devour.] Intimating that it was God who turned this bear loose upon the nations, and gave them to him for a prey. Tyrants prosper by God’s permission. (John 19:11) Xenoph.
Ver. 6. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard.] Which is a creature cruel, desirous of man’s blood, crafty, spotted, and very swift of foot. So were the Grecians; Alexander especially (the founder of that third monarchy), active, bold, and headlong, but directed much by those who had been counsellors to his father Philip, a subtle prince; leopard-like, h e was spotted by a mixture of virtues and vices; he was very quick of despatch, Μηδεν αναβαλλομενος, never deferring any enterprise; he much delighted in wine, and so took his death; like as the leopard is no way else to be taken but by such a bait laid for him. Which had upon the back of it four wings.] Denoting the rapidity and celerity of Alexander and some other of the Grecian monarchs, in overrunning countries, as if they had flown. The beast had also four heads,] i.e., This monarchy was, after Alexander’s death, divided into four satrapies, or rather kingdoms. Cassander had Macedonia; Antigonus, Asia; Seleucus, Syria; and Ptolemy, Egypt.