King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
Complete Jewish Bible:
In the latter part of their reign, when the evildoers have become as evil as possible, there will arise an arrogant king skilled in intrigue.
Berean Standard Bible:
In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.
American Standard Version:
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And in the latter time{H319} of their kingdom{H4438}, when the transgressors{H6586} are come to the full{H8552}, a king{H4428} of fierce{H5794} countenance{H6440}, and understanding{H995} dark sentences{H2420}, shall stand up{H5975}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 13:11
- ¶ And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Revelation 13:14
- And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
2 Thessalonians 2:9
- [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thessalonians 2:11
- And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
1 Timothy 4:1
- ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Daniel 8:9
- And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land].
Daniel 8:12
- And an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
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Commentary for Daniel 8:23
Daniel 8:23 is part of the Book of Daniel, which is set in the context of the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE). The verse is situated within a larger apocalyptic vision that Daniel receives, which includes prophecies concerning the fate of empires and the eventual establishment of God's kingdom. This particular verse speaks of a future period described as "the latter time of their kingdom," referring to the time when the dominion of these empires is nearing its end.
The phrase "when the transgressors are come to the full" suggests a time of great wickedness and rebellion against God. The verse then introduces "a king of fierce countenance," who is often interpreted as a prophetic reference to a future oppressive ruler or antichrist figure. This king is characterized by his ability to understand "dark sentences," which can be interpreted as mysterious or ominous prophecies, suggesting he will be cunning and deceptive.
Historically, this verse has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation, with various figures from Antiochus IV Epiphanes—a Seleucid king who persecuted the Jews in the 2nd century BCE—to various Roman emperors, and even to figures in the end times, being proposed as the fulfillment of this prophecy. The themes of the verse include the sovereignty of God over history, the rise of evil rulers in the end times, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice. It reflects the broader apocalyptic genre of the Book of Daniel, which seeks to encourage the faithful by revealing God's control over history and the assurance that oppression will eventually be overthrown.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H319
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֲרִית
Transliteration: ʼachărîyth
Pronunciation: akh-ar-eeth'
Description: from אַחַר; the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity; (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward. - Strong's Number: H4438
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַלְכוּת
Transliteration: malkûwth
Pronunciation: mal-kooth'
Description: or מַלְכֻת; or (in plural) מַלְכֻיָּה; from מָלַךְ; a rule; concretely, a dominion; empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal. - Strong's Number: H6586
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּשַׁע
Transliteration: pâshaʻ
Pronunciation: paw-shah'
Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion); to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel; offend, rebel, revolt, transgress(-ion, -or). - Strong's Number: H8552
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּמַם
Transliteration: tâmam
Pronunciation: taw-mam'
Description: a primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive; accomplish, cease, be clean (pass-) ed, consume, have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to the full, be all gone, [idiom] be all here, be (make) perfect, be spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H5794
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַז
Transliteration: ʻaz
Pronunciation: az
Description: from עָזַז; strong, vehement, harsh; fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H995
There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּין
Transliteration: bîyn
Pronunciation: bene
Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). - Strong's Number: H2420
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חִידָה
Transliteration: chîydâh
Pronunciation: khee-daw'
Description: from חוּד; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim; dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle. - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.