Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
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. a
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; Revelation 13:11. 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.
a Willet.