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.
Ver. 23. And in the latter time of their kingdom.] In the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the Greek monarchy.
When the transgressors are come to the full.] Heb., Are accomplished; when the Jews are grown stark naught. This was the reason why God set over them such a breathing devil, as was Antiochus, for a punishment of their open impiety and formal apostasy. When Phocas the traitor had slain Mauritius the emperor, there was an honest poor man, saith Cedrenus, who was earnest with God in prayer to know why that wicked man so prospered in his design; to whom answer was returned by a voice, that there could not be a worse man found and that the sins of Christians and of Constantinople did require it.
A king of fierce countenanoe.] Heb., Hard of face - that is, brazen faced, impudent, and withal acute, subtle (acutus et astutus), and of a deep reach. Antiochus, Julian, the Duke of Alva, were such.