As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west over the surface of the whole earth, and didn’t touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. A he-goat. The empire of the Greeks, or Macedonians.—He touched not the ground. He conquered all before him with so much rapidity, that he seemed rather to fly than to walk upon the earth.—A notable horn. Alexander the great. Challoner.—He succeeded his father when only twenty years old, and the next year was chosen generalissimo of the Greeks against Persia, which he invaded at the head of 30,000 foot and 4,000 horses, having only seventy talents of silver and provisions for one month. With this he attacked the most flourishing empire, and conquered it in less than four years’ time, when Darius was slain. A. 3674. Alexander survived only six years and ten months, yet subdued so many nations that it is almost incredible that he should have travelled over them. He is the belly of brass and the leopard, Calmet. 2:39 and 7:6. Calmet.—He died in the midst of his prosperity, ( Bible.) when not quite thirty-three years old, ( Worthington.) and left no heirs to succeed him. This conqueror would be painted with two horns, to intimate that he was the son of Jupiter Ammon. Calmet.