John Trapp on Daniel 8:23

Ver. 23. And in the latter time of their kingdom] In the 137 year of the Greek-Monarchy.

When the tranſgreſſours are come to the full] Heb. are accompliſhed: when the Jewes 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 Apoſtaſie. When Phocas the traytour had ſlain Mauricius the Emperour, 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 countenance] Heb. hard of face, that is brazen-faced, impudent, and withal,Acutus & aſtutus. acute, ſubtile, and of a deep reach. Antiochus, Julian, the Duke of Alva were ſuch.