John Trapp on Daniel 8:5

Ver. 5. And as I was conſidering] Such as are ſtudious, ſhall ſee more of Gods mind, Rev. 1.12.

Behold an hee-goat came from the Weſt] i. e. From Greece and Macedon, Weſt from Perſia. This goat, more nimble, ſwift and potent then a ram, was the Grecian Monarch Alexander, who came capering and praunſing over the whole earth, that is, over the whole Perſian Monarchy, and more; ſetting fire on all Aſia, as the Magicians foretold he would do, as being born the ſame day that Diana's Temple at Epheſus was ſet on fire. This Alexander the great was Dux gregis ipſe caper: of all whoſe victories we have here a notable abridgment,Joſeph. more like an hiſtory then a Prophecy. The high-Prieſt Jaddus is ſaid to have ſhewed it to Alexander in his march againſt Darius Codomannus the laſt King of Perſia: who thereby much encouraged in his enterprize, beſtowed upon the Jews many favours, and freedoms.

And touched not the ground] Alexander was notably nimble, thinking nothing too hard for him to atcheive, and ſl[illegible: 1 letter]pping no opportunity. Apelles picture[illegible: 1 letter] Alexander with a thunderbolt: ſignifying his great ſwiftneſs in his exploits. When he was to encounter with Darius his army at Graxicum, Parmenio perſwaded him to ſtay till the next day: but he would not: neither was ſucceſſe wanting. With wonderful celerity, in ſix years ſpace, he overrun ſo great a part of the habitable world, that he might rather ſeem to fly then to march.

And the goat had a notable horn between his eyes] This notable horn is Alexander founder of the Grecian Monarchy. The Macedonians were at that time called Aegeades, i. e. goatiſh (the occaſion whereof ſee in Juſtin, lib. 7.)Sic Darius dicitur Aiil. i. e. Aries Perſiae Hebraice & Chaldaice Elam. Alexander is here fitly called hircus caprarum, an hee-goat, or the horn of ſight, between the eyes of that goat. A ſit emblem of a good Prince, whoſe vertues are conſpicuous as an hornis, who defendeth his people and offendeth their enemies: who like this horn riſing up betwixt the eyes, is circumſpect and well-adviſed, doing all with counſel, Prov. 24.6. Alexander had his father Philips counſellors about him, who were excellent in wiſdom, beyond any that came after them in the ſame Empire.