Daniel — Chapter 7
These annotations are from the original 1609 Douay Old Testament, the first complete English Catholic Bible translation, produced by English scholars in exile at the English College of Douai. The archaic spelling is preserved.
This content was digitized from the original 1609 Douay (Old Testament) and 1582 Rheims (New Testament) print editions by OCR. The OCR process sometimes confused print page numbers with verse numbers, and may have assigned annotations to the wrong chapter. Chapter and verse labels on this page reflect the OCR output from the original print pagination and may not correspond to canonical Scripture chapter/verse numbers. For canonical reference, consult a standard Douay-Rheims edition. The annotation texts themselves are authentic 1609/1582 Douay-Rheims content.
Verse 1
In order of time these two visions were before the histories written in the two precedent chapters.
Verse 2
Foure winds may signifie the great tumults which happen in the beginning of monarchies by warres and bloudshed of much people.
Verse 3
Foure beasts doe signifie the foure Monarchies.
Verse 4
A lionesse for cruelrie, and the pride of an eagle doe resemble the Chaldees monarchie.
Verse 5
A beare of rude shape, & weake fight, content with litle and base meate, represented the Medes & Persians.
Verse 6
The leopard with wings and foure heads signified the speedie victories of the Grecians vnder Alexander in foure quarters of the world: after his death diuided into foure Kingdomes.
Verse 7
By the fourth beast without name is vnderstood the incomparable power of the Romans: gouerning first by kinglie authoritie; afterwards by Consuls; then Dictatours; finally Emperors.
Verse 8
The litle horne becoming so great and strong, signifieth Antichrist; whose outragious furie shal continue but a short time.
Verse 9
God the Father is called the Ancient of dayes, not as though one Person of the Blessed Trinitie were more ancient then another: for euerie Person is eternal; and al are one eternal God. But in order of proceeding, the Father is the beginning of whom the Sonne is begotten.
Verse 10
By multiplication of these cardinal numbers, is signified the innumerable multitude of Angels: who doe exceede al corporal creatures in number.
Verse 13
Our Sauiour Christ is here clearly prophecied: by whose power Antichrist shal be vtterly destroyed.
Verse 25
Antichrist shal reigne three yeares and a halfe. ch.12. Apoc.11. & 13.