Daniel 8:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state."

NIV: He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."

NASB: And he said to me, 'For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be properly restored.'

CSB: He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored."

NLT: The other replied, 'It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.'

KJV: And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

NKJV: And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

The second angel (Daniel 8:13) told Daniel about the eventual end of a terrible time of persecution. This passage predicts what was then centuries in the future: the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This infamous tyrant was violent and spiteful towards Jews, outlawing their religion and desecrating the temple (Daniel 8:10–12, 23–25). In the prior verse, even the angels seem to wonder how long the Lord would let such things continue.

Here, the given period is 2,300 days. Expositors vary in their interpretation of this point both as it relates to the fulfillment with Antiochus Epiphanes and as it relates to a yet-future fulfillment. Some believe 2,300 literal days are indicated, whereas others believe the period is 1,150 days. Those who see the period lasting 1,150 days believe it coincides with the three and a half years of the great tribulation prophesied in Daniel 9:27. However, there is a discrepancy of more than one hundred days with this interpretation. It would then seem best to take the number 2,300 as literally 2,300 days. The creation account in Genesis counts the evening and morning as one day, not two days.

In the first fulfillment, the end of the 2,300 days is considered by many expositors to be 164 BC: Antiochus IV Epiphanes' death and the return of Jewish worship. This would mark six years from the time he came to Jerusalem. Others interpret it "evenings and mornings" to mean the twice-daily sacrifices. Given that the temple was defiled in 167 BC, this timescale would also make an accurate prediction of the number of rituals prevented by the persecution.

Daniel 8:1–14 changes the written language to Hebrew, after several chapters in Aramaic. This indicates a shift in intended audience: these messages are primarily meant for the benefit of Israel. This section gives the time, place, and contents of another of Daniel's visions. Like the dream and visions of chapter 7, it concerns the time before Christ's birth. While the vision of Daniel 7 provides more detail on the final end times, the vision here includes a prophecy that appears to have dual fulfillment. After the vision, Daniel will record the meaning as given to him by the angel, Gabriel.

Daniel sees a vision, later explained to him by the angel Gabriel. A swift-moving goat overpowers a two-horned ram. This represents the conquest of Greece over Medo-Persia. Then the goat's horn shatters, replaced by four more; this predicts Alexander the Great's death and succession. Later, a ruler arises to brutally persecute God's people. This prophecy refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple and outlawed Jewish religious practices. It also foreshadows the end times when the Antichrist will be tied to similar events. The experience leaves Daniel temporarily bedridden.

The first 6 chapters of Daniel recorded events from his life. The final chapters record his visions of the future. The prior chapter contained a dream involving several animals, depicting powerful nations. The vision explained here also deals with conquering empires, but also touches on events to come in the end times. Daniel's next passage includes his prayer for Israel and further explanation of what will happen in the last days of human history.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.