Daniel 8:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.

NIV: While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.

NASB: When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man.

CSB: While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me someone who appeared to be a man.

NLT: As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me.

KJV: And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

NKJV: Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.

Daniel's latest vision (Daniel 8:1–2) came with a small piece of explanation (Daniel 8:13–14). Yet Daniel was eager to know the meaning of the entire experience. This is the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:16), who commonly acts as God's messenger (Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26). In response to this desire, God sent an angel in the form of a human being. Every believer should seek God's help to understand His Word. The psalmist writes: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law" (Psalm 119:18).

Daniel's quest to understand presents a fitting challenge to believers. Some Scriptures, especially prophecy, are tempting to ignore for being too difficult to interpret. Even if God is in control, and will work out everything in the end, it's still useful for Christians to be aware of His prophecies. For example, Revelation, the final book of the Bible, is prophetic; believers are encouraged to read and obey it. Revelation 1:3 promises: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."

Daniel 8:15–27 includes the angel Gabriel's explanation of Daniel's vision, along with Daniel's reaction. The symbols Daniel saw predict the end of the Medo-Persian empire, the rise and fall of Alexander the Great, and the emergence of a tyrant who persecutes the Jewish people. Though the prophecy has been "explained" Daniel doesn't fully grasp everything that's going to occur. What he's told is disturbing enough to keep him bedridden for several days.

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.