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What does Daniel 8 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Daniel has another prophetic experience (Daniel 7:1), which ties into prior dreams and visions. Aspects of this prophecy were seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:39) as well as Daniel's earlier vision (Daniel 7:1–6). Some of these predictions will occur within a few centuries of Daniel's life. Others are yet to be fully realized (Daniel 8:1).

The vision begins at the banks of the Ulai canal, in the eastern province of Elam in the Babylonian empire. There, Daniel sees a male sheep—a ram—boldly running around without anyone to oppose it. This ram has two horns, with the later-appearing horn growing higher than the older one. The meaning of this symbol will be explained later (Daniel 8:2–4).

Next, Daniel sees a male goat moving so quickly that its feet don't touch the ground. A unique feature of the goat is a prominent horn in the middle of its forehead. This goat breaks the two horns of the powerful ram, defeats it, and takes power. Once the goat is "exceedingly great," its single horn shatters. In its place grow four horns pointed in all different directions. As with the ram, this imagery is to be explained in another part of the vision (Daniel 8:5–8).

From one of these new horns comes yet another horn, a little one. This one exerts power and fights against godly forces. It is responsible for desecrating truth and stopping sacrifice in the temple. Daniel hears voices wondering aloud how long this will last, indicating that the sanctuary will be usable after 2,300 evenings and mornings (Daniel 8:9–14).

In response to Daniel's desire for more understanding, a voice commands the angel Gabriel (Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26). This voice may represent Jesus Christ—God the Son—or perhaps the archangel Michael (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7). As is often the case, Daniel's response to the presence of an angel is dramatic. He falls into a posture of submission, possibly even fainting. Gabriel helps restore Daniel's senses before giving his interpretation of the vision (Daniel 8:15–18).

Gabriel explains that the ram symbolizes the Medo-Persians. This empire was an amalgamation of Media and Persia, though over time the Persians dominated and controlled everything. This is why symbols of Medo-Persia involve two arms (Daniel 2:32) or two sides (Daniel 7:5) or two horns (Daniel 8:3). The goat predicts the rise of Alexander the Great and his rapid conquests. When Alexander suddenly died, his territory was split among four successors (Daniel 8:19–22).

Near the end of Greek dominance, another ruler will arise. He will be known for death and persecution against God's people. That will not end until something other than a human effort brings his rule to a close. This predicts the late Greek figure Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the late 2nd century BC. Epiphanes was infamous for spiteful cruelty towards the Jewish people. He outlawed aspects of their faith, blasphemed God, and even desecrated the temple with the blood of pigs. As a result, the temple was unusable for sacrifice until Epiphanes died and it could be cleansed. Epiphanes died suddenly, but there is debate over exactly how (Daniel 8:23–25).

This same prediction appears to have dual fulfillment. Interpreters see similarity to depictions of the end times: the final era of earth's history. During that time, a figure known as "the Antichrist" will echo the depravity of Epiphanes. He will be empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:1–4) and only stopped by the return of Christ (Revelation 19:11–16).

Scholars debate the exact meaning of the 2,300 days. Some look at this as a literal length of time. This would roughly correspond to the time between 170 BC, when Antiochus came to Jerusalem, and the restoration of the temple in 164 BC. Another view is that the reference to "evenings and mornings" means that 2,300 is a total of those. This would imply that Epiphanes' disruption of the temple lasted long enough to prevent this number of morning and evening sacrifices. As it happens, the temple was desecrated in 167 BC, roughly aligning with 1,150 days to the restoration. In either view, the prediction holds (Daniel 8:26).

Though Daniel has been given insight, he doesn't fully understand everything he has seen and heard. He knows enough to see that his people will suffer terrible evil, including defilement of their religious life. However, they will recover. Daniel, as well, suffers a time of stress. The shock of the experience—and the catastrophic meaning—renders him ill for several days. Yet Daniel, like Israel, recovers and resumes his work (Daniel 8:27).

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 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.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/8/2024 4:11:17 PM