Daniel 8 Study

In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon [Nebuchadnezzar’s son] a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one in the first year (ch.7).

     2 In the vision I was in Susa of Elam (later Persia) at the Ulai canal. 3 And behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. [Media-Persia, and Persia surpassed Media.] 4 And the ram charged westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great. (Would conquer Babylon.)

      5 And as I was considering, a male goat came from the west (Greece, and some think perhaps another in ‘last’ days) across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a large horn between his eyes. ..And he came to the ram 7 and enraged, rammed the ram, breaking his two horns, and trampling him (like the bronze in chapter 7 tramples ..Greek philosophy tearing up what the iron/Rome didn’t/doesn’t subdue, meaning the  iron and bronze from Daniel chapter two). And there was no one who could rescue the ram, and 8 the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken. And instead came up four horns toward the four winds. 9 Out of one came a little horn, which grew great [gadal - arrogant, great, bold] toward the south, and east, and (arrogant, bold) toward the glorious land/God’s land/the promised. [This is the story of the MacCabees and the cruel despot Antiochus Epiphanes. Though history repeats as usually does prophecy, with a more or less local or ‘soon’ fulfillment and at least one more at the culmination of history. Sort of ‘micro’ and macro; partial pond ripple to full pond ripple. And besides that, is the little horn of chapter 7, the one with eyes, from a Roman/Graeco - iron/bronze foundation entity/institution.) 10 The horn grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. 11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary overthrown 12 ..a host will be given over to it and the offerings, because of transgression (consequence, spiritual shield is down) ..it will throw truth to the ground ..and will act (out) and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled?” 14 …“For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored.” [Fulfilled in the days of the Maccabees, but may have another fulfillment, 2,300 days is 6.3 years. If 2300 years is meant, it may correspond to the translating of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek, which brought with it some myths-? And it is afterall the bronze which scatters and tramples - in chapter 7, by the bronze feet of the beast more terrible with ten horns and iron teeth, Roman columns(?)]

     15 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. 16 And I heard a voice from between the banks of the Ulai, and it called out, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood. And I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said, “Understand, oh son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” 18 And I fell into a deep sleep but he touched me and made me to stand (resurrection prophesied/portrayed?)19 and said, “I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation. [Acharith - the after-part, end (of the) zaam - indignation, insolence.] For it is for the appointed time of the end.

     20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king (Alexander; and possibly? Last days, the west charges enraged against the east, but its POWER wanes by breaking (being divided) into four. Two powers, but each with their extremes?) 22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms/powers shall arise from his (Alexander’s) nation, but not with his power. 23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles (espionage, stealth?) shall arise. 24 His power will be great—but not by his own power. And he shall cause fearful destruction (also toward last days? Rev.13:13? Which event pinpoints an office.) And he (last days? originally from that rev.13:13 office) shall succeed in what he does, and will ruin mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his stealth treachery will prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he will become great. Without warning he will destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, but without hand he shall be broken. 26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future.”

     27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business. (As a captive in Babylon, Daniel was recognized as very able and was drafted into the king’s court of advisors, astrologers, etc.) But I was appalled by the vision and didn’t understand it.