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what does daniel chapter 8 mean

by Amely Purdy I Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Chapter 8 is about the actions of the world-powers at the "end-time". The course of history is pre-determined, and Antiochus is merely playing a role in the unwinding of God's plan.

Full Answer

How is Daniel Chapter 8 different from the first chapters?

While the first chapters of Daniel have a more Gentile orientation and flavor, chapter 8 turns to a more Jewish emphasis. The references to the “beautiful land,” the “holy people,” the temple and its sacrifices, and the angel Gabriel all point to the Jews, Jerusalem, and the temple. The entire vision now pertains to the end time.

What is the significance of the vision of Daniel 8?

The vision refers to the time of the end: Gabriel assured Daniel that this vision had to do with end times, with the latter time of the indignation. i. This is a problem for some, because we see that the prophecy of Daniel 8:1-14 was fulfilled in the days of the Medo-Persian and Greek Empires, especially in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes.

What does the Ram in Daniel 8 20 represent?

A ram which had two horns: In this same chapter ( Daniel 8:20) this ram was clearly identified as representing the Medo-Persian Empire, which succeeded the Babylonian Empire. i. It wasn’t a stretch to use a ram to represent the Medo-Persian Empire.

What does the goat represent in Daniel 8?

The goat conquers the ram In Daniel 8:5-7 a male goat with a large horn between his eyes suddenly arises from the west and smashes both horns of the ram. The angel Gabriel tells Daniel this goat represents the kingdom of Greece and its large horn is its first king, which would be shown by later history to be Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21).

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What did Daniel see in his vision?

He sees the "great sea" stirred up by the "four winds of heaven," and from the waters emerge four beasts, the first a lion with the wings of an eagle, the second a bear, the third a winged leopard with four heads, and the fourth a beast with ten horns, and a further horn appeared which uprooted three of the ten.

What is the significance of a goat in the Bible?

The Bible tells us, “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ….” (2 Corinthians 5:10). You and I and every other person will be either on the right or left hand of Jesus. Those on the right hand, represented as sheep, are the saved. Those on the left hand, represented as goats, pictures the lost.

Who is the RAM in the Bible?

Ram (Hebrew: רם Rām) is a figure in the Hebrew Bible. He is the son of Hezron and ancestor of David. His genealogical lineage and descendants are recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:9 and at the Book of Ruth 4:19. In the New Testament, his name is given as "Aram" (Greek: Ἀράμ) and "Arni" (Greek: Ἀρνὶ).

What is the message of the story of Daniel?

Most importantly, the story of Daniel is a story of God's glory and God's providence for His people. God constantly demonstrated His glory through Daniel, making His name known among the people of Babylon. He exalted Himself above the rulers of Babylon, revealing the limits of their power.

What does it mean to separate the sheep from the goats?

chiefly British. : to judge which people or things in a group are bad and which ones are good The magazine describes many different products and then separates the sheep from the goats.

Why did Jesus use Sheep and Goats?

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats is found in Matthew 25:31-46. In this parable , Jesus uses the example of a shepherd who separates his sheep from his goats in order to help his followers understand what judgement will be like.

What does the ram in Daniel 8 represent?

The ram, the he-goat, the great horn and the four new horns. The symbols of the ram and he-goat, explained in the text of Daniel 8 as representing the kings of Persia and Greece, are apparently drawn from the constellations that preside over Persia and Syria in Hellenistic astrology.

What does ram mean spiritually?

So the ram signifies new stimulation of mental faculties, imagination, and inspiration--along with the energy to act upon it. The ram represents the power to penetrate, overcome, and achieve. It reflects the assertion of strength in creative ways to achieve a breakthrough. It is also associated with sacrifice.

What does the ram symbolize in the Bible?

The spiritual meaning of the ram in the Bible is wisdom and discernment. The ram also represents sacrifice, protection, and guidance. The first ram that was sacrificed was in the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:13). A ram is also responsible to protect the herd against attacks.

What lessons can we learn from Daniel?

Lesson #1: Leaders Like Daniel Encourage Integrity amidst Temptation. ... Lesson #2: God Opposes Pride and Lifts Humble Leaders. ... Lesson #3: Leaders Like Daniel Demonstrate Dependence on God.

What did Daniel's dream mean?

Having related the dream, Daniel then interprets it: it concerns four successive kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, which will be replaced by the everlasting kingdom of the God of heaven. Hearing this, Nebuchadnezzar affirms that Daniel's god is "the God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries".

What is the biblical meaning of Daniel?

God is my judgeThe name Daniel is a biblical name. Its earliest origins can be traced back to the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was defined as “God is my judge” in Hebrew. Daniel of the Old Testament is known for remaining loyal to the God of Israel despite persecution and danger.

What does a goat symbolize?

Generally, the goat symbolically represents ideas relating to abundance, modesty, success in solitude, free spirit, and resilience. It is perhaps highly likely that a goat coming into your dream could be an indication of a good time in your life.

What is the difference between a sheep and a goat in the Bible?

What distinguishes the sheep from the goats is the acceptance or rejection of Jesus' message. There is some difference of opinion among scholars regarding the identity of "the least of these my brothers", with Reginald H. Fuller and others holding that it refers to the disciples Jesus sent out on mission.

What does the parable of the Sheep and Goats teach about Judgement?

The biblical Parable of the Sheep and Goats explains the idea of judgement. The sheep represent everybody who has helped those in need or given back to the world in some way. The goats represent those who have acted in an unkind or selfish way.

What does a Ram symbolize in the Bible?

The ram represents the power to penetrate, overcome, and achieve. It reflects the assertion of strength in creative ways to achieve a breakthrough. It is also associated with sacrifice.

What language is Daniel 8 written in?

Daniel 8. – Antiochus and Antichrist. In the ancient manuscripts, the Book of Daniel here resumes using the Hebrew language. The section from Daniel 2:4 to 7:28 was written in Aramaic. A.

Where was Daniel in the midst of his vision?

a. Between the banks of the Ulai: Daniel was still in the midst of his vision when he saw himself on the shores of this Persian river. He heard someone instruct Gabriel to explain the vision to Daniel.

How did Antiochus IV gain the throne?

ii. Antiochus IV gained the throne of his father (Antiochus III) by murdering his brother, the former king Seleucus Philopator. The son of Philopator was the rightful heir to the throne, but Antiochus IV had him held hostage in Rome. Antiochus IV legitimized his rule mainly through flattery and bribery.

Who persecuted the people of Israel?

i. Antiochus Epiphanes exerted his dominion toward the south, toward the east, and toward the land of Israel. ii. Antiochus Epiphanes murdered other rulers and persecuted the people of Israel (cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them).

What happened in the third year of Belshazzar's reign?

The third year of the reign of King Belshazzar: This vision happened while Babylon was securely in power. Though the vision will deal with the emergence and destiny of the Greek Empire, the Greek Empire was not much of anything at the time the prophecy came to Daniel. b.

Who was the little horn that grew exceeding great?

a. A little horn which grew exceeding great: This was fulfilled in one of the four successors to Alexander the Great. Since the dominion of this horn was extended toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land, we can identify the historical fulfillment of this little horn in Antiochus IV Epiphanes who ruled over Syria and Israel’s land under the Seleucid dynasty.

Is the nameless holy one an Old Testament appearance?

a. Then I heard a holy one speaking: Many think this nameless holy one is an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. This is possible, but there is not enough information to be certain.

What does Daniel 8:9-14 mean?

For example, verse 11 says, “He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host.” Verse 25 adds: “He shall even rise against the Prince of princes.” The “Prince” in both verses is Jesus Christ. Anciently, Antiochus IV fulfilled the first abomination. At the time of the end one who will be a type of the “little horn” of verse 9 will follow in Antiochus’ footsteps ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ). The latter will actually be a fulfillment of the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8.

What is the vision in Daniel 8?

The eighth chapter of Daniel features an astounding vision of a male sheep and a male goat. What did this vision represent, and is it relevant for us today? The vision recorded in Daniel 8 came to the prophet in the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon (553-554 B.C.).

How many days did Daniel see before the temple was cleansed?

In the vision Daniel saw that the daily sacrifices would be opposed by the “little horn,” and he was told that this opposition would last for “2,300 days,” which would be 2,300 evenings and mornings (center margin) before it would be cleansed ( Daniel 8:12-14 ). The evenings and mornings represent the evening and morning sacrifices, a total of 1,150 days before the temple would be cleansed.

What does the epiphanes mean in Daniel 8?

From his coins we know that he linked up this Epiphanes with the added title Theos (‘God’). Thus the two in combination meant ‘Illustrious God,’ or else ‘God Manifest.’”. Daniel was praying and seeking the meaning of the vision recorded in Daniel 8 when the angel Gabriel was sent to explain it to him (verses 15-17).

What does the goat's horn mean in Daniel 7?

The large horn being broken represents Alexander’s untimely death at the young age of 33. Shortly after conquering all lands from Greece to India, Alexander died.

What does the angel Gabriel tell Daniel about the goat?

The angel Gabriel tells Daniel this goat represents the kingdom of Greece and its large horn is its first king, which would be shown by later history to be Alexander the Great ( Daniel 8:21 ). After over 200 years of rule, the Medo-Persian Empire came to an end in 331 B.C.

What does the little horn in Daniel 7:8 mean?

In contrast to the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8, which accompanied the 10 horns of the fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire), the “little horn” of Daniel 8:9 represents a leader that would come out of one of the divisions of Alexander’s Empire (also compare Daniel 11:15, 21 ). Even though these little horns of Daniel 7 and 8 are different individuals ...

What does the goat touch in Daniel chapter 8?

In chapter 8, the goat “ touched not the ground ”, symbolizing speed, certainly a characteristic of Alexander’s swift conquest of most of the known world of his day in only 10 years. In Daniel chapter 7, Greece is seen as a leopard, one of the fastest of animals. And in Daniel 2 Greece is the belly of brass. All three of these are visualizations of the empire of the Greeks that was to come.

What does the ram in chapter 8 represent?

So this ram in chapter 8 corresponds to the bear in the vision of chapter 7. And it represents the same as the chest and arms of silver in chapter 2. In each of these three chapters there is a different representation of the dual kingdom of the Medes and Persians.

How long did Daniel cleanse the sanctuary?

Then shall “ the sanctuary ” be cleansed. That’s a period of time of around 6 years and 4 months.

Who said "When you shall see"?

In fact, when Jesus of Nazareth was asked about the future, He mentioned specifically the prophet Daniel. He said “ When you shall see… (the future events) …spoken of by Daniel the prophet (whoever reads, let him understand)… ”

Did the Persians conquer the Babylonians?

If we looked, from the time that Daniel wrote this, forward into the future, we would see that the Persians did conquer lands and peoples to the south, to the north and to the west. Once they defeated the Babylonians, the Persian kings eventually held sway over parts of Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean and much of what is modern Turkey.

How many days of the santuary are there in Daniel 8?

Daniel 8:1-27 . VISION OF THE RAM AND HE-GOAT: THE TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED DAYS OF THE SANCTUARY BEING TRODDEN DOWN.

Where is Daniel transported to?

Therefore Daniel is transported into it, as being the capital of the kingdom signified by the two-horned ram ( Nehemiah 1:1 , Esther 1:2-5 ). Elam -- west of Persia proper, east of Babylonia, south of Media.

What chapter of the Bible is the Antichrist vision?

Antichrist, like Christ, has a more immediate future, as well as one more remote. The vision, the eighth chapter, begins, and that, the tenth through twelfth chapters, concludes, the account of the Antichrist of the third kingdom.

How old was Darius in the Bible?

Darius was sixty-two years old ( Daniel 5:31 ) when he began to reign; during his short reign of two years, being a weak king ( Daniel 6:1-3 ), the government was almost entirely in Cyrus' hands. Hence HERODOTUS does not mention Darius; but XENOPHON does under the name of Cyaxares II.

How many days are there in the Bible?

TREGELLES thinks the twenty-three hundred "days" answer to the week of years ( Daniel 9:27 ), during which the destroying prince ( Daniel 9:26 ) makes a covenant, which he breaks in the midst of the week (namely, at the end of three and a half years). The seven years exceed the twenty-three hundred days by considerably more than a half year.

When was Daniel 8 fulfilled?

Though sometimes assumed to contain end time prophecies, Daniel 8 was completely fulfilled during the Greek Empire from the fourth to the second century B.C.

Who is the Stern-faced king in Daniel 8:23?

Daniel 8:23 Commentary—Understanding Daniel 8:23: The Stern-Faced King is Antiochus Epiphanes. Out of one of the four divisions of Alexander the Great’s empire, an infamous king arose. This man was Antiochus Epiphanes. Upon claiming the Seleucid throne, Antiochus compelled his subjects to worship the Greek god Zeus.

Why is Antiochus Epiphanies called a little horn?

Labeled a small or little horn in Daniel 8, Antiochus Epiphanies is given this epithet because he is a type of Caesar Titus. The fact that Antiochus Epiphanies and Caesar Titus are both given the same title also hints at their similar actions.

What does the little horn in Daniel 7 mean?

“Horns” represent kings throughout the Bible as is explicitly indicated in v. 20. Thus to be a small or little horn is another way of saying “little king.”. Labeled a small or little horn in Daniel 8, ...

How long was Daniel's vision?

Between the purported time of Daniel’s vision and the death of Antiochus Epiphanes there were approximately three hundred and eighty-seven years. 11 According to the angel in Daniel’s vision, three hundred and eighty-seven years is considered “the distant future.” In Revelation 22:12, Christ promised that He would be “coming soon.” If “soon” means two thousand years and counting, then there would seem to be a contradiction between these two verses. But Jesus was true to His promise having returned almost immediately after Revelation’s composition. See Historical Evidence that Jesus, the Son of Man, was LITERALLY SEEN in the Clouds in the First Century. 12

When was the sanctuary handed over to the horn?

According to 1Maccabees 1:20-24, the sanctuary was handed over to the horn, Antiochus Epiphanies, in 169 B.C when the Greek king plundered the Temple. The rebellion that causes desolation is mentioned in 2 Maccabees 5:5-14.

How many sacrifices did the Levites offer?

According to Exodus 29:38-39, the Levites were to offer two sacrifices daily. One lamb was to be sacrificed in the morning and one in the evening. The 2,300 evenings and mornings in v. 14 represent the number of sacrifices that had failed to be offered to God.

What are the kingdoms in Daniel chapter 8?

Daniel’s vision in chapter 8 focuses on but two kingdoms, identified as the kingdoms of Medo-Persia and Greece. The first three kingdoms are identified as Babylon (2:37-39), Medo-Persia (8:20), and Greece (8:21). The fourth kingdom is not specifically identified.

What are the verses in the Bible that describe Daniel's vision?

In general, verses 1-14 contain the account of Daniel’s vision, and verses 15-27 give us the interpretation of that vision. Verses 1 and 2 serve to introduce the vision. In verses 2 -14, we have a description of the ram (3-4), the goat (5-8), and the “little horn” (9-14).

What does the goat represent in Daniel's vision?

The ram had its day in the sun. There was a time when it could do as it wished, when no one could be rescued from his power. When the Medo-Persian kingdom had served its purpose, it was overcome by Greece, represented in Daniel’s vision by the male goat (see verse 21). This goat had only one horn rather than two. It is generally agreed that this horn represented Alexander the Great. Coming from the west with a vengeance, he attacked the ram (Medo-Persia), striking a death-blow to this kingdom which had been instrumental in the return of the Jews to their land and in the rebuilding of the temple.

What is the conflict between the Little Horn and God?

The conflict between the “little horn” and God at this point becomes almost bigger than life. At verse 10, the little horn achieves things which are more than human. He “grows up to the host of heaven,” causing “some of the host and some of the stars to fall to earth,” where “he tramples them” (verse 10).

What are the three parts of the Bible?

The Structure of the Text 1 Introduction Verses 1-2 2 The Ram and the Goat Verses 3-8 3 The “Little Horn” Verses 9-14

What is the power of the Ram in the Bible?

Verse 4 describes the power given to the ram, enabling him to dominate the nations. No beasts could withstand the ram, and no one was able to rescue peoples from him. He could do as he pleased. In the process, the kings became arrogant, magnifying themselves. These same characteristics apply both to the goat and to the horn. From the first five chapters of Daniel, we see some of the same characteristics in Nebuchadnezzar and in Belshazzar.

What does the Bible say about the horn?

The reality, expressed in verse 12, is that the “host of heaven” is “given over to the horn,” not because of the horn’s greatness, but “on account of transgression.”. Truth is cast to the ground, and everything this horn attempts seems to succeed—even his rebellion against God, His people, and His holy place.

What was Daniel's vision in chapter 7?

Two years after Daniel’s vision of the four beasts that we described in chapter 7, he had another vision, this one of a ram and a goat. As we’ll see, it was intended to give both him and us more detail on the things to come, because the vision has a dual fulfillment. For Daniel this vision was all in the future.

What chapter is the end times in Daniel?

The End Times According To Daniel ... Part Two, Chapters 8 And 9 – Grace thru faith

How long did the Temple's desolation last?

This distinguishes the Macabbean revolt from the Great Tribulation, where the coming Abomination of Desolation is said to last 1260 days ( Rev. 12:6 ), and shows that for us it’s a historical model of a future event.

What did Gabriel conclude his interpretation of the vision by implying?

Gabriel concluded his interpretation of the vision by implying that the 2300 evenings and mornings will surely come, but the vision’s ultimate fulfillment is for the End Times. This has been verified in history. The Temple’s desolation by Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled the prophecy of the evenings and mornings.

What does Gabriel say about Daniel 7:8?

We’ll see that the “Little Horn” of Daniel 7:8 is the end times fulfillment of the one called “Another Horn” in Daniel 8:9, the one we know as Antiochus Epiphanes. He begins with the identification of the Ram and Goat and describes the distribution of Alexander’s Kingdom to his four generals. Then he heads straight for “the time of wrath.”

How many evenings and mornings will it take to re-consecrate the sanctuary?

He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be re-consecrated.” ( Daniel 8:9-14)

Where is Daniel's grave today?

The year was 551 BC. It was 16 years before the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian coalition. Susa was 230 miles east of Babylon in modern day Iran and would become the capital of the Persian Empire. Both Daniel and Nehemiah lived there, as did Queen Esther. Today it’s known as Shush. An unusual white cone shaped stone there marks the traditional resting place of Daniel. In addition to the Persian Jews, many Shiite Muslims who also revere the prophet visit his grave to this day.

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1.What does Daniel chapter 8 mean? | BibleRef.com

Url:https://www.bibleref.com/Daniel/8/Daniel-chapter-8.html

12 hours ago Daniel chapter 8. New International Version. 1 In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long.

2.Enduring Word Bible Commentary Daniel Chapter 8

Url:https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/daniel-8/

9 hours ago In Daniel 8:5-7 a male goat with a large horn between his eyes suddenly arises from the west and smashes both horns of the ram. The angel Gabriel tells Daniel this goat represents the kingdom of Greece and its large horn is its first king, which would be shown by later history to be Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21). After over 200 years of rule, the Medo-Persian Empire came to an end …

3.Daniel chapter 8 - Prophecies of Daniel

Url:http://www.propheciesofdaniel.com/daniel-chapter-8/

29 hours ago 17. the time of the end--so Daniel 8:19, Daniel 11:35 Daniel 11:36 Daniel 11:40. The event being to take place at "the time of the end" makes it likely that the Antichrist ultimately referred to (besides the immediate reference to Antiochus) in this chapter, and the one in Daniel 7:8, are one and the same. The objection that the one in the ...

4.Daniel 8 Commentary - Bible Study Tools

Url:https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/daniel/daniel-8.html

17 hours ago Daniel 8:23 Commentary—Understanding Daniel 8:23: The Stern-Faced King is Antiochus Epiphanes. Out of one of the four divisions of Alexander the Great’s empire, an infamous king arose. This man was Antiochus Epiphanes. Upon claiming the Seleucid throne, Antiochus compelled his subjects to worship the Greek god Zeus.

5.Daniel 8 Commentary–Understanding Daniel 8

Url:https://www.revelationrevolution.org/daniel-8-a-preterist-commentary-understanding-daniel-8/

33 hours ago Commentary on Daniel 8:1-14. (Read Daniel 8:1-14) God gives Daniel a foresight of the destruction of other kingdoms, which in their day were as powerful as that of Babylon. Could we foresee the changes that shall be when we are gone, we should be less affected with changes in our own day. The ram with two horns was the second empire, that of Media and Persia.

6.Daniel 8 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise)

Url:https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/daniel/8

7 hours ago The great transgression of the Jews after the captivity (when they were cured of idolatry) was a contempt and profanation of the holy things, snuffing at the service of God, bringing the torn and the lame for sacrifice, as if the table of the Lord were a contemptible thing (so we find Mal. 1:7, 8, etc., and that the priests were guilty of this Mal. 2:1, 8), and therefore God sent Antiochus to …

7.Daniel 8 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete)

Url:https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-complete/daniel/8

17 hours ago  · Daniel’s vision in chapter 8 pertains to the second and third kingdoms of Daniel: Medo-Persia and Greece. In his vision, Daniel is transported to Susa, the capital of Persia, later referred to in the Books of Nehemiah and Esther.

8.9. The Ram, the Goat, and the Horn (Daniel 8:1-27) - Bible

Url:https://bible.org/seriespage/9-ram-goat-and-horn-daniel-81-27

5 hours ago  · As Gabriel told Daniel, in the time of wrath there would be a second, greater fulfillment of the prophecies from his vision of chapter 8. Another king would arise and repeat the things Antiochus had done, one of which would be to stand in the Temple and declare himself to be God, and demand that the people worship a statue of him on pain of death.

9.The End Times According To Daniel … Part Two, Chapters …

Url:https://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/the-end-times-according-to-daniel-part-two-chapters-8-and-9/

31 hours ago

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