Daniel 8

Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat

1 In the third year of the reign of l King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, m after that which appeared to me m at the first. 2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in n Susa the capital, 1 which is in the province of o Elam. And p I saw in the vision, p and I was at the q Ulai canal. 3 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, r 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. 4 I saw s the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No t beast u could stand before him, v and there was no one who could rescue from his power. w He did as he pleased and x became great.

5 As I was considering, behold, a y male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had y a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 6 He came to z the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, a and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. 7 I saw him come close to the ram, b and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. c And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he d cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. 8 Then y the goat e became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four f conspicuous horns toward f the four winds of heaven.

9 Out of one of them came g a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward h the south, toward the east, and toward i the glorious land. 10 j It grew great, k even to the host of heaven. And some of the host k and some 2 of l the stars it threw down to the ground and m trampled on them. 11 n It became great, even as great as o the Prince of the host. p And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, 3 and it will throw truth to the ground, and q it will act and prosper. 13 Then I heard r a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, s "For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, t the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?" 14 And he said to me, 4 "For 2,300 u evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state."

The Interpretation of the Vision

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I v sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having w the appearance of a man. 16 x And I heard a man's voice x between the banks of the y Ulai, and it called, z "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision." 17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, a I was frightened b and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, c O son of man, that the vision is for d the time of the end."

18 And when he had spoken to me, e I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But f he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of g the indignation, for it refers to h the appointed time of the end. 20 As for i the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of j Media and Persia. 21 And k the goat 5 is the king of Greece. And k the great horn between his eyes is l the first king. 22 m As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his 6 nation, n but not with his power. 23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 24 His power shall be great - o but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction p and shall succeed in what he does, q and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 r By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind s he shall become great. t Without warning he shall destroy many. And he s shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken - but u by no human hand. 26 The vision of v the evenings and the mornings that has been told w is true, but x seal up the vision, y for it refers to many days from now."

27 And z I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision a and did not understand it.

  1. Cross References
    Daniel 5:1
    King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
  2. Cross References
    Daniel 7:1
    In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.
  3. Cross References
    Daniel 7:1
    In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.
  4. Cross References
    Nehemiah 1:1
    The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital.
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 11:11
    In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.
  6. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:1
    In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:1
    In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  8. Cross References
    Daniel 8:16
    And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.
  9. Cross References
    Daniel 8:20
    As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.
  10. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 33:17
    A firstborn bull - he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
    Ezekiel 34:21
    Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad.
  11. Cross References
    Daniel 7:17
    These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
  12. Cross References
    Daniel 8:7
    I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power.
  13. Cross References
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
  14. Cross References
    Daniel 11:3
    Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.
    Daniel 11:16
    But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand.
    Daniel 11:36
    And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
  15. Cross References
    Daniel 8:8
    Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
  16. Cross References
    Daniel 8:21
    And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.
  17. Cross References
    Daniel 8:21
    And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.
  18. Cross References
    Daniel 8:20
    As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.
  19. Cross References
    Job 15:26
    Running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield.
  20. Cross References
    Daniel 11:11
    Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand.
  21. Cross References
    Daniel 8:4
    I saw the ram charging 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.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 7:5
    Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 8:5
    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
  24. Cross References
    Daniel 8:4
    I saw the ram charging 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.
  25. Cross References
    Daniel 8:5
    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
    Daniel 7:2 - 3
    Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.
  26. Cross References
    Daniel 8:5
    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
    Daniel 7:2 - 3
    Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.
  27. Cross References
    Daniel 7:8
    I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
  28. Cross References
    Daniel 11:25
    And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.
  29. Cross References
    Daniel 11:16
    But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand.
    Daniel 11:41
    He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites.
    Psalms 48:2
    Beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
    Ezekiel 20:6
    On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands.
    Ezekiel 20:15
    Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands.
  30. Cross References
    Daniel 11:28
    And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.
  31. Cross References
    Isaiah 14:13
    You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north.
  32. Cross References
    Isaiah 14:13
    You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north.
  33. Cross References
    Revelation 12:4
    His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
  34. Cross References
    Daniel 8:7
    I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power.
  35. Cross References
    Daniel 8:25
    By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken - but by no human hand.
    Daniel 11:36
    And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
  36. Cross References
    Joshua 5:14
    And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?
  37. Cross References
    Daniel 11:31
    Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
    Daniel 12:11
    And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
  38. Cross References
    Daniel 8:24
    His power shall be great - but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.
    Daniel 11:28
    And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.
    Daniel 11:30
    For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.
  39. Cross References
    Daniel 4:13
    I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.
  40. Cross References
    Daniel 12:6
    And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?
    Revelation 6:10
    They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?
    Daniel 9:21 - 27
    While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
  41. Cross References
    Daniel 11:31
    Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
  42. Cross References
    Daniel 8:26
    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 from now.
  43. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:10 - 11
    Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully.
  44. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
    Daniel 10:16
    And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
    Daniel 10:18
    Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
    Ezekiel 1:26
    And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.
    Revelation 1:13
    And in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
  45. Cross References
    Daniel 12:5 - 7
    Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.
  46. Cross References
    Daniel 12:5 - 7
    Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.
  47. Cross References
    Daniel 8:2
    And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the capital, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.
  48. Cross References
    Daniel 9:21
    While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
    Luke 1:19
    And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
    Luke 1:26
    In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.
  49. Cross References
    Luke 1:12
    And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
  50. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:28
    Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
  51. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  52. Cross References
    Daniel 8:19
    He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what...
    Daniel 11:27
    And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be...
    Daniel 11:35
    And some of the wise shall stumble, so that the...
    Daniel 11:40
    At the time of the end, the king of the south s...
    Daniel 12:4
    But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the...
    Daniel 12:9
    He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words ar...
  53. Cross References
    Daniel 10:9
    Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
    Luke 9:32
    Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
  54. Cross References
    Daniel 9:21
    While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
    Daniel 10:10
    And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
    Daniel 10:18
    Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
  55. Cross References
    Daniel 11:36
    And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
  56. Cross References
    Psalms 102:13
    You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
    Daniel 8:17
    So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.
  57. Cross References
    Daniel 8:3
    I raised my eyes and saw, 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.
  58. Cross References
    Daniel 6:8
    Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.
  59. Cross References
    Daniel 8:5
    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
  60. Cross References
    Daniel 8:5
    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
  61. Cross References
    Daniel 10:20
    Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
    Daniel 11:3
    Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.
  62. Cross References
    Daniel 8:8
    Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
  63. Cross References
    Daniel 8:24
    His power shall be great - but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.
  64. Cross References
    Revelation 17:17
    For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
  65. Cross References
    Daniel 8:12
    And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.
    Daniel 11:28
    And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.
    Daniel 11:30
    For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.
  66. Cross References
    Daniel 7:21
    As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them.
  67. Cross References
    Daniel 11:23
    And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.
  68. Cross References
    Daniel 8:11
    It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.
  69. Cross References
    Daniel 8:11
    It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.
  70. Cross References
    Daniel 11:21
    In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
    Daniel 11:24
    Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time.
  71. Cross References
    Daniel 2:34
    As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
  72. Cross References
    Daniel 8:14
    And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.
  73. Cross References
    Daniel 10:1
    In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
  74. Cross References
    Daniel 12:4
    But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
    Daniel 12:9
    He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
  75. Cross References
    Daniel 10:14
    And came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.
  76. Cross References
    Daniel 7:28
    "Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart."
  77. Cross References
    Daniel 8:16
    And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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