2 I looked in the vision , and while I was looking I was in the citadel of Susa , which is in the province of Elam ; and I looked in the vision and I myself was beside the Ulai Canal . 3 Then I lifted my eyes and looked , and behold , a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal . Now the two horns were long , but one was longer than the other , with the longer one coming up last . 4 I saw the ram butting westward , northward , and southward , and no other beasts could stand before him nor was there anyone to rescue from his power , but he did as he pleased and magnified himself. 5 While I was observing , behold , a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground ; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes . 6 He came up to the ram that had the two horns , which I had seen standing in front of the canal , and rushed at him in his mighty wrath . 7 I saw him come beside the ram , and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns , and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power . 8 Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly e . But as soon as he was mighty , the large horn was broken ; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven . 9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south , toward the east , and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth , and it trampled them down . 11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host ; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down . 12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice ; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper . 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking , and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking , " How long e will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror , so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled ?" 14 He said to me, "For 2,300 e e evenings and mornings ; then the holy place will be properly restored ."
15 When I, Daniel , had seen the vision , I sought to understand it; and behold , standing before me was one who looked like a man . 16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai , and he called out and said , " Gabriel , give this man an understanding of the vision ." 17 So he came near to where I was standing , and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face ; but he said to me, "Son of man , understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end ." 18 Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground ; but he touched me and made me stand upright e . 19 He said , "Behold , I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation , for it pertains to the appointed time of the end . 20 "The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia . 21 "The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece , and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king . 22 "The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation , although not with his power . 23 "In the latter period of their rule , When the transgressors have run their course, A king will arise , Insolent e and skilled in intrigue . 24 "His power will be mighty , but not by his own power , And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree And prosper and perform his will; He will destroy mighty men and the holy people . 25 "And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence ; And he will magnify himself in his heart , And he will destroy many while they are at ease . He will even oppose the Prince of princes , But he will be broken without human agency . 26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true ; But keep the vision secret , For it pertains to many days in the future." 27 Then I, Daniel , was exhausted and sick for days . Then I got up again and carried on the king's business ; but I was astounded at the vision , and there was none to explain it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 8:2-27
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. He saw this ram overcome by a he-goat. This was Alexander the Great. Alexander, when about thirty-three years of age, and in his full strength, died, and showed the vanity of worldly pomp and power, and that they cannot make a man happy. While men dispute, as in the case of Alexander, respecting the death of some prosperous warrior, it is plain that the great First Cause of all had no more of his plan for him to execute, and therefore cut him off. Instead of that one great horn, there came up four notable ones, Alexander's four chief captains. A little horn became a great persecutor of the church and people of God. It seems that the Mohammedan delusion is here pointed out. It prospered, and at one time nearly destroyed the holy religion God's right hand had planted. It is just with God to deprive those of the privileges of his house who despise and profane them; and to make those know the worth of ordinances by the want of them, who would not know it by the enjoyment of them. Daniel heard the time of this calamity limited and determined; but not the time when it should come. If we would know the mind of God, we must apply to Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; not hid from us, but hid for us. There is much difficulty as to the precise time here stated, but the end of it cannot be very distant. God will, for his own glory, see to the cleansing of the church in due time. Christ died to cleanse his church; and he will so cleanse it as to present it blameless to himself.
Commentary on Daniel 8:15-27
(Read Daniel 8:15-27)
The eternal Son of God stood before the prophet in the appearance of a man, and directed the angel Gabriel to explain the vision. Daniel's fainting and astonishment at the prospect of evils he saw coming on his people and the church, confirm the opinion that long-continued calamities were foretold. The vision being ended, a charge was given to Daniel to keep it private for the present. He kept it to himself, and went on to do the duty of his place. As long as we live in this world we must have something to do in it; and even those whom God has most honoured, must not think themselves above their business. Nor must the pleasure of communion with God take us from the duties of our callings, but we must in them abide with God. All who are intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly; and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if true believers, look forward to a happy issue. Thus should we endeavour to compose our minds for attending to the duties to which each is appointed, in the church and in the world.