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Note on Outline

This is an extract from my forthcoming full outline of Daniel. This vision is often interpreted in pieces, and I hope to show the strong structure of the passage. An interpretation must result from the structure. In other words, what an author means should be derived from what he says.

I. The Vision (Daniel 8:1 - 14)

As with much of Daniel, the chapter is structured as a vision followed by an angelic interpretation. Verses 1-14 describe the vision

A. Introduction (Daniel 8:1 - 2)

a). Timing of the vision (Daniel 8:1)

Based on the name Belshazzar, we would anticipate that the stated time is at the very end of the kingdom of Babylon. Belshazzar's father, Nabonidus, reigned from 556-539, and Belshazzar was regent toward the end of that time. Babylon fell to the Persians in 539.

b). Location of the vision (Daniel 8:2)

See note on the previous point. The location is not necessarily impossible, but is a bit odd for the time indicated.

Connect this location with the location of the being "with the appearance of a man" who orders Gabriel to interpret the vision in verses 15 and 16.

B. The Ram (Daniel 8:3 - 4)

a). Description of the ram (Daniel 8:3)

Verse 20 contains the interpretation. Note that the horns here refer to unequal powers within the Persian Empire, particularly the Medes and the Persians, while the ram symbolizes the empire as a whole.

b). The activities of the ram (Daniel 8:4)

This portion is ignored in the interpretation, probably because it is easily understood. The ram represents a great empire that for some time lacked real competition.

C. The He-Goat (Daniel 8:5 - 7)

a). Source and description of the he-goat (Daniel 8:5)

The interpretation here comes in verse 21. It's not hard to apply once you know who is under discussion. Macedonia and Greece, under Alexander the Great come from the west and conquer everything, moving so fast that it must have seemed their feet never touched the ground. Note again that the creature represents the empire or nation, while the horn represents the power within that, in this case Alexander the Great.

b). Greece against Persia (Daniel 8:6 - 7)

There is no specific verse interpreting this section. The activities of the he-goat against the ram are pretty obvious.

D. The Horn Splits (Daniel 8:8)

The horn splits into four parts. Historically, Alexanders empire at first shattered into many, but there were four dominant kingdoms, each founded by one of Alexander's generals. Again, the animal (he-goat) represents the empire/nation as a whole, while the horns represent power within.

The interpretation comes in verse 22, which also specifies the lesser strength of the four horns.

E. The Little Horn (Daniel 8:9 - 12)

There is a gender problem with the reference to the source of the little horn. In Hebrew, "horn" is feminine, while in the primary Masoretic Hebrew text, it is masculine. This has led some to conclude that the antecedent of "them" here is the winds. "Wind" is usually feminine in Hebrew, but does appear as masculine.

It is clear that we have horns growing from creatures, or from something, so the likelihood of winds is very low.

There are two potential solutions. First, we could have an attraction of the form of the pronoun "them" due to form, as the dual form of "horn" is identical to what it would be if masculine. Second, there are a number of manuscripts that do read feminine plural for "them." In either case, the logic is clear.

The interpretation of the little horn occupies verses 23-25. It's clear that the little horn gets greater attention than any other part of the vision.

i. Splits from one of the four (Daniel 8:9)

The timing of this horn can be ascertained from here, regardless of how one answers the question of where he comes from. He comes after the four horns, in other words, he must arise after the four kingdoms that resulted from Alexander's empire have at least come into existence. This would put us toward the end of the 4th century BCE at least.

If one is not convinced immediately "the pleasant land" refers to Israel, then "the people of the Holy Ones" in verse 24 should suffice.

ii. Goes against the host (Daniel 8:10)

iii. Removes sacrifice (Daniel 8:11 - 12)

Note key elements of what the little horn does: 1) removes the tamid (continual offering), 2) threw down the sanctuary, 3) threw truth to the ground, and 4) prospered.

You can make some slightly different lists, but that one gets the essence.

The interpretation continues in verses 24 and 25.

F. The Question (Daniel 8:13)

Note the points of the question: 1) the tamid (continual offering), 2) the transgression that desolates, and the trampling of host and holy place. How long will this last. Each element can be found in verses 9-12. This question asks how long the destruction accomplished by the little horn will last.

G. The Answer (Daniel 8:14)

The use of "evening-morning" rather than the simple word for "day" ties this in to the daily sacrifices and the tamid (continual).

II. The Vision Interpreted (Daniel 8:15 - 26)

Gabriel is introduced, and then proceeds to give some interpretation.

A. Gabriel Ordered to Interpret (Daniel 8:15 - 18)

B. Gabriel explains the Ram and the He-Goat (Daniel 8:19 - 22)

C. The Little Horn Explained (Daniel 8:23 - 25)

D. The 2300 Days are Firm (Daniel 8:26)

III. Daniel's Reaction (Daniel 8:27)