Daniel – Chapter 8

Old Testament27 Verses

Chapter Summary

Daniel 8 opens with the words: "In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the beginning," The chapter centers on Daniel and Gabriel. Across its 27 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the beginning,

2Saw in my vision when I was in the castle of Susa, which is in the province of Elam: and I saw in the vision that I was over the gate of Ulai.

3And I lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold a ram stood before the water, having two high horns, and one higher than the other, and growing up. Afterward

4I saw the ram pushing with his horns against the west, and against the north, and against the south: and no beasts could withstand him, nor be delivered out of his hand: and he did according to his own will, and became great.

5And I understood: and behold a he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and he touched not the ground, and the he goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

6And he went up to the ram that had the horns, which I had seen standing before the gate, and he ran towards him in the force of his strength.

7And when he was come near the ram, he was enraged against him, and struck the ram: and broke his two horns, and the ram could not withstand him: and when he had cast him down on the ground, he stamped upon him, and none could deliver the ram out of his hand.

8And the he goat became exceeding great: and when he was grown, the great horn was broken, and there came up four horns under it towards the four winds of heaven.

9And out of one of them came forth a little horn: and it became great against the south, and against the east, and against the strength.

10And it was magnified even unto the strength of heaven: and it threw down of the strength, and of the stars, and trod upon them.

11And it was magnified even to the prince of the strength: and it took away from him the continual sacrifice, and cast down the place of his sanctuary.

12And strength was given him against the continual sacrifice, because of sins: and truth shall be cast down on the ground, and he shall do and shall prosper.

13And I heard one of the saints speaking, and one saint said to another I know not to whom, that was speaking: How long shall be the vision, concerning the continual sacrifice, and the sin of the desolation that is made: and the sanctuary, and the strength be trodden under foot?

14And he said to him: Unto evening and morning two thousand three hundred days: and the sanctuary shall be cleansed.

15And it came to pass when I, Daniel, saw the vision, and sought the meaning, that behold there stood before me as it were the appearance of a man.

16And I heard the voice of a man between Ulai: and he called, and said: Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

17And he came, and stood near where I stood: and when he was come, I fell on my face, trembling, and he said to me: Understand, O son of man, for in the time of the end the vision shall be fulfilled.

18And when he spoke to me, I fell flat on the ground: and he touched me, and set me upright.

19And he said to me: I will shew thee what things are to come to pass in the end of the malediction: for the time hath its end.

20The ram, which thou sawest with horns, is the king of the Medes and Persians.

21And the he goat, is the king of the Greeks, and the great horn that was between his eyes, the same is the first king.

22But whereas when that was broken, there arose up four for it, four kings shall rise up of his nation, but not with his strength.

23And after their reign, when iniquities shall be grown up, there shall arise a king of a shameless face, and understanding dark sentences.

24And his power shall be strengthened, but not by his own force: and he shall lay all things waste, and shall prosper, and do more than can be believed. And he shall destroy the mighty, and the people of the saints,

25According to his will, and craft shall be successful in his hand: and his heart shall be puffed up, and in the abundance of all things he shall kill many: and he shall rise up against the prince of princes, and shall be broken without hand.

26And the vision of the evening and the morning, which was told, is true: thou, therefore, seal up the vision, because it shall come to pass after many days.

27And I, Daniel, languished, and was sick for some days: and when I was risen up, I did the king's business, and I was astonished at the vision, and there was none that could interpret it.

Important Verses in Daniel 8

In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the beginning,

Daniel 8:1

And the he goat became exceeding great: and when he was grown, the great horn was broken, and there came up four horns under it towards the four winds of heaven.

Daniel 8:8

And strength was given him against the continual sacrifice, because of sins: and truth shall be cast down on the ground, and he shall do and shall prosper.

Daniel 8:12

And I, Daniel, languished, and was sick for some days: and when I was risen up, I did the king's business, and I was astonished at the vision, and there was none that could interpret it.

Daniel 8:27

Historical Context

Daniel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the faithful under persecution, assured that God's kingdom will prevail. Chapter 8 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Daniel and Gabriel, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the…" It concludes: "And I, Daniel, languished, and was sick for some days: and when I was risen up, I did the king's business, and I was…" Read against its original backdrop, Daniel combines court stories of heroic fidelity—the fiery furnace, the lions' den—with apocalyptic visions of God's kingdom triumphing over the empires of the world. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Set in the 6th century BC; final form about 165 BC during the Maccabean persecution.

Who Wrote It

Traditions of Daniel, a Jewish exile at the Babylonian court; final form by a later inspired author

When It Was Written

Set in the 6th century BC; final form about 165 BC during the Maccabean persecution

Catholic Commentary

In this 27-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of faithfulness in exile and apocalyptic hope. A pivotal line is verse 1: "In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the beginning," The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of faithfulness in exile and apocalyptic hope. Daniel's visions point to Christ's kingdom (CIC 664). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 385).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Daniel3 mentionsGabriel1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Daniel Chapter 8, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of faithfulness in exile and apocalyptic hope.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Daniel Chapter 8 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that God's kingdom will never be destroyed.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2559).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Daniel Chapter 8 about?

Daniel 8 contains 27 verses. It opens with "In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the…" and closes with "And I, Daniel, languished, and was sick for some days: and when I was risen up, I did the king's business, and I was…". The book as a whole is court narrative and apocalyptic visions (with deuterocanonical sections).

What is a key verse in Daniel 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "In the third year of the reign of king Baltasar, a vision appeared to me. I, Daniel, after what I had seen in the beginning," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Daniel Chapter 8?

This chapter mentions Daniel, Gabriel.

Who wrote Daniel and when?

Traditions of Daniel, a Jewish exile at the Babylonian court; final form by a later inspired author. Set in the 6th century BC; final form about 165 BC during the Maccabean persecution.

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