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Daniel 8-12
New English Translation

Daniel Has a Vision of a Goat and a Ram

8 [a] In the third year[b] of King Belshazzar’s reign, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me previously.[c] 2 In this[d] vision I saw myself in Susa[e] the citadel,[f] which is located in the province of Elam. In the vision I saw myself at the Ulai Canal.[g] 3 I looked up[h] and saw[i] a[j] ram with two horns standing at the canal. Its two horns were both long,[k] but one was longer than the other. The longer one was coming up after the shorter one. 4 I saw that the ram was butting westward, northward, and southward. No animal[l] was able to stand before it, and there was none who could deliver from its power.[m] It did as it pleased and acted arrogantly.[n]

5 While I was contemplating all this,[o] a male goat[p] was coming from the west over the surface of all the land[q] without touching the ground. This goat had a conspicuous horn[r] between its eyes. 6 It came to the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed against it with raging strength.[s] 7 I saw it approaching the ram. It went into a fit of rage against the ram[t] and struck it[u] and broke off its two horns. The ram had no ability to resist it.[v] The goat hurled the ram[w] to the ground and trampled it. No one could deliver the ram from its power.[x] 8 The male goat acted even more arrogantly. But no sooner had the large horn become strong than it was broken, and there arose four conspicuous horns[y] in its place,[z] extending toward the four winds of the sky.[aa]

9 From one of them came a small horn,[ab] but it grew to be very great toward the south and the east and toward the beautiful land.[ac] 10 It grew so great it reached the army[ad] of heaven, and it brought about the fall of some of the army and some of the stars[ae] to the ground, where it trampled them. 11 It also acted arrogantly against the Prince of the army,[af] from whom[ag] the daily sacrifice was removed and whose sanctuary[ah] was thrown down. 12 The army was given over,[ai] along with the daily sacrifice, in the course of his sinful rebellion.[aj] It hurled[ak] truth[al] to the ground and enjoyed success.[am]

13 Then I heard a holy one[an] speaking. Another holy one said to the one who was speaking, “To what period of time does the vision pertain—this vision concerning the daily sacrifice and the destructive act of rebellion and the giving over of both the sanctuary and army to be trampled?” 14 He said to me, “To 2,300 evenings and mornings;[ao] then the sanctuary will be put right again.”[ap]

An Angel Interprets Daniel’s Vision

15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me. 16 Then I heard a human voice coming from between the banks of the Ulai. It called out, “Gabriel,[aq] enable this person to understand the vision.” 17 So he approached the place where I was standing. As he came, I felt terrified and fell flat on the ground.[ar] Then he said to me, “Understand, son of man,[as] that the vision pertains to the time of the end.” 18 As he spoke with me, I fell into a trance with my face to the ground. But he touched me and stood me upright.[at]

19 Then he said, “I am going to inform you about what will happen in the latter time of wrath, for the vision[au] pertains to the appointed time of the end. 20 The ram that you saw with the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The male goat[av] is the king of Greece,[aw] and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. 22 The horn that was broken[ax] and in whose place there arose four others stands for four kingdoms that will arise from his nation, though they will not have his strength. 23 Toward the end of their rule, when rebellious acts[ay] are complete, a rash[az] and deceitful[ba] king will arise.[bb] 24 His power will be great, but it will not be by his strength alone. He will cause terrible destruction.[bc] He will be successful in what he undertakes.[bd] He will destroy powerful people and the people of the holy ones.[be] 25 By his treachery[bf] he will succeed through deceit.[bg] He will have an arrogant attitude,[bh] and he will destroy many who are unaware of his schemes.[bi] He will rise up against the Prince of princes, yet he will be broken apart—but not by human agency.[bj] 26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that was told to you is correct.[bk] But you should seal up the vision, for it refers to a time many days from now.”

27 I, Daniel, was exhausted[bl] and sick for days. Then I got up and again carried out the king’s business. But I was astonished at the vision, and there was no one to explain it.

Daniel Prays for His People

9 In the first year of Darius[bm] son of Ahasuerus,[bn] who was of Median descent and who had been[bo] appointed king over the Babylonian[bp] empire— 2 in the first year of his reign[bq] I, Daniel, came to understand from the sacred books[br] that the number of years for the fulfilling of the desolation of Jerusalem, which had come as the Lord’s[bs] message to the prophet Jeremiah, would be 70 years. 3 So I turned my attention[bt] to the Lord God[bu] to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.[bv] 4 I prayed to the Lord my God, confessing in this way:

“O Lord,[bw] great and awesome God who is faithful to his covenant[bx] with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned! We have done what is wrong and wicked; we have rebelled by turning away from your commandments and standards. 6 We have not paid attention to your servants the prophets, who spoke by your authority[by] to our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors,[bz] and to all the inhabitants[ca] of the land as well.

7 “You are righteous,[cb] O Lord, but we are humiliated this day[cc]—the people[cd] of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far away in all the countries in which you have scattered them, because they have behaved unfaithfully toward you. 8 O Lord, we have been humiliated[ce]—our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors—because we have sinned against you. 9 Yet the Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving,[cf] even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed[cg] the Lord our God by living according to[ch] his laws[ci] that he set before us through his servants the prophets.

11 “All Israel has broken[cj] your law and turned away by not obeying you.[ck] Therefore you have poured out on us the judgment solemnly threatened[cl] in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against you.[cm] 12 He has carried out his threats[cn] against us and our rulers[co] who were over[cp] us by bringing great calamity on us—what has happened to Jerusalem has never been equaled under all heaven! 13 Just as it is written in the law of Moses, so all this calamity has come on us. Still we have not tried to pacify[cq] the Lord our God by turning back from our sin and by seeking wisdom[cr] from your reliable moral standards.[cs] 14 The Lord was mindful of the calamity, and he brought it on us. For the Lord our God is just[ct] in all he has done,[cu] and we have not obeyed him.[cv]

15 “Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with great power[cw] and made a name for yourself that is remembered to this day—we have sinned and behaved wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all your justice,[cx] please turn your raging anger[cy] away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. For due to our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people are mocked by all our neighbors.

17 “So now, our God, accept[cz] the prayer and requests of your servant, and show favor to[da] your devastated sanctuary for your own sake.[db] 18 Listen attentively,[dc] my God, and hear! Open your eyes and look on our desolated ruins[dd] and the city called by your name.[de] For it is not because of our own righteous deeds that we are praying to you,[df] but because your compassion is abundant. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, pay attention, and act! Don’t delay, for your own sake, O my God! For your city and your people are called by your name.”[dg]

Gabriel Gives to Daniel a Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

20 While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my request before the Lord my God concerning his holy mountain[dh]— 21 yes, while I was still praying,[di] the man Gabriel, whom I had seen previously[dj] in a vision, was approaching me in my state of extreme weariness,[dk] around the time of the evening offering. 22 He spoke with me, instructing me as follows:[dl] “Daniel, I have now come to impart understanding to you. 23 At the beginning of your requests a message went out, and I have come to convey it to you, for you are of great value in God’s sight.[dm] Therefore consider the message and understand the vision:[dn]

24 “Seventy weeks[do] have been determined
concerning your people and your holy city
to put an end to[dp] rebellion,
to bring sin[dq] to completion,[dr]
to atone for iniquity,
to bring in perpetual[ds] righteousness,
to seal up[dt] the prophetic vision,[du]
and to anoint a Most Holy Place.[dv]
25 So know and understand:
From the issuing of the command[dw] to restore and rebuild
Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince arrives,[dx]
there will be a period of seven weeks[dy] and sixty-two weeks.
It will again be built,[dz] with plaza and moat,
but in distressful times.
26 Now after the sixty-two weeks,
an anointed one will be cut off and have nothing.[ea]
As for the city and the sanctuary,
the people of the coming prince will destroy[eb] them.
But his end will come speedily[ec] like a flood.[ed]
Until the end of the war that has been decreed
there will be destruction.
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one week.[ee]
But in the middle of that week
he will bring sacrifices and offerings to a halt.
On the wing[ef] of abominations will come[eg] one who destroys,
until the decreed end is poured out on the one who destroys.”

An Angel Appears to Daniel

10 [eh] In the third[ei] year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war.[ej] He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.[ek] 3 I ate no choice food, no meat or wine came to my lips,[el] nor did I anoint myself with oil[em] until the end of those three weeks.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month[en] I was beside the great river, the Tigris.[eo] 5 I looked up[ep] and saw a[eq] man[er] clothed in linen;[es] around his waist was a belt made of gold from Ufaz.[et] 6 His body resembled yellow jasper,[eu] and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;[ev] his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice[ew] thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it.[ex] On the contrary, they were overcome with fright[ey] and ran away to hide. 8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from[ez] me, and my vigor disappeared;[fa] I was without energy.[fb] 9 I listened to his voice,[fc] and as I did so[fd] I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10 Then[fe] a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.[ff] 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value.[fg] Understand the words that I am about to[fh] speak to you. So stand up,[fi] for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this[fj] to me, I stood up shaking. 12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind[fk] to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But[fl] Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there[fm] with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in future days, for the vision pertains to days to come.”[fn]

15 While he was saying this to me,[fo] I was flat on[fp] the ground and unable to speak. 16 Then[fq] one who appeared to be a human being[fr] was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir,[fs] due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you?[ft] My strength is gone,[fu] and I am breathless.” 18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again[fv] and strengthened me. 19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are highly valued.[fw] Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now,[fx] for you have given me strength.” 20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you?[fy] Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book.[fz] (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes,[ga] except Michael your[gb] prince.

11 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I[gc] stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.) 2 Now I will tell you the truth.

The Angel Gives a Message to Daniel

“Three[gd] more kings will arise for Persia. Then a fourth[ge] king will be unusually rich,[gf] more so than all who preceded him. When he has amassed power through his riches, he will stir up everyone against[gg] the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a powerful king[gh] will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases. 4 Shortly after his rise to power,[gi] his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky[gj]—but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

5 “Then the king of the south[gk] and one of his subordinates[gl] will grow strong. His subordinate[gm] will resist[gn] him and will rule a kingdom greater than his.[go] 6 After some years have passed, they[gp] will form an alliance. Then the daughter[gq] of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power,[gr] nor will he continue[gs] in his strength.[gt] She, together with the one who brought her, her child,[gu] and her benefactor will all be delivered over at that time.[gv]

7 “There will arise in his[gw] place one from her family line[gx] who will come against their army and will enter the stronghold of the king of the north and will move against them successfully.[gy] 8 He will also take their gods into captivity to Egypt, along with their cast images and prized utensils of silver and gold. Then he will withdraw for some years from[gz] the king of the north. 9 Then the king of the north[ha] will advance against the empire of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land. 10 His sons[hb] will wage war, mustering a large army that will advance like an overflowing river and carrying the battle all the way to the enemy’s[hc] fortress.[hd]

11 “Then the king of the south[he] will be enraged and will march out to fight against the king of the north, who will also muster a large army, but that army will be delivered into his hand. 12 When the army is taken away, the king of the south will become arrogant.[hf] He will be responsible for the death[hg] of thousands and thousands of people,[hh] but he will not continue to prevail. 13 For the king of the north will again muster an army, one larger than before. At the end of some years he will advance with a huge army and enormous supplies.

14 “In those times many will oppose[hi] the king of the south.[hj] Those who are violent[hk] among your own people will rise up in confirmation of[hl] the vision, but they will falter. 15 Then the king of the north will advance and will build siege mounds and capture a well-fortified city.[hm] The forces of the south will not prevail, not even his finest contingents.[hn] They will have no strength to prevail. 16 The one advancing against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand before him. He will prevail in the beautiful land, and its annihilation will be within his power.[ho] 17 His intention[hp] will be to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, and he will form alliances.[hq] He will give the king of the south[hr] a daughter[hs] in marriage in order to destroy the kingdom, but it will not turn out to his advantage. 18 Then he will turn his attention[ht] to the coastal regions and will capture many of them. But a commander[hu] will bring his shameful conduct to a halt; in addition,[hv] he will make him pay for his shameful conduct.[hw] 19 He will then turn his attention to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall, not to be found again. 20 There will arise after him[hx] one[hy] who will send out an exactor[hz] of tribute to enhance the splendor of the kingdom, but after a few days he will be destroyed,[ia] though not in anger or battle.

21 “Then there will arise in his place a despicable person[ib] to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit. 22 Armies[ic] will be suddenly[id] swept away in defeat[ie] before him; both they and a covenant leader[if] will be destroyed.[ig] 23 After[ih] entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force.[ii] 24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long.[ij] 25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm[ik] against the king of the south[il] with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him. 26 Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away;[im] many will be killed in battle. 27 These two kings, their minds[in] filled with evil intentions, will trade[io] lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time. 28 Then the king of the north[ip] will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land. 29 At an appointed time he will again invade the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did. 30 The ships of Kittim[iq] will come against him, leaving him disheartened.[ir] He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor[is] those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 His forces[it] will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary,[iu] stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up[iv] the abomination that causes desolation. 32 Then with smooth words he will defile[iw] those who have rejected[ix] the covenant. But the people who are loyal to[iy] their God will act valiantly.[iz] 33 These who are wise among the people will teach the masses.[ja] However, they will fall[jb] by the sword and by the flame,[jc] and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.[jd] 34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully. 35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.

36 “Then the king[je] will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the time of[jf] wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.[jg] 37 He will not respect[jh] the gods of his fathers—not even the god loved by women.[ji] He will not respect any god; he will elevate himself above them all. 38 What he will honor is a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities. 39 He will attack[jj] mighty fortresses, aided by[jk] a foreign deity. To those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.[jl]

40 “At the time of the end the king of the south will attack[jm] him. Then the king of the north will storm against him[jn] with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada of ships.[jo] He[jp] will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river.[jq] 41 Then he will enter the beautiful land.[jr] Many[js] will fall, but these will escape:[jt] Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. 42 He will extend his power[ju] against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 He will have control over the hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians[jv] will submit to him.[jw] 44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas[jx] toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.

12 “At that time Michael,
the great prince who watches over your people,[jy]
will arise.[jz]
There will be a time of distress
unlike any other from the nation’s beginning[ka]
up to that time.
But at that time your own people,
all those whose names are[kb] found written in the book,
will escape.
2 Many of those who sleep
in the dusty ground will awake—
some to everlasting life,
and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence.[kc]
3 But the wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavenly expanse.
And those bringing many to righteousness
will be like the stars forever and ever.

4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about,[kd] and knowledge will increase.”

5 I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river.[ke] 6 One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, “When will the end of these wondrous events occur?” 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he raised both his right and left hands to the sky[kf] and made an oath by the one who lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the one who shatters[kg] the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished.”

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir,[kh] what will happen after these things?” 9 He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place,[ki] there are 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. 13 But you should go your way[kj] until the end.[kk] You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive[kl] what you have been allotted.”[km]

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 8:1 sn Dan 8:1 marks the switch from Aramaic (= 2:4b-7:28) back to Hebrew as the language in which the book is written in its present form. The remainder of the book from this point on (8:1-12:13) is in Hebrew. The bilingual nature of the book has been variously explained, but it most likely has to do with the book’s transmission history; see the note at 2:4.
  2. Daniel 8:1 sn The third year of King Belshazzar’s reign would have been ca. 551 b.c. Daniel would have been approximately 69 years old at the time of this vision.
  3. Daniel 8:1 tn Heb “in the beginning.” This refers to the vision described in chapter seven.
  4. Daniel 8:2 tn Heb “the.”
  5. Daniel 8:2 sn Susa (Heb. שׁוּשַׁן, shushan), located some 230 miles (380 km) east of Babylon, was a winter residence for Persian kings during the Achaemenid period. The language of v. 2 seems to suggest that Daniel may not have been physically present at Susa, but only saw himself there in the vision. However, the Hebrew is difficult, and some have concluded that the first four words of v. 2 in the MT are a later addition (cf. Theodotion).
  6. Daniel 8:2 tn The Hebrew word בִּירָה (birah, “castle, palace”) usually refers to a fortified structure within a city, but here it is in apposition to the city name Susa and therefore has a broader reference to the entire city (against this view, however, see BDB 108 s.v. 2). Cf. NAB “the fortress of Susa”; TEV “the walled city of Susa.”
  7. Daniel 8:2 tn The term אוּבַל (ʾuval = “stream, river”) is a relatively rare word in biblical Hebrew, found only here and in vv. 3 and 6. The Ulai was apparently a sizable artificial canal in Susa (cf. NASB, NIV, NCV) and not a river in the ordinary sense of that word.
  8. Daniel 8:3 tn Heb “lifted my eyes.”
  9. Daniel 8:3 tn Heb “saw and behold.”
  10. Daniel 8:3 tn Heb “one.” The Hebrew numerical adjective occasionally functions like an English indefinite article. See GKC 401 §125.b.
  11. Daniel 8:3 tn Heb “high” (also “higher” later in this verse).
  12. Daniel 8:4 tn Or “beast” (NAB).
  13. Daniel 8:4 tn Heb “hand,” as also in v. 7.
  14. Daniel 8:4 tn In the Hiphil the Hebrew verb גָּדַל (gadal, “to make great; to magnify”) can have either a positive or a negative sense. For the former, used especially of God, see Ps 126:2, 3 and Joel 2:21. In this chapter (8:4, 8, 11, 25) the word has a pejorative sense, describing the self-glorification of this king. The sense seems to be that of vainly assuming one’s own superiority through deliberate hubris.
  15. Daniel 8:5 tn The words “all this” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.
  16. Daniel 8:5 tn Heb “and behold, a he-goat of the goats.”
  17. Daniel 8:5 tn Or “of the whole earth” (NAB, ASV, NASB, NRSV).
  18. Daniel 8:5 tn Heb “a horn of vision” [or “conspicuousness”], i.e., “a conspicuous horn,” one easily seen.
  19. Daniel 8:6 tn Heb “the wrath of its strength.”
  20. Daniel 8:7 tn Heb “him.”
  21. Daniel 8:7 tn Heb “the ram.”
  22. Daniel 8:7 tn Heb “stand before him.”
  23. Daniel 8:7 tn Heb “he hurled him.” The referents of both pronouns (the male goat and the ram) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
  24. Daniel 8:7 sn The goat of Daniel’s vision represents Greece; the large horn represents Alexander the Great. The ram stands for Media-Persia. Alexander’s rapid conquest of the Persians involved three battles of major significance that he won against overwhelming odds: Granicus (334 b.c.), Isus (333 b.c.), and Gaugemela (331 b.c.).
  25. Daniel 8:8 tn The word “horns” is not in the Hebrew text but is implied.
  26. Daniel 8:8 sn The four conspicuous horns refer to Alexander’s successors. After his death, Alexander’s empire was divided up among four of his generals: Cassander, who took Macedonia and Greece; Lysimachus, who took Thrace and parts of Asia Minor; Seleucus, who took Syria and territory to its east; and Ptolemy, who took control of Egypt.
  27. Daniel 8:8 tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
  28. Daniel 8:9 sn This small horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who controlled the Seleucid kingdom from ca. 175-164 b.c. Antiochus was extremely hostile toward the Jews and persecuted them mercilessly.
  29. Daniel 8:9 sn The expression the beautiful land (Heb. הַצֶּבִי [hatsevi] = “the beauty”) is a cryptic reference to the land of Israel. Cf. 11:16, 41, where it is preceded by the word אֶרֶץ (ʾerets, “land”).
  30. Daniel 8:10 tn Traditionally, “host.” The term refers to God’s heavenly angelic assembly, which he sometimes leads into battle as an army.
  31. Daniel 8:10 sn In prescientific Israelite thinking the stars were associated with the angelic members of God’s heavenly assembly. See Judg 5:20; Job 38:7; Isa 40:26. In west Semitic mythology the stars were members of the high god’s divine assembly (see Isa 14:13).
  32. Daniel 8:11 sn The prince of the army may refer to God (cf. “whose sanctuary” later in the verse) or to the angel Michael (cf. 12:1).
  33. Daniel 8:11 tn Or perhaps “and by him,” referring to Antiochus rather than to God.
  34. Daniel 8:11 sn Here the sanctuary is a reference to the temple of God in Jerusalem.
  35. Daniel 8:12 tc The present translation reads וּצְבָאָהּ נִתַּן (utsevaʾah nittan, “and its army was given”) for the MT וְצָבָא תִּנָּתֵן (vetsavaʾ tinnaten, “and an army was being given/will be given”). The context suggests a perfect rather than an imperfect verb.
  36. Daniel 8:12 tn Heb “in (the course of) rebellion.” The meaning of the phrase is difficult to determine. It could mean “due to rebellion,” referring to the failures of the Jews, but this is not likely since it is not a point made elsewhere in the book. The phrase more probably refers to the rebellion against God and the atrocities against the Jews epitomized by Antiochus.
  37. Daniel 8:12 tc Two medieval Hebrew mss and the LXX have a passive verb here: “truth was hurled to the ground” (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV).
  38. Daniel 8:12 sn Truth here probably refers to the Torah. According to 1 Macc 1:56, Antiochus initiated destruction of the sacred books of the Jews.
  39. Daniel 8:12 tn Heb “it acted and prospered.”
  40. Daniel 8:13 sn The holy one referred to here is presumably an angel (cf. 4:13 [10AT], 23 [20AT]).
  41. Daniel 8:14 sn The language of evenings and mornings is reminiscent of the creation account in Genesis 1. Since “evening and morning” is the equivalent of a day, the reference here would be to 2,300 days. However, some interpreters understand the reference to be to the evening sacrifice and the morning sacrifice, in which case the reference would be to only 1,150 days. Either way, the event that marked the commencement of this period is unclear. The event that marked the conclusion of the period was the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem following the atrocious and sacrilegious acts that Antiochus implemented. This took place on December 25, 165 b.c. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah each year commemorates this victory.
  42. Daniel 8:14 tn Heb “will be vindicated” or “will be justified.” This is the only occurrence of this verb in the Niphal in the OT. English versions interpret it as “cleansed” (KJV, ASV), “restored” (NASB, TEV, NLT), or “reconsecrated” (NIV).
  43. Daniel 8:16 sn The only angels whose names are given in the OT are Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21; cf. Luke 1:19, 26) and Michael (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; cf. Jude 9; Rev 12:7). The name Gabriel means in Hebrew “man of God,” and Michael means “who is like God?”
  44. Daniel 8:17 tn Heb “on my face.”
  45. Daniel 8:17 tn Or “human one.”
  46. Daniel 8:18 tn Heb “on my standing.”
  47. Daniel 8:19 tn The Hebrew text does not actually state the referent (the vision Daniel saw in vv. 8-12; cf. also v. 13), which has been specified in the translation for clarity. Some Greek witnesses add “the vision” here.
  48. Daniel 8:21 tn Heb “the he-goat, the buck.” The expression is odd, and the second word may be an explanatory gloss.
  49. Daniel 8:21 tn Heb “Javan.”
  50. Daniel 8:22 tn Heb “the broken one.” The word “horn” has been supplied in the translation to clarify the referent.
  51. Daniel 8:23 tc The present translation reads הַפְּשָׁעִים (happeshaʿim, “the rebellious acts”) for the MT הַפֹּשְׁעִים (happosheʿim, “the rebels”). While the MT is understandable (cf. NIV, “when rebels have become completely wicked”), the filling up of transgressions is a familiar OT expression (cf. Gen 15:16) and fits this context well. Cf. the LXX, Theodotion, the Vulgate, and the Syriac.
  52. Daniel 8:23 tn Heb “strong of face.”
  53. Daniel 8:23 tn Heb “understanding riddles.” Possible meanings include “double-dealing” (BDB 295 s.v. חִידָה; cf. TEV, CEV) and “with a good knowledge of intrigue” (HALOT 309 s.v. חִידָה; cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).
  54. Daniel 8:23 tn Heb “stand” or “stand up.”
  55. Daniel 8:24 tn Heb “extraordinarily he will destroy.”
  56. Daniel 8:24 tn Heb “he will succeed and act.”
  57. Daniel 8:24 tn See the corresponding Aramaic expression in 7:27. If the “holy ones” are angels, then this probably refers to the angels as protectors of God’s people. One could translate, “people belonging to (i.e., protected by) the holy ones.” If the “holy ones” are God’s people, then this is an appositional construction, “the people who are the holy ones.” One could translate simply “holy people.” For examples of a plural appositional genitive after “people,” see 11:15, 32. Because either interpretation is possible, the translation has deliberately preserved the ambiguity of the Hebrew grammar here.
  58. Daniel 8:25 tn The Hebrew term has a primary meaning of “skill, insight,” but here it has the connotation “cunning, treachery.” See BDB 968 s.v. שֵׂכֶל, שֶׂכֶל.
  59. Daniel 8:25 tn Heb “he will cause deceit to succeed by his hand.”
  60. Daniel 8:25 tn Heb “in his heart he will act arrogantly.”
  61. Daniel 8:25 tn Heb “in peace.” The Hebrew word used here is difficult. It may refer to the security felt by those who did not realize the danger of imminent attack, or it may refer to the condition of being unaware of the impending danger. The latter idea is reflected in the present translation. See further, BDB 1017 s.v. שַׁלְוָה.
  62. Daniel 8:25 tn Heb “with nothingness of hand.”
  63. Daniel 8:26 tn Heb “truth.”
  64. Daniel 8:27 tn The Hebrew word here is נִהְיֵיתִי (nihyetiy). Its meaning is not entirely clear. Hebrew הָיָה (hayah) normally has meanings such as “to be” or “become.” Here, however, it describes Daniel’s emotional and physical response to the enigmatic vision that he has seen. It is parallel to the following verb, which refers to illness, and seems to refer to a state of utter exhaustion due to the amazing things that Daniel has just seen. The LXX lacks the word. On the meaning of the word see further, BDB 227-28 s.v. הָיָה Niph.2, and DCH 2:540 s.v. היה I Ni.3.
  65. Daniel 9:1 sn The identity of this Darius is a major problem in correlating the biblical material with the extra-biblical records of this period. Most modern scholars treat the reference as a mistaken allusion to Darius Hystaspes (ca. 522-486 b.c.). Others have maintained instead that this name is a reference to the Persian governor Gubaru. Still others understand the reference to be to the Persian king Cyrus (cf. 6:28, where the ו (vav) may be understood as vav explicativum, meaning “even”). Under either of these latter two interpretations, the first year of Darius would have been ca. 538 b.c. Daniel would have been approximately eighty-two years old at this time.
  66. Daniel 9:1 tc The LXX reads “Xerxes.” This is the reading used by some English versions (e.g., NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV). Most other English versions retain the Hebrew name “Ahasuerus.”
  67. Daniel 9:1 tc The present translation follows the MT in reading a Hophal (i.e., passive). Theodotion, the Syriac, and the Vulgate all presuppose the Hiphil (i.e., active). Even though this is the only occurrence of the Hophal of this verb in the Bible, there is no need to emend the vocalization to the Hiphil.
  68. Daniel 9:1 tn Heb “was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans.”
  69. Daniel 9:2 tc This phrase, repeated from v. 1, is absent in Theodotion.
  70. Daniel 9:2 tn Heb “books” or “scrolls.” The word “sacred” has been added to clarify that it refers to the Scriptures.
  71. Daniel 9:2 sn The tetragrammaton (the four Hebrew letters that constitute the divine Name, YHWH) appears 8 times in this chapter and nowhere else in the book of Daniel.
  72. Daniel 9:3 tn Heb “face.”
  73. Daniel 9:3 tn The Hebrew phrase translated “Lord God” here is אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים (ʾadonay haʾelohim).
  74. Daniel 9:3 sn When lamenting, ancient Israelites would fast, wear sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads to show their sorrow and contrition.
  75. Daniel 9:4 tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here and in vv. 7, 9, 15, 16, and 19 is אֲדֹנָי (ʾadonay).
  76. Daniel 9:4 tn Heb “who keeps the covenant and the loyal love.” The expression is a hendiadys.
  77. Daniel 9:6 tn Heb “in your name.” Another option is to translate: “as your representatives.”
  78. Daniel 9:6 tn Heb “our fathers” (also in vv. 8, 16). The Hebrew term translated “father” can refer to more distant relationships such as grandfathers or ancestors.
  79. Daniel 9:6 tn Heb “people.”
  80. Daniel 9:7 tn Heb “to you (belongs) righteousness.”
  81. Daniel 9:7 tn Heb “and to us (belongs) shame of face like this day.”
  82. Daniel 9:7 tn Heb “men.”
  83. Daniel 9:8 tn Heb “to us (belongs) shame of face.”
  84. Daniel 9:9 tn Heb “to the Lord our God (belong) compassion and forgiveness.”
  85. Daniel 9:10 tn Heb “paid attention to the voice of,” which is an idiomatic expression for obedience (cf. NASB “nor have we obeyed the voice of”).
  86. Daniel 9:10 tn Heb “to walk in.”
  87. Daniel 9:10 tc The LXX and Vulgate have the singular.
  88. Daniel 9:11 tn Or “transgressed.” The Hebrew verb has the primary sense of crossing a boundary, in this case, God’s law.
  89. Daniel 9:11 tn Heb “by not paying attention to your voice.”
  90. Daniel 9:11 tn Heb “the curse and the oath that is written.” The term “curse” refers here to the judgments threatened in the Mosaic law (see Deut 28) for rebellion. The expression “the curse and the oath” is probably a hendiadys (cf. Num 5:21; Neh 10:29) referring to the fact that the covenant with its threatened judgments was ratified by solemn oath and made legally binding upon the covenant community.
  91. Daniel 9:11 tn Heb “him.”
  92. Daniel 9:12 tn Heb “he has fulfilled his word(s), which he spoke.”
  93. Daniel 9:12 tn Heb “our judges.”
  94. Daniel 9:12 tn Heb “who judged.”
  95. Daniel 9:13 tn Heb “we have not pacified the face of.”
  96. Daniel 9:13 tn Or “by gaining insight.”
  97. Daniel 9:13 tn Heb “by your truth.” The Hebrew term does not refer here to abstract truth, however, but to the reliable moral guidance found in the covenant law (see vv 10-11).
  98. Daniel 9:14 tn Or “righteous.”
  99. Daniel 9:14 tn Heb “in all his deeds that he has done.”
  100. Daniel 9:14 tn Heb “we have not listened to his voice.”
  101. Daniel 9:15 tn Heb “with a powerful hand.”
  102. Daniel 9:16 tn Or “righteousness.”
  103. Daniel 9:16 tn Heb “your anger and your rage.” The synonyms are joined here to emphasize the degree of God’s anger. This is best expressed in English by making one of the terms adjectival (cf. NLT “your furious anger”; CEV “terribly angry”).
  104. Daniel 9:17 tn Heb “hear.” Here the verb refers to hearing favorably, accepting the prayer and responding positively.
  105. Daniel 9:17 tn Heb “let your face shine.” This idiom pictures God smiling in favor. See Pss 31:16; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19.
  106. Daniel 9:17 tn Heb “for the sake of my Lord.” Theodotion has “for your sake.” Cf. v. 19.
  107. Daniel 9:18 tn Heb “turn your ear.”
  108. Daniel 9:18 tn Heb “desolations.” The term refers here to the ruined condition of Judah’s towns.
  109. Daniel 9:18 tn Heb “over which your name is called.” Cf. v. 19. This expression implies that God is the owner of his city, Jerusalem. Note the use of the idiom in 2 Sam 12:28; Isa 4:1; Amos 9:12.
  110. Daniel 9:18 tn Heb “praying our supplications before you.”
  111. Daniel 9:19 tn Heb “for your name is called over your city and your people.” See the note on this expression in v. 18.
  112. Daniel 9:20 tn Heb “the holy mountain of my God.”
  113. Daniel 9:21 tn Heb “speaking in prayer.”
  114. Daniel 9:21 tn Heb “in the beginning.”
  115. Daniel 9:21 tn The Hebrew expression בִּיעָף מֻעָף (muʿaf biʿaf) is very difficult. The issue is whether the verb derives from עוּף (ʿuf, “to fly”) or from יָעַף (yaʿaf, “to be weary”). Many ancient versions and modern commentators take the first of these possibilities and understand the reference to be to the swift flight of the angel Gabriel in his coming to Daniel. The words more likely refer to the extreme weariness, not of the angel, but of Daniel (cf. 7:28; 8:27; 10:8-9, 16-17; also NASB).
  116. Daniel 9:22 tn Heb “he instructed and spoke with me.” The expression is a verbal hendiadys.
  117. Daniel 9:23 tn Or “a precious treasure”; KJV “greatly beloved”; NASB, NIV “highly esteemed.”
  118. Daniel 9:23 tn This sentence is perhaps a compound hendiadys (“give serious consideration to the revelatory vision”).
  119. Daniel 9:24 tn Heb “sevens.” Elsewhere the term is used of a literal week (a period of seven days); cf. Gen 29:27-28; Exod 34:22; Lev 12:5; Num 28:26; Deut 16:9-10; 2 Chr 8:13; Jer 5:24; Dan 10:2-3. Gabriel unfolds the future as if it were a calendar of successive weeks. Most understand the reference here as seventy “sevens” of years, or a total of 490 years.
  120. Daniel 9:24 tc Or “to finish.” The present translation reads the Qere (from the root תָּמַם, tamam) with many witnesses. The Kethib has “to seal up” (from the root הָתַם, hatam), a confusion with a reference later in the verse to sealing up the vision.
  121. Daniel 9:24 tc The present translation reads the Qere (singular), rather than the Kethib (plural).
  122. Daniel 9:24 tn The Hebrew phrase לְכַלֵּא (lekhalleʾ) is apparently an alternative (metaplastic) spelling of the root כָּלָה (kalah, “to complete, finish”), rather than a form of כָּלָא (kalaʾ, “to shut up, restrain”), as has sometimes been supposed.
  123. Daniel 9:24 tn Or “everlasting.”
  124. Daniel 9:24 sn The act of sealing in the OT is a sign of authentication (cf. 1 Kgs 21:8 and Jer 32:10, 11, 44).
  125. Daniel 9:24 tn Heb “vision and prophecy.” The expression is a hendiadys.
  126. Daniel 9:24 tn Or “the most holy place” (NASB, NLT); or “a most holy one”; or “the most holy one,” though the expression is used of places or objects elsewhere, not people.
  127. Daniel 9:25 tn Or “decree” (NASB, NIV); or “word” (NAB, NRSV).
  128. Daniel 9:25 tn The word “arrives” is added in the translation for clarification.
  129. Daniel 9:25 tn Heb “sevens” (also later in this line and in v. 26).sn The accents in the MT indicate disjunction at this point, which would make it difficult, if not impossible, to identify the “anointed one/prince” of this verse as messianic. The reference in v. 26 to the sixty-two weeks as a unit favors the MT accentuation, not the traditional translation. If one follows the MT accentuation, one may translate “From the going forth of the message to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince arrives, there will be a period of seven weeks. During a period of sixty-two weeks it will again be built, with plaza and moat, but in distressful times.” The present translation follows a traditional reading of the passage that deviates from the MT accentuation.
  130. Daniel 9:25 tn Heb “it will return and be built.” The expression is a verbal hendiadys.
  131. Daniel 9:26 sn The expression have nothing is difficult. Presumably it refers to an absence of support or assistance for the anointed one at the time of his “cutting off.” The KJV rendering “but not for himself,” apparently suggesting a vicarious death, cannot be defended.
  132. Daniel 9:26 tc Some witnesses (e.g., the Syriac) understand a passive verb and the preposition עִם (ʿim, “with) rather than the noun עַם (ʿam, “people”), thus reading “the city and the sanctuary will be destroyed with the coming prince.”
  133. Daniel 9:26 tn The words “will come speedily” are not in the Hebrew text but have been added in the translation for clarity.
  134. Daniel 9:26 sn Flood here is a metaphor for sudden destruction.
  135. Daniel 9:27 tn Heb “one seven” (also later in this line).
  136. Daniel 9:27 tn The referent of the Hebrew word כְּנַף (kenaf, “wing”) is unclear here. The LXX and Theodotion have “the temple.” Some English versions (e.g., NAB, NIV) take this to mean “a wing of the temple,” but this is not clear.
  137. Daniel 9:27 tn The Hebrew text does not have this verb, but it has been supplied in the translation for clarity.
  138. Daniel 10:1 sn This chapter begins the final unit in the book of Daniel, consisting of chapters 10-12. The traditional chapter divisions to some extent obscure the relationship of these chapters.
  139. Daniel 10:1 tc The LXX has “first.” sn Cyrus’ third year would have been ca. 536 b.c. Daniel would have been approximately eighty-four years old at this time.
  140. Daniel 10:1 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צָבָא (tsavaʾ) is uncertain in this context. The word most often refers to an army or warfare. It may also mean “hard service,” and many commentators take that to be the sense here (i.e., “the service was great”). The present translation assumes the reference to be to the spiritual conflicts described, for example, in 10:16-11:1.
  141. Daniel 10:2 tn Heb “three weeks of days.” The inclusion of “days” here and in v. 3 is perhaps intended to call attention to the fact that these weeks are very different in nature from those of chap. 9, which are “weeks of years.”
  142. Daniel 10:3 tn Heb “mouth.”
  143. Daniel 10:3 sn Anointing oneself with oil (usually olive oil) was a common OT practice due to the severity of the Middle Eastern sun (cf. Ps 121:6). It was also associated with rejoicing (e.g., Prov 27:9) and was therefore usually not practiced during a period of mourning.
  144. Daniel 10:4 sn The first month would be the month of Nisan, during which Passover was observed.
  145. Daniel 10:4 tn The Hebrew text has חִדָּקֶל (hiddaqel). “Tigris” appears here in the LXX, since it is the Greek name for this river. Elsewhere in the OT “the great river” refers to the Euphrates (e.g., Gen 15:18; Josh 1:4), leading some interpreters to think that a mistake is involved in using the expression to refer to the Tigris. But it is doubtful that the expression had such a fixed and limited usage. The Syriac, however, does render the word here by “Euphrates” (Syr. perat) in keeping with biblical usage elsewhere.
  146. Daniel 10:5 tn Heb “I lifted up my eyes.”
  147. Daniel 10:5 tn Heb “one.” The Hebrew numerical adjective is used here like an English indefinite article.
  148. Daniel 10:5 sn The identity of the messenger is not specifically disclosed. Presumably he is an unnamed angel. Some interpreters identify him as Gabriel, but there is no adequate reason for doing so.
  149. Daniel 10:5 tn The Hebrew word בַּדִּים (baddim) is a plural of extension. See GKC 396-97 §124.a, b, c and Joüon 2:500 §136.c.
  150. Daniel 10:5 tn The location of this place and even the exact form of the Hebrew name אוּפָז (ʾufaz) are uncertain. Apparently it was a source for pure gold. (See Jer 10:9.) The Hebrew word פָּז (paz, “refined gold” or “pure gold”) is more common in the OT than אוּפָז, and some scholars emend the text of Dan 10:5 to read this word. Cf. also “Ophir” (1 Kgs 9:28; Isa 13:12; Job 22:24; 28:16).
  151. Daniel 10:6 tn The Hebrew word translated “yellow jasper” is תַּרשִׁישׁ (tarshish); it appears to be a semiprecious stone, but its exact identity is somewhat uncertain. It may be the yellow jasper, although this is conjectural (cf. NAB, NIV “chrysolite”; NASB, NRSV “beryl”).
  152. Daniel 10:6 tn Heb “torches of fire.”
  153. Daniel 10:6 tn Heb “The sound of his words” (cf. v. 9).
  154. Daniel 10:7 tn Heb “the vision.”
  155. Daniel 10:7 tn Heb “great trembling fell on them.”
  156. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “did not remain in.”
  157. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “was changed upon me for ruin.”
  158. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “strength.”
  159. Daniel 10:9 tc Heb “I heard the sound of his words.” These words are absent in the LXX and the Syriac.
  160. Daniel 10:9 tn Heb “as I listened to the sound of his words.”
  161. Daniel 10:10 tn Heb “Behold.”
  162. Daniel 10:10 tc Theodotion lacks “and the palms of my hands.”tn Heb “on my knees and the palms of my hands.”
  163. Daniel 10:11 tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”
  164. Daniel 10:11 tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.
  165. Daniel 10:11 tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”
  166. Daniel 10:11 tn Heb “spoke this word.”
  167. Daniel 10:12 tn Heb “gave your heart.”
  168. Daniel 10:13 tn Heb “and behold.”
  169. Daniel 10:13 tc The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT).
  170. Daniel 10:14 tn Heb “days.”
  171. Daniel 10:15 tn Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”
  172. Daniel 10:15 tn Heb “I placed my face toward.”
  173. Daniel 10:16 tn Heb “Behold.”
  174. Daniel 10:16 tc So most Hebrew mss; one Hebrew ms along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX read: “something that looked like a man’s hand.”
  175. Daniel 10:16 tn Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address (cf. v. 19).
  176. Daniel 10:17 tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”
  177. Daniel 10:17 tn Heb “does not stand.”
  178. Daniel 10:18 tn Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.
  179. Daniel 10:19 tn Heb “treasured man.”
  180. Daniel 10:19 tn Heb “my lord may speak.”
  181. Daniel 10:20 sn The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.
  182. Daniel 10:21 tn Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT), although the NAB’s rendering, “the truthful book,” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.
  183. Daniel 10:21 tn The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.
  184. Daniel 10:21 tn The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.
  185. Daniel 11:1 sn The antecedent of the pronoun “I” is the angel, not Daniel. The traditional chapter division at this point, and the presence of a chronological note in the verse similar to ones used elsewhere in the book to position Daniel’s activities in relation to imperial affairs, sometimes lead to confusion on this matter.
  186. Daniel 11:2 sn Perhaps these three more kings are Cambyses (ca. 530-522 b.c.), Pseudo-Smerdis (ca. 522 b.c.), and Darius I Hystaspes (ca. 522-486 b.c.).
  187. Daniel 11:2 sn This fourth king is Xerxes I (ca. 486-465 b.c.).
  188. Daniel 11:2 tn Heb “rich with great riches.”
  189. Daniel 11:2 tn Or “All [of it] will arouse the kingdom of Greece.” The text is difficult. The text is traditionally taken to have the fourth king as the subject of the verb, making the relationship between הַכֹּל (hakkol, “all, the whole, everyone, everything”) and the kingdom of Greece difficult. Presumably “everyone” is the direct object, but the “kingdom” has the direct object marker אֶת (ʾet). This is very unlikely to be the preposition אֶת (ʾet, “with”) because the verb עוּר (ʿur, “to arouse”) uses the preposition עַל (ʿal) to mean “stir up against.” Nevertheless the meaning “against” is typically supplied or assumed from context. An alternative is to take הַכֹּל as the subject, meaning “all of it,” that is the power and wealth, will arouse [the interest] of the kingdom of Greece. This makes sense of the articular use of הַכֹּל, the parsing of the verb, and the direct object indicator, and also fits the context where in the next verse the Greek king rises up.
  190. Daniel 11:3 sn The powerful king mentioned here is Alexander the Great (ca. 336-323 b.c.).
  191. Daniel 11:4 tn Heb “and when he stands.”
  192. Daniel 11:4 tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
  193. Daniel 11:5 sn The king of the south is Ptolemy I Soter (ca. 323-285 b.c.). The following reference to one of his subordinates apparently has in view Seleucus I Nicator (ca. 311-280 b.c.). Throughout the remainder of chap. 11 the expressions “king of the south” and “king of the north” repeatedly occur. It is clear, however, that these terms are being used generically to describe the Ptolemaic king (i.e., “of the south”) or the Seleucid king (i.e., “of the north”) who happens to be in power at any particular time. The specific identity of these kings can be established more or less successfully by a comparison of this chapter with the available extra-biblical records that discuss the history of the intertestamental period. In the following notes the generally accepted identifications are briefly mentioned.
  194. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “princes.”
  195. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the subordinate prince mentioned in the previous clause) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  196. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “be strong against.”
  197. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “greater than his kingdom.”
  198. Daniel 11:6 sn Here they refers to Ptolemy II Philadelphus (ca. 285-246 b.c.) and Antiochus II Theos (ca. 262-246 b.c.).
  199. Daniel 11:6 sn The daughter refers to Berenice, who was given in marriage to Antiochus II Theos.
  200. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “the strength of the arm.”
  201. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “stand,” as also in vv. 7, 8, 11, 13.
  202. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “and his arm.” Some understand this to refer to the descendants of the king of the north.
  203. Daniel 11:6 tc The present translation reads יַלְדָּה (yaldah, “her child”) rather than the MT יֹלְדָהּ (yoledah, “the one who begot her”). Cf. Theodotion, the Syriac, and the Vulgate.
  204. Daniel 11:6 sn Antiochus II eventually divorced Berenice and remarried his former wife Laodice, who then poisoned her husband, had Berenice put to death, and installed her own son, Seleucus II Callinicus (ca. 246-227 b.c.), as the Seleucid king.
  205. Daniel 11:7 sn The reference is to the king of Egypt.
  206. Daniel 11:7 tn Heb “the stock of her roots.”sn The reference to one from her family line is probably to Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes (ca. 246-221 b.c.).
  207. Daniel 11:7 tn Heb “will deal with them and prevail.”
  208. Daniel 11:8 tn The Hebrew preposition מִן (min) is used here with the verb עָמַד (ʿamad, “to stand”). It probably has a sense of separation (“stand away from”), although it may also be understood in an adversative sense (“stand against”).
  209. Daniel 11:9 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  210. Daniel 11:10 sn The sons of Seleucus II Callinicus were Seleucus III Ceraunus (ca. 227-223 b.c.) and Antiochus III the Great (ca. 223-187 b.c.).
  211. Daniel 11:10 tn Heb “his”; the referent (the enemy of the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  212. Daniel 11:10 tn Heb “and he will certainly come and overflow and cross over and return and be aroused unto a fortress.” The translation has attempted to simplify the syntax of this difficult sequence.
  213. Daniel 11:11 sn This king of the south refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator (ca. 221-204 b.c.).
  214. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “his heart will be lifted up.” The referent (the king of the south) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  215. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “cause to fall.”
  216. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “of myriads.”
  217. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “stand against.”
  218. Daniel 11:14 sn This was Ptolemy V Epiphanes (ca. 203-181 b.c.).
  219. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “sons of violence.” “Son(s)” is sometimes used idiomatically in Hebrew to indicate that someone is characterized by a certain quality. So the expression “sons of violence” means that these individuals will be characterized by violent deeds.
  220. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “to cause to stand.”
  221. Daniel 11:15 sn This well-fortified city is apparently Sidon. Its capture from the Ptolemies by Antiochus the Great was a strategic victory for the Seleucid kingdom.
  222. Daniel 11:15 tn Or “choice troops” (BDB 104 s.v. מִבְחָר), or “elite troops” (HALOT 542 s.v. מִבְחָר).
  223. Daniel 11:16 tn Heb “hand.”
  224. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “and he will set his face” (cf. vv. 18, 19).
  225. Daniel 11:17 tc The present translation reads מֵישָׁרִים (mesharim, “alliances”) for the MT וִישָׁרִים (viysharim, “uprightness”).
  226. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “him”; the referent (the king of the south) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  227. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “the daughter of the women.”sn The daughter refers to Cleopatra, the daughter of Antiochus, who was given in marriage to Ptolemy V.
  228. Daniel 11:18 tn Heb “his face,” as also in v. 19.
  229. Daniel 11:18 sn The commander is probably the Roman commander, Lucius Cornelius Scipio.
  230. Daniel 11:18 tn The Hebrew here is difficult in that the negative בִּלְתִּי (bilti, “not”) is used in an unusual way. The sense is not entirely clear.
  231. Daniel 11:18 tn Heb “his shameful conduct he will return to him.”
  232. Daniel 11:20 tn Heb “on his place.”
  233. Daniel 11:20 sn The one who will send out an exactor of tribute was Seleucus IV Philopator (ca. 187-176 b.c.).
  234. Daniel 11:20 sn Perhaps this exactor of tribute was Heliodorus (cf. 2 Macc 3).
  235. Daniel 11:20 tn Heb “broken” or “shattered.”
  236. Daniel 11:21 sn This despicable person to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ca. 175-164 b.c.).
  237. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “arms.”
  238. Daniel 11:22 tc The present translation reads הִשָּׁטֹף (hishatof), Niphal infinitive absolute of שָׁטַף (shataf, “to overflow”), for the MT הַשֶּׁטֶף (hashetef, “flood”).
  239. Daniel 11:22 tn The words “in defeat” are added in the translation for clarification.
  240. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “a prince of the covenant.”
  241. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “broken” or “shattered.”
  242. Daniel 11:23 tn The preposition מִן (min) is probably temporal here (so BDB 583 s.v. 7.c; cf. KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV), although it could also be understood here as indicating means (so J. Goldingay, Daniel [WBC], 279, n. 23a; cf. TEV, NLT).
  243. Daniel 11:23 tn Heb “nation.”
  244. Daniel 11:24 tn Heb “and unto a time.”
  245. Daniel 11:25 tn Heb “heart.”
  246. Daniel 11:25 sn This king of the south was Ptolemy Philometer (ca. 181-145 b.c.).
  247. Daniel 11:26 tc The present translation reads יִשָׁטֵף (yishatef, passive) rather than the MT יִשְׁטוֹף (yishtof, active).
  248. Daniel 11:27 tn Heb “heart,” as also in v. 28.
  249. Daniel 11:27 tn Heb “speak.”
  250. Daniel 11:28 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  251. Daniel 11:30 sn The name Kittim has various designations in extra-biblical literature. It can refer to a location on the island of Cyprus, or more generally to the island itself, or it can be an inclusive term to refer to parts of the Mediterranean world that lay west of the Middle East (e.g., Rome). For ships of Kittim the Greek OT (LXX) has “Romans,” an interpretation followed by a few English versions (e.g., TEV). A number of times in the Dead Sea Scrolls the word is used in reference to the Romans. Other English versions are more generic: “[ships] of the western coastlands” (NIV, NLT); “from the west” (NCV, CEV).
  252. Daniel 11:30 sn This is apparently a reference to the Roman forces, led by Gaius Popilius Laenas, which confronted Antiochus when he came to Egypt and demanded that he withdraw or face the wrath of Rome. Antiochus wisely withdrew from Egypt, albeit in a state of bitter frustration.
  253. Daniel 11:30 tn Heb “show regard for.”
  254. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “arms.”
  255. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “the sanctuary, the fortress.”
  256. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “will give.”
  257. Daniel 11:32 tn Or “corrupt.”
  258. Daniel 11:32 tn Heb “acted wickedly toward.”
  259. Daniel 11:32 tn Heb “know.” The term “know” sometimes means “to recognize.” In relational contexts it can have the connotation “recognize the authority of, be loyal to,” as it does here.
  260. Daniel 11:32 sn This is an allusion to the Maccabean revolt, which struggled to bring about Jewish independence in the second century b.c.
  261. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “the many.”
  262. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “stumble.”
  263. Daniel 11:33 tn Or “by burning.”
  264. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “days.”
  265. Daniel 11:36 sn The identity of this king is problematic. If vv. 36-45 continue the description of Antiochus Epiphanes, the account must be viewed as erroneous, since the details do not match what is known of Antiochus’ latter days. Most modern scholars take this view, concluding that this section was written just shortly before the death of Antiochus and that the writer erred on several key points as he tried to predict what would follow the events of his own day. Conservative scholars, however, usually understand the reference to shift at this point to an eschatological figure, viz., the Antichrist. The chronological gap that this would presuppose to be in the narrative is not necessarily a problem, since by all accounts there are many chronological gaps throughout the chapter, as the historical figures intended by such expressions as “king of the north” and “king of the south” repeatedly shift.
  266. Daniel 11:36 tn The words “the time of” are added in the translation for clarification.
  267. Daniel 11:36 tn Heb “has been done.” The Hebrew verb used here is the perfect of certitude, emphasizing the certainty of fulfillment.
  268. Daniel 11:37 tn Heb “consider.”
  269. Daniel 11:37 tn Heb “[the one] desired by women.” The referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  270. Daniel 11:39 tn Heb “act against.”
  271. Daniel 11:39 tn Heb “with.”
  272. Daniel 11:39 tn Or perhaps “for a reward.”
  273. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “engage in thrusting.”
  274. Daniel 11:40 tn The referent of the pronoun is most likely the king of the south, in which case the text describes the king of the north countering the attack of the king of the south.
  275. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “many ships.”
  276. Daniel 11:40 tn This most likely refers to the king of the north who, in response to the aggression of the king of the south, launches an invasion of the southern regions.
  277. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “and will overflow and pass over.”
  278. Daniel 11:41 sn The beautiful land is a cryptic reference to the land of Israel.
  279. Daniel 11:41 tn This can be understood as “many people” (cf. NRSV) or “many countries” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).
  280. Daniel 11:41 tn Heb “be delivered from his hand.”
  281. Daniel 11:42 tn Heb “hand.”
  282. Daniel 11:43 tn Or “Nubians” (NIV, NCV); Heb “Cushites.”
  283. Daniel 11:43 tn Heb “Libyans and Cushites [will be] at his footsteps.”
  284. Daniel 11:45 sn Presumably seas refers to the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.
  285. Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “stands over the sons of your people.”
  286. Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “will stand up.”
  287. Daniel 12:1 tn Or “from the beginning of a nation.”
  288. Daniel 12:1 tn The words “whose names are” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.
  289. Daniel 12:2 sn This verse is the only undisputed reference to a literal resurrection found in the Hebrew Bible.
  290. Daniel 12:4 tn Or “will run back and forth”; KJV “shall run to and fro”; NIV “will go here and there”; CEV “will go everywhere.”sn Many will dash about is probably an allusion to Amos 8:12.
  291. Daniel 12:5 tn Heb “one to this edge of the river and one to that edge of the river.”
  292. Daniel 12:7 tn Or “to the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
  293. Daniel 12:7 tc The present translation reads יַד־נֹפֵץ (yad nofets, “hand of one who shatters”) rather than the MT נַפֵּץ־יַד (nappets yad, “to shatter the hand”).
  294. Daniel 12:8 tn Heb “my lord,” a title of polite address.
  295. Daniel 12:11 tn Heb “to give.”
  296. Daniel 12:13 tn The words “your way” are not in the Hebrew text but are implied.
  297. Daniel 12:13 tc The LXX lacks “until the end.”
  298. Daniel 12:13 tn The word “receive” is added in the translation for clarification.
  299. Daniel 12:13 sn The deuterocanonical writings known as the Story of Susanna and Bel and the Dragon appear respectively as chapters 13 and 14 of the book of Daniel in the Greek version of this book. Although these writings are not part of the Hebrew/Aramaic text of Daniel, they were popular among certain early communities who valued traditions about the life of Daniel.
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Daniel 8-12
New International Version

Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

8 In the third year of King Belshazzar’s(A) reign, I, Daniel, had a vision,(B) after the one that had already appeared to me. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa(C) in the province of Elam;(D) in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up,(E) and there before me was a ram(F) with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. 4 I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power.(G) It did as it pleased(H) and became great.

5 As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. 6 It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. 7 I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it,(I) and none could rescue the ram from its power.(J) 8 The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off,(K) and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.(L)

9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small(M) but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.(N) 10 It grew until it reached(O) the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth(P) and trampled(Q) on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the commander(R) of the army of the Lord;(S) it took away the daily sacrifice(T) from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.(U) 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people[a] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.(V)

13 Then I heard a holy one(W) speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled(X)—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot(Y) of the Lord’s people?”

14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”(Z)

The Interpretation of the Vision

15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision(AA) and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.(AB) 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai(AC) calling, “Gabriel,(AD) tell this man the meaning of the vision.”(AE)

17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.(AF) “Son of man,”[b] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”(AG)

18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.(AH) Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.(AI)

19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,(AJ) because the vision concerns the appointed time(AK) of the end.[c](AL) 20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.(AM) 21 The shaggy goat is the king of Greece,(AN) and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.(AO) 22 The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.(AP) 25 He will cause deceit(AQ) to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes.(AR) Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.(AS)

26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true,(AT) but seal(AU) up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”(AV)

27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted(AW) for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business.(AX) I was appalled(AY) by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

Daniel’s Prayer

9 In the first year of Darius(AZ) son of Xerxes[d](BA) (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian[e] kingdom— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy(BB) years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting,(BC) and in sackcloth and ashes.(BD)

4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:(BE)

“Lord, the great and awesome God,(BF) who keeps his covenant of love(BG) with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned(BH) and done wrong.(BI) We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away(BJ) from your commands and laws.(BK) 6 We have not listened(BL) to your servants the prophets,(BM) who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors,(BN) and to all the people of the land.

7 “Lord, you are righteous,(BO) but this day we are covered with shame(BP)—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered(BQ) us because of our unfaithfulness(BR) to you.(BS) 8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.(BT) 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving,(BU) even though we have rebelled against him;(BV) 10 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.(BW) 11 All Israel has transgressed(BX) your law(BY) and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses(BZ) and sworn judgments(CA) written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned(CB) against you. 12 You have fulfilled(CC) the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster.(CD) Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like(CE) what has been done to Jerusalem.(CF) 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord(CG) our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.(CH) 14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster(CI) on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does;(CJ) yet we have not obeyed him.(CK)

15 “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand(CL) and who made for yourself a name(CM) that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts,(CN) turn away(CO) your anger and your wrath(CP) from Jerusalem,(CQ) your city, your holy hill.(CR) Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn(CS) to all those around us.

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor(CT) on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear,(CU) our God, and hear;(CV) open your eyes and see(CW) the desolation of the city that bears your Name.(CX) We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.(CY) 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive!(CZ) Lord, hear and act! For your sake,(DA) my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

The Seventy “Sevens”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing(DB) my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill(DC)— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel,(DD) the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.(DE) 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.(DF) 23 As soon as you began to pray,(DG) a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.(DH) Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:(DI)

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’[f] are decreed for your people and your holy city(DJ) to finish[g] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone(DK) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness,(DL) to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.[h]

25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild(DM) Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[i](DN) the ruler,(DO) comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.(DP) 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death(DQ) and will have nothing.[j] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood:(DR) War will continue until the end, and desolations(DS) have been decreed.(DT) 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[k] In the middle of the ‘seven’[l] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[m] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed(DU) is poured out on him.[n]”[o]

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus(DV) king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).(DW) Its message was true(DX) and it concerned a great war.[p] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned(DY) for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;(DZ) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank(EA) of the great river, the Tigris,(EB) 5 I looked up(EC) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,(ED) with a belt of fine gold(EE) from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz,(EF) his face like lightning,(EG) his eyes like flaming torches,(EH) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,(EI) and his voice(EJ) like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(EK) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone,(EL) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(EM) my face turned deathly pale(EN) and I was helpless.(EO) 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(EP)

10 A hand touched me(EQ) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(ER) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(ES) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(ET) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(EU) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(EV) yourself before your God, your words(EW) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(EX) 13 But the prince(EY) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(EZ) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain(FA) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(FB) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(FC)”

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(FD) 16 Then one who looked like a man[q] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(FE) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(FF) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”(FG)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(FH) me and gave me strength.(FI) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(FJ) he said. “Peace!(FK) Be strong now; be strong.”(FL)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”(FM)

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece(FN) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(FO) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(FP) your prince. 11 1 And in the first year of Darius(FQ) the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

The Kings of the South and the North

2 “Now then, I tell you the truth:(FR) Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.(FS) 3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.(FT) 4 After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.(FU) It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted(FV) and given to others.

5 “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. 6 After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[r] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father[s] and the one who supported her.

7 “One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North(FW) and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods,(FX) their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt.(FY) For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country. 10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood(FZ) and carry the battle as far as his fortress.

11 “Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.(GA) 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

14 “In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps(GB) and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases;(GC) no one will be able to stand against him.(GD) He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.(GE) 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans[t] will not succeed(GF) or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands(GG) and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.(GH) 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall,(GI) to be seen no more.(GJ)

20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor.(GK) In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.

21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible(GL) person who has not been given the honor of royalty.(GM) He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away(GN) before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.(GO) 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully,(GP) and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers.(GQ) He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.

25 “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil,(GR) will sit at the same table and lie(GS) to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.(GT) 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

29 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands(GU) will oppose him, and he will lose heart.(GV) Then he will turn back and vent his fury(GW) against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.(GX) Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.(GY) 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist(GZ) him.

33 “Those who are wise will instruct(HA) many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.(HB) 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere(HC) will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,(HD) purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

The King Who Exalts Himself

36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself(HE) above every god and will say unheard-of things(HF) against the God of gods.(HG) He will be successful until the time of wrath(HH) is completed, for what has been determined must take place.(HI) 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[u]

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South(HJ) will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm(HK) out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.(HL) 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land.(HM) Many countries will fall, but Edom,(HN) Moab(HO) and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt,(HP) with the Libyans(HQ) and Cushites[v] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[w] the beautiful holy mountain.(HR) Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

The End Times

12 “At that time Michael,(HS) the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress(HT) such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book(HU)—will be delivered.(HV) 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:(HW) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.(HX) 3 Those who are wise[x](HY) will shine(HZ) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,(IA) like the stars for ever and ever.(IB) 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal(IC) the words of the scroll until the time of the end.(ID) Many will go here and there(IE) to increase knowledge.”

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.(IF) 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen,(IG) who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”(IH)

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand(II) and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever,(IJ) saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.[y](IK) When the power of the holy people(IL) has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.(IM)”

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed(IN) until the time of the end.(IO) 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined,(IP) but the wicked will continue to be wicked.(IQ) None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.(IR)

11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice(IS) is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation(IT) is set up, there will be 1,290 days.(IU) 12 Blessed is the one who waits(IV) for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.(IW)

13 “As for you, go your way till the end.(IX) You will rest,(IY) and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.(IZ)”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 8:12 Or rebellion, the armies
  2. Daniel 8:17 The Hebrew phrase ben adam means human being. The phrase son of man is retained as a form of address here because of its possible association with “Son of Man” in the New Testament.
  3. Daniel 8:19 Or because the end will be at the appointed time
  4. Daniel 9:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus
  5. Daniel 9:1 Or Chaldean
  6. Daniel 9:24 Or ‘weeks’; also in verses 25 and 26
  7. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain
  8. Daniel 9:24 Or the most holy One
  9. Daniel 9:25 Or an anointed one; also in verse 26
  10. Daniel 9:26 Or death and will have no one; or death, but not for himself
  11. Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
  12. Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
  13. Daniel 9:27 Septuagint and Theodotion; Hebrew wing
  14. Daniel 9:27 Or it
  15. Daniel 9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the wing of the abominable temple, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city
  16. Daniel 10:1 Or true and burdensome
  17. Daniel 10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand
  18. Daniel 11:6 Or offspring
  19. Daniel 11:6 Or child (see Vulgate and Syriac)
  20. Daniel 11:17 Or but she
  21. Daniel 11:39 Or land for a reward
  22. Daniel 11:43 That is, people from the upper Nile region
  23. Daniel 11:45 Or the sea and
  24. Daniel 12:3 Or who impart wisdom
  25. Daniel 12:7 Or a year, two years and half a year
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