Daniel 8

1-14 Vision of a Ram and a Goat

1-4 In the 3rd year of Belshazzar, Daniel sees a vision in which he is in Susa, the capital, and sees a ram standing by the river Ulai, with two long horns, one longer than the other. The ram charges west, north, and south, and no beast can withstand it.

5-8 A male goat with one horn between its eyes comes out of the west, and strikes the ram, breaking its horns. The goat grows to an immense size, during which its horn breaks, and in its place come up four horns toward the four winds.

9-10 A little horn grows out of one of the horns, reaching the heavens, throwing down some of the stars of heaven and trampling on them.

11-12 It takes the burnt offering from the prince of hosts and overthrows his sanctuary, casts truth to the ground and prospers.

13-14 Daniel hears a holy one asking another holy one, how long is this vision of the overthrow? And he answers, 2003 evenings and mornings.

15-27 Gabriel Interprets the Dream

15-17 Daniel sees one like a man tell Gabriel to help Daniel understand the vision. As Daniel bows before him, he tells Daniel that it is for the time of the end.

18-22 The two horns on the ram are the kings of Media and Persia; the male goat is the king of Greece, the horn between its eyes being the first king, out of which 4 other kingdoms will arise.

23-25 When their rule ends, another powerful king will destroy the powerful and the holy ones, and make deceit prosper, rising up against the Prince of princes. He shall be broken, but not by human hands.

26-27 Gabriel tells Daniel to seal up the vision, for it refers to “many days from now.” The vision troubles Daniel so much he goes to bed for several days, then gets up and goes about the king’s business, still troubled.