Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 8:26
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.
26. the vision of the evenings and mornings ( Dan 8:14) which hath been told, is true ] a solemn asseveration of the truth of what has been told (cf. Dan 10:1, Dan 11:2, Dan 12:7; also Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6), intended here as an encouragement to the persecuted Israelites, who may rest assured that their sufferings will ere long reach the appointed limit.
but thou (emph.), shut thou up the vision ] keep it secret (cf. Dan 12:4). The vision is supposed to have been seen in the third year of Belshazzar ( Dan 8:1), but it relates to the age of Antiochus; it is consequently to remain hidden till then, partly because it would not be intelligible before, partly in order to explain why no one had ever heard of it till the days of Antiochus himself. For the idea of a revelation given in the interests of a distant future, cf. Enoch i. 2, civ. 13.
for it belongeth to many days (to come)] i.e. it relates to a distant future. The expression is exactly the same (in the Heb.) as in Exo 12:27.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the vision of the evening and the morning – That is, of the two thousand three hundred days. See Dan 8:14, and the margin on that verse. The meaning here is, the vision pertaining to that succession of evenings and mornings. Perhaps this appellation was given to it particularly because it pertained so much to the evening and morning sacrifice.
Is true – Shall be certainly accomplished. This was said by the angel, giving thus to Daniel the assurance that what he had seen Dan 8:9-14 was no illusion, but would certainly come to pass.
Wherefore shut thou up the visions – Seal it up. Make a record of it, that it may be preserved, and that its fulfillment may be marked. See the notes at Isa 8:16.
For it shall be for many days – That is, many days will elapse before it will be accomplished. Let a fair record, therefore, be made of it, and let it be sealed up, that it may be preserved to prepare the people for these events. When these things would come thus fearfully upon the people of Judea, they would be the better able to bear these trials, knowing the period when they would terminate.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. The vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true] That mentioned in Da 8:14.
For it shall be for many days.] Not less than two thousand three hundred years!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The vision is true, i.e. of the two thousand three hundred days before, Dan 8:14. This exposition of it is true, plain, and certain. and therefore to be believed and seriously minded. Shut thou up the vision; lay it up in thy heart, keep it secret, reveal it to none till it be fulfilled. He doth not mean that it should be concealed from the people of God that were wise in heart, for they were concerned in it, and therefore it was revealed to Daniel; but he would not have it revealed to the Chaldeans and profane heathens, and therefore it was written in Hebrew, and not in Chaldee. It was to be fulfilled in after-times, and therefore to be safely laid up, and wisely to be thought on and improved. Therefore it is added,
for it shall be for many days; three hundred years after this, in the time of the Seleucidae; long after Daniels days and that generation. See Rev 22:10.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26. shut . . . up . . .visionimplying the vision was not to be understood forthe present. In Re 22:10 it issaid, “Seal not the vision, for the time is at hand.”What in Daniel’s time was hidden was more fully explained inRevelation, and as the time draws nearer, it will be clearer still.
it shall be for many daysItrefers to remote times (Eze12:27).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true,…. That is, of the 2300 evenings and mornings, or natural days; unto which time the daily sacrifice was to cease, and the sanctuary and host trodden under foot; and then the sanctuary would be cleansed. This account is “true”, and not only to be believed, but is clear and plain, and to be literally understood of so many days, of such a term of time exactly, having no obscurity in it:
wherefore shut thou up the vision; the whole vision of the ram and he goat, and the little horn: the meaning is, that he should keep it to himself, and conceal it from men; not from his own people, for whose sake it was given, but from the Chaldeans, whose destruction was near; and who would be succeeded by the Persians, who might be disgusted with this prophecy, should they see it, it foretelling the destruction of their empire: or this order was given to suggest to Daniel that the fulfilment of it would be deferred some time, during which it would not be so easy to be understood as when it was near accomplishing and accomplished; and then prophecy and facts might be compared together:
for it shall be for many days; it were three hundred years, or more, from the reign of Belshazzar to the death of Antiochus, in which this vision ends.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The angel again confirms the assertion that no part of this vision was shewn to the Prophet in vain, because not even the slightest portion of it should fail of its effect. The necessity of this method of confirming our faith is notorious, because, although the events may be well known to us, yet we cannot acquiesce in God’s word, unless he should testify so repeatedly to the truth of his assertions, and sanction by such repetition whatever appears to us ambiguous. When it becomes perfectly obvious that the angel discourses upon obscure events, and such as were utterly incredible at the time, it does not surprise us when he announces again, that the Prophet had seen nothing which God would not accomplish. This vision, therefore, says he, is truth. He calls it “the vision of the evening and morning,” because while the angel was treating of the six years and almost a half, he used this form of speech. And we said this was purposely expressed, lest any one should extend it to years or months, as some did; as if the angel had said, — Behold! by calculating single days up to six years and about a half, the completion of this prophecy when the Temple shall be cleansed, shall be accurately discovered. Again it is asserted, that the vision is certain, because God had computed day by day the time of the profanation of the Temple until the period of its cleansing. Do thou, therefore, says he, seal or close the vision, because it is for many days It may surprise us why God should wish what he had explained to his servant to remain concealed. For Daniel was not instructed in futurity for his own private advantage, but for the common usefulness of the whole people. It seems, therefore, contrary to his office to be commanded to close up the vision, and to keep it. in complete obscurity. But the angel means, if the greater part of the people should reject this prophecy, this formed no reason why Daniel should hesitate. Be thou, therefore, the guardian of this prophecy, as if God had deposited a treasure in the hands of his servant, and had said, “Pay no regard to any who despise this prophecy; many may deride thee, and others think thou art narrating fables, and very few will have confidence in thee but do not relax on this account, but faithfully guard this treasure,” since it is for many days; that is, although its effect is not immediately apparent, because God will suspend for some time the punishments of which entreats, and will not restore the Temple all at once, nor wrest His people immediately out of the hand of the tyrant. In consequence, then, of his deferring his judgments as well as his pity for many days, do thou close up this visions, that is, keep it to thyself, as if thou art alone. Thus God does not simply command his Prophet to be silent, or to conceal what he had learnt, but rather confirms him in his consistency, lest he should estimate this prophecy according to the ordinary opinions of his countrymen. And at the same time he shews, that though the Jews did not pay attention to what Daniel announced to them, yet nothing whatever should be in vain. It follows, —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(26) The concluding words of the angel are intended to comfort the Jewish Church in the days of her persecution. They teach her that God has foreseen her affliction, that it comes from Him in His love, and that it shall last only for a short while. This promise accounts for the firmness which was exhibited by the saints of the Maccabees, which entitles their faith to a place in the same list of faithful men which contains the names of Abel, Abraham, and Moses (Heb. 11:34-38).
Shut thou up.The revelation is to be kept safe, because the time of fulfilment is far off, and then the comforting words will be needed. Comp. Rev. 22:10, where the opposite counsel is given, seal it not, for the time of fulfilment is near.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Wherefore shut thou up, etc. Rather, nevertheless shut thou up the vision. (See Dan 9:24; Dan 12:4.) Although a true prophecy, it was to be hidden from the minds of men, if not from their eyes, until a later time. Two large legal documents of the fifth century B.C. were found in perfect condition by Dr. Petrie, which had been hidden away in an earthen pot probably at the time they were drawn up. (Compare Jer 32:11.) However, there is no account in Daniel or elsewhere of any such discovery in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes to which time this prophecy chiefly refers. It is better, therefore, to understand this verse as part of the apocalyptic vision. The author uses here the common literary method of his day in enforcing the thought that the chief lessons of the vision were not for the contemporaries of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, but for those who should live long afterward. It could not be understood until then.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And the vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true. But shut up the vision for it belongs to many days.’
Compare Dan 8:14. The spoken vision of the evenings and the mornings was of the period when the temple was desecrated, whether by a the ministrations of a false High Priest (Menelaus) or by the altar of Zeus. It would be a heavy burden for Israel if they considered the fact, that the sanctuary that they would so painfully erect would again be desecrated, and almost unbelievable that God would allow it. But Daniel is assured that it will indeed be so, but that it will not be for a long time. So the vision was not to be read out as though it could happen at any time. It was to be kept on one side and preserved with a recognition that it spoke of a distant future and in those days would prove a comfort and a strength.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 8:26. Shut thou up the vision, &c. This shutting up of the vision implies, that it should not be understood for some time. The vision being for many days, must necessarily infer a longer term than the calamity under Antiochus, of three years and a half, or even than the whole time from the first beginning of the vision in Cyrus, to the cleansing of the sanctuary under Antiochus, which was not above three hundred and seventy-one years. Such a vision could not well be called long by Daniel, who had seen so much longer before; and especially as the time assigned for it, Dan 8:14 is two thousand three hundred days; which, since they cannot by any account be natural days, must needs be prophetic days, or two thousand and three hundred years. Such a vision may properly enough be said to be for many days. See Bishop Newton.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.
Ver. 26. And the vision of the evening. ] See Dan 8:14 . Lyra by the “morning” would have understood the time of Antiochus; by the “evening” the time of antichrist, who was prefigured by Antiochus.
Is true.
Wherefore shut thou up the vision.
For it shall be for many days,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the evening and the morning. See note on “days” (App-90). These are interpreted as being 2,800 days. No one may interpret the interpretation and say they are “years”.
is true = it [is] truth.
shut thou up. As in Dan 12:4.
it shall be, &c. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6) thus: “it [belongeth] to many days [to come]”: i.e. to a yet future time
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 8:26
Dan 8:26 And the visionH4758 of the eveningH6153 and the morningH1242 whichH834 was toldH559 is true:H571 wherefore shut thou upH859 H5640 the vision;H2377 forH3588 it shall be for manyH7227 days.H3117
Dan 8:26
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
Daniel proclaims that the vision he received was true. He was then told to Keep a record of it, that it may be preserved and that the fulfillment of it might be noted at a later date in the future. This is significant thing that was told to Daniel here. He was told to seal up the vision because it would not be realized for many days. The year of this vision was about 550 BC. Antiochus died in 164 or 163 BC. Different sources give different years for his death. This prophecy of Daniel would see its fulfillment almost four centuries later. In Revelation, John was told not to seal up the prophecy because the time was “at hand” (Rev 22:10). Proponents of millennialism based on the prophecies of Revelation should take note of this fact and reconsider their beliefs.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the vision of: Dan 8:11-15, Dan 10:1
wherefore: Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9, Eze 12:27, Rev 10:4, Rev 22:10
for: It is now 2,387 years since Daniel had this vision; and the utter desolation of the sanctuary had continued 1,764 years; and no doubt the end of 2,300 years is not far distant. Dan 10:1, Dan 10:14, Isa 24:22, Hos 3:3, Hos 3:4
Reciprocal: Num 24:4 – saw Jer 32:10 – and sealed Dan 8:14 – days Dan 10:21 – I will Dan 11:2 – will I Dan 11:31 – shall take Dan 12:11 – the time Rev 5:1 – sealed Rev 19:20 – the false
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 8:26. Evening; morning is in reference to the number of days mentioned in verse 14. The marginal rendering there is evening, morning. That agrees with the expression evening and morning which occurs six times in Genesis 1 in enumerating the days of creation. The things predicted in the vision were some time in the future, hence Daniel was told to shut if up or keep it a secret for the time being.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 8:26. And the vision of the evening and the morning, &c., is true The vision of the 2300 evenings and mornings, mentioned Dan 8:13, is certain. The angel here tells him, that these calamities would certainly last during the time expressed by that number of days, and then would have an end. Wherefore shut thou up the vision, for it shall be for many days Some consider these words as expressing the same thing that is meant by shutting up the words, and sealing the book, Dan 12:4. The sense in both places, they think, is, that the full meaning of the prophecy should be concealed from people in general, till the accomplishment of the events foretold. Thus we find that shutting and opening, sealing and unfolding, are opposed in the prophetical language, and import the same as concealing and revealing. Thus taken the words imply, that prophecies are never fully understood till they are accomplished: and the nearer the time approaches of their accomplishment, the more light shall diligent inquirers have for the explaining them. But the words may also imply a command to Daniel to commit this vision to writing, and then to take such care of the copy as would ensure its preservation, even till the things spoken of in it should be fulfilled; that so the prophecies might be compared with the events accomplishing them, and it might be seen how exactly they had been foretold. And in order that Daniel might take proper measures for preserving the account of these visions, and that posterity might take the same care, the angel concludes with observing, that the vision should be for many days; that is, that the accomplishment of it would not take place till after a long space of time; it being a term of near four hundred years from the first intimation of the vision, in the third of Belshazzar, to the cleansing of the sanctuary by Judas, in the time of Antiochus. It is of importance to observe here, that in remembrance of this great mercy which God had showed to his people, in delivering them from the tyranny and idolatry of Antiochus, a solemn feast was instituted, called , or the feast of dedication, which was annually observed, in consequence of cleansing the sanctuary, and the consecration of the altar, by Judas Maccabeus, for the space of eight days, from the 25th day of the month Casleu, 1Ma 4:59. And to this St. John alludes, Joh 10:22, where he speaks of the feast of dedication.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:26 And the vision of the {p} evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.
(p) Read Dan 8:14 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Another title for this vision is "the vision of the evenings and mornings" (cf. Dan 8:14). The phrase describes the particular period when this prediction would find fulfillment, perhaps 167-164 B.C. Daniel needed to seal up the vision (NIV) in the sense of recording, finishing, and preserving it, not in the sense of making it secret (NASB, cf. Dan 7:28; Dan 12:9). It pertained to many days in the future, namely, four centuries later as well as beyond then. The NIV translation "distant future" unfortunately implies that it pertains only to the distant future from our point in history.