Daniel 8:13
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Original Language Analysis
וָאֶשְׁמְעָ֥ה
Then I heard
H8085
וָאֶשְׁמְעָ֥ה
Then I heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶחָ֨ד
and another
H259
אֶחָ֨ד
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
קָד֜וֹשׁ
saint
H6918
קָד֜וֹשׁ
saint
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
3 of 19
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
הַֽמְדַבֵּ֗ר
saint which spake
H1696
הַֽמְדַבֵּ֗ר
saint which spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶחָ֨ד
and another
H259
אֶחָ֨ד
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
קָד֜וֹשׁ
saint
H6918
קָד֜וֹשׁ
saint
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
7 of 19
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
הַֽמְדַבֵּ֗ר
saint which spake
H1696
הַֽמְדַבֵּ֗ר
saint which spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
9 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַ֞י
H4970
מָתַ֞י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
הֶחָז֤וֹן
How long shall be the vision
H2377
הֶחָז֤וֹן
How long shall be the vision
Strong's:
H2377
Word #:
12 of 19
a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle
הַתָּמִיד֙
concerning the daily
H8548
הַתָּמִיד֙
concerning the daily
Strong's:
H8548
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
וְהַפֶּ֣שַׁע
sacrifice and the transgression
H6588
וְהַפֶּ֣שַׁע
sacrifice and the transgression
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
14 of 19
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
שֹׁמֵ֔ם
of desolation
H8074
שֹׁמֵ֔ם
of desolation
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
15 of 19
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
תֵּ֛ת
to give
H5414
תֵּ֛ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְקֹ֥דֶשׁ
both the sanctuary
H6944
וְקֹ֥דֶשׁ
both the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
17 of 19
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Cross References
Revelation 11:2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.Revelation 6:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.Luke 21:24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.Daniel 11:31And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.Daniel 4:13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;Hebrews 10:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?Isaiah 6:11Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,Isaiah 63:18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.Psalms 79:5How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Historical Context
Angelic involvement in Israel's affairs appears throughout Daniel (9:21, 10:13, 10:21, 12:1). Michael the archangel particularly defends Israel. This dialogue reveals the unseen spiritual dimension behind earthly events—angels observe, inquire, and engage in cosmic conflict affecting God's people. The question's specificity about worship cessation and sanctuary defilement shows that angels care deeply about God's glory and His people's welfare. Their inquiry teaches that heaven mourns earth's injustice, even when divine purposes temporarily permit evil to prosper.
Questions for Reflection
- What does angelic puzzlement about persecution's duration teach us about trusting God's timing even when His purposes seem unclear?
- How should knowing that angels observe our faithfulness during trials encourage perseverance when God's deliverance seems delayed?
- In what ways does God's setting specific limits on evil's duration (verse 14) demonstrate His sovereignty even when He permits temporary persecution?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Daniel hears angelic dialogue—"one saint" (holy one) asking "another saint" how long these desecrations will last. The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ, "saint" or "holy one") refers to angels, revealing celestial interest in earthly persecution of God's people. Angels don't know all things; they learn through observation and inquiry. Their question demonstrates that even heavenly beings wonder at God's timing in allowing evil to prosper temporarily.
The question concerns "the vision...the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot." This comprehensive query encompasses: the vision's duration, cessation of worship, the abomination ("transgression of desolation"), temple desecration, and persecution of God's people. The phrase "trodden under foot" emphasizes humiliation and contempt—not merely conquering but degrading what is sacred to God.
Theologically, this verse reveals that persecution puzzles even angels. Why does God allow His name to be profaned, His sanctuary polluted, His people oppressed? The answer (verse 14) shows divine sovereignty setting limits on evil's duration. God permits temporary testing to purify His people, but He doesn't allow indefinite oppression. This foreshadows Christ's teaching that tribulation has divinely appointed limits (Mark 13:20), and points to His return when all oppression finally ends.