公绵羊和公山羊的异象

在看见先前的异象之后,我但以理在伯沙撒王执政第三年又看见一个异象。 我在异象中看见自己在以拦省的书珊城,又看见自己站在乌莱河畔。 我举目观看,见一只长着长角的公绵羊站在河边,其中一角比另一角长,较长的角是后长出来的。 我看见这公绵羊向西方、北方和南方顶撞,没有兽能抵挡它,或逃脱它的威力。它随心所欲,狂妄自大。

我正沉思的时候,忽然从西面出现一只公山羊,穿越大地,脚不沾地。它双眼之间有一个大角。 这公山羊来到我之前看见的那只站在河边的双角公绵羊那里,愤怒地向它顶去。 我看见公山羊愤怒地顶向公绵羊,攻击它,折断了它的双角。公绵羊无力抵挡,被撞倒在地,践踏在脚下,无人能救它脱离公山羊的威力。 公山羊极其狂妄自大。但正值鼎盛之时,它的大角突然折断,在原处又长出四个奇特的角,朝着天的四方。 其中一个角又长出一个小角,向南方、东方和佳美之地[a]扩张势力。 10 它逐渐强大,高及天军,将一些天军和星宿抛到地上,用脚践踏。 11 它狂妄自大,要与天军的统帅比高,它废除日常献给祂的祭,毁坏祂的圣所。 12 因为反叛的缘故,天军和日常所献的祭都交给了它。它将真理抛在地上,它所行的无不顺利。

13 接着,我听见一位圣者在说话,另一位圣者问他:“异象中出现的有关日常所献的祭,毁灭性的反叛和践踏圣所及天军的事要持续多久呢?” 14 他对我说:“两千三百个昼夜。之后,圣所才会洁净。”

解释异象

15 我但以理看见这异象,正想明白它的意思,忽然有一个外貌像人的站在我面前。 16 我听见有人声从乌莱河两岸之间呼喊:“加百列啊,要让此人明白这异象。” 17 于是,他朝我站的地方走来,当他走来的时候,我吓得俯伏在地。他对我说:“人子啊,你要明白,这异象是关于末后的时期。” 18 他和我说话的时候,我伏在地上昏睡过去,他便轻拍我,扶我起来, 19 对我说:“我要告诉你将来上帝发烈怒时所发生的事,因为这异象是关于那定好的末后时期。 20 你看见的那只有两角的公绵羊指玛代和波斯的诸王。 21 公山羊指希腊王,在它双眼之间的大角指第一个王。 22 大角折断后,从原处长出四个角表示四个国必从这国兴起,但都不及这国强大。 23 在四国的末期,人们恶贯满盈的时候,必有一个面貌凶恶、诡计多端的王兴起。 24 他势力强大,却不是靠自己的力量。他必带来可怕的毁灭,而且凡事亨通,他必毁灭强者和圣民。 25 他利用诡计和骗术得逞,心高气傲,乘人不备突然毁灭许多人,甚至要攻击万君之君,然而他终必被击垮,但并非被人的手击垮。 26 异象中所说的两千三百个昼夜是真的。但你要保密,不可告诉别人,因为这指的是遥远的将来。”

27 我但以理精疲力尽,病了几天。后来我起来照常办理王的事务,但我对这异象感到惊奇不已,不明白它的意思。

Footnotes

  1. 8:9 佳美之地”指以色列,下同11:1641

但以理再见异象

伯沙撒王在位第三年,在先前显给我的异象之后,再有一个异象向我但以理显现。 我在异象中观看,看见自己在以拦省书珊城堡里;我在异象中继续观看,看见自己在乌莱河的岸边。

公绵羊

我举目观看,看见一只公绵羊,站在河边;牠有两个角,两角都很高,但高低不一;那较高的角是较迟长出来的。 我看见那公绵羊向西、向北、向南撞去,没有走兽能在牠面前站立得住,也没有能拯救脱离牠手的;牠任意而行,狂妄自大。

公山羊

我正在思考的时候,忽然有一只公山羊从西而来,走遍全地,快得脚不沾尘;这山羊两眼之间有一个显眼的角。 牠走到我先前所看见站在河边、那有两个角的公绵羊那里去,忿怒地向公绵羊猛力冲去。 我看见公山羊走近公绵羊,向牠发怒,撞击牠,折断牠的两个角;公绵羊在牠面前站立不住,牠把公绵羊撞倒在地上,又用脚践踏牠,没有能拯救公绵羊脱离牠手的。 这公山羊非常狂妄自大;但在牠强盛的时候,那大角被折断了;在大角原来的地方,有四个显眼的角向天的四方长出来。

从这四个角中的一个角,又长出一个小角来,这小角向南、向东和向荣美之地,不断强大起来。 10 牠渐渐长大,高及天象,把一些天象和星星摔落在地上,用脚践踏。 11 牠狂妄自大,要高及天象之君;牠除掉献给天象之君的常献祭,又拆毁他的圣所。 12 因罪过的缘故,圣民(“圣民”和8:10、11的“天象”原文是同一个字)连同常献的祭都交给牠;牠把真理丢在地上,任意而行,凡事顺利。 13 我听见一位圣者在说话,又有一位圣者问他:“这个关于除掉常献的祭,和引致毁坏的罪过,以及践踏圣所和圣民(“圣民”和8:10、11的“天象”原文是同一个字)的异象,要到几时呢?” 14 他对我说:“要到二千三百个晚上和早晨,圣所才得洁净。”

加百列解释异象的意义

15 我但以理看见了这异象以后,就想明白它的意义;忽然有一位外貌像人的,站在我面前。 16 我又听见从乌莱河两岸之间,有人的声音呼叫着说:“加百列啊!你要使这人明白这异象。” 17 他就来到我所站的地方;他来到的时候,我就害怕,脸伏在地;他对我说:“人子啊,你要明白!这异象是关于末后的时期的。” 18 他和我说话的时候,我沉睡了,脸伏在地;他触摸我,使我站起来。 19 他说:“看哪!我要告诉你在 神忿怒审判的后期必要发生的事,因为这是有关那末后的定期的。 20 你所看见那有两个角的公绵羊,就是玛代和波斯王。 21 那多毛的公山羊就是希腊王;那两眼之间的大角就是第一个王。 22 至于代替那折断了的角,在牠原来的地方长出来的四个角,就是四个要从他的国中兴起的王国,只是没有他的权势。

23 “在这四国的后期,

犯罪的人恶贯满盈的时候,

必有一个面貌凶恶的王兴起,

他诡计多端。

24 他的权势强大,却不是出于自己的能力;

他必造成惊人的毁灭;

他任意而行,凡事顺利;

他必毁灭有强力的,

又毁灭圣民。

25 他运用诡计,

行骗无往而不利;

他心里狂妄自大;

他必乘人不备的时候,毁灭许多人;

他要起来攻击万君之君,

最后却非因人的手被毁灭。

26 关于所说二千三百个晚上和早晨的异象是真的,

但你要把这异象封住,

因为那是关于将来许多的年日的。”

27 我但以理精疲力竭,病了几天,后来我起来,办理王的事务,但我仍因这异象惊骇不已,不明白它的意思。

Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

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. 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. 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. 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.

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. It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. 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) 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)

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.

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

The Vision of a Ram and a Goat

In the third year of King Belshazzar’s(A) reign, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me earlier.(B) I saw the vision, and as I watched, I was in the fortress city of Susa,(C) in the province of Elam.(D) I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up,[a] and there was a ram(E) standing beside the canal. He had two horns. The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last. I saw the ram charging to the west, the north, and the south.(F) No animal could stand against him, and there was no rescue from his power. He did whatever he wanted(G) and became great.

As I was observing, a male goat appeared, coming from the west across the surface of the entire earth without touching the ground. The goat had a conspicuous horn[b] between his eyes.(H) He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with savage fury. I saw him approaching the ram, and infuriated with him, he struck the ram, shattering his two horns, and the ram was not strong enough to stand against him. The goat threw him to the ground and trampled him, and there was no one to rescue the ram from his power. Then the male goat became very great,(I) but when he became powerful, the large horn was shattered.(J) Four conspicuous horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.(K)

The Little Horn

From one of them a little horn(L) emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the beautiful land.[c](M) 10 It grew as high as the heavenly host, made some of the stars and some of the host fall to the earth,(N) and trampled them.(O) 11 It made itself great,(P) even up to the Prince of the host;(Q) it removed His daily sacrifice(R) and overthrew the place of His sanctuary. 12 Because of rebellion, a host, together with the daily sacrifice, will be given over. The horn will throw truth to the ground and will be successful(S) in whatever it does.

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking,(T) and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will the events of this vision last(U)—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”(V)

14 He said to me,[d] “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored.”

Interpretation of the Vision

15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me someone who appeared to be a man.(W) 16 I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: “Gabriel,(X) explain the vision to this man.”

17 So he approached where I was standing; when he came near, I was terrified and fell facedown.(Y) “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision refers to the time of the end.”(Z) 18 While he was speaking to me, I fell into a deep sleep,(AA) with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, made me stand up,(AB) 19 and said, “I am here to tell you what will happen at the conclusion of the time of wrath, because it refers to the appointed time of the end.(AC) 20 The two-horned ram(AD) that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king.[e] 22 The four horns that took the place of the shattered horn represent four kingdoms. They will rise from that nation, but without its power.

23 Near the end of their kingdoms,
when the rebels have reached
the full measure of their sin,[f]
an insolent king, skilled in intrigue,[g]
will come to the throne.
24 His power will be great,
but it will not be his own.
He will cause terrible destruction(AE)
and succeed in whatever he does.
He will destroy the powerful
along with the holy people.(AF)
25 He will cause deceit to prosper
through his cunning and by his influence,
and in his own mind he will make himself great.
He will destroy many in a time of peace;
he will even stand against the Prince of princes.
Yet he will be shattered—not by human hands.(AG)
26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings
that has been told is true.
Now you must seal up the vision(AH)
because it refers to many days in the future.”

27 I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for days.(AI) Then I got up and went about the king’s business.(AJ) I was greatly disturbed by the vision and could not understand it.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 8:3 Lit I lifted my eyes and looked
  2. Daniel 8:5 Lit a horn of a vision
  3. Daniel 8:9 = Israel
  4. Daniel 8:14 LXX, Theod, Syr, Vg read him
  5. Daniel 8:21 = Alexander the Great
  6. Daniel 8:23 Lit have become complete
  7. Daniel 8:23 Lit king, and understanding riddles

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

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

And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.

12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

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?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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.

27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.