King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:14 Mean?

Daniel 8:14 in the King James Version says “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days ; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. days: Heb. evening...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days ; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. days: Heb. evening morning cleansed: Heb. justified”

Daniel 8:14 · KJV

Context

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. an host: or, the host was given over for the transgression against the daily sacrifice

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? that: or, the numberer of secrets, or, the wonderful numberer: Heb. Palmoni of: or, making desolate

14

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days ; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. days: Heb. evening morning cleansed: Heb. justified

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.

Read Daniel 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The answer "Unto two thousand and three hundred days" (Hebrew: ad erev boqer, עַד־עֶרֶב בֹקֶר, literally "unto evening morning two thousand three hundred") has been variously interpreted. Most conservative scholars understand this as 2,300 evening and morning sacrifices—1,150 actual days, matching the approximately three years from Antiochus's desecration (December 167 BC) to the temple's cleansing by Judas Maccabeus (December 164 BC), commemorated in Hanukkah (John 10:22).

"Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (Hebrew: venitsdaq qodesh, וְנִצְדַּק קֹדֶשׁ) literally means "the sanctuary shall be justified" or "vindicated." This isn't merely physical cleaning but spiritual vindication—God's holiness, profaned by Antiochus, will be restored and publicly justified. The temple's cleansing demonstrates that God doesn't permanently allow His name to be blasphemed; He acts to vindicate His glory and restore His people's worship.

Prophetically, this principle applies beyond Antiochus. Throughout history, God permits temporary profaning of His name to test and purify His people, but He always acts to vindicate His holiness. Ultimately, Christ's atonement provides the final cleansing—His blood sanctifies believers as living temples (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The ultimate sanctuary vindication occurs when Christ returns, establishing His eternal kingdom where God's glory is forever uncontested.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Antiochus desecrated the temple on 15 Kislev, 167 BC (1 Maccabees 1:54). After three years of brutal persecution and guerrilla warfare by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, Jewish forces recaptured Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, and rededicated it on 25 Kislev, 164 BC—exactly three years later, approximately 1,150 days. The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, meaning "dedication") commemorates this cleansing. Jesus later celebrated this feast (John 10:22), implicitly validating the Maccabean period's significance in redemptive history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's specific timetable for ending persecution demonstrate His sovereignty and should increase our trust during trials?
  2. What does the sanctuary's vindication teach us about God's commitment to His own glory—that He won't allow His name to be permanently profaned?
  3. In what ways does Christ's blood providing ultimate cleansing surpass even the Maccabean temple rededication?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 10

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֔י2 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַ֚ד3 of 10
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֶ֣רֶב4 of 10

“days”

H6153

dusk

בֹּ֔קֶר5 of 10
H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

אַלְפַּ֖יִם6 of 10

“unto me Unto two thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ7 of 10

“and three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵא֑וֹת8 of 10

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְנִצְדַּ֖ק9 of 10

“be cleansed”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

קֹֽדֶשׁ׃10 of 10

“then shall the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 8:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 8:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 12:7Revelation 11:2-3Daniel 7:25Daniel 12:11Isaiah 45:25Revelation 12:14

Test Your Knowledge

Daniel 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDaniel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Daniel 8 with CommentaryAll Daniel ChaptersComplete Daniel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes