King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:19 Mean?

Daniel 8:19 in the King James Version says “And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed t...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 8:19 · KJV

Context

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. set: Heb. made me stand upon my standing

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gabriel's announcement "I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation" interprets the vision's time frame. "Indignation" (Hebrew: za'am, זַעַם) means divine wrath or anger—God's justified response to covenant breaking. The phrase "last end" (Hebrew: acharit, אַחֲרִית) means "latter time" or "final outcome." Gabriel reveals that the vision concerns not merely future political events but the completion of God's judgment on His people's disobedience.

"For at the time appointed the end shall be" emphasizes divine sovereignty over history. The Hebrew mo'ed (מוֹעֵד, "appointed time") refers to fixed, predetermined periods. God hasn't left history to chance; He has appointed specific times for judgment and deliverance. This comforts suffering believers—persecution isn't random but operates within divinely set boundaries. Evil prospers only as long as God permits, and He has predetermined its end.

Theologically, this reveals God's covenant faithfulness. Israel's exile wasn't divine abandonment but covenant discipline with a predetermined end. Similarly, the church's tribulation has appointed limits. Christ's first coming inaugurated the "last days" (Hebrews 1:2), beginning the end of indignation. His return will complete it, ending all persecution forever. Living in this "already but not yet" tension, believers trust God's appointed times, knowing all suffering is temporary and purposeful.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel's audience faced questions: How long will judgment last? Has God forgotten His promises? Gabriel's answer—judgment has a fixed end—encouraged covenant hope. For Babylonian exiles, the seventy-year period was nearly complete (9:2). For later Jews under Antiochus, this vision promised that persecution would end precisely on schedule (2,300 evenings and mornings). Church history confirms the pattern—every persecution has ended, often exactly when God predetermined. This builds confidence in divine sovereignty and covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing that indignation has an appointed end encourage faithfulness during suffering?
  2. What does God's predetermined timing for judgment's end teach us about His sovereignty over seemingly chaotic historical events?
  3. In what ways does Christ's first and second coming bracket the 'appointed time' of the church age, defining our present experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 11

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנְנִ֣י2 of 11
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֔3 of 11

“Behold I will make thee know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵ֥ת4 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִהְיֶ֖ה6 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית7 of 11

“what shall be in the last end”

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

הַזָּ֑עַם8 of 11

“of the indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

כִּ֖י9 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לְמוֹעֵ֥ד10 of 11

“for at the time appointed”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

קֵֽץ׃11 of 11

“the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

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 8:19 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 8:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:3Daniel 11:27Daniel 8:15-17Revelation 17:17Revelation 10:7Daniel 12:7-8

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