King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:2 Mean?

Daniel 8:2 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 8:2 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

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.

3

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. the other: Heb. the second

4

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's phrase "I saw in a vision" (Hebrew: va'ereh bamarehv, וָאֶרְאֶה בַּמַּרְאֶה) emphasizes the visionary nature of this revelation—not a literal journey but a prophetic experience where God transported Daniel's consciousness to witness future events. The location "Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam" is highly significant: Shushan (Susa) would later become the Persian capital where these prophesied events would unfold.

The river Ulai (Hebrew: Ulai, אוּלַי), an actual river near Susa, grounds the vision in geographic reality. God often uses specific locations in prophetic visions to anchor symbolic content in historical actuality. Daniel standing by the river may symbolize the flow of history's stream—kingdoms rising and falling according to divine decree. The repetition "I saw in a vision" stresses the supernatural character of this experience.

Providentially, Daniel receives this vision at the future Persian capital before Persia even conquers Babylon. This demonstrates God's comprehensive knowledge of all events—He reveals details about places not yet prominent in the political landscape. The vision's geographic specificity would later validate its divine origin when these exact locations became historically significant.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shushan (modern Shush, Iran) was located in Elam, east of Babylon. Though ancient—it appears in earliest Mesopotamian records—Shushan gained prominence when Cyrus and later Darius made it a major Persian administrative center. The winter palace built there became famous; Nehemiah served there (Nehemiah 1:1), and Esther's story unfolded there.

The Ulai River (possibly the Karun River or Eulaeus) flowed near Susa. Archaeological excavations have confirmed Susa's significance in the Persian period, including palace complexes matching biblical descriptions. Daniel's vision anticipating this location's future importance demonstrates supernatural foresight—human wisdom couldn't predict Susa's rise to imperial prominence.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God anchor prophetic visions in specific geographic locations rather than keeping them entirely symbolic?
  2. How does Daniel's vision occurring at Susa before it became politically significant validate the vision's divine origin?
  3. What does God's comprehensive knowledge of future geographic and political developments teach us about His sovereignty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וָאֶרְאֶה֙1 of 17

And I saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בֶּֽחָז֔וֹן2 of 17

in a vision

H2377

a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle

וַיְהִי֙3 of 17
H1961

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

וָאֶרְאֶה֙4 of 17

And I saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וַאֲנִי֙5 of 17
H589

i

בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן6 of 17

that I was at Shushan

H7800

shushan, a place in persia

הַבִּירָ֔ה7 of 17

in the palace

H1002

a castle or palace

אֲשֶׁ֖ר8 of 17
H834

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

בְּעֵילָ֣ם9 of 17

of Elam

H5867

elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites

הַמְּדִינָ֑ה10 of 17

which is in the province

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

וָאֶרְאֶה֙11 of 17

And I saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בֶּֽחָז֔וֹן12 of 17

in a vision

H2377

a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle

וַאֲנִ֥י13 of 17
H589

i

הָיִ֖יתִי14 of 17
H1961

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

עַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אוּבַ֥ל16 of 17

and I was by the river

H180

a stream

אוּלָֽי׃17 of 17

of Ulai

H195

the ulai (or eulaeus), a river of persia


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 8:2 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 8:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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