In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter marks a significant shift back to Hebrew, indicating that the prophecies here are no longer primarily for the Babylonian audience but for a broader, future audience, including God's people throughout history. It also revisits Daniel's earlier vision, suggesting this new revelation is not entirely new information, but rather an expansion and clarification of what was previously shown.
In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This vision comes to Daniel in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, a couple of years after his first significant prophetic dream recorded in chapter 7. The book shifts back to Hebrew here, signaling a focus on events beyond the Babylonian empire, and this new vision serves to elaborate on the empires and powers that would follow. It revisits some of the same historical sweep as the previous vision but uses different symbolic imagery, offering a deeper understanding of God's unfolding plan.
Why does the language of Daniel's prophecy suddenly change?
Daniel 8:1 marks a significant shift in the book's language. While chapters 2 through 7 were written in Aramaic (or Chaldee), chapter 8 and the rest of the book are written in Hebrew. The scholars suggest this isn't accidental. The Aramaic sections deal with empires and prophecies that had a direct connection to the Babylonian context. However, the visions from chapter 8 onwards look beyond Babylon, focusing on the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, and ultimately God's dealings with His people throughout history. Hebrew was the language of God's covenant people, the language of the Old Testament. This linguistic shift signals a move from God's dealings with Gentile nations from a Babylonian perspective to His unfolding plan for Israel and His church, a plan revealed in the language of His chosen people.
Is this new vision completely separate from the last one Daniel had?
The verse explicitly states this vision came 'after that which appeared unto me at the first.' This tells us that Daniel 8 isn't a standalone prophecy but is directly linked to the vision in Daniel chapter 7. Chapter 7 presented four great empires symbolized by beasts, culminating in a powerful 'little horn' figure. Chapter 8, however, zooms in on specific details of the second and third empires (Medo-Persia and Greece) and the 'little horn' that arises from the third empire. It's like getting a clearer, more focused picture of certain parts of the larger panorama Daniel saw before. God is layering the revelation, providing more detail and clarity to help Daniel (and us!) understand the unfolding of history and His sovereignty.
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What does the specific timing of this vision tell us?
The vision is dated to the 'third year of the reign of King Belshazzar.' While Belshazzar was a co-regent for part of his reign, this specific timing places the vision shortly before the fall of Babylon. Importantly, scholars note that this vision primarily concerns the empires that follow Babylon – the Medes, Persians, and Greeks. This isn't just a random date; it's a strategic placement. God reveals future events concerning these empires just before the current Babylonian power collapses. It’s a powerful message: even as the world sees a dominant empire, God is already working out His long-term plan through subsequent kingdoms. This emphasizes His ultimate control over history and His ability to direct events far beyond what human eyes can see.
Understand the original words
chazown · Hebrew Noun
A supernatural experience where God reveals divine truth or future events to a prophet or seer, often through symbolic imagery or auditory communication.
This vision, given in the third year of Belshazzar's reign, bridges the gap between the Babylonian exile and the Hellenistic period, directly addressing the rise and fall of empires that profoundly impacted God's people.
c. 553 BC
First vision to Daniel
Daniel receives his first major vision, concerning four great beasts representing four empires, likely during the first year of Belshazzar's co-regency.
c. 551 BC— this verse
Daniel's second vision
In the third year of Belshazzar's reign, Daniel receives a new vision involving a ram and a goat, which elaborates on the Medo-Persian and Greek empires mentioned previously.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Babylonian Empire falls to the Persians under Cyrus the Great, marking the end of Belshazzar's reign and Babylonian independence.
537 BC
Return of Jewish Exiles
Following Cyrus's decree, many Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, beginning a new era of Jewish self-governance under Persian rule.
334-323 BC
Alexander the Great's Conquests
Alexander the Great rapidly conquers the Persian Empire, fulfilling the vision of the he-goat and its great horn.
c. 301 BC
Division of Alexander's Empire
After Alexander's death, his vast empire is divided among his four generals, forming the four horns that rise from the broken horn of the he-goat.
c. 175-163 BC
Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a ruler from one of the successor kingdoms, persecutes the Jews, desolates the Temple, and fulfills the prophecy of the 'little horn'.
This verse explicitly references a prior vision, and Daniel 7:1 is the only vision that precedes this one chronologically, serving as the 'first' vision mentioned.
Daniel 8:17This passage describes Daniel's physical reaction to a vision, similar to how he might have felt after the 'first' vision, indicating the intensity of divine revelation he experienced.
Daniel 7:15This verse shows Daniel's desire to understand his visions, linking to the ongoing quest for understanding that drives him to receive further revelations like the one in Daniel 8.
Isaiah 46:10This verse speaks to God's sovereign plan and His ability to declare the end from the beginning, which is a theme that underlies the prophetic visions Daniel receives, including this one.
ellicottDaniel 8:1: "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."
VIII (1) The Hebrew language is here resumed. The visions recorded in the remaining portion of the book having no connection with Babylon, the Chaldee dialect is dropped. Third year.—Most probably, not long before the end of his reign. This vision is supplementary to the one recorded in the preceding chapter, giving various details respe…
barnesDaniel 8:1: "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."
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar - In regard to Belshazzar, see Intro. to Daniel 5 Section II. A vision appeared unto me - This vision appears to have occurred to him when awake, or in an ecstasy; the former one occurred when he was asleep, Daniel 7:1. Compare Daniel 8:17-18, where the prophet represents himself as overp…
This chapter marks a significant shift back to Hebrew, indicating that the prophecies here are no longer primarily for the Babylonian audience but for a broader, future audience, including God's people throughout history. It also revisits Daniel's earlier vision, suggesting this new revelation is not entirely new information, but rather an expansion and clarification of what was previously shown.
This vision comes to Daniel in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, a couple of years after his first significant prophetic dream recorded in chapter 7. The book shifts back to Hebrew here, signaling a focus on events beyond the Babylonian empire, and this new vision serves to elaborate on the empires and powers that would follow. It revisits some of the same historical sweep as the previous vision but uses different symbolic imagery, offering a deeper understanding of God's unfolding plan.
This vision comes to Daniel in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, a couple of years after his first significant prophetic dream recorded in chapter 7. The book shifts back to Hebrew here, signaling a focus on events beyond the Babylonian empire, and this new vision serves to elaborate on the empires and powers that would follow. It revisits some of the same historical sweep as the previous vision but uses different symbolic imagery, offering a deeper understanding of God's unfolding plan.
"In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first." — This chapter marks a significant shift back to Hebrew, indicating that the prophecies here are no longer primarily for the Babylonian audience but for a broader, future audience, including God's peop…
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Last reviewed October 2026