This verse reveals a surprising layer of angelic concern for God's people, showing "holy ones"—angels—in conversation, deeply troubled about the duration of the sanctuary's desecration. It's not just a prophetic message to Daniel, but an overheard inter-angelic discussion driven by a shared concern for divine justice and the well-being of God's people.
Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel has just experienced a powerful vision involving a ram and a goat, representing empires and their conflicts. After the vision concludes, he overhears celestial beings, described as holy ones or angels, discussing the very same subject. One angel poses a critical question to another, asking for the duration of the vision's disturbing elements: the cessation of daily sacrifices and the desecration of the sanctuary.
Imagine overhearing a conversation in heaven about a crisis on Earth. What would that sound like? Daniel does just that, and the concern is palpable.
In Daniel 8:13, Daniel hears two "holy ones" speaking. The word translated "saint" here often refers to angels. This dialogue isn't idle chatter; it's a profound expression of angelic interest in God's purposes and the well-being of His people.
Heavenly Watchers
This shows us that angels are not detached observers. They are deeply invested in the affairs of humanity and the outworking of God's redemptive plan. Their question highlights the significance of the events Daniel is witnessing and the duration of the suffering they entail.
The heart of this heavenly exchange boils down to a single, urgent question that echoes through history. What does it reveal about God's perspective on suffering?
The central plea in Daniel 8:13 is "For how long?" This isn't just about the length of time a vision might last, but the duration of a specific, devastating reality:
The Elements of Desolation
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The question "how long?" expresses an anguish over the interruption of worship, the invasion of impurity, and the trampling of what is sacred. It's a cry for justice and a desire to know when God's appointed time for deliverance will arrive. This question is echoed by God's people throughout Scripture, from the Psalms to the cries for Christ's return.
Understand the original words
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
The 'qadosh' describes that which is separated from the common and devoted to God. It refers to a person or thing set apart for divine use and possessing divine purity.
shamem · Hebrew Noun/Verb phrase
This phrase refers to an act of rebellion that results in the state of being forsaken or laid waste. It is a state of spiritual or physical ruin caused by sin and judgment.
This verse is deeply embedded in the historical context of the Seleucid oppression under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who actively sought to eradicate Jewish religious practice and desecrated the Jerusalem Temple. The angelic dialogue highlights the profound suffering and spiritual crisis faced by the Jewish people during this period.
c. 330 BC
Alexander's Conquest of Persian Empire
Alexander the Great conquers the vast Persian Empire, including Judea. This event sets the stage for the division of his empire and the rise of the Seleucid dynasty.
c. 200 BC
Seleucid Rule Over Judea Begins
After a period of Ptolemaic rule, Judea falls under the control of the Seleucid Empire, led by Antiochus III the Great. This marks a shift in political and cultural influence.
c. 175 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Ascends Throne
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a controversial and ambitious ruler, becomes king of the Seleucid Empire. His reign will see increased Hellenistic pressure and persecution of Jewish practices.
c. 167 BC— this verse
Desecration of the Jerusalem Temple
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, seeking to enforce Hellenistic worship, desecrates the Second Temple in Jerusalem. He prohibits Jewish sacrifices and sets up an idol, leading to widespread outrage.
c. 164 BC
Rededication of the Temple
Following the Maccabean Revolt, Judas Maccabeus and his followers cleanse and rededicate the Jerusalem Temple. This event marks the end of the 2300-day period mentioned in the vision.
This passage speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by the nations until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, echoing the 'trampled underfoot' imagery and the theme of a period of desolation for God's people and sanctuary.
Matthew 24:15Jesus directly references 'the abomination of desolation' spoken of by Daniel, linking the historical events Daniel describes to future apocalyptic signs and the desecration of holy places.
Jeremiah 25:11-12This prophetic passage foretells a seventy-year exile for Judah due to their sins, establishing a biblical precedent for divinely ordained periods of judgment and desolation for the land and its sanctuary.
1 Corinthians 10:11Paul reflects on Old Testament events as examples for Christians, noting that 'these things happened to them as an example, and they were written down as a warning to us,' underscoring the enduring relevance of Daniel's prophecies about judgment and faithfulness.
Revelation 11:2The Book of Revelation echoes Daniel's prophecy by mentioning the outer court of the temple being given to the nations, reinforcing the theme of the sanctuary and its worship being temporarily subjugated.
ellicottDaniel 8:13: "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?"
(13) One saint— i.e. , an angel, who, however, has not been mentioned before. This part of the vision recalls Daniel 7:16 . It is implied that the angels were conversing upon the subject of this awful revelation concerning the…
bensonDaniel 8:13: "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?"
Daniel 8:13-14 . Then I heard one saint speaking — The word saint here is equivalent to angel: see Daniel 4:13 . What this saint or angel said, is not expressed; no more than the words spoken by that illustrious person who appe…
This verse reveals a surprising layer of angelic concern for God's people, showing "holy ones"—angels—in conversation, deeply troubled about the duration of the sanctuary's desecration. It's not just a prophetic message to Daniel, but an overheard inter-angelic discussion driven by a shared concern for divine justice and the well-being of God's people.
Daniel has just experienced a powerful vision involving a ram and a goat, representing empires and their conflicts. After the vision concludes, he overhears celestial beings, described as holy ones or angels, discussing the very same subject. One angel poses a critical question to another, asking for the duration of the vision's disturbing elements: the cessation of daily sacrifices and the desecration of the sanctuary.
Daniel has just experienced a powerful vision involving a ram and a goat, representing empires and their conflicts. After the vision concludes, he overhears celestial beings, described as holy ones or angels, discussing the very same subject. One angel poses a critical question to another, asking for the duration of the vision's disturbing elements: the cessation of daily sacrifices and the desecration of the sanctuary.
"Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be…" — This verse reveals a surprising layer of angelic concern for God's people, showing "holy ones"—angels—in conversation, deeply troubled about the duration of the sanctuary's desecration. It's not just…
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Last reviewed October 2026
