And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even though Daniel describes himself as being in Shushan and by the Ulai canal, the text clarifies this is a vision, not a physical journey. This isn't about his location, but about God bringing the spiritual reality of future kingdoms into sharp focus for Daniel, using a powerful symbolic setting.
And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel finds himself in a vision set in Susa, a significant city within the province of Elam, near the banks of the Ulai canal. This elaborate vision is presented to him, not necessarily reflecting his physical location at the time, but rather setting the stage for powerful prophetic imagery concerning future empires. The detailed setting emphasizes the importance of the coming message, grounding it in a place historically linked to power and future developments.
Daniel's vision isn't just abstract images; it unfolds in a specific, real-world location. Why is this detail so important?
The text emphasizes Daniel's location within the vision: 'I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.' This isn't just a backdrop; it's integral to the prophecy.
A Geographical Anchor
Susa, a prominent city that would later become the capital of the Persian Empire, is placed within its historical context as part of the Elam province. The Ulai canal (also known as the Eulaeus or Choaspes River) grounds the vision in a physical reality.
Purposeful Placement
Why Susa? Commentators suggest Daniel was placed here in the vision because this region would become central to the empires that the vision describes (Persia and Media). It’s as if God is setting the stage in a place that will soon be at the heart of world events, directly impacting His people.
Daniel says he "was at Susa" and "by the Ulai canal" – but was he really there, or was it all in his mind?
The text clarifies that Daniel's experience was a vision, not a physical relocation. He states, 'And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan...' and repeats the phrase 'I saw in a vision.'
A Heavenly Perspective
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This distinction is crucial. While Daniel experienced being in Susa and by the Ulai canal with vivid sensory detail, his body remained in Babylon, where he was serving King Belshazzar (as indicated by later verses in the chapter). The vision provided him with a divine perspective, transporting his consciousness to the relevant location for the unfolding prophecy.
The Power of Divine Revelation
God doesn't need to move our bodies to reveal His purposes. He can grant understanding and impart knowledge through visions and prophetic experiences, allowing us to grasp truths far beyond our immediate physical circumstances. This highlights that spiritual realities can be just as impactful, if not more so, than physical ones.
Understand the original words
birah · Hebrew Noun
A fortified palace or royal residence, often serving as a center for administrative and military power. In Daniel, it designates the political capital where significant historical events are decreed.
Daniel receives this vision while in Susa, a city destined to become a powerful capital of the Medo-Persian Empire, foreshadowing the rise of empires that would impact God's people.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Elam
Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, likely conquered the region of Elam, bringing cities like Susa under Babylonian dominion and fulfilling prophecies like Jeremiah 49:34-35.
c. 550 BC
Cyrus the Great unites Media and Persia
Cyrus the Great, of Persian origin, conquered the Median empire and began forging the vast Medo-Persian Empire, with Susa eventually becoming a key capital.
c. 546 BC
Cyrus conquers Lydia
Cyrus's expansion continued as he defeated the wealthy kingdom of Lydia, further solidifying the Medo-Persian Empire's power and reach.
539 BC
Cyrus conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great successfully conquered Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and ushering in the rule of the Medo-Persian Empire over the region.
c. 537 BC
Edict of Cyrus allowing Jewish return
Following the conquest of Babylon, Cyrus issued an edict permitting the exiled Jewish people to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 537 BC - 530 BC— this verse
Daniel serves in Susa
During this period, Daniel likely served in high office within the Medo-Persian Empire, potentially residing in Susa, the future capital, as indicated by the vision in Daniel 8.
Like Daniel here, Ezekiel also experiences a profound vision while situated by a river, the Chebar, highlighting a common setting for divine revelation in Scripture.
Daniel 10:4This passage shows Daniel in a similar visionary state by another significant river, the Hiddekel (Tigris), reinforcing the pattern of prophetic visions occurring in specific, often watery, locations.
Jeremiah 49:34This prophecy speaks of God's judgment upon Elam, the very province where Daniel finds himself in the vision, connecting the historical and geographical setting to a prophetic word about judgment and future restoration.
Esther 1:5The description of Susa as a royal palace and administrative center in the book of Esther echoes Daniel's vision of being in the citadel at Susa, underscoring the city's significance as a seat of power in the Persian empire.
ellicottDaniel 8:2: "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."
(2) At Shushan— i.e., Susa. At this time (see Records of the Past, vol. 1, p. 71, &c.) Susa was, as Daniel describes it, in the province of Elam; at a later period it became the capital of the Persian empire. Daniel was at Susa only in vision, he was not bodily transported thither. The Ulai is the rive…
barnesDaniel 8:2: "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."
And I saw in a vision - I looked as the vision appeared to me; or I saw certain things represented to me in a vision. On the word vision, see the notes at Daniel 1:17 . The meaning here would seem to be that a vision appeared to Daniel, and that he contemplated it with earnestness, to understand what i…
Even though Daniel describes himself as being in Shushan and by the Ulai canal, the text clarifies this is a vision, not a physical journey. This isn't about his location, but about God bringing the spiritual reality of future kingdoms into sharp focus for Daniel, using a powerful symbolic setting.
Daniel finds himself in a vision set in Susa, a significant city within the province of Elam, near the banks of the Ulai canal. This elaborate vision is presented to him, not necessarily reflecting his physical location at the time, but rather setting the stage for powerful prophetic imagery concerning future empires. The detailed setting emphasizes the importance of the coming message, grounding it in a place historically linked to power and future developments.
Daniel finds himself in a vision set in Susa, a significant city within the province of Elam, near the banks of the Ulai canal. This elaborate vision is presented to him, not necessarily reflecting his physical location at the time, but rather setting the stage for powerful prophetic imagery concerning future empires. The detailed setting emphasizes the importance of the coming message, grounding it in a place historically linked to power and future developments.
"And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal." — Even though Daniel describes himself as being in Shushan and by the Ulai canal, the text clarifies this is a vision, not a physical journey. This isn't about his location, but about God bringing the…
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Last reviewed October 2026