Daniel 8:14

KJV

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto me, Unto two thousand {H505} and three {H7969} hundred {H3967} days {H6153}{H1242}; then shall the sanctuary {H6944} be cleansed {H6663}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The first said to me, "Two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, after which the sanctuary will be restored to its rightful state."

Berean Standard Bible

He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be properly restored.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 8:14 delivers a profound prophetic declaration within the context of Daniel's vision of the ram and goat, establishing a precise timeline for the purification of God's sacred space. Following a period of intense desolation and trampling by an oppressive power, the verse states, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." This concise yet immensely significant statement has become a cornerstone of eschatological interpretation, prompting extensive theological discourse regarding the nature of the "sanctuary," the precise duration and meaning of the "days," and the ultimate implications of its "cleansing," all of which underscore God's unwavering sovereignty over history and His ultimate plan for restoration and vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 8:14 serves as the direct, divine response to a critical inquiry posed in the preceding verse, [Daniel 8:13](/daniel/8-13 "Daniel 8:13 - Question Regarding the Vision's Duration"). Daniel has just witnessed a complex and disturbing symbolic vision: a powerful ram (representing the Medo-Persian Empire) is decisively overcome by a swift goat (symbolizing the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great). This goat's prominent horn is subsequently broken, giving rise to four notable horns (depicting the division of Alexander's empire into four Hellenistic kingdoms). From one of these emerges a "little horn" that grows exceedingly great, directing its blasphemous actions against the "host of heaven," exalting itself against the "Prince of the host," removing the "daily sacrifice," and casting down the place of God's "sanctuary" ([Daniel 8:9-12](/daniel/8-9-12 "Daniel 8:9-12 - The Little Horn's Desecrating Actions")). The urgent question in [Daniel 8:13](/daniel/8-13 "Daniel 8:13 - The Question of Desolation and Trampling") explicitly asks, "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 8:14 provides the precise temporal boundary to this period of defilement and oppression, setting a divinely appointed limit before the promised restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic visions in Daniel 8 are presented during the Babylonian exile, yet they offer a panoramic view of history extending far beyond Daniel's immediate era. The imagery of rams and goats was deeply resonant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, frequently employed to symbolize powerful nations and their leaders, conveying concepts of dominance and conflict. The term "sanctuary" would have immediately evoked the Jerusalem Temple for Daniel and his Jewish audience, which had been tragically destroyed by the Babylonians (a lamentable event chronicled in [Lamentations 2:7](/lamentations/2-7 "Lamentations 2:7 - The Lord Has Cast Off His Altar")). While the Second Temple was later rebuilt (as documented in [Ezra 6:15](/ezra/6-15 "Ezra 6:15 - Completion of the Second Temple")), the concept of a defiled sanctuary and its subsequent "cleansing" was profoundly central to Israelite worship. This was most vividly expressed in the annual Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, a solemn occasion when the earthly sanctuary was ritually purified from the accumulated defilement of the people's sins ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement and Cleansing")). This established cultural and religious understanding of a sacred space requiring purification forms the essential backdrop for interpreting the profound implications of Daniel 8:14.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching theological themes prevalent throughout the book of Daniel and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Control over History**, demonstrating that God not only possesses foreknowledge but also meticulously ordains the boundaries of human kingdoms and oppressive forces, even amidst their most audacious and blasphemous acts against His people and His sacred dwelling. Secondly, the explicit focus on the "sanctuary" highlights the **Centrality of God's Dwelling Place and Worship**, whether manifested as an earthly temple or a heavenly reality, as the focal point of His covenant relationship with humanity and a primary target of spiritual conflict. Thirdly, the definitive promise of "cleansing" reinforces the profound theme of **Restoration and Vindication**, providing assurance that periods of defilement, injustice, and suffering are not perpetual but will ultimately culminate in God's righteous intervention, setting all things right. This divine rectification establishes His eternal kingdom, a theme powerfully echoed throughout Daniel, particularly in the grand visions of [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of Kingdoms") and [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts and the Son of Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559, a primitive root meaning "to say" with a wide semantic range, including to answer, appoint, command, declare, or speak. In this context, its usage signifies a divine utterance, an authoritative and certain declaration emanating from a heavenly being. This emphasizes the prophetic certainty and the divine origin of the information conveyed to Daniel, indicating that this is not a mere suggestion or human speculation but a revealed truth from God's messenger.
* **sanctuary (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** H6944, derived from the root `qâdash` meaning "to be holy," this term refers to a sacred place or thing, often denoting holiness itself. It encompasses consecrated objects, hallowed spaces, and specifically the most holy parts of the temple. In Daniel 8:14, "the sanctuary" points to a holy place intrinsically linked to God's presence and worship, which has been subjected to defilement by the "little horn" power. Its precise identity—whether an earthly or heavenly reality—is a crucial element in the interpretation of this prophecy.
* **cleansed (Hebrew, _tsâdaq'_):** H6663, a primitive root meaning "to be (causatively, make) right" in a moral or forensic sense. This term implies being just, righteous, vindicated, or restored to a proper, righteous state. It signifies more than a mere physical purification; it denotes a judicial rectification, a moral purification, and a restoration of justice and integrity. Therefore, the cleansing of the sanctuary implies its vindication, the setting right of all that has been defiled or wronged, and the re-establishment of its rightful, holy status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto me,"**: This introductory phrase immediately establishes the divine authority and revelatory nature of the message. The "he" refers to the holy one (later identified as the angel Gabriel in [Daniel 8:16](/daniel/8-16 "Daniel 8:16 - Gabriel Interprets the Vision")) who is conversing with Daniel. This direct address underscores that the information conveyed is a direct, authoritative revelation from God, not a product of human conjecture or interpretation, thereby lending it absolute certainty and prophetic weight.
* **"Unto two thousand and three hundred days;"**: This clause specifies the precise duration of the prophetic period during which the sanctuary would be trodden underfoot and defiled. The Hebrew phrase for "days" here is `ʻereb bôqer` (H6153 `ʻereb` - dusk/evening; H1242 `bôqer` - dawn/morning), literally "evening-morning," which is a standard biblical idiom for a full 24-hour day (e.g., as seen in the creation account in [Genesis 1:5](/genesis/1-5 "Genesis 1:5 - The First Day")). The numerical specificity highlights God's meticulous timekeeping and the absolute certainty of the prophetic fulfillment, even as the interpretation of whether these "days" are literal or symbolic (e.g., representing years) remains a significant point of scholarly discussion.
* **"then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."**: This concluding clause declares the climactic event that will occur at the culmination of the specified period. The "cleansing" (Hebrew `tsâdaq`) denotes a profound restoration of purity, justice, and proper order to the sanctuary. It signifies a divine act of vindication, rectifying the wrongs committed against God's holy place and His people, and re-establishing the conditions for true and undefiled worship. This cleansing is not merely a superficial act but a comprehensive re-establishment of righteousness and integrity.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 8:14, as an integral part of a larger apocalyptic vision, primarily employs **Symbolism** and is a quintessential example of **Apocalyptic Literature**. The "sanctuary" itself functions as a potent symbol, representing God's dwelling place and the sacred locus of His interaction with humanity, whether understood as the earthly temple or a heavenly reality. Its promised "cleansing" symbolizes a profound act of divine restoration, purification, and ultimate vindication. The numerical precision of "two thousand and three hundred days" is characteristic of apocalyptic prophecy, where specific numbers often carry significant symbolic weight or delineate divinely appointed periods, thereby emphasizing God's meticulous control over the unfolding of history. The entire passage, including this verse, functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, revealing future events and assuring God's ultimate triumph over oppressive evil, thereby offering profound hope and assurance to Daniel and to all future generations who would face similar periods of spiritual defilement and persecution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 8:14 profoundly articulates God's unwavering sovereignty over all historical events, even those marked by intense desecration and direct opposition to His divine order. This prophecy provides a steadfast assurance that periods of tribulation and the apparent triumph of evil are not without divine limits; indeed, God operates according to a precise timetable for the rectification of all wrongs. The "cleansing of the sanctuary" points to a comprehensive act of divine justice and purification, signifying that God will ultimately vindicate His name, His people, and His truth, restoring purity where there has been defilement and establishing righteousness where there has been transgression. This ultimate restoration is a powerful testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with humanity.

* [Daniel 7:26-27](/daniel/7-26-27 "Daniel 7:26-27 - Judgment and the Kingdom Given to the Saints") - This passage foreshadows the divine judgment that will decisively bring an end to oppressive earthly powers and establish God's eternal, universal kingdom.
* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Cleansing on the Day of Atonement") - This verse provides the foundational Old Testament cultic background for the concept of sanctuary cleansing and atonement, serving as a crucial interpretive lens for understanding the deeper implications of Daniel 8:14.
* [Revelation 11:1-2](/revelation/11-1-2 "Revelation 11:1-2 - Measuring the Temple and Its Trampling") - This New Testament passage depicts a future scenario involving the temple and its treading underfoot by Gentiles, echoing and expanding upon the themes of sanctuary desecration found in Daniel.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 8:14, with its powerful promise of a sanctuary cleansed after a divinely appointed period of desolation, offers profound spiritual lessons and enduring hope for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder that no matter how dark the times, how pervasive the evil, or how seemingly triumphant the forces that oppose God's will, His sovereign hand is always actively at work. He meticulously sets limits to oppression and unfailingly promises ultimate restoration and vindication. This truth should instill in us a deep and abiding sense of hope, fostering perseverance in faith, knowing with certainty that God will ultimately set all wrongs right, purify His people, and restore His truth. Our sacred task, therefore, is to remain faithful, to trust implicitly in His divine timetable, and to live lives that authentically reflect the purity and righteousness that God desires for His "sanctuary"—both the spiritual temple within each believer and the corporate body of Christ, the church. This prophecy calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to diligently study God's word, and to prepare our hearts for the final, glorious acts of God's judgment and redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's precise timekeeping in Daniel 8:14 impact your understanding of His control over current world events and personal challenges?**
* **In what ways might the "cleansing of the sanctuary" apply to our personal lives, our local church communities, and the global church today, beyond its specific prophetic fulfillment?**
* **What practical steps can we take to live in a way that actively anticipates and prepares for God's ultimate vindication and the restoration of all things?**

### FAQ

**What is the "sanctuary" referred to in Daniel 8:14?**

Answer: The identity of the "sanctuary" in Daniel 8:14 is a central and much-debated point of interpretation. While it could initially bring to mind the earthly Jerusalem Temple, especially given the historical context of its destruction and rebuilding, many biblical scholars, particularly those who apply the "day-for-a-year" principle to prophetic time, understand it to refer to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ ministers as our High Priest. This interpretation is strongly supported by the New Testament book of [Hebrews](/hebrews "The Book of Hebrews"), which extensively details Christ's ongoing ministry in a "true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" ([Hebrews 8:2](/hebrews/8-2 "Hebrews 8:2 - Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary")). The cleansing of this heavenly sanctuary would then relate to a profound process of divine judgment, vindication, and the final removal of sin's defilement, rather than a physical cleaning of an earthly structure.

**What is the "day-for-a-year" principle, and how does it apply to Daniel 8:14?**

Answer: The "day-for-a-year" principle is a widely used interpretive method in biblical prophecy, where a prophetic "day" is understood to symbolize a literal "year." This principle finds its basis in several biblical passages, such as [Numbers 14:34](/numbers/14-34 "Numbers 14:34 - Each Day for a Year in Prophecy") ("each day for a year") and [Ezekiel 4:6](/ezekiel/4-6 "Ezekiel 4:6 - A Day for Each Year"). When applied to Daniel 8:14, the "two thousand and three hundred days" are interpreted as 2,300 literal years. This extended timeline is crucial for interpretations that see the prophecy extending far beyond the Maccabean period (2nd century BCE), often linking it to significant events in the Christian era and, most prominently, to Christ's high priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 8:14 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, particularly His ongoing high priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. While the Old Testament sanctuary rituals, especially those performed on the Day of Atonement, served as powerful types and shadows of cleansing, Christ is the divine anti-type, the ultimate reality to which all these rituals pointed. His singular, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice for Sin")) accomplished the complete and perfect atonement for sin, thereby making possible the true and eternal cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary from the defilement of human transgression. The book of [Hebrews](/hebrews "The Book of Hebrews") explicitly teaches that Christ, having offered Himself, entered "into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entry into the Heavenly Sanctuary")), where He continues to minister as our great High Priest. The "cleansing of the sanctuary" in Daniel 8:14 can thus be understood as a comprehensive process of divine judgment and vindication that culminates in Christ's final work of setting all things right, definitively removing the stain of sin, and establishing His eternal kingdom. This cleansing not only purifies the heavenly records but also ensures the ultimate vindication of God's righteous character and the final triumph of His redeemed people, culminating in the complete removal of sin and the establishment of "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - The Promise of New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

Revelation 11:3

¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Daniel 12:7

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Daniel 12:11

And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Isaiah 45:25

In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Revelation 12:14

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.