Why was the vision to be "shut up" or sealed?

The command to "shut up" or seal the vision (Hebrew: çâtham) indicates that its full understanding and immediate application were not intended for Daniel's contemporary audience. It was to be preserved for a later time, specifically "for many days." This serves several purposes: it protects the integrity of the prophecy until its appointed time of fulfillment, prevents premature or misinformed interpretations, and highlights God's sovereign control over the timing of revelation. This concept reappears in Daniel 12:4 and Daniel 12:9, where similar instructions are given for end-time prophecies, contrasting with the instruction in Revelation 22:10 to *not* seal the book, signifying that the time of fulfillment was then "at hand."

What is the significance of the phrase "for many days"?

The phrase "for many days" emphasizes the distant future fulfillment of the prophecy. It clearly indicates that the events described in Daniel's vision—the rise of the Greek Empire, the division of its kingdom, and particularly the actions of the "little horn" (historically, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but also foreshadowing a greater antichrist figure)—would not occur in Daniel's lifetime or in the immediate generations following. This underscores the long-range nature of biblical prophecy and God's expansive timeline for His redemptive plan, which unfolds over centuries and millennia. It also implies that the prophecy's full relevance and clarity would become apparent only as history progressed towards its ultimate culmination.

8:25 8:25

Daniel 8:26

8:27 8:27

Bible Versions

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.

And the vision {H4758} of the evening {H6153} and the morning {H1242} which was told {H559} is true {H571}: wherefore shut thou up {H5640} the vision {H2377}; for it shall be for many {H7227} days {H3117}.

The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but you are to keep the vision secret, because it is about days in the distant future."

The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been spoken is true. Now you must seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come.

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Daniel 10:1

¶ In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
Daniel 12:9

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Daniel 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 10:14

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.
Ezekiel 12:27

Son of man, behold, [they of] the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth [is] for many days [to come], and he prophesieth of the times [that are] far off.
Revelation 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Hosea 3:3

And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for [another] man: so [will] I also [be] for thee.

Bible Versions

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