Daniel 8:26

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.

Daniel 8:26 (KJV) concludes the interpretation of a significant prophetic vision given to Daniel, emphasizing its truthfulness and its future fulfillment.

Context of Daniel 8:26

This verse directly follows Gabriel's detailed interpretation of Daniel's vision in Daniel chapter 8. The vision itself involved a ram, a goat, and a formidable "little horn" that grew exceedingly great, ultimately casting down some of the host of heaven and challenging the Prince of the host. This vision culminated in the declaration of 2,300 "evenings and mornings" before the sanctuary would be cleansed. Daniel was deeply troubled by the vision, particularly by the aspect of the little horn and its implications for God's people. Gabriel was sent to help Daniel understand that the vision pertained to "the time of the end," specifically outlining events related to the Persian, Greek, and subsequent empires, leading up to an antichrist-like figure.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Truth and Veracity: The phrase "the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true" serves as a powerful affirmation of the divine origin and absolute reliability of the prophecy. It assures Daniel, and future readers, that these events will indeed unfold as revealed.
  • Sealing of Prophecy: The command "wherefore shut thou up the vision" signifies that this particular prophecy was not meant for immediate, full understanding or public proclamation in Daniel's time. It was to be preserved, perhaps in a sealed scroll, for a later generation. This concept reappears later in Daniel, notably in Daniel 12:4 and Daniel 12:9, where similar instructions are given regarding end-time prophecies. This contrasts with the command given to John in Revelation 22:10, indicating a shift in prophetic timing.
  • Distant Fulfillment: The concluding phrase "for it [shall be] for many days" clearly indicates that the events described in the vision would not occur in the immediate future but were destined for a distant time. This underscores the long-range nature of biblical prophecy and God's sovereign plan unfolding over centuries.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "shut thou up" is satham (סָתַם), meaning to seal, shut up, or conceal. This is not about hiding the vision permanently but rather preserving it for a future time when its meaning would become clearer. It implies a divine purpose in the timing of revelation. The phrase "for many days" is yamim rabbim (יָמִים רַבִּים), strongly emphasizing a prolonged period, reinforcing the idea of a distant future fulfillment.

Practical Application

Daniel 8:26 offers several timeless lessons for believers:

  1. Trust in God's Word: The affirmation that the vision "is true" encourages us to trust in the ultimate fulfillment of all God's prophecies, even those that seem distant or complex.
  2. Patience in Understanding: Just as Daniel was told the vision was "for many days," we are reminded that God reveals His plans in His own timing. Not all prophecies are meant for immediate comprehension or fulfillment, requiring patience and faith.
  3. God's Sovereignty Over History: This verse, along with the entire chapter, demonstrates God's foreknowledge and control over the rise and fall of empires and the unfolding of history, providing comfort and assurance that He remains on the throne.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of biblical prophecy and God's meticulous plan for the ages, inviting us to study His Word with both diligence and humility.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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