Question 1

What does Daniel 8:14 mean?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 8:14 says that after a period of 2,300 days, the sanctuary will be cleansed. This means there is a set time after which a holy place, which had been defiled or misused, will be restored and made pure again. In this scene, Daniel is hearing from a heavenly figure who is answering another angel's question about how long troubling events affecting the sanctuary will last. The verse points to a specific period of time—2,300 "days"—after which the sanctuary (a sacred space, likely referring to the temple in Jerusalem) will be put right. The focus is on the promise that the period of hardship or desecration is not endless, but will come to a definite close.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Daniel 8:14

Accepted Answer

"Days" is written as עֶרֶב בֹּקֶר (erev boqer), which literally means "evening-morning." This phrase is often understood as a way to count days, but some readers note it could also refer to daily sacrifices, which happened morning and evening, possibly affecting how the time period is calculated. "Sanctuary" is קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh), meaning something holy or set apart. Here, it refers to the temple or a sacred place that has been defiled and needs to be restored. "Cleansed" is וְנִצְדַּק (venitzdaq), from a root meaning "to make right" or "to justify." In this context, it means the sanctuary will be set right, purified, or restored to its proper state.

Question 3

Why Daniel 8:14 matters

Accepted Answer

Daniel 8:14 sets a clear limit on how long the sanctuary will remain defiled, offering hope that the period of suffering and desecration is temporary and will be followed by restoration. The verse is a key part of the larger vision in Daniel 8, which deals with future challenges for God's people and the temple, and it reassures readers that God has set boundaries on evil and disorder. The specific mention of 2,300 "days" and the cleansing of the sanctuary has led to much discussion about prophetic time periods and fulfillment, making this verse central in many interpretations of biblical prophecy.

Daniel 8:14 (KJV)