Bible Strands
Daniel 8:2
And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Daniel records a vision received during the third year of Belshazzar’s reign, positioning himself within the Persian administrative center. The narrative frames this encounter as a second revelation following an earlier appearance.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בְּשׁוּשָׁן הַבִּירָה (be./shu.Shan ha./bi.Rah) literally renders "in Susa the citadel," pinpointing the fortified royal complex where the vision unfolds. This lexical choice anchors the subsequent supernatural imagery in a specific administrative location.
The thread — Susa reappears as the Persian royal seat in Esther 1:2 and Nehemiah 1:1, while Elam is cataloged among Shem’s descendants in Genesis 10:22. These passages collectively establish the region as a fixed geopolitical and genealogical reference point.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to locate the vision within documented geography rather than abstract symbolism. Observers must track the precise coordinates of Susa and the Ulai Canal when following the narrative’s progression.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 1:1 These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
- Esther 1:2 In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.
- Genesis 10:22 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
- Genesis 14:1 In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim
- Esther 2:8 When the king’s command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women gathered at the citadel of Susa under the care of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women.
- Jeremiah 25:25 all the kings of Zimri, Elam, and Media;
- Ezekiel 32:24 Elam is there with all her multitudes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword—those who went down uncircumcised to the earth below, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit.
- Numbers 12:6 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.
- Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
- Esther 9:11 On that day the number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king,