Bible Strands
Daniel 8:23
In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The interpreting angel addresses Daniel during the vision of the ram and goat, explaining the future succession of empires following the breaking of the great horn. The words — עַז־פָּנִים ('az-panim) literally means "strong of face" or "insolent," describing a ruler who will arise (יַעֲמֹד) when the rebels (הַפֹּשְׁעִים) reach their full measure (כְּהָתֵם). The thread — This profile of a deceitful, powerful ruler aligns with the lawless one in 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the earth-beast in Revelation 13:11, and the final beast captured in Revelation 19:20. Why it lands — It demands recognition that human rebellion follows a predictable divine timeline and that oppressive power ultimately operates under sovereign permission, not autonomous control.
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 in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
Cross-references
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
- Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
- Daniel 8:9 From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land.
- 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
- Daniel 7:8 While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.
- Daniel 7:11 Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.
- Daniel 7:20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.
- Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
- Ezekiel 38:8 After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.