Daniel’s humble question shows that even profound prophets needed divine guidance.
“But as for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?’” (v.8) In this verse, Daniel—who lived during the Babylonian exile around 605-538 BC—expresses confusion about the prophetic visions he has received. Historically, Daniel was a Jewish exile taken from the kingdom of Judah to Babylon. He faithfully served under successive rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, and was known for his God-given ability to interpret visions and dreams. Here, he admits he cannot fully grasp the meaning of the future events that have been revealed to him. His humble plea, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” (v.8), demonstrates both his yearning for clarity and his recognition of divine authority.
This question shows Daniel seeking to understand God’s timeline of final things. Although Daniel was a remarkable prophet, he was still human—limited in knowledge and insight. The mysteries surrounding the end times and the Messiah’s ultimate victory are significant themes throughout the book of Daniel. Jesus later referenced Daniel’s prophecies in Matthew 24, highlighting how these visions pointed to events that would lead up to the final redemption. Daniel’s experience of not fully comprehending God’s grand design underscores that understanding the fullness of God’s plans may be beyond human reach, even for a righteous servant like him.
By asking, “what will be the outcome of these events?” (v.8), Daniel illustrates a faithful posture of seeking wisdom directly from the Lord. His inquiry encourages believers to remain persistent in prayer and study of Scripture. Despite receiving extraordinary revelations, Daniel still sought confirmation, guidance, and deeper insight—reminding readers that spiritual mysteries often require God’s clarification. Such humility and perseverance can inspire us to trust that God has a redemptive plan, one that He will reveal in His timing.
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Daniel 12:8 meaning
“But as for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?’” (v.8) In this verse, Daniel—who lived during the Babylonian exile around 605-538 BC—expresses confusion about the prophetic visions he has received. Historically, Daniel was a Jewish exile taken from the kingdom of Judah to Babylon. He faithfully served under successive rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, and was known for his God-given ability to interpret visions and dreams. Here, he admits he cannot fully grasp the meaning of the future events that have been revealed to him. His humble plea, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” (v.8), demonstrates both his yearning for clarity and his recognition of divine authority.
This question shows Daniel seeking to understand God’s timeline of final things. Although Daniel was a remarkable prophet, he was still human—limited in knowledge and insight. The mysteries surrounding the end times and the Messiah’s ultimate victory are significant themes throughout the book of Daniel. Jesus later referenced Daniel’s prophecies in Matthew 24, highlighting how these visions pointed to events that would lead up to the final redemption. Daniel’s experience of not fully comprehending God’s grand design underscores that understanding the fullness of God’s plans may be beyond human reach, even for a righteous servant like him.
By asking, “what will be the outcome of these events?” (v.8), Daniel illustrates a faithful posture of seeking wisdom directly from the Lord. His inquiry encourages believers to remain persistent in prayer and study of Scripture. Despite receiving extraordinary revelations, Daniel still sought confirmation, guidance, and deeper insight—reminding readers that spiritual mysteries often require God’s clarification. Such humility and perseverance can inspire us to trust that God has a redemptive plan, one that He will reveal in His timing.