Daniel 8:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

During the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I received a vision. I, Daniel, reflecting on what I had witnessed earlier... This revelation occurred two years subsequent to the first vision he experienced. The initial vision took place in the first year of Belshazzar's rule, while this one transpired in the third year. Thus, it is noted: following what he encountered at the beginning.

During the reign of the Chaldeans, or Assyrians, after the initial revelation, Daniel states that he had another vision. The timeline clearly indicates that this revelation occurred at a later date, as the first was experienced in the first year of Belshazzar, the king of the Chaldeans, while this one took place in the third year of his reign. The prophet mentions the progression of time intentionally, as he conveys that he was granted insight into these events by the God of all humanity long before they unfolded.