What Does Daniel 8:23 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Rebellion at its full measure can raise a ruler who reads what is hidden, yet remains fierce.
THE MEANING
When rebellion reaches its completed measure, a hard-faced ruler rises with skill in reading riddles. His understanding does not make his force just or safe; the verse holds discernment and menace together. The danger is clear sight joined to a fierce will.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that understanding hidden things is itself a sign of goodness: a sharp mind can belong to a fierce ruler.
THE ROOT
הַפֹּשְׁעִים
happoshe'im
GROWS FROM
פשע
To rebel, revolt, or break away.
“transgressors” in this verse is happoshe'im. The word points to rebels, not merely people who make mistakes. English can make transgression sound like a general failing; this root reveals a breakaway that has reached its full measure.
ALSO GROWS
pesha: Rebellion or breach
פֶּשַׁע
It names the rebellion that the verse says has reached completion.
poshea: A rebel or transgressor
פּוֹשֵׁעַ
It shares the root of the people whose rebellion marks the moment this ruler rises.
כְּהָתֵם
kehatem
GROWS FROM
תמם
To be complete, finished, or brought to an end.
“come to the full” in this verse is kehatem. The phrase presents rebellion as having reached its completion. The ruler’s appearance comes at the culmination of that condition, not as an isolated outbreak.
ALSO GROWS
tamim: Complete or whole
תָּמִים
Its sense of completeness echoes the measure reaching its end.
tom: Integrity or completeness
תֹּם
This branch carries the same idea of a condition brought to its full measure.
מֵבִין
mevin
GROWS FROM
בין
To discern, distinguish, or understand.
Mevin describes active discernment, the capacity to distinguish and interpret. Here that skill belongs to a fierce ruler, showing that understanding what is hidden does not by itself make power wise or good.
ALSO GROWS
binah: Understanding or discernment
בִּינָה
It shares the root’s sense of interpreting and distinguishing.
bein: Between or among
בֵּין
The related word for “between” echoes discernment as the ability to distinguish one thing from another.
THE PATTERN
As rebellion reaches its measure, oppressive power can rise and assert itself.
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.THE THREAD
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.The word translated “transgression” here comes from פשע (pasha), the same rebellion root behind “transgressors” in 8:23. Here rebellion is the setting in which truth is cast down and power prospers; there, it has reached its full measure and a fierce ruler stands up.
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