Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 8:13

"Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said unto that certain one who spake, How long shall be the vision [concerning] the continual [burnt-offering], and the transgression that maketh desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?" — Daniel 8:13 (ASV)

Then I heard one saint speaking - One holy one. The vision had now ended, and the prophet represents himself as hearing earnest inquiries about the length of time this desolation was to continue. He represents himself as hearing this conversation, or these inquiries, among those whom he calls “saints”—or holy ones—קדשׁ qâdôsh. This word could refer to a saint on earth, an angel, or any holy being.

However, since one of these was able to explain the vision and tell how long the desolation was to continue, it is more natural to refer to them as angels. Lengerke understands it this way. The representation is that Daniel heard one holy one, or angel, speaking on this subject, but nothing is recorded of what was said. It is only implied that this being was conversing about the desolations that were to come upon the holy city and the people of God.

To this one who was speaking, and who is introduced as having the power to explain it, another holy one approaches and asks how long this state of affairs was to continue. The answer to this question (Daniel 8:14) is given not to the one who made the inquiry, but to Daniel, evidently so that it might be recorded. Daniel does not say where this vision occurred—whether in heaven or on earth. However, it was so near to him that he could hear what was said.

And another saint - Another holy one—probably an angel. If so, we may conclude what is in itself very probable: that one angel has more knowledge than another, or that things are communicated to some but not to others.

Unto that certain saint who spoke - Margin: Palmoni, or, the numberer of secrets, or, the wonderful numberer. The Hebrew word פלמוני pal^emônı̂y—occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures. The similar form פלני p^elonı̂y—occurs in Ruth 4:1, “Ho, such a one, turn aside;” in 1 Samuel 21:2, “appointed my servants to such and such a place;” and in 2 Kings 6:8, “In such and such a place.” The italic words denote the corresponding Hebrew word. According to Gesenius, the word means someone, a certain one; in Arabic, one who is distinct or definite, whom one points out with the finger and not by name. It is derived from an obsolete noun, פלון pâlôn—from the verb פלה pâlâh, to distinguish—and is commonly united with the word אלמני 'al^emonı̂y, meaning, properly, one concealed or unknown.

Therefore, it is language that would be properly addressed to an unknown person with whom one wished to speak, or whom one would designate with the finger, or in some similar way, without being able to call them by name. Applied to the passage here, it means that Daniel did not know the names of the persons speaking but simply saw that one was speaking to another. He had no other way of designating or distinguishing them than by applying a term commonly used for a stranger whom one wished to address, point out, or call over. There is no foundation in the word for the meaning suggested in the margin.

Theodotion does not attempt to translate the word but retains it—φελμουνὶ phelmouni—Phelmouni. The Latin Vulgate expresses the meaning well: dixit unus sanctus alteri nescio loquenti. The full sense is undoubtedly conveyed by two ideas:

1. That the one referred to was unknown by name, and
2. That he wished to designate him in some way, or to point him out.

How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice? - How long is what is intended to be represented by the vision to continue; that is, how long, in fact, will the offering of the daily sacrifice in the temple be suspended?

And the transgression of desolation - Margin: making desolate. That is, the act of iniquity on the part of Antiochus producing such desolation in the holy city and the temple—how long is that to continue?

To give both the sanctuary - The temple; the holy place where God dwelt by a visible symbol and where He was worshipped.

And the host - The people of God—the Jewish people.

To be trodden under foot - To be utterly despised and prostrated—as anything that is trodden under our feet.