Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 8:1

"In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me, Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first." — Daniel 8:1 (ASV)

The Hebrew language is resumed here. Since the visions recorded in the remaining portion of the book have no connection with Babylon, the Chaldean dialect is dropped.

Third year. —This most probably occurred not long before the end of his reign. This vision is supplementary to the one recorded in the preceding chapter, providing various details concerning the second and third empires omitted there, and also showing how a “little horn” is to grow out of the third as well as out of the fourth empire.

At the first — that is, earlier. (Compare Daniel 9:21.)