In the ongoing discussion surrounding the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, critics often raise a particular objection: The cleansing of the sanctuary in Daniel 8:14 is not the same as the cleansing described in Leviticus 16. This claim aims at the heart of the sanctuary doctrine and directly impacts how we as Adventists understand the work of our Heavenly High Priest.
In this article, we explore this theological challenge and clarify why these two references to “cleansing” are indeed different—but in a way that actually strengthens, rather than undermines, the Adventist position.
Daniel 8:14 and leviticus 16:19
The key text under discussion reads:
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." – Daniel 8:14 (KJV)
Seventh-day Adventists hold that this cleansing refers to a heavenly event that was foreshadowed by the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary described in the Book of Leviticus, which reads:
"And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel." – Leviticus 16:19 (KJV)
This Cleansing of the Sanctuary was known as the Day of Atonement. And although both texts contain the word "cleanse," the Adventist view is under fire because in the original Hebrew, both words carry different meanings.
The Challenge: Different Hebrew Words
Critics point out that the Hebrew word for "cleanse" in Leviticus 16 is taher (טָהֵר), while in Daniel 8:14, "cleansed" is tsadaq (צָדַק). Because the words are different, opponents argue that the cleansing of Daniel 8:14 cannot be a cleansing from sin, as Daniel then would have used the same term as Leviticus. Our detractors believe that this difference in verbiage proves that the Cleansing of the Sanctuary as taught by Adventists is a false doctrine.
At first glance, this seems like a reasonable objection. However, a closer examination of the Hebrew terms and their contexts reveals a more nuanced picture. Once you understand these two terms in their proper context, you will see that the different terminology used, not only confirms our position, but if Daniel 8:14 used the same language for cleanse as Leviticus 16:19, it would actually disqualify our view of the Sanctuary doctrine!
Leviticus 16:19 - A Ritualistic Cleansing
Taher is defined by the Strong's Definition as "Levitically, uncontaminated." Thus, in the context of the sanctuary, the common usage of this word in the Hebrew language reveals a ceremonially or ritualistic cleansing that was often pronounced by a Levitical priest. This is confirmed when we look at a few texts that refer to "taher":
'"And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean." Leviticus 13:17
"And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." Leviticus 14:11
"And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering." Numbers 8:15
"And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel." – Leviticus 16:19
Thus, the cleansing (taher) of the earthly sanctuary in Leviticus 16 is a ceremonial or ritualistic cleansing carried out by the Levitical priest. This ritual removed the sins that had been symbolically transferred to the sanctuary throughout the year via various sacrifices.
Daniel 8:14 - A Justification Cleansing
By contrast, the Hebrew word used in Daniel 8:14—tsadaq—has a different meaning entirely. Rather than referring to a ritual cleansing, tsadaq is a term meaning to make right, justify, or pronounce righteous. It is the same word used in passages such as:
- Isaiah 53:11 – "My righteous servant shall justify many..."
- Exodus 23:7 – "I will not justify the wicked..."
- Isaiah 50:8 – "He is near that justifieth me..."
This is a significant distinction. Thus, in Daniel 8:14, the "cleansing" of the sanctuary is better translated as "justified" or "made righteous." Unfortunately, several Bible versions attempt to connect Daniel 8:14 to the Feast of Dedication that was celebrated after the Maccabean revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes. Thus, multiple versions interpret tsadaq in Daniel 8:14 as the "reconsecration " or "rededication" of the sanctuary. However, as Adventists, we must maintain the fact that tsadaq is not about rededication but righteousness. A few modern Bible translations reflect this idea:
- "...then the holy place will be made righteous." LSB
- "...then is the holy place declared right." YLT
- ...and the holy place was justified." SLT
Why This Strengthens the SDA Position
When we look at the difference between taher in Leviticus 16:19 and tsadaq in Daniel 8:14, we must understand that these differences don't weaken the SDA position of the sanctuary—it actually strengthens it. Let me explain:
As students of the Bible, you must remember that the earthly sanctuary could never truly remove sin. Hebrews 10:4 makes this crystal clear:
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.”
This text serves as a confirmation that the rituals and ceremonies of the Old Covenant never truly removed sin. Thus, the ritualistic taher cleansing of the earthly sanctuary could only point forward to something greater—a heavenly cleansing where sin would be truly dealt with.
The fact that tsadaq is used in Daniel 8:14 confirms that the cleansing in reference to the 2300 days is not a ritualistic cleansing by a human priest, but a divine act of judgment and justification carried out by God Himself in the heavenly sanctuary.
Earthly vs. Heavenly Cleansing
Let’s summarize the contrast:
Looking at the above chart, you should be able to see that Daniel 8:14 is not referring to an earthly sanctuary. If it were, the earthly sanctuary, it should've used the word taher, not tsadaq.
daniel 8:14 is not about Antiochus
While our detractors are sold on the idea that Daniel 8:14 is about Antiochus Epiphanes, we as Adventists have enough Scriptural evidence to prove it is not possible. What if I told you that there was another time in history when the Jewish sanctuary was desecrated similarly to the desecration that occurred by Antiochus prior to the Maccabean revolt? What if I told you that, just like the Maccabean period, the sanctuary was also desecrated and needed to be "cleansed?" Well, look no further than 2Chronicles 29.
In understanding Jewish history, we should understand that Israel had some really evil kings. One of those kings was named Ahaz. According to the Word, this king was extremely wicked. Notice what the Bible says about him:
"For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel." 2Chronicles 28:2-3
Although the text doesn't go into much detail, we should understand that whatever actions were taken during his reign necessitated the cleansing of the sanctuary during the reign of Ahaz's successor. Notice how the Bible reveals this:
"And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron." 2Chronicles 29:15-16
Although this cleansing was likely a cross between literal and ritualistic, we should still see that the word taher was used. This should confirm that the earthly sanctuary was always cleansed (taher). It also reveals to us that the earthly sanctuary could never be declared righteous (tsadaq).
Knowing that taher refers to a ceremonial cleansing that was typically pronounced or performed by a Jewish priest and tsadaq refers to a justification that can only be declared by God himself, we should see that the earthly sanctuary can never be tsadaq; it can only be taher. Likewise, we should also see that the heavenly sanctuary can never be taher, it can only be tsadaq.
Conclusion: One Concept, Two Realities
Yes, the words for “cleanse” in Leviticus 16 and Daniel 8:14 are different—but for good reason. They point to two connected but distinct realities:
- A ritualistic cleansing of the earthly sanctuary by a human priest.
- A judicial justification of the heavenly sanctuary by God Himself.
Both involve cleansing. But one was symbolic, the other is real. One was temporary, the other is eternal. The earthly service pointed forward to the heavenly judgment.
So, when critics ask, "How can Daniel 8:14 refer to the same cleansing if the words are different?", the answer is: It’s because the earthly cleansing is a ceremonial cleansing, but the heavenly cleansing is a righteous cleansing. This difference in language confirms, rather than contradicts, the Adventist teaching of the Investigative Judgment.
📣 Call to Action
If this topic challenged or deepened your understanding, don’t stop here:
✅ Read Leviticus 16 and Daniel 8 in parallel.
✅ Study the original Hebrew words yourself using tools like Blue Letter Bible.
✅ Share this post with someone wrestling with the sanctuary doctrine.
✅ Leave a comment below—What’s your take on the difference between Taher and Tsadaq?
