How long: God’s people were called to endure this difficult time until it ended.
about the 2,300 evenings and mornings: This could either mean a period of 1,150 days (1,150 evenings and 1,150 mornings, about three and a half years) or 2,300 days (about seven years). These times match important events in history:
In 171 BC, Antiochus IV removed Onias III from his position as high priest.
In December 167 BC, he treated the temple with disrespect and offered unclean sacrifices.
In December 164 BC, the temple and the altar were cleansed and used again for proper worship. This was seven years after Onias lost his position, and just over three years after the temple was made unclean (see 1 Maccabees 1:54; 4:52–53; 2 Maccabees 10:5).
The temple would then be made right for its proper religious use. It would not be rebuilt physically (see 8:11–12; study note on 8:26).