What does Daniel 8:4 mean?
In his vision (Daniel 8:1), Daniel observed a unique ram (Daniel 8:2–3) rampaging in all directions without any resistance. This creature did as it pleased. Later explanations show that this animal represents the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 8:20). Daniel does not refer to the beast running east, as the Persians originated in the east and did not expand further in that direction. In time the name Media became almost obsolete, and the kingdom came to be known as Persia.Isaiah 41:2 portrays the Lord as stirring up "one from the east whom victory meets at every step." Isaiah 45:1 states, "Thus says the LORD to his anointed Cyrus, whose hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed." Persia pushed into Babylon, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Armenia and crushed every nation in its path. Esther 1:1 says concerning the Persian king, Ahasuerus that he "reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces."