Daniel 8:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.

NIV: The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.

NASB: The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

CSB: The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king.

NLT: The shaggy male goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king of the Greek Empire.

KJV: And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

NKJV: And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.

Gabriel, an angel (Daniel 8:16), continues to explain Daniel's recent vision (Daniel 8:1–2). The second animal Daniel saw was a goat moving at incredible speed (Daniel 8:5). Gabriel explains that this symbolizes the kingdom of Greece and its first king, Alexander the Great. Earlier prophecies depicted this nation using bronze (Daniel 2:32) or as a four-winged leopard (Daniel 7:6). Daniel sees this goat rapidly attacking the ram (Daniel 8:6–7) and overpowering it. This represents the ferocity and speed of Alexander's conquests.

Although Alexander's father, Philip of Macedonia, consolidated most of the Greek people under one government, Alexander is regarded as the Grecian Empire's first king. Alexander conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. His army's speed and military prowess rendered the Persians helpless. After rapidly expanding his territory, Alexander died suddenly and his kingdom was divided among four successors (Daniel 8:8, 22).

Daniel 8:15–27 includes the angel Gabriel's explanation of Daniel's vision, along with Daniel's reaction. The symbols Daniel saw predict the end of the Medo-Persian empire, the rise and fall of Alexander the Great, and the emergence of a tyrant who persecutes the Jewish people. Though the prophecy has been "explained" Daniel doesn't fully grasp everything that's going to occur. What he's told is disturbing enough to keep him bedridden for several days.

Daniel sees a vision, later explained to him by the angel Gabriel. A swift-moving goat overpowers a two-horned ram. This represents the conquest of Greece over Medo-Persia. Then the goat's horn shatters, replaced by four more; this predicts Alexander the Great's death and succession. Later, a ruler arises to brutally persecute God's people. This prophecy refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple and outlawed Jewish religious practices. It also foreshadows the end times when the Antichrist will be tied to similar events. The experience leaves Daniel temporarily bedridden.

The first 6 chapters of Daniel recorded events from his life. The final chapters record his visions of the future. The prior chapter contained a dream involving several animals, depicting powerful nations. The vision explained here also deals with conquering empires, but also touches on events to come in the end times. Daniel's next passage includes his prayer for Israel and further explanation of what will happen in the last days of human history.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.

Accessed 5/4/2024 9:30:49 PM