Daniel 8:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath.

NIV: It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage.

NASB: He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath.

CSB: He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with savage fury.

NLT: headed toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at him in a rage.

KJV: And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

NKJV: Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.

In his prophetic vision (Daniel 8:1), Daniel sees a male goat moving at incredible speed (Daniel 8:5). This new arrival attacks the animal Daniel had first seen, a ram (Daniel 8:3–4). The goat charges at the ram with violent intent.

This picture dramatically previews what happened under Alexander the Great. His forces first attacked the Persians at the Granicus River in Asia Minor, which is modern Turkey, around May, 334 BC. A year and half later, approximately November 333 BC, Alexander battled Persian forces at Issus near the northeastern tip of the Mediterranean Sea. The great speed of Alexander's conquest was alluded to in Daniel's earlier vision (Daniel 7:6). An angel will explain this vision to Daniel (Daniel 8:7–8, 21–22).

Daniel's prophecy regarding the Greek and Persian conflict is so accurate that critics of the Bible claim the portrayal is written later and falsely attributed to Daniel. But there is no compelling reason to doubt the dating or author of this writing. The description of the conflict is accurate because God's Word is inspired and inerrant. It is true in every respect. Jesus fully endorsed the Scriptures in His High Priestly Prayer. Addressing the Father, Jesus said, "Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

Daniel 8:1–14 changes the written language to Hebrew, after several chapters in Aramaic. This indicates a shift in intended audience: these messages are primarily meant for the benefit of Israel. This section gives the time, place, and contents of another of Daniel's visions. Like the dream and visions of chapter 7, it concerns the time before Christ's birth. While the vision of Daniel 7 provides more detail on the final end times, the vision here includes a prophecy that appears to have dual fulfillment. After the vision, Daniel will record the meaning as given to him by the angel, Gabriel.

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.