King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:5 Mean?

Daniel 8:5 in the King James Version says “And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the grou...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. touched: or, none touched him in the earth a notable: Heb. a horn of sight”

Daniel 8:5 · KJV

Context

3

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. the other: Heb. the second

4

I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

5

And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. touched: or, none touched him in the earth a notable: Heb. a horn of sight

6

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.

7

And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In Daniel's vision, 'as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.' The 'he goat' (tsaphir-izzim, צְפִיר־עִזִּים) symbolizes Greece (explicitly identified in verse 21). Coming 'from the west' describes Greece's geographical location relative to Persia. The phrase 'touched not the ground' emphasizes incredible speed—Alexander the Great's conquest swept through the Persian Empire with unprecedented rapidity (334-323 BC). The 'notable horn between his eyes' represents the first king—Alexander himself (verse 21)—the singular leader whose charisma and military genius united Greece and conquered the known world. This vision, given in 551 BC, accurately predicts events 200+ years future, demonstrating God's sovereignty over history and nations. The imagery teaches that earthly kingdoms, however mighty, rise and fall according to God's predetermined purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel received this vision in Susa during Belshazzar's third year (c. 551 BC), about 220 years before Alexander's conquests. The ram with two horns (8:3-4) represented Medo-Persia, whose empire Daniel served. The goat's conquest fulfilled precisely: Alexander crossed from Greece (west) in 334 BC, defeated Darius III at Issus (333 BC) and Gaugamela (331 BC), conquering the Persian Empire in just three years—'touched not the ground' vividly pictures this blitzkrieg speed. Alexander's death at 32 (323 BC) fulfilled the horn being 'broken' (8:8), with four generals dividing his empire (the four horns). Later interpreters, especially after the Maccabean period, saw the 'little horn' (8:9-14) fulfilled in Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC), who desecrated the temple and triggered the Maccabean revolt. Church tradition emphasized Daniel's prophecy as proving divine inspiration—no merely human author could predict such specific detail centuries in advance. The Reformers saw apocalyptic prophecy as demonstrating God's sovereignty over history's seemingly chaotic rise and fall of empires.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Daniel's accurately fulfilled prophecy (written 220+ years before Alexander) strengthen your confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration and reliability?
  2. What comfort does God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms provide when facing overwhelming political or social powers opposed to God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַאֲנִ֣י׀1 of 21
H589

i

הָיִ֣יתִי2 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מֵבִ֗ין3 of 21

“And as I was considering”

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

וְהִנֵּ֤ה4 of 21
H2009

lo!

וְהַ֨צָּפִ֔יר5 of 21

“and the goat”

H6842

a male goat (as prancing)

הָֽעִזִּים֙6 of 21

“behold an he”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

בָּ֤א7 of 21

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִן8 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַֽמַּעֲרָב֙9 of 21

“from the west”

H4628

the west (as a region of the evening sun)

עַל10 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י11 of 21

“on the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כָל12 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּאָ֑רֶץ13 of 21

“not the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאֵ֥ין14 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

נוֹגֵ֖עַ15 of 21

“and touched”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

בָּאָ֑רֶץ16 of 21

“not the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְהַ֨צָּפִ֔יר17 of 21

“and the goat”

H6842

a male goat (as prancing)

קֶ֥רֶן18 of 21

“horn”

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

חָז֖וּת19 of 21

“had a notable”

H2380

a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact

בֵּ֥ין20 of 21
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֵינָֽיו׃21 of 21

“between his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 8:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 8:21Daniel 11:3Daniel 8:8Daniel 7:6Daniel 2:39Daniel 2:32

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