King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:7 Mean?

Daniel 8:7 in the King James Version says “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 ho...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 8:7 · KJV

Context

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.

8

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

Read Daniel 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The goat's total victory over the ram depicts Greece's complete military triumph. "Smote the ram, and brake his two horns" represents shattering Medo-Persian power—both Media and Persia thoroughly defeated. The phrase "there was no power in the ram to stand before him" emphasizes absolute military helplessness. Persia's vast armies, superior numbers, and extensive resources couldn't withstand Greek phalanx tactics and Alexander's genius.

"Cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him" uses vivid imagery of utter humiliation—not mere defeat but total subjugation. "There was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand" stresses that no nation could rescue Persia; former allies and subjects abandoned the failing empire. This language mirrors verse 4's description of Persian invincibility, showing how quickly divine judgment transfers power between kingdoms.

Theologically, this demonstrates that God judges prideful empires. Persia had conquered brutally; now divine justice repays through Greek conquest. The reversal of fortunes warns that earthly power is temporary—nations rising by violence often fall by violence. Only Christ's kingdom, established through self-sacrificial love rather than military conquest, endures eternally. This points to His ultimate victory over all powers opposed to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Gaugamela (331 BC), Persian resistance collapsed entirely. Alexander occupied Babylon without resistance, captured Susa and its treasures, and burned Persepolis (330 BC) symbolically ending Persian dominion. Darius III fled eastward but was murdered by his own officials (330 BC). Former Persian territories—Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor—submitted to Greek rule. The 220-year Persian Empire ended decisively within three years of Alexander's invasion, exactly as Daniel's vision predicted.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Persia's rapid collapse after apparent invincibility teach us about false security in earthly power?
  2. How does God's use of one prideful empire to judge another demonstrate His sovereignty in executing justice?
  3. In what ways does Alexander's complete victory foreshadow Christ's ultimate triumph over all opposing powers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וּרְאִיתִ֞יו1 of 27

“And I saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מַגִּ֣יעַ׀2 of 27

“him come”

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

אֵ֣צֶל3 of 27

“close”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

לָאַ֖יִל4 of 27

“in the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וַיִּתְמַרְמַ֤ר5 of 27

“and he was moved with choler”

H4843

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

אֵלָיו֙6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיַּ֣ךְ7 of 27

“against him and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת8 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לָאַ֖יִל9 of 27

“in the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וַיְשַׁבֵּר֙10 of 27

“and brake”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

אֶת11 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁתֵּ֣י12 of 27

“his two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

קְרָנָ֔יו13 of 27

“horns”

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

וְלֹא14 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָ֥יָה15 of 27
H1961

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

כֹ֛חַ16 of 27

“and there was no power”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

לָאַ֖יִל17 of 27

“in the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

לַעֲמֹ֣ד18 of 27

“to stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָ֑יו19 of 27

“before”

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

וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֤הוּ20 of 27

“him but he cast him down”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אַ֙רְצָה֙21 of 27

“to the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַֽיִּרְמְסֵ֔הוּ22 of 27

“and stamped”

H7429

to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)

וְלֹא23 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיָ֥ה24 of 27
H1961

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

מַצִּ֛יל25 of 27

“upon him and there was none that could deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

לָאַ֖יִל26 of 27

“in the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

מִיָּדֽוֹ׃27 of 27

“out of his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 8:7 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 8:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 11:11Daniel 7:7Joshua 8:20Leviticus 26:37

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