Daniel 7 20

Daniel 7:20 kjv

And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

Daniel 7:20 nkjv

and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.

Daniel 7:20 niv

I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell?the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Daniel 7:20 esv

and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.

Daniel 7:20 nlt

I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast's head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

Daniel 7 verses

Daniel 7 20 meaning

Daniel 7:20 focuses on the observer's intense scrutiny of the fourth beast's ten horns and, more specifically, a "little horn" that arises uniquely among them. This new horn violently subjugates three of the pre-existing horns. Its key identifying features are described: it possesses human-like "eyes," suggesting intelligence and cunning, and a "mouth speaking great boasts," signifying extreme arrogance and blasphemous defiance against divine authority. Furthermore, its "appearance was more imposing than its fellows," emphasizing its commanding and powerful presence, making it superior to other rulers or kingdoms represented by the horns. This verse highlights the little horn's ascendancy and distinct, defiant character within the final earthly kingdom.

Daniel 7 20 Context

Daniel chapter 7 details Daniel's dream vision received during Belshazzar's reign, presenting a sequence of four terrifying beasts emerging from the sea, symbolizing successive gentile empires. This vision largely parallels Nebuchadnezzar's statue dream in Daniel 2. The fourth beast is the most dreadful, signifying an immensely powerful and devastating empire, often interpreted as the Roman Empire in its various forms, or a final global kingdom. From this fourth beast emerge ten horns, understood to be kings or kingdoms forming a confederation. Daniel 7:20 specifically zeroes in on the intense curiosity surrounding these ten horns and the particularly menacing "little horn" that unexpectedly arises among them. This little horn stands out due to its forceful ascendancy—it overthrows three of the initial ten horns—and its distinct attributes: intelligence (eyes), extreme arrogance and blasphemy (a mouth speaking great boasts), and an imposing outward appearance. The vision provides a chilling foresight into an ultimate world power that combines political might with open defiance against God, preparing the way for the cosmic judgment scene of the Ancient of Days and the eternal kingdom of the Son of Man in the subsequent verses. This context deeply resonates with a Jewish audience living under gentile dominion, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty.

Daniel 7 20 Word analysis

• And about the ten horns (וְעַל־קַרְנַיָּא עֶשַׂר - wəʿal-qarnayyā ʿeśar):
  • horns (קַרְנַיָּא - qarnayyā): In biblical and ancient Near Eastern iconography, horns are potent symbols of power, authority, strength, and kingdom. They denote rulers or national powers, such as the four horns in Zechariah 1:18 that scatter Judah.
  • ten (עֶשַׂר - ʿeśar): Represents a definitive, potentially complete, number of co-existing powers within the final empire. This might imply a confederation or a division of the last great kingdom, consistent with other prophetic timelines.
• that were on its head (דִּ֥י בְרֵאשַׁ֖הּ - dî ḇərešah): The head symbolizes the origin and primary seat of authority. These ten horns are intrinsic to, or derive their power from, the overall structure of the fourth beast empire.
• and about the other horn (וְעַל־אָחֳרִי֙ - wəʿal-ʾaḥōrî):
  • other (אָחֳרִי֙ - ʾaḥōrî): Distinguishes this horn as a different kind or new entity compared to the initial ten. Its late or unique emergence signals its distinct significance.
• which came up (דִּ֣י סְלִקַ֗ת - dî səliqath): Denotes an active, assertive rise to power. It ascends among or after the initial ten horns, marking a new phase or development within the empire.
• and before which three of them fell (וּדְמִ֤ידַן תְּלָת֙ מִן־קַדָּ֣מַיָּהּ֙ - ûdəmaydan təlath min-qaddāmāyyāh):
  • fell: Signifies a forceful overthrow, military conquest, or political defeat. This implies a violent usurpation of power by the "little horn," consolidating its authority by eliminating rivals.
  • three (תְּלָת֙ - təlath): A specific number indicating a partial but significant subjugation of the other horns. It points to a calculated act of aggression that clears the way for its dominance.
• even that horn that had eyes (וְקַרְנָא דִּךְ דִּי עֵינַיִן לָהּ - wəqarnāʾ dîḵ dî ʿê·nayîn lāh):
  • eyes (עֵינַיִן - ʿê·nayîn): An unusual, almost monstrous, feature on a horn. Symbolizes intelligence, perception, insight, watchfulness, or even sinister cunning. Unlike the holy eyes of God (Zech 4:10; Rev 5:6), these eyes represent a worldly, human-like astuteness that may be used for deceptive or controlling purposes.
• and a mouth speaking great boasts (וּפֻם מְמַלֵּל רַבְרְבָן - wəp̄um məmallēl rabrāḇîn):
  • mouth (וּפֻם - wəp̄um): Another human characteristic, here used for speech.
  • speaking great boasts (רַבְרְבָן - rabrāḇîn): Refers to "great things," "arrogant words," or "blasphemies" (Dan 7:8, 25). This defines the horn's character as profoundly proud, self-exalting, and openly defiant against divine authority. It resonates with similar descriptions of arrogant rulers (Isa 14:12-14) and the ultimate Antichrist figure (2 Thes 2:4; Rev 13:5).
• and whose appearance was more imposing than its fellows (וְחֵוְתַהּ רַבְרְבָה מִן־חַבְרָתַהּ - wəḥewtah rabrāḇāh min-ḥaḇrāthāh):
  • appearance (חֵוְתַהּ - ḥewtah): Describes its outward manifestation, its visible presence or impressive stature.
  • more imposing/greater (רַבְרְבָה - rabrāḇāh): Emphasizes its extraordinary majesty, might, or intimidating presence. This horn is not just powerful but projects an aura of dominance and superiority.
  • than its fellows (מִן־חַבְרָתַהּ - min-ḥaḇrāthāh): Clearly establishes its comparative advantage and elevated status among the other powers or kings. This superiority likely contributes to its ability to subdue three of them.

Daniel 7 20 Bonus section

• Humanoid Traits on a Beast: The little horn having "eyes" and a "mouth" on a beast-like figure indicates a highly intelligent, cunning, and vocal leader, contrasting with the purely animalistic characteristics of the previous horns. This blending of beastly power with human-like attributes highlights a formidable blend of earthly authority and sophisticated malevolence.
• Escalating Evil: Daniel 7 depicts a progression of evil with each successive beast. The fourth beast is the most dreadful, and within it, the "little horn" represents an escalation to an unprecedented level of blasphemy and opposition to God and His people, exceeding the cruelty of its predecessors.
• Antiochus Epiphanes as a Type: Many scholars see historical figures, particularly Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 8, 11), as a foreshadowing or type of this ultimate little horn. Antiochus exhibited characteristics such as pride, speaking arrogantly, desecrating sacred things, and waging war against God's people, serving as a template for the far greater evil of the final Antichrist.
• Focus on Speech: The emphasis on the "mouth speaking great boasts" highlights the power of deceptive and blasphemous language in this figure's rise and rule. Words will be used not merely to govern but to defy and to deceive. This aligns with other biblical warnings about false prophets and those who speak "loud boasts of folly" (2 Pet 2:18).

Daniel 7 20 Commentary

Daniel 7:20 is pivotal in revealing the nature of the end-time Antichrist figure, who emerges from a final global empire. The prophet's intense focus on this "little horn" underscores its unique malevolence. It signifies a rise to power achieved through cunning political maneuvering and aggressive military action, epitomized by its defeat of three kings. The symbolic "eyes" convey an unparalleled intelligence or diabolical wisdom, suggesting a shrewd, observant, and perhaps manipulative leader. More profoundly, its "mouth speaking great boasts" characterizes it as overtly blasphemous, challenging God Himself, arrogating divine attributes, and exalting itself above all that is worshiped. This represents the pinnacle of human or demonic rebellion. Its "more imposing appearance" suggests charisma, a formidable presence, or an intimidating persona that garners power and influence. In essence, this verse portrays a charismatic, intelligent, and militarily formidable leader driven by audacious pride and blasphemous defiance, consolidating power to establish a dominion unlike any before. It sets up the direct confrontation with God's kingdom.