Daniel 7 8

Daniel 7:8 kjv

I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel 7:8 nkjv

I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

Daniel 7:8 niv

"While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Daniel 7:8 esv

I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel 7:8 nlt

As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

Daniel 7 verses

Daniel 7 8 Meaning

Daniel chapter 7, verse 8, describes a pivotal moment in Daniel's prophetic vision. While observing the ten horns of the fourth dreadful and terrible beast, which represent ten kings or kingdoms, Daniel beholds the emergence of "another little horn." This new power rises from within the existing structure of the ten horns. It is characterized by its actions of uprooting three of the initial horns, indicating its violent acquisition of power and displacement of other rulers. Furthermore, this "little horn" is described with specific, ominous features: having "eyes like the eyes of a man," signifying cunning intelligence, acute perception, and perhaps a humanistic pride, and "a mouth speaking great things," which denotes arrogance, boastful defiance, and blasphemy against God. This verse introduces a crucial figure in end-time prophecy, marked by its shrewdness, destructive nature, and profound antagonism toward the divine.

Daniel 7 8 Context

Daniel chapter 7 describes one of Daniel’s four significant apocalyptic visions. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar's statue dream (Dan 2) which was a king's dream of world empires, Daniel 7 is Daniel's own vision, detailing the succession of four world empires from a divine perspective. These empires are depicted as four monstrous beasts emerging from the sea: a lion with eagle's wings (Babylon), a bear with three ribs in its mouth (Medo-Persia), a leopard with four wings and four heads (Greece, divided into four Hellenistic kingdoms), and finally, a dreadful and terrible beast with iron teeth and ten horns, which breaks and devours all the earth. This fourth beast, often interpreted as a final powerful empire before God's ultimate kingdom (likely Roman Empire or its revival/successor), is the immediate setting for verse 8. Daniel’s attention is specifically drawn to its ten horns, which represent ten kings or kingdoms arising from this final world power. Verse 8 zeroes in on the dynamic among these horns and the unexpected, yet profoundly significant, rise of an eleventh, a "little horn," distinct in its nature and impact from the others, characterized by its destructive power, cunning, and blasphemous defiance. This vision, given during the reign of Belshazzar (ca. 553 BC), prefigured events long into the future, providing an eschatological framework for understanding God's sovereignty over history and the rise and fall of human powers.

Daniel 7 8 Word analysis

• I considered the horns: The Aramaic word ḥāzēh (seen/beheld/considered) highlights Daniel's focused and attentive observation. This isn't a casual glance but a profound prophetic seeing, emphasizing the significance of what he is about to perceive. It suggests intense contemplation.
• and, behold, there came up among them another little horn:
  • and, behold: Signals an important, startling, and perhaps unexpected detail.
  • another little horn: The Aramaic is ʾaḥōrānāh zĕʿīrāh qarnāh.
    • ʾaḥōrānāh (another): Indicates a distinct, additional entity, separate from the initial ten.
    • zĕʿīrāh (little): This term contrasts sharply with its eventual power and actions. It suggests an unassuming beginning, a seemingly insignificant start that belies its massive future influence. It may imply a modest territorial origin or initial lack of prestige compared to established powers.
    • qarnāh (horn): Symbol of power, strength, a king, or a kingdom (Ps 75:10, Zech 1:18-19). This new horn represents a ruler or kingdom.
  • coming up among them: Aramaic sālĕqāh bēnēhōm. It signifies emergence from within or out of the group of the ten horns, rather than a separate invasion. It rises from the sphere or territory of the fourth beast's divided power.
• before whom three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots:
  • before whom: Denotes that this new horn is the direct cause of the others' removal.
  • three of the first horns: Indicates a specific number of pre-existing powers that are overthrown. This implies a significant consolidation of power by the little horn, achieved through forceful subjugation or annihilation.
  • were plucked up by the roots: The Aramaic ʿuqrū (uprooted) suggests a violent, decisive, and complete removal or overthrow, not just displacement but utter destruction or irreversible eradication. It speaks to the devastating power of the little horn.
• and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man:
  • and, behold: Again, emphasizes an important and specific characteristic.
  • eyes: Symbol of insight, perception, intelligence, watchfulness, or even understanding (Eze 1:18, Ps 139:16).
  • like the eyes of a man: The Aramaic kĕʿaynīn dī ʾănāšāʾ. This is a crucial distinction. The horn is a beastly figure, yet it possesses human-like eyes. This signifies a profound level of cunning, shrewdness, rationality (perverted for evil), intense observation, and acute perception. It suggests the leader embodied by this horn is not merely a force of nature but an individual with intelligent malice, capable of calculation, deception, and personal ambition. It distinguishes this horn from other purely bestial representations, giving it a particular personification. It can also point to a human wisdom exalted above God's.
• and a mouth speaking great things:
  • mouth: The organ of speech, declaration, and authority.
  • speaking great things: The Aramaic pūm mĕmallēl rabrĕbāʾ. This signifies boastful, arrogant, and especially blasphemous utterances. It implies exalting oneself above divine authority, challenging God, or claiming divine prerogatives (Dan 7:25, Rev 13:5-6). Such "great things" are a display of pride, defiance, and self-magnification against the Most High, directly indicating an Antichrist character.

Daniel 7 8 Bonus section

The little horn’s initial description as "little" highlights a key prophetic theme: that significant powers, especially those of a rebellious nature, may not always begin grandly but grow in influence unexpectedly (compare to a mustard seed or leaven in parables). The specific detail of three horns being uprooted by the roots might signify the unique brutality of this power, suggesting a complete eradication of its rivals rather than mere conquest. Numerology often plays a role in biblical prophecy, and while the "three" could be literal, it also stands for completion or fullness of an action. The emphasis on "eyes like the eyes of a man" is highly unusual for a beast symbol, underscoring that this is more than just a kingdom; it points to a particularly shrewd, manipulative, and perceptive leader. It's a vivid warning against intellectual pride coupled with great power, leading to a deification of self and the vilification of the divine. This human-like intelligence will be applied with destructive intent, not for wisdom or discerning truth, but for control and opposition to God.

Daniel 7 8 Commentary

Daniel 7:8 is central to understanding the nature of the final, decisive power opposing God before His kingdom is established. The "little horn," while appearing small initially, proves to be extraordinarily powerful and distinct. Its origin "among them" (the ten horns) implies it emerges from or succeeds one of the final expressions of human kingdoms. The "uprooting of three horns" signifies its brutal efficiency and consolidates its dominance by violently eliminating rivals, showing it to be an aggressive usurper of power. The features attributed to it – "eyes like the eyes of a man" and a "mouth speaking great things" – move beyond simple kingdom descriptions. They personalize the power, revealing a being (likely an individual leader) who is not just a political force but one possessing human intelligence distorted into cunning shrewdness and an inflated, blasphemous arrogance. This intelligence, though human, enables calculated wickedness. The "great things" spoken are direct challenges to God's authority, pointing to an ultimate rebellion rooted in pride and self-exaltation. This verse serves as a crucial prophetic fingerprint for the eschatological antagonist, the Antichrist, setting the stage for his subsequent actions and eventual judgment as revealed later in Daniel and Revelation.