Daniel 8 22

Daniel 8:22 kjv

Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

Daniel 8:22 nkjv

As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.

Daniel 8:22 niv

The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

Daniel 8:22 esv

As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power.

Daniel 8:22 nlt

The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first.

Daniel 8 verses

Daniel 8 22 Meaning

This verse describes the final state of the male goat, representing a powerful king or kingdom that rose against the Medo-Persian Empire. Upon its defeat by the ram (representing the Medo-Persian Empire), the male goat’s mighty horn is broken, and in its place, four lesser horns emerge, symbolizing the division of its kingdom into four parts after its destruction. This represents a significant shift in geopolitical power as prophesied by Daniel.

Daniel 8 22 Context

This verse is found in Daniel chapter 8, which details prophetic visions concerning empires that would succeed the Babylonian Empire. Specifically, Daniel sees a ram with two horns (representing the Medo-Persian Empire) being overcome by a male goat with a prominent horn (representing the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great). The verse describes the immediate aftermath of the goat's conquest, focusing on the fate of its dominant horn, which symbolizes its initial strength and unity under a singular leader. The context highlights God's sovereign control over earthly kingdoms and the inevitable succession and fragmentation of empires. This prophecy would have been understood by Daniel's audience as a sign of future political shifts and the ultimate working out of God’s plan.

Daniel 8 22 Word Analysis

• וּכְשָׁבְרָה (ukeshāḇrāh) - "and when it was broken":

  • The Hebrew root is שָׁבַר (shāḇar), meaning "to break," "to shatter," "to break down." This emphasizes a complete and violent rupture.
  • The prefixed 'u' (ו) is a conjunction, meaning "and."
  • The suffix '-hā' (ָה) refers to the feminine singular, pointing back to the "great horn" (קֶרֶן גְּדוֹלָה, qeren gedōlāh) which is feminine in Hebrew, though the entity it represents (Alexander the Great) was masculine.

• קַרְנָהּ (qarnāh) - "its horn":

  • קֶרֶן (qeren) means "horn." Horns in biblical symbolism often represent strength, power, authority, or kingship.
  • The suffix '-āh' (ָה) is a possessive suffix, "its." This refers to the singular "great horn" previously mentioned as representing the first king of Grecia.

• תַּחְתֶּנָּה (taḥtēnnāh) - "in its place":

  • תַּחַת (taḥat) means "under," "beneath," or "in place of."
  • The appended 'ēn' (ֵּנ) creates a compound sense of "in its place" or "under it." It signifies substitution.

• וּבָאֹת (ūḇā’ōṯ) - "and there came":

  • The conjunction 'u' (ו) means "and."
  • The verb בָּאָה (bā’āh) is the Qal perfect 3rd person feminine singular of בּוֹא (bō’), meaning "to come" or "to enter." The feminine agreement likely refers to the "notable ones" collectively as they 'came forth' or emerged.

• אַרְבַּע (’arbā‘) - "four":

  • This is the standard Hebrew word for the number four. It signifies a division into multiple parts.

• קַרְנוֹת (qarnōṯ) - "horns":

  • This is the feminine plural form of קֶרֶן (qeren), meaning "horns." It reinforces the theme of multiple, lesser powers replacing the single great one.

• נִמְרָצוֹת (nimrāṣōṯ) - "notable ones":

  • This word is found in only two other places in Scripture (Deut 33:21 and Jer 49:20), making its precise meaning debated.
  • It is the Niphal passive participle of a verb potentially meaning "to gore," "to afflict," or "to render notable/illustrious."
  • The common interpretation is that these are "notable," "prominent," or "outstanding" horns (i.e., rulers or kingdoms) that arose. It can also carry a sense of strength or fierceness, aligning with the context of power struggles.
  • The feminine plural form agrees with קַרְנוֹת (qarnōṯ).

• Towards the four winds of heaven: This idiom signifies a distribution in all directions, covering the entire extent of the former dominion. It points to the fragmentation and dispersal of power throughout the empire’s conquered territories.

Daniel 8 22 Bonus Section

The prophecy in Daniel 8, and specifically this verse, is often cited as a prime example of the predictive accuracy of biblical prophecy. The historical events following Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC remarkably align with this description, as his generals carved up the empire. The phrase "towards the four winds of heaven" beautifully captures the widespread territorial divisions. The interpretation of "notable ones" (נִמְרָצוֹת - nimrāṣōṯ) as "prominent" or "illustrious" rulers or kingdoms is widely accepted by commentators who see this as a divine unveiling of geopolitical succession. This vision serves not only as a historical marker but also as a testament to the prophetic Word of God, revealing His foreknowledge and sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations.

Daniel 8 22 Commentary

Daniel 8:8 vividly portrays the prophetic vision of the Grecian empire’s division following the death of its great king (historically Alexander the Great). The breakdown of the single, powerful horn symbolizes the loss of unified leadership. The subsequent emergence of four new horns signifies the partitioning of Alexander's vast empire among his four generals (known as the Diadochi: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy). This prophetic accuracy in detailing the fate of a dominant empire and the rise of successor kingdoms is a hallmark of Daniel's prophetic writings, pointing to a divine hand overseeing world history. The use of "horns" consistently denotes royal power, and their multiplication signifies a splintering of that authority.