Daniel 8 9

Daniel 8:9 kjv

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.

Daniel 8:9 nkjv

And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.

Daniel 8:9 niv

Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.

Daniel 8:9 esv

Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land.

Daniel 8:9 nlt

Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel.

Daniel 8 verses

Daniel 8 9 Meaning

This verse describes a small horn emerging from one of the four horns, growing exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It signifies the rise of a significant political and religious power that will expand its influence geographically.

Daniel 8 9 Context

Daniel 8 describes a vision concerning a ram and a goat, which symbolize historical empires. The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire, and the goat represents the Grecian Empire founded by Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, his vast empire fragmented into four kingdoms ruled by his generals. This verse, verse 9, marks the appearance of a new entity that emerges from one of these four horns. This entity is depicted as a "little horn" that gains immense power and influence, disrupting the established order and opposing divine authority. The historical context points to the period after Alexander's empire, likely alluding to the Seleucid Empire and its prominent ruler, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who fiercely persecuted the Jews.

Daniel 8 9 Word Analysis

• וּמֵאַחַת (ume-achat): "and from one." The pronominal suffix refers back to the "four horns" (kingdoms) established by the division of Alexander's empire (verse 8).
• מֵהֶנָּה (mehennah): "of them." Indicates origination from the preceding mentioned divisions.
• צָמְחָה (tzamchah): "there grew forth" or "sprouted." This implies a gradual but forceful emergence.
• קֶרֶן (keren): "horn." In prophetic symbolism, horns represent kings or kingdoms (Revelation 17:12). This is initially a "little horn," suggesting it begins with modest strength but is destined to grow.
• וַתִּגְדַּל (vatigdal): "and it grew great." The verb form indicates a progressive and significant increase in size and influence.
• מְאֹד (meod): "exceedingly" or "greatly." Emphasizes the immense power and scope the horn would achieve.
• לְשַׁדַּי (leshaddai): "toward the Almighty." The term "Shaddai" (Almighty) is one of God's names. This directionality signifies opposition and presumptuous ambition against God Himself. This is a key theological point, showing the horn's defiance not just of earthly powers but of divine sovereignty.
• אֶל־יָם (el-yam): "toward the sea." In prophetic language, the "sea" often represents the Gentile nations or the tumultuous masses of humanity (Revelation 17:15). This indicates an outward expansion of influence among the nations.
• אֶל־צָפוֹן (el-tzaphon): "toward the north." Symbolically, "north" can represent the direction from which disruptive forces or hostile powers often emerge in ancient Near Eastern thought, but here it specifically indicates geographical expansion.
• אֶל־תֵּימָן (el-teiman): "toward the south." Indicates expansion into the southern regions.
• אֶל־נֹגַהּ (el-nogah): "toward the glorious" or "toward splendor/beauty." This phrase is crucial. Some translations render this "toward the beautiful land" or "toward the pleasant land." Given the context of Daniel's prophecies often focusing on the land of Israel and Jerusalem, this refers to the Holy Land.

Daniel 8 9 Bonus Section

The "glorious land" mentioned is strongly interpreted as the land of Israel. This association aligns with other prophetic passages where this land holds immense significance as God's chosen inheritance. The territorial descriptions – south, east, and toward the glorious land – pinpoint the geographic area of primary conflict and influence for this horn. The phrase "toward the sea" further emphasizes its reach across the wider Mediterranean world or the Gentile nations. The power described is multifaceted, involving political domination, military conquest, and ultimately, religious subversion and persecution, a hallmark of entities prophesied to stand against God's purposes. The progression from "little" to "exceedingly great" signifies a cunning and deceptive rise to power that can easily be underestimated initially.

Daniel 8 9 Commentary

The verse details the rise of a specific entity after the initial Macedonian conquest. This "little horn" isn't just a minor king but a potent force, distinguished by its aggressive expansion in multiple directions: south, east (implied by the breadth of expansion and opposition to "the glorious land"), and directly against the land of Israel, the focal point of God's covenant. The descriptor "little" initially contrasts with its eventual "exceeding greatness," underscoring a trajectory of power that escalates significantly. This horn's ambition is not merely political or military but extends to challenging the very sovereignty of "the Almighty" and eventually will trample upon "the truth" and "the sanctuary" (Daniel 8:10-12). This foreshadows a period of intense spiritual and physical conflict, culminating in direct opposition to God and His people.