Daniel 8:7 - I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and struck the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled on him. There was no one who could deliver the ram out of his hand.

Generated Verse: Daniel 8:7

What does "Daniel 8:7" mean?


Daniel 8:7 describes a vision Daniel had of a ram and a goat. Understanding this verse requires understanding the context of the entire chapter, which is interpretative. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its common interpretation:

The Verse (Daniel 8:7):

"I saw him come close to the ram...": Daniel is witnessing a vision of the goat approaching the ram.
"...and he was moved with anger against him...": The goat isn't just approaching; it's filled with rage toward the ram.
"...and struck the ram, and broke his two horns.": The goat aggressively attacks the ram, specifically targeting and destroying its horns. Horns are often symbols of power and dominion.
"There was no power in the ram to stand before him...": The ram is completely helpless against the goat's attack. It's overmatched.
"...but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled on him.": The goat defeats the ram and then humiliates it by trampling it. This signifies complete subjugation and dominance.
"There was no one who could deliver the ram out of his hand.": No help is available for the ram. It is utterly and irrevocably defeated.

Interpretation (Standard Historical Interpretation):

In Daniel 8:20-22 the angel Gabriel explains the meaning of this vision:

The Ram with Two Horns (Daniel 8:3, 20): Represents the kingdom of Media and Persia (the Medo-Persian Empire). The two horns represent the two kingdoms Media and Persia, with the Persian horn being the higher (stronger) one.
The Goat (Daniel 8:5, 21): Represents the kingdom of Greece (specifically the Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great). The "large horn between his eyes" symbolizes Alexander the Great, the first king.

Therefore, Daniel 8:7 is interpreted as a prophetic vision of Alexander the Great (the Goat) conquering the Medo-Persian Empire (the Ram).

Here's a breakdown of how the verse relates to this historical event:

The Goat's Anger: Alexander the Great had reasons for his animosity toward the Persian Empire, including the historical conflicts between the Greeks and Persians (e.g., the Persian Wars).
Breaking the Ram's Horns: Symbolizes Alexander's decisive victories over the Medo-Persian Empire, particularly his defeat of Darius III. The horns of the ram, representing the strength and dominion of Media and Persia, were shattered.
No Power to Stand Before Him: The Medo-Persian Empire, though vast and powerful, was unable to withstand Alexander's military genius and the strength of his army.
Casting Down and Trampling: Represents the complete overthrow and subjugation of the Medo-Persian Empire by Alexander. He didn't just defeat them; he took control and dominated their lands.
No One to Deliver the Ram: No other power could save the Medo-Persian Empire from Alexander's conquest.

In Summary:

Daniel 8:7 is a powerful and symbolic depiction of a swift and decisive conquest. In the traditional and widely accepted interpretation, it foretells the rise of Alexander the Great and his crushing defeat of the Medo-Persian Empire. The vision emphasizes the completeness of the victory and the vulnerability of even the most powerful empires when faced with a determined and powerful adversary.