Daniel 8:21

And the rough goat [is] the king of Grecia: and the great horn that [is] between his eyes [is] the first king.

And the rough {H8163} goat {H6842} is the king {H4428} of Grecia {H3120}: and the great {H1419} horn {H7161} that is between his eyes {H5869} is the first {H7223} king {H4428}.

The shaggy male goat is the king of Greece, and the prominent horn between its eyes is the first king.

The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king.

And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

Commentary

Daniel 8:21 is a crucial verse in understanding one of Daniel's most significant prophetic visions, providing a direct and clear interpretation of previously seen symbols.

Context of Daniel 8:21

This verse comes from the latter part of Daniel's vision in chapter 8, which depicts a symbolic struggle between a two-horned ram and a shaggy goat. The ram, previously identified in Daniel 8:20 as the kings of Media and Persia, is overcome by a powerful goat. Following the vision, the angel Gabriel is sent to Daniel to provide a precise interpretation, removing any ambiguity about the identities of these symbolic animals and their horns. Daniel 8:21 specifically interprets the "rough goat" and its primary horn, directly revealing the future world power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophetic Clarity: The verse offers an unmistakable identification, removing guesswork from the interpretation of the vision. The "rough goat" is explicitly named as the "king of Grecia" (Greece), and the "great horn" as its "first king." This direct explanation highlights the Bible's commitment to clear and verifiable prophetic revelation.
  • Divine Sovereignty Over Empires: Daniel's prophecies consistently demonstrate God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations. This verse, pinpointing the Greek Empire and its initial ruler, underscores that even mighty world powers operate within the framework of God's sovereign plan. For more on God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms, see Daniel 2:21.
  • Historical Accuracy: The fulfillment of this prophecy is historically undeniable. The "king of Grecia" refers to the Greek Empire under the leadership of its "first king," Alexander the Great. His swift conquests, depicted by the goat's rapid movement across the earth in earlier verses of Daniel 8, perfectly align with historical records. The subsequent breaking of the great horn and the rise of four distinct kingdoms mentioned in Daniel 8:22 further solidifies the precision of this prophecy concerning Alexander's generals (the Diadochi).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "rough goat" (`sa'iyr`) literally means "hairy" or "shaggy," which emphasizes the appearance of the animal used in the vision, perhaps hinting at the wild, untamed nature of its conquests. The "great horn" (`qeren gadol`) signifies immense power, authority, and dominance, fitting for a world-conquering monarch like Alexander the Great.

Practical Application

Understanding Daniel 8:21 provides profound reassurance and strengthens faith for believers today. It reminds us that God is not a passive observer but an active orchestrator of history. Even in times of global upheaval, political uncertainty, or apparent chaos, this prophecy confirms that God's ultimate plan is unfolding precisely as revealed in His Word. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that His promises concerning the future, including those about His ultimate kingdom, will also come to pass with perfect accuracy and divine precision.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 11:3

    And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

  • Daniel 10:20

    Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

  • Daniel 8:5

    And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat [had] a notable horn between his eyes.

  • Daniel 8:8

    Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.