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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now that being broken {H7665}, whereas four {H702} stood up {H5975} for it, four {H702} kingdoms {H4438} shall stand up {H5975} out of the nation {H1471}, but not in his power {H3581}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for the horn that broke and the four which rose up in its place, four kingdoms will arise out of this nation, but not with the power the first king had.

Berean Standard Bible

The four horns that replaced the broken one represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power.

American Standard Version

And as for that which was broken, in the place whereof four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 8:22 serves as a precise prophetic interpretation within Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat, elucidating the aftermath of the "great horn" being broken. It foretells the division of a powerful empire into four distinct, successor kingdoms that would emerge from the same "nation" but would collectively lack the singular, unified might of the original ruler, highlighting the transient nature of earthly power and God's sovereign control over historical succession.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the angelic interpretation provided by Gabriel to Daniel concerning the vision recorded in [Daniel 8](/daniel/8 "Daniel Chapter 8 - The Vision of the Ram and the Goat"). Immediately preceding [Daniel 8:22](/daniel/8-22 "Daniel 8:22 - The Four Successor Kingdoms"), [Daniel 8:21](/daniel/8-21 "Daniel 8:21 - The King of Grecia") explicitly identifies the "rough goat" as the king of Grecia and the "great horn" between its eyes as its first powerful king, widely understood to be Alexander the Great. The preceding verse also describes the "great horn" being "broken" at the height of its power, which is then elaborated upon in Daniel 8:22, explaining the fragmentation of this vast empire into four distinct entities. Thus, Daniel 8:22 directly interprets the symbolic actions seen in [Daniel 8:8](/daniel/8-8 "Daniel 8:8 - The Breaking of the Great Horn").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Daniel 8:22 accurately foretold events that transpired centuries later. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC at the young age of 32, his vast Hellenistic Empire, which stretched from Greece to India, did not pass to a single heir. Instead, after a period of conflict among his generals (the Diadochi), it was eventually divided into four major Hellenistic kingdoms. These were the Ptolemaic Kingdom (Egypt and parts of the Middle East, ruled by Ptolemy), the Seleucid Empire (Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia, ruled by Seleucus), the Kingdom of Lysimachus (Thrace and parts of Asia Minor), and the Kingdom of Cassander (Macedonia and Greece). This historical fulfillment underscores the remarkable precision of biblical prophecy, demonstrating God's foreknowledge of specific geopolitical shifts.
* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 8:22](/daniel/8-22 "Daniel 8:22 - Prophecy of Successor Kingdoms") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty over History**, showcasing God's meticulous control over the rise and fall of empires, even dictating the specifics of their succession and fragmentation. Secondly, it highlights the **Precision and Reliability of Prophecy**, as the detailed prediction of four successor kingdoms emerging from Alexander's empire was historically fulfilled with uncanny accuracy. Thirdly, the phrase "but not in his power" emphasizes the **Transient and Diminished Nature of Earthly Power** when compared to the unified might of the original conqueror. This serves as a stark reminder that all human kingdoms, no matter how vast, are temporary and ultimately subject to God's ultimate authority, a theme consistently reinforced throughout Daniel, such as in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Removes and Sets Up Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665, a primitive root meaning "to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy." In this context, it signifies a violent and decisive shattering, not a gradual decline. It emphasizes the sudden and complete end of the great horn's (Alexander's) singular dominance.
* **stood up (Aramaic, _ʻâmad'_):** From H5975, a primitive root meaning "to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide, appoint, arise, establish, remain." Here, it denotes the establishment and emergence of new entities, indicating that these four kingdoms would firmly take their place as the new powers following the empire's fragmentation.
* **power (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** From H3581, meaning "vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); ability, might, strength." The negation "not in his power" is crucial, signifying that while the four successor kingdoms would be powerful in their own right, none, nor their combined strength, would possess the same unified, singular, and expansive authority that Alexander the Great wielded. Their power would be fragmented and comparatively diminished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now that being broken":** This clause refers to the "great horn" previously mentioned in the vision, which represents Alexander the Great. The breaking signifies his untimely death and the sudden end of his unified imperial rule.
* **"whereas four stood up for it":** This indicates that in the place of the single, dominant horn, four distinct entities would arise. This directly prophesies the emergence of four successor kingdoms.
* **"four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation":** This specifies that these four new powers would not be external invaders but would emerge from within the existing territory or people of the former empire. They are distinct "kingdoms," implying separate, sovereign entities.
* **"but not in his power":** This critical qualification highlights that while these four kingdoms would be significant, their collective or individual strength would not match the unparalleled, unified dominion and expansive reach of Alexander the Great himself. It forecasts a fragmentation of authority and a reduction in overall imperial might.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "great horn" symbolizing Alexander the Great and the "four horns" or "four kingdoms" representing his successor generals and their respective Hellenistic empires. This symbolic language allows for the concise communication of complex historical events. The entire passage is an example of **Prophecy**, specifically **Predictive Prophecy**, as it foretells future events with remarkable accuracy. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the singular, overwhelming "power" of the original "great horn" and the fragmented, diminished "power" of the "four kingdoms" that succeed it. This contrast underscores the transient nature of human dominion and sets the stage for the ultimate, eternal kingdom of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 8:22 profoundly underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over human history. It reveals that God is not merely an observer but an active orchestrator of geopolitical events, meticulously detailing the rise and fall of empires, even to the specific number of successor kingdoms and the nature of their power. This precision in prophecy demonstrates God's omniscience and omnipotence, assuring believers that His overarching plan is unfolding, regardless of the apparent chaos or might of earthly rulers. The transient nature of even the most formidable human empires, as contrasted with the eternal kingdom of God, is a central theological message, calling believers to place their ultimate trust not in temporal powers but in the unchanging, sovereign Lord.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "God Removes and Sets Up Kings")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God is the Judge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 8:22, though a historical prophecy, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. In a world often characterized by political upheaval, shifting global powers, and the rise and fall of nations, this verse provides immense comfort and a firm foundation for faith. It reminds us that behind the scenes of human history, a sovereign God is meticulously working out His purposes. We are called to trust in His unchanging character and His ultimate control, rather than being swayed by the temporary triumphs or failures of earthly powers. This understanding frees us from anxiety about the future and encourages us to invest our lives in the eternal kingdom of God, which alone will endure. It challenges us to view current events through the lens of God's overarching plan, recognizing that His kingdom is the only one that truly matters and will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word and His control over history?**
* **In what ways do you see the "rise and fall" of earthly powers in our contemporary world, and how does Daniel 8:22 shape your perspective on these events?**
* **Considering the transient nature of human power described here, how does this encourage you to invest your time, talents, and treasures in God's eternal kingdom rather than in temporary earthly pursuits?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "four kingdoms" mentioned in Daniel 8:22, and how did they relate to Alexander the Great?**

Answer: The "four kingdoms" mentioned in [Daniel 8:22](/daniel/8-22 "Daniel 8:22 - The Four Successor Kingdoms") refer to the four major Hellenistic empires that emerged after the sudden death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. These kingdoms were established by his leading generals, known as the Diadochi, who divided his vast empire among themselves. They were: the Ptolemaic Kingdom (Egypt, ruled by Ptolemy I Soter), the Seleucid Empire (Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia, ruled by Seleucus I Nicator), the Kingdom of Lysimachus (Thrace and parts of Asia Minor), and the Kingdom of Cassander (Macedonia and Greece). The prophecy highlights that while these four would "stand up," they would not possess the singular, unified "power" of Alexander himself, accurately reflecting the fragmented nature of his successors' rule compared to his initial expansive dominion, as also seen in [Daniel 11:4](/daniel/11-4 "Daniel 11:4 - Division of the King's Kingdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 8:22 specifically details the geopolitical succession of the Hellenistic empires, its ultimate theological trajectory points to the overarching truth of God's sovereignty, which finds its supreme fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated pattern of earthly kingdoms rising and falling, and even the fragmentation of mighty empires like Alexander's, serves as a powerful backdrop for the coming of a different kind of kingdom—one that is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) and whose King is eternal. The "not in his power" clause, signifying the diminished and divided strength of human rulers, foreshadows the ultimate inadequacy of all human authority in comparison to the singular, undivided, and eternal power of Christ. Jesus, the true Lamb of God, establishes a spiritual dominion that transcends all earthly political structures, a kingdom that will ultimately crush all other kingdoms and stand forever ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ inaugurated a new covenant and a kingdom that cannot be shaken ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")), fulfilling God's sovereign plan for history by establishing an eternal reign where His power is absolute and His dominion has no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Have No End")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 11:4

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Daniel 8:3

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had [two] horns: and the [two] horns [were] high; but one [was] higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

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.