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.

Then I lifted up {H5375} mine eyes {H5869}, and saw {H7200}, and, behold, there stood {H5975} before {H6440} the river {H180} a {H259} ram {H352} which had two horns {H7161}: and the two horns {H7161} were high {H1364}; but one {H259} was higher {H1364} than the other {H8145}, and the higher {H1364} came up {H5927} last {H314}.

I looked up; and as I watched, there in front of the stream stood a ram with two horns. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up later [than the other].

Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one grew up later.

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.

Commentary

Daniel 8:3 introduces a significant symbolic vision given to the prophet Daniel. This verse describes the initial appearance of a key figure in the prophecy: a ram with two horns, standing before a river. The specific details—that one horn was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last—are crucial to understanding its historical fulfillment.

Context

This vision, given in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign (around 550 B.C.), is a continuation of Daniel's prophetic insights into future world powers, building upon earlier revelations found in Daniel chapter 2 and Daniel chapter 7. While the previous visions covered a broad scope of empires from Babylon to the end times, Daniel 8 focuses more specifically on the succession of the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires, leading up to the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a tyrannical Seleucid king who persecuted the Jewish people. The setting, "before the river," likely refers to the Ulai Canal in Susa, where Daniel was in vision (Daniel 8:2).

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Symbolism: The verse vividly describes a symbolic animal, the ram, which immediately signals a deeper, prophetic meaning. Understanding these symbols is key to unlocking God's future revelations.
  • Rise and Succession of Empires: The two horns, with one rising higher and later, point to the distinct phases and eventual dominance of one part over another within a significant historical kingdom.
  • Divine Foreknowledge: God reveals future events to Daniel long before they unfold, demonstrating His absolute control and foreknowledge over human history and the rise and fall of nations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "ram" is 'ayil, often symbolizing strength or leadership. The "horns" (Hebrew: qeren) are a common biblical symbol for power, dominion, or kingdoms (e.g., in Revelation). The descriptive phrase "one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last" is not merely observational but predictive, hinting at a shift in power dynamics within the empire represented by the ram.

Interpretation and Significance

The explicit interpretation of this symbol is provided later in the chapter, where the angel Gabriel states that the ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. The two horns symbolize these two constituent parts of the empire. Historically, Media was the dominant power initially, but Persia, under leaders like Cyrus the Great, eventually rose to greater prominence and became the more powerful and lasting component of the Medo-Persian Empire. This historical reality perfectly aligns with the prophecy that the "higher came up last," signifying Persia's eventual ascendancy.

Practical Application

Daniel 8:3, as part of a larger prophetic vision, reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and their rulers. No empire or human power rises or falls without His ultimate permission and purpose. This provides immense comfort and assurance, knowing that even in times of political upheaval or global uncertainty, God remains in control. It encourages believers to trust in His divine plan, which will ultimately culminate in the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as foreshadowed in prophecies like Daniel 7:14. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over human history and kingdoms.

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 8:20

    The ram which thou sawest having [two] horns [are] the kings of Media and Persia.

  • Daniel 10:5

    Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

  • Jeremiah 51:11

    Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

  • Daniel 2:39

    And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

  • Zechariah 6:1

    ¶ And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains [were] mountains of brass.

  • Zechariah 2:1

    ¶ I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

  • Esther 1:3

    In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:
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