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.
And as I was considering {H995}, behold, an he {H5795} goat {H6842} came {H935} from the west {H4628} on the face {H6440} of the whole earth {H776}, and touched {H5060} not the ground {H776}: and the goat {H6842} had a notable {H2380} horn {H7161} between his eyes {H5869}.
I was beginning to understand, when a male goat came from the west, passing over the whole earth without touching the ground. The goat had a prominent horn between its eyes.
As I was contemplating all this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came out of the west, crossing the surface of the entire earth without touching the ground.
And as I was considering, behold, a he-goat came from the west over the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
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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. -
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. -
Daniel 11:3
And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. -
Daniel 2:32
This image's head [was] of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, -
Daniel 7:6
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. -
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.
Daniel 8:5 introduces a pivotal element in Daniel's prophetic vision: the swift emergence of a powerful new kingdom represented by a "he goat." This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Daniel chapter 8, detailing the rise and fall of empires that would succeed the Medo-Persian kingdom.
Context
In the vision of Daniel chapter 8, Daniel sees a ram with two horns, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire (further explained in Daniel 8:20). Immediately after, Daniel 8:5 describes the sudden appearance of a fierce "he goat" from the west, representing the Grecian Empire. This vision provides a detailed prophetic outline of world history, specifically concerning the Middle East, centuries before the events unfolded. It follows the broader prophetic scope of world empires first introduced in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2 and Daniel's own vision of four beasts in Daniel 7.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "touched not the ground" (Hebrew: אֵין נוֹגֵעַ בָּאָרֶץ, 'eyn nogea' ba'aretz) vividly depicts the goat's extraordinary speed. It suggests an almost supernatural velocity, as if it were flying or moving with such swiftness that its feet barely made contact with the earth. This emphasizes the unprecedented pace of the conquests. The "notable horn" (Hebrew: קֶרֶן חָזוּת, qeren chazut) signifies a prominent, conspicuous, or highly visible horn, pointing to an exceptionally powerful and recognizable leader.
Prophetic Fulfillment and Significance
Historically, commentators widely agree that the "he goat" represents the Grecian (Macedonian) Empire, and the "notable horn" symbolizes Alexander the Great. His astonishingly rapid and sweeping conquests across the Persian Empire, from Greece to India, are precisely depicted by the goat's swift movement and the prominence of its single horn. Alexander's campaigns were legendary for their speed and effectiveness, fulfilling the prophecy of an empire that "touched not the ground." The subsequent verses in Daniel 8, particularly Daniel 8:22, further confirm this interpretation by describing the breaking of the great horn and the rise of four lesser horns from its place, which corresponds to the division of Alexander's empire among his four generals (the Diadochi) after his untimely death.
Practical Application
Daniel 8:5, like much of biblical prophecy, reassures believers of God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs. Even amidst the rise and fall of powerful nations and leaders, God remains in control, orchestrating events according to His divine plan (Psalm 103:19). This understanding can bring peace and confidence, knowing that no earthly power can thwart God's purposes. It also encourages us to look beyond temporary political or military strengths and recognize the eternal kingdom of God, which will ultimately prevail.