DANIEL 8

DANIEL’S VISION OF A RAM + A GOAT

In a vision similar to his earlier one, Daniel sees two beasts. The first resembles a ram with two horns, one higher than the other. The ram is dominant and forcefully charges against its enemies.

Next, Daniel sees a goat with a large obtrusive horn between its eyes. The goat is stronger than the ram, overpowering it, breaking its horns, and trampling it. As the goat grows in power, its horn breaks off and is replaced by four smaller horns, each pointing in a different direction.

An angel appears to Daniel to explain the perplexing vision. The ram with two horns represents the Medes and Persians, while the goat represents Greece. The large horn symbolizes the first Greek king, and the four smaller horns represent his successors. The largest of the horns symbolizes an evil king who will attack Jerusalem and exalt himself above God.

Daniel is frightened and made ill by this news, but continues his diligent work for the king, despite his fear and confusion around the vision.