New International VersionThe goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.
New Living TranslationThe goat became very powerful. But at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off. In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth.
English Standard VersionThen the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Berean Standard BibleThus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.
King James BibleTherefore 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.
New King James VersionTherefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.
New American Standard BibleThen the male goat made himself exceedingly great. But once he became powerful, the large horn was broken; and in its place four prominent horns came up toward the four winds of heaven.
NASB 1995Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
NASB 1977Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Legacy Standard BibleThen the male goat magnified itself exceedingly. But as soon as it was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Amplified BibleThen the male goat magnified himself exceedingly, and when he was [young and] strong, the great horn (Alexander) was [suddenly] broken; and in its place there came up four prominent horns [among whom the kingdom was divided, one] toward [each of] the four winds of heaven.
Christian Standard BibleThen the male goat acted even more arrogantly, but when he became powerful, the large horn was broken. Four conspicuous horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen the male goat became very great, but when he became powerful, the large horn was shattered. Four conspicuous horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.
American Standard VersionAnd the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Contemporary English VersionAfter this, the goat became even more powerful. But at the peak of his power, his mighty horn was broken, and four other mighty horns took its place--one pointing to the north and one to the east, one to the south and one to the west.
English Revised VersionAnd the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe male goat became very important. But when the goat became powerful, his large horn broke off. In its place grew four horns. They corresponded to the four winds of heaven.
Good News TranslationThe goat grew more and more arrogant, but at the height of his power his horn was broken. In its place four prominent horns came up, each pointing in a different direction.
International Standard VersionThen the goat grew extremely great, but when it was strong, its great horn was shattered. In its place, four distinctive horns grew out in all directions."
NET BibleThe male goat acted even more arrogantly. But no sooner had the large horn become strong than it was broken, and there arose four conspicuous horns in its place, extending toward the four winds of the sky.
New Heart English BibleThe male goat became very strong. But when he was strong, the large horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four prominent horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Webster's Bible TranslationTherefore the he-goat became very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and in its stead came up four notable ones towards the four winds of heaven. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.
World English BibleThe male goat magnified himself exceedingly. When he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of the sky. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the young male goat has exerted itself very much, and when it is strong, the great horn has been broken; and a vision of four comes up in its place, at the four winds of the heavens.
Young's Literal Translation 'And the young he-goat hath exerted itself very much, and when it is strong, broken hath been the great horn; and come up doth a vision of four in its place, at the four winds of the heavens.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the he goat of the goats increased even greatly: and in his being strong the great horn was broken; and there will come up the vision of four underneath it to the four winds of the heavens. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the he goat became exceeding great: and when he was grown, the great horn was broken, and there came up four horns under it towards the four winds of heaven.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut the he-goat among she-goats became exceedingly great, and when he had prospered, the great horn was shattered, and four horns were rising up beneath it by means of the four winds of heaven.
New American BibleThe he-goat grew very powerful, but at the height of its strength the great horn was shattered, and in its place came up four others, facing the four winds of heaven.
New Revised Standard VersionThen the male goat grew exceedingly great; but at the height of its power, the great horn was broken, and in its place there came up four prominent horns toward the four winds of heaven. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore the he-goat became exceedingly great; and when he was strong, his great horn was broken; and there came up four prominent ones under it towards the four winds of heaven.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the kid of the goats grew very big, and when he prevailed, his great horn was broken [the death of Alexandrus son of Phillips] and four came up from under it that were seen unto the four winds of Heaven OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly; and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up the appearance of four horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the he-goat grew exceedingly great: and when he was strong, his great horn was broken; and four other horns rose up in its place toward the four winds of heaven.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat… 7I saw him approach the ram in a rage against him, and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him, and the goat threw him to the ground and trampled him, and no one could deliver the ram from his power. 8Thus the goatbecameverygreat,but at the height of his power,his largehornwas broken off,and fourprominenthorns came upin its place,pointing toward the fourwindsof heaven.9From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land.…
Cross References Daniel 11:3-4Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. / But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.
Zechariah 1:18-21Then I looked up and saw four horns. / So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” / Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. ...
Revelation 6:2So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.
Revelation 13:2The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Revelation 17:12The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast.
Revelation 17:16-17And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. / For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
Revelation 19:19-21Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. / But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. / And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Revelation 12:3Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 17:3And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
Revelation 17:8The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.
Revelation 17:10There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.
Revelation 17:18And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation 18:2And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.
Revelation 18:10In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
Treasury of Scripture 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. waxed. Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. Esther 9:4 For Mordecaiwas great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. Jeremiah 5:27 As a cage is full of birds, soare their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. when. Daniel 4:31 While the wordwas in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven,saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up tohis destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. the great. Daniel 8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 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 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. toward. Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Jump to Previous AppearanceBrokenExceedingExceedinglyFourGoatGreatGrewHeavenHe-GoatHeightHornHornsInsteadLargeMagnifiedMaleMightyNotableOnesPowerProminentSkySoonSteadStrongTowardsTurnedWaxedWindsJump to Next AppearanceBrokenExceedingExceedinglyFourGoatGreatGrewHeavenHe-GoatHeightHornHornsInsteadLargeMagnifiedMaleMightyNotableOnesPowerProminentSkySoonSteadStrongTowardsTurnedWaxedWindsDaniel 8 1.Daniel's vision of the ram and he goat.13.The two thousand three hundred days of the suspension of the daily sacrifice.15.Gabriel comforts Daniel, and interprets the vision.Thus the goat became very greatThis phrase refers to the male goat in Daniel's vision, symbolizing the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. Historically, Alexander's conquests rapidly expanded Greek influence across the known world, fulfilling the prophecy of the goat's greatness. The imagery of the goat aligns with the swift and powerful nature of Alexander's military campaigns, which reshaped the ancient world. but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off
The "large horn" represents Alexander the Great himself. At the peak of his conquests, Alexander died suddenly in 323 BC at the age of 32, which is symbolized by the horn being "broken off." This abrupt end to his reign left a power vacuum and marked a significant turning point in history, as his empire was left without a strong leader. and four prominent horns came up in its place
After Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy. These generals, often referred to as the Diadochi, established their own kingdoms, which are symbolized by the "four prominent horns." This division of the empire fulfilled the prophecy and set the stage for future conflicts and developments in the Hellenistic world. pointing toward the four winds of heaven
The phrase "four winds of heaven" indicates the geographical spread of the four kingdoms that emerged from Alexander's empire. Each general took control of a different region, spreading out in various directions: Cassander in Macedonia and Greece, Lysimachus in Thrace and Asia Minor, Seleucus in the Near East, and Ptolemy in Egypt. This dispersion highlights the fragmentation and reach of the Hellenistic influence across the ancient world. Persons / Places / Events 1. The GoatRepresents the kingdom of Greece, specifically under the leadership of Alexander the Great, who rapidly expanded the empire. 2. The Large HornSymbolizes Alexander the Great himself, whose reign was marked by swift conquests and significant influence. 3. The Four Prominent HornsThese represent the four kingdoms that emerged after Alexander's death, as his empire was divided among his generals. 4. The Four Winds of HeavenThis phrase indicates the four directions (north, south, east, west) to which the divided kingdom spread. Teaching Points The Transience of Earthly PowerThe breaking of the large horn at the height of its power serves as a reminder that earthly power is temporary and subject to God's sovereign will. God's Sovereignty in HistoryThe division of the Greek Empire into four parts demonstrates God's control over the rise and fall of kingdoms, fulfilling His prophetic word. Preparation for ChangeJust as the Greek Empire transitioned after Alexander's death, believers should be prepared for changes in their own lives, trusting in God's plan. The Importance of HumilityAlexander's sudden fall at the height of his power is a caution against pride and self-reliance, urging believers to remain humble before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Daniel 8:8?
2.How does Daniel 8:8 illustrate the consequences of pride and self-exaltation?
3.What can we learn from the "large horn" being broken in Daniel 8:8?
4.How does Daniel 8:8 connect with prophecies about kingdoms in Daniel 2 and 7?
5.In what ways can we guard against pride, as seen in Daniel 8:8?
6.How should Daniel 8:8 influence our understanding of God's sovereignty over nations?
7.What does the "large horn" symbolize in Daniel 8:8?
8.How does Daniel 8:8 relate to historical events?
9.Why is the "four conspicuous horns" imagery significant in Daniel 8:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 8?
11.Why does the vision of the goat’s horn (Daniel 8:8-9) seem to anachronistically predict events tied to Alexander the Great’s successors?
12.When will the 2300 days prophecy be fulfilled?
13.If the vision was to be sealed “for many days” (Daniel 8:26), why do some interpret it as a prophecy about near-contemporary events rather than an end-times scenario?
14.How do we reconcile the identity of the 'four kingdoms' (Daniel 8:20-22) with historical empires, especially when some details appear inconsistent with recorded history?What Does Daniel 8:8 Mean Thus the goat became very greatDaniel has already identified the goat as “the king of Greece” (Daniel 8:21). History shows that Alexander the Great swept across the Medo-Persian Empire with astonishing speed, fulfillingDaniel 8:5–7. The phrase “became very great” captures the rapid expansion and overwhelming dominance of Greece under Alexander (cf.Daniel 11:3). Like the leopard with four wings inDaniel 7:6, the goat’s greatness was unmatched in its day.
but at the height of his powerAlexander’s conquests seemed unstoppable, yet Scripture highlights the exact moment of peak strength. This mirrors the pattern seen elsewhere: kingdoms rise to a zenith only to encounter divine limits (seeDaniel 4:30-32;Proverbs 16:18). God rules over human empires, setting their boundaries and times (Acts 17:26).
his large horn was broken offThe “large horn” represents Alexander himself (Daniel 8:21). At age 32, after subduing lands from Greece to India, he died suddenly in Babylon (323 BC). Daniel pictures that shock with the horn snapping—no gradual decline, just abrupt removal. The prophecy parallelsDaniel 11:4: “he will be broken off, but not in his own time”, underscoring God’s sovereignty over seemingly invincible rulers.
and four prominent horns came up in its placeOut of the shattered empire arose four major successors, often called the Diadochi: • Cassander over Macedonia and Greece • Lysimachus over Thrace and Asia Minor • Seleucus over Syria and the East • Ptolemy over Egypt Daniel 8:22 confirms, “the four kingdoms that arise from this nation will not have the same power.” Their prominence was real but lesser than Alexander’s single “horn.”Daniel 7:6 had already pointed to a fourfold division, showing the consistency of the vision.
pointing toward the four winds of heavenThe new horns face every direction—north, south, east, and west—signifying the empire’s spread to the “four winds” (Jeremiah 49:36;Zechariah 2:6). Politically, the once-united Greek dominion fragmented into regional realms, influencing the entire Mediterranean world. Spiritually, it reminds us that earthly power disperses, but God’s kingdom remains undivided (Daniel 2:44).
summaryDaniel 8:8 precisely foretells the rise of Alexander’s Greece, the sudden death of its mighty leader, and the division of his empire into four lesser kingdoms. Each phrase reinforces the truth that human greatness peaks and passes under the watchful, governing hand of God, who “changes times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). (8) Was broken.--This points to the sudden and unexpected end of Alexander, B.C. 323. The "four horns," which take the place of the "notable horn," may mean either that this empire was dispersed to the four winds of heaven on the death of its founder (comp. Daniel 7:2; Daniel 11:4; Jeremiah 49:36; Zechariah 2:6), or it may hint at the ultimate division of the empire into four parts, Thrace, Macedonia, Syria, Egypt, under Symmachus, Cassander, Seleucus, and Ptolemy respectively. Verse 8. - Therefore the he-goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notableones toward the four winds of heaven. The two Greek versions differ from the Massoretic only in this - that the four horns are not mentioned as notable horns, but simply ἕτερα, "other." The Peshitta agrees closely with the Massoretic. The Greek versions indicate that the reading they had before them was '" haroth instead of hazooth; hazooth has been borrowed from the fifth verse. The empire of Alexander had reached its greatest extent when the young conqueror fell a victim to what seems malarial fever, aggravated by his drinking. His life was broken off before its legitimate conclusion. At his death there was great confusion. Perdiccas assumed the guardianship of the children of the conqueror, and attempted to succeed him in the empire. After his death Antigonus in turn attempted to secure the imperial power, but was defeated and slain at the battle of Ipsus. The empire of Alexander was then divided into four main portions - Macedonia and Greece, under Cassander; Asia Minor, under Lysimachus; Syria and all the East, under Seleucus; and Cyrene, under Ptolemy. In the two first of these there were several revolutions, but finally the Antigonids established themselves in Macedon, and the Attalids in Asia Minor.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Thus the goatוּצְפִ֥יר(ū·ṣə·p̄îr)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6842:A male goatbecameעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whileveryמְאֹ֑ד(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilygreat,הִגְדִּ֣יל(hiḡ·dîl)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431:To grow up, become greatbut at the height of his power,וּכְעָצְמ֗וֹ(ū·ḵə·‘ā·ṣə·mōw)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6105:To bind fast, close, powerful, numerous, to crunch the boneshis largeהַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה(hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh)Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolenthornהַקֶּ֣רֶן(haq·qe·ren)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7161:A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, powerwas broken off,נִשְׁבְּרָה֙(niš·bə·rāh)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7665:To break, break in piecesand fourאַרְבַּע֙(’ar·ba‘)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702:Fourprominentחָז֤וּת(ḥā·zūṯ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2380:A look, striking appearance, revelation, compacthorns came upוַֽתַּעֲלֶ֜נָה(wat·ta·‘ă·le·nāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyin its place,תַּחְתֶּ֔יהָ(taḥ·te·hā)Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofpointing toward the fourלְאַרְבַּ֖ע(lə·’ar·ba‘)Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702:Fourwindsרוּח֥וֹת(rū·ḥō·wṯ)Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritof heaven.הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃(haš·šā·mā·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, sky
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OT Prophets: Daniel 8:8 The male goat magnified himself exceedingly: (Dan. Da Dn) |
