Daniel 8:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Daniel sees a ram with two high horns, one taller than the other, the taller having risen last.
What Does Daniel 8:3 Mean?
The first creature in the vision is a ram with two unequal horns. In the explanation given later, this ram is named as the kings of Media and Persia. The two horns picture the joined power of those peoples, and the higher horn, which came up last, fits Persia, which rose after Media yet grew to surpass it.
Horns throughout Scripture signify strength and rule. Here the detail of one horn outgrowing the other shows that even within a single empire, power shifts and one part eclipses another. The vision teaches that earthly greatness is layered and uneven, and that no throne holds its height for long. Above every rising horn stands the Lord who lifts up and casts down, ordering the seasons of the nations.
Daniel 8:3 in the Original Language
qeren (קֶרֶן), 'horn' -- a symbol of strength, kingship, and the power of a ruler.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 8:3
What does Daniel 8:3 mean?
Daniel sees a ram with two high horns, one taller than the other, the taller having risen last.