Daniel 8:21

Authorized King James Version

And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַצָּפִ֥יר
goat
a male goat (as prancing)
#2
הַשָּׂעִ֖יר
And the rough
shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun
#3
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ
is the king
a king
#4
יָוָ֑ן
of Grecia
javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia
#5
וְהַקֶּ֤רֶן
horn
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#6
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
and the great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#7
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
בֵּין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#9
עֵינָ֔יו
that is between his eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#10
ה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#11
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ
is the king
a king
#12
הָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃
is the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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