Daniel 8:7
And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Original Language Analysis
וּרְאִיתִ֞יו
And I saw
H7200
וּרְאִיתִ֞יו
And I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מַגִּ֣יעַ׀
him come
H5060
מַגִּ֣יעַ׀
him come
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
H352
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
וַיִּתְמַרְמַ֤ר
and he was moved with choler
H4843
וַיִּתְמַרְמַ֤ר
and he was moved with choler
Strong's:
H4843
Word #:
5 of 27
to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)
וַיַּ֣ךְ
against him and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֣ךְ
against him and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 27
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
H352
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קְרָנָ֔יו
horns
H7161
קְרָנָ֔יו
horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
13 of 27
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
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָ֥יָה
H1961
הָ֥יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כֹ֛חַ
and there was no power
H3581
כֹ֛חַ
and there was no power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
16 of 27
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
H352
לָאַ֖יִל
in the ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
לַעֲמֹ֣ד
to stand
H5975
לַעֲמֹ֣ד
to stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
18 of 27
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָ֑יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
19 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֤הוּ
him but he cast him down
H7993
וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֤הוּ
him but he cast him down
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
20 of 27
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
וַֽיִּרְמְסֵ֔הוּ
and stamped
H7429
וַֽיִּרְמְסֵ֔הוּ
and stamped
Strong's:
H7429
Word #:
22 of 27
to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
23 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
24 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מַצִּ֛יל
upon him and there was none that could deliver
H5337
מַצִּ֛יל
upon him and there was none that could deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
25 of 27
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
Daniel 11:11And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.Daniel 7:7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Historical Context
After Gaugamela (331 BC), Persian resistance collapsed entirely. Alexander occupied Babylon without resistance, captured Susa and its treasures, and burned Persepolis (330 BC) symbolically ending Persian dominion. Darius III fled eastward but was murdered by his own officials (330 BC). Former Persian territories—Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor—submitted to Greek rule. The 220-year Persian Empire ended decisively within three years of Alexander's invasion, exactly as Daniel's vision predicted.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Persia's rapid collapse after apparent invincibility teach us about false security in earthly power?
- How does God's use of one prideful empire to judge another demonstrate His sovereignty in executing justice?
- In what ways does Alexander's complete victory foreshadow Christ's ultimate triumph over all opposing powers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The goat's total victory over the ram depicts Greece's complete military triumph. "Smote the ram, and brake his two horns" represents shattering Medo-Persian power—both Media and Persia thoroughly defeated. The phrase "there was no power in the ram to stand before him" emphasizes absolute military helplessness. Persia's vast armies, superior numbers, and extensive resources couldn't withstand Greek phalanx tactics and Alexander's genius.
"Cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him" uses vivid imagery of utter humiliation—not mere defeat but total subjugation. "There was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand" stresses that no nation could rescue Persia; former allies and subjects abandoned the failing empire. This language mirrors verse 4's description of Persian invincibility, showing how quickly divine judgment transfers power between kingdoms.
Theologically, this demonstrates that God judges prideful empires. Persia had conquered brutally; now divine justice repays through Greek conquest. The reversal of fortunes warns that earthly power is temporary—nations rising by violence often fall by violence. Only Christ's kingdom, established through self-sacrificial love rather than military conquest, endures eternally. This points to His ultimate victory over all powers opposed to God.