Topical Bible: Vision of Daniel of the Ram and the He-Goat

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The Vision of the Ram and the He-Goat is a prophetic revelation given to the prophet Daniel, recorded in the Book of Daniel, chapter 8. This vision is significant in biblical prophecy, providing insight into the rise and fall of empires and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan in history.

Context and Setting

The vision occurs in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign over Babylon (Daniel 8:1). Daniel finds himself in a vision at the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam, by the Ulai Canal (Daniel 8:2). This geographical setting is significant as Susa later becomes a prominent city in the Persian Empire.

The Vision

1. The Ram: Daniel sees a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. One horn is longer than the other, and the longer one grows up last (Daniel 8:3). The ram charges westward, northward, and southward, and no beast can stand against it (Daniel 8:4). The ram represents the kings of Media and Persia, with the two horns symbolizing the dual nature of the Medo-Persian Empire, and the longer horn indicating the dominance of Persia over Media (Daniel 8:20).

2. The He-Goat: A male goat appears from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. This goat has a conspicuous horn between its eyes (Daniel 8:5). The goat charges the ram in a great rage, shattering its two horns, and tramples it (Daniel 8:6-7). The goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn symbolizes its first king, Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21).

3. The Broken Horn and Four Successors: The large horn is broken, and in its place, four prominent horns grow toward the four winds of heaven (Daniel 8:8). These four horns represent the division of Alexander's empire into four kingdoms, ruled by his generals after his death.

4. The Little Horn: Out of one of these four horns emerges a little horn, which grows exceedingly great toward the south, the east, and the Beautiful Land (Daniel 8:9). This horn represents a king who will arise from one of the divisions of the Greek Empire, traditionally understood as Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He is known for his persecution of the Jewish people and desecration of the temple in Jerusalem.

Interpretation and Significance

The vision is interpreted by the angel Gabriel, who explains that it pertains to "the time of the end" (Daniel 8:17). The events foreshadow the rise and fall of empires and the persecution of God's people. The vision serves as a reminder of God's control over history and His ultimate victory over evil.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty of God: The vision underscores God's sovereignty over nations and history. Despite the rise and fall of powerful empires, God's purposes prevail.

2. Persecution and Deliverance: The vision highlights the persecution faced by God's people but also points to their eventual deliverance and the triumph of righteousness.

3. Prophetic Fulfillment: The detailed fulfillment of this vision in history, particularly through the rise of the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, affirms the reliability of biblical prophecy.

Conclusion

The Vision of the Ram and the He-Goat is a profound testament to God's omniscience and omnipotence, offering assurance to believers of His ultimate plan and purpose in the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 8:1
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, even to me Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Daniel, the Praying Captive
... the God of his fathers, and to him was given the noted vision of the "Ram and the
He Goat," But Daniel did not comprehend this strange vision, and yet he knew ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/x daniel the praying captive.htm

Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... Daniel wrote that he saw these visions in the ... that God interpreted the appearance
of this vision after the following manner: He said that the ram signified the ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm

Ezekiel and Daniel.
... II. Daniel's Vision of the Kingdom, Chs.7-12. 1. The four beasts, Ch.7. 2.
The ram and the he-goat, Ch.8. 3. The seventy weeks, Ch.9. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii ezekiel and daniel.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... thus the angel said to Daniel, when he was explaining the vision to him:"The ram
that thou sawest was the King of Media and Persia, and the he-goat the King ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ...
... in that he "came against that very ram, and was ... great power and understanding were
given him in the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three weeks of ...
/.../on daniel ii the interpretation.htm

Babylon.
... in the first year of whose reign Daniel had a ... A second vision was sent two years
after, likewise of ... the Grecian he-goat, who overthrew the ram, and stamped on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

Alexander.
... The ensign of Macedon was a he-goat, the rough goat that Daniel had seen in his
vision; and the time was come for the fall of the Ram of Persia. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

The Prophecies
... This is what Daniel saw. ... the meaning of it, and a voice cried in this manner, 'Gabriel,
make this man to understand the vision.' And Gabriel ... The ram which thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... an account of the selection and education of Daniel and his ... powers as seen (1,) in
a twofold vision of the ... and third monarchies under the images of a ram and a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... "I saw in the night vision, and, behold ... The leopard has arisen; the he-goat is come;
he hath smitten the ram; he hath broken his ... [1469] Rejoice, blessed Daniel! ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm