Topical Encyclopedia The "Goat of the Macedonian Empire" is a symbolic figure found in the prophetic visions of the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 8. This vision is a significant part of biblical prophecy, offering insight into the rise and fall of empires and the unfolding of God's divine plan in history.Biblical Context In Daniel 8, the prophet Daniel receives a vision while in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. The vision involves a ram with two horns and a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes. The goat's actions and characteristics are central to understanding the prophecy concerning the Macedonian Empire. The Vision of the Goat Daniel 8:5-8 describes the goat: "As I was observing, a male goat came from the west, crossing the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground. This goat had a conspicuous horn between its eyes. He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with furious power. I saw him approach the ram in a rage and strike him, shattering his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him, and the goat knocked him to the ground and trampled him. And there was no one to rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven." Interpretation The angel Gabriel provides the interpretation of this vision to Daniel. In Daniel 8:21-22 , Gabriel explains, "The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the broken horn represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power." Historical Fulfillment The "Goat" symbolizes the Greek Empire, specifically under the leadership of Alexander the Great, who is represented by the "conspicuous horn." Alexander's rapid conquests and the swiftness of his military campaigns are depicted by the goat crossing the earth without touching the ground. The "ram" with two horns represents the Medo-Persian Empire, which Alexander decisively defeated. The breaking of the large horn signifies Alexander's untimely death at the height of his power. Following his death, the Greek Empire was divided among his four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, corresponding to the four horns that arose in place of the broken horn. These divisions did not possess the same strength or unity as Alexander's empire. Theological Significance The vision of the goat serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over the rise and fall of empires. It illustrates the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes in history. The prophecy underscores the theme that human kingdoms, no matter how mighty, are subject to divine authority and will eventually give way to God's eternal kingdom. This prophetic passage also serves as a reminder of the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy, as the events foretold in Daniel's vision were fulfilled with remarkable precision in the historical unfolding of the Greek Empire. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 8:5,21And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Daniel The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Demonstration v. --Of Wars. On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ... The Sibylline Oracles. Bunsen's Biblical Researches. The Last Days of the Old Eastern World the Legendary History of Egypt Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Resources Why is eating dairy products and meat in the same meal considered not kosher? | GotQuestions.orgWho/what is Baphomet? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)? | GotQuestions.org Goat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Goat: As a Sacrifice by Abraham Goat: Curtains of the Tabernacle Goat: Designated As One of the Ceremonially Clean Animals to be Eaten Goat: Hair of, Used for Clothing Goat: Nor Seethed in Its Mother's Milk The Goat: (Flock of) of the Church The Goat: Bashan Celebrated For The Goat: Clean and Fit for Food The Goat: First-Born of, not Redeemed The Goat: Flocks of, Always Led by a Male The Goat: Jews had Large Flocks of The Goat: Milk of, Used As Food The Goat: Most Profitable to the Owner The Goat: Offered in Sacrifice The Goat: Skin of, often Used As Clothing The Goat: The Arabians Traded In The Goat: The Hair of Made Into Curtains, for Covering the Tabernacle The Goat: The Hair of Made Into Pillows The Goat: The Hair of Offered for Tabernacle The Goat: The Male, Best for Sacrifice The Goat: The Young of Called Kids The Goat: The Young of Considered a Delicacy The Goat: The Young of Fed Near the Shepherds' Tents The Goat: The Young of Given As a Present The Goat: The Young of Kept in Small Flocks The Goat: The Young of not to be Seethed in Milk of Mother The Goat: The Young of Offered at the Passover The Goat: The Young of Offered in Sacrifice The Goat: when Wild Dwelt in the Hills and Rocks Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |