And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

DANIEL 7:20KJV
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Daniel 7:20 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:20 mean?

Daniel 7:20 describes Daniel’s curiosity about a specific horn among ten horns on a beast’s head, especially the one horn that rose up, caused three others to fall, had eyes and a mouth speaking boastful words, and looked more impressive or intimidating than the others. The verse highlights Daniel’s attention to this unique horn’s power and arrogance.

In this part of Daniel’s vision, Daniel is speaking to an angelic figure, asking for clarification about the strange and powerful horn he saw. The focus is on the horn’s unusual features—its human-like eyes, its mouth speaking “very great things,” and its dominant appearance compared to the other horns—setting it apart as a symbol of a particularly bold and influential ruler or power.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:20

  • “horns” (קַרְנַ֤ין, qarnin): This word means “horns” and often represents kings or powers in biblical imagery. The ten horns suggest a group of rulers or kingdoms.
  • “fell” (נְפַל, naphal): This word means “fell” or “were overthrown,” showing that three of the original horns lost their place or power before the rise of the new horn.
  • “eyes” (עַיְנִין, ayin): The mention of “eyes” gives the horn human-like qualities, suggesting intelligence or awareness.
  • “spake” (מְמַלַּל, memallel): This word means “spoke,” emphasizing that the horn was not just powerful but also outspoken, making bold or arrogant claims.
  • “look” (חֶזְוָה, chezwa): This word refers to appearance or look, and here it highlights that the horn’s appearance was more “stout” (greater, more imposing) than the others, marking it as exceptional.

Why Daniel 7:20 matters

  • Daniel 7:20 helps clarify that the vision is not just about kingdoms or rulers in general, but about a specific, unusually arrogant and dominant power that stands out from the rest.
  • The verse sets up the later explanation in the chapter, where the identity and actions of this “little horn” become a central focus, connecting the vision to later events and interpretations.
  • By noting the horn’s eyes and mouth, Daniel 7:20 draws attention to its human-like qualities, hinting at a ruler who is not just powerful but also cunning and boastful, which is important for understanding the character being described.

Where else these words appear

“that” Hebrew H1797 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
  • Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

“eyes” Hebrew H5870 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
  • Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
  • Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

“ten” Hebrew H6236 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 6:17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
  • Daniel 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
  • Daniel 7:7 After 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.

“other” Hebrew H317 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.