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 7:20KJVWhat 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.