I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

DANIEL 7:21KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 7:21 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:21 mean?

Daniel 7:21 describes Daniel seeing a vision where a particular "horn" attacks the "saints" and is able to overpower them for a time. The verse shows a period when the people loyal to God are being defeated by a powerful enemy.

In the setting of Daniel 7, Daniel is recounting a dream full of symbolic images about future kingdoms and rulers. The "horn" represents a specific ruler or power that rises from among others, and the "saints" are those who remain faithful to God. This verse highlights a moment in the vision where evil seems to triumph over good, setting up tension for what will happen next in Daniel's prophecy.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:21

  • "Horn" (קַרְנָא, qarnā’): In Daniel's visions, a "horn" often stands for a king or a powerful leader. The focus on "the same horn" points to a particular figure who becomes especially hostile to the faithful.
  • "Made war" (עֲבַד, ‘ăvad + קְרָב, qĕrāv): The phrase combines the idea of taking action ("made" or "did") with the word for "war" or "battle." This stresses that the attack is intentional and aggressive, not just a passing conflict.
  • "Saints" (קַדִּישִׁין, qaddišīn): This word means "holy ones" or "those set apart." In Daniel, it refers to people who belong to God, not angels in this context.

Why Daniel 7:21 matters

  • Daniel 7:21 clarifies that the struggle between good and evil involves real suffering for the faithful, not just symbolic conflict.
  • The verse sets up the expectation that even when evil seems to win, the story is not finished—inviting readers to look for what God will do next.
  • Understanding that the "horn" is a symbol for a specific ruler or power helps make sense of the rest of Daniel's vision and its message about history and hope.

Where else these words appear

“same” 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 7:20 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.

“horn” Hebrew H7162 · used in 10 verses

  • Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
  • Daniel 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
  • Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

“prevailed” Hebrew H3202 · used in 11 verses

  • Daniel 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
  • Daniel 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
  • Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

“saints” Hebrew H6922 · used in 12 verses

  • Daniel 4:8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
  • Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
  • Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.