And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

DANIEL 8:7KJV
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Daniel 8:7 (KJV)

What does Daniel 8:7 mean?

Daniel 8:7 describes a powerful animal attacking another, showing one completely overpowering the other with anger and force. The attacker breaks both horns of the ram, knocks it down, and tramples it, leaving the ram helpless and with no one able to save it.

This verse is part of Daniel’s vision, where he sees a male goat (from earlier verses) attacking a ram. Daniel is the one receiving this vision from God, and the scene is full of vivid, forceful imagery. The verse uses the picture of animals fighting to represent kingdoms or powers in conflict, with the goat’s total victory showing a dramatic change in who holds power.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 8:7

  • choler (מַר, mar): This word means "bitter anger" or "rage." The goat’s attack is not just physical but driven by intense emotion, highlighting the hostility between the two.
  • brake (שָׁבַר, shavar): This means "to break" or "to shatter." The goat breaks both horns of the ram, which in the vision stand for the ram’s strength or authority, showing a complete defeat.
  • stamped (רָמַס, ramas): This means "to trample" or "to crush underfoot." The goat doesn’t just defeat the ram; it humiliates and destroys it, leaving no chance for recovery.
  • deliver (נָצַל, natsal): This means "to rescue" or "to save." The verse stresses that no one could help the ram, emphasizing its total helplessness.

Why Daniel 8:7 matters

  • Daniel 8:7 clears up that the defeat is not just a loss but a complete and utter overthrow, with the ram left powerless and alone.
  • The verse’s strong language and imagery highlight the seriousness of the conflict and the finality of the goat’s victory, which helps set up the interpretation of the vision later in the chapter.
  • Understanding the details here helps readers see how Daniel’s visions use animals and actions to symbolize real historical events and shifts in power, making the message vivid and memorable.