Daniel 8:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. | From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land. | And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedIn Daniel's vision, a he goat's great horn breaks and four horns rise in its place. Out of one of those four comes a small horn that grows very great, pushing south, east, and toward "the pleasant land." Gabriel explains that the goat is the king of Grecia and the four horns are four kingdoms, and that in their latter time "a king of fierce countenance" shall stand up, whose deeds match what this horn does. Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:21Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:24Daniel 8:25
SpeakingDaniel tells the vision in the first person. Daniel 8:1Daniel overview
ToThe book is written for God's people in exile and after it, and for later readers looking to "the time of the end." Daniel overviewDaniel 8:17
Also involvedThe pleasant land, the sanctuary and daily sacrifice, and "the mighty and the holy people" suffer under this horn. Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:24
A little horn grows out of one of the four horns and becomes "exceeding great." In the next verses it reaches to the host of heaven, magnifies himself "even to the prince of the host," and by him the daily sacrifice is taken away. Gabriel says this king "shall be broken without hand." Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:10Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:25
In the vision, Daniel is at Shushan by the river Ulai in the province of Elam. The horn spreads toward the south, the east, and "the pleasant land." Other Scripture calls the land God gave Israel "the glory of all lands" and "the pleasant land." Daniel 8:2Daniel 8:9Ezekiel 20:6Zechariah 7:14
The eventsDaniel saw the vision in the third year of king Belshazzar. The horn rises after the Greek king's rule splits into four kingdoms, "in the latter time of their kingdom." Gabriel says the vision is for "the time of the end." Daniel 8:1Daniel 8:21Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:17
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, while others hold the traditional date. Daniel overview
HereThe vision tells God's people ahead of time that a proud king will rise, attack the sanctuary and its worship, and prosper for a while. It also tells them his time is limited: the sanctuary will be cleansed, and he will be broken. Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:12Daniel 8:14Daniel 8:24Daniel 8:25
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel shows that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" and that God sets up and removes kings. Even this horn that "waxed exceeding great" is broken "without hand." Daniel overviewDaniel 8:9Daniel 8:25
For readersThis king grows great and prospers for a while, but God has set his limit: "at the time appointed the end shall be," and he is broken "without hand." Daniel 8:12Daniel 8:19Daniel 8:25Daniel overview
Christians read this differently
Gabriel ties the horn to a king from the four kingdoms that come from Grecia, but the text does not give his name. Some read the vision as fulfilled in that one king of the past; others see it also pointing to a ruler at the end of the age, because Gabriel says it is for "the time of the end." Readers also differ on whether this horn is the same as the "little horn" of Daniel 7:8. Daniel 8:17Daniel 8:19Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23Daniel 7:8
- littleצָעִיר
Here the word reads literally "from a small [thing]." It means little, insignificant, or young. The horn starts small and then becomes "exceeding great." Strong's H6810Daniel 8:9
- waxed greatגָּדַל
The word means to grow or become great, and in one form to magnify oneself. The chapter returns to this idea when the horn "magnified himself even to the prince of the host" and "shall magnify himself in his heart." Strong's H1431Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:25
- pleasant landצְבִי
The word means beauty, glory, or honour. Ezekiel calls the land God gave Israel "the glory of all lands," and Daniel 11 speaks of "the glorious land." Strong's H6643AEzekiel 20:6Daniel 11:16
Takeaway
This little horn is a proud king who comes out of the divided Greek kingdoms and grows great against God's land, people, and worship. His rise is real, but he "shall be broken without hand." Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:24Daniel 8:25
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Where
- Canaan regionMapAbout this place
Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and from | וּמִן־ | u-min- | H4480A | fromמִן־ (min) prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that … |
| the one | הָאַחַ֣ת | ha-'a-CHAT | H0259 | oneאֶחָד (e.chad) 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal) |
| it came out | יָצָ֥א | ya-TZA' | H3318G | to come out: comeיָצָא (ya.tsa) : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth |
| a horn | קֶֽרֶן־ | ke-ren- | H7161A | hornקֶ֫רֶן (qe.ren) 1) horn 1a) horn 1b) of strength (fig) 1c) flask (container for oil) 1d) horn (as musical instrument) 1e) horn (of horn-like projections on the altar) 1f) of rays of light 1g) hill Aramaic equivalent: qe.ren (קֶ֫רֶן "horn" H7162) |
| one | אַחַ֖ת | 'a-CHAT | H0259 | oneאֶחָד (e.chad) 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal) |
| from a small [thing] | מִצְּעִירָ֑ה | mi-tze-'i-RAH | H6810 | littleצָעִיר (tsa.ir) 1) little, insignificant, young 1a) little, insignificant 1b) insignificant, mean 1c) young, younger, youngest |
| and it became great | וַתִּגְדַּל־ | va-tig-dal- | H1431 | to magnifyגָּדַל (ga.dal) 1) to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grow up 1a2) to become great 1a3) to be magnified 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cause to grow 1b2) to make great, powerful 1b3) to magnify 1c) (Pual) to be brought up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to make great 1d2) to magnify 1d3) to do great things 1e) (Hithpael) to magnify oneself |
| excess | יֶ֛תֶר | YE-ter | H3499A | remainderיֶ֫תֶר (ye.ter) 1) remainder, excess, rest, remnant, excellence 1a) remainder, remnant 1b) remainder, rest, other part 1c) excess 1d) abundantly (adv) 1e) abundance, affluence 1f) superiority, excellency |
| to | אֶל־ | 'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the south | הַנֶּ֥גֶב | ha-NE-gev | H5045H | Negebנֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) region of southern Judah Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H) This name means south-country |
| and to | וְאֶל־ | ve-'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the east | הַמִּזְרָ֖ח | ha-miz-RACH | H4217H | eastמִזְרָח (miz.rach) 1) place of sunrise, east 1a) sunrise, east (with 'sun') 1b) the east (without 'sun') 1b1) to or toward the place of sunrise 1b2) to the east, eastward |
| and to | וְאֶל־ | ve-'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the beauty | הַצֶּֽבִי׃ | ha-TZE-vi | H6643A | beautyצְבִי (tse.vi) 1) beauty, glory, honour 1a) beauty, decoration 1b) honour |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.