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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Daniel 8:20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/8-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/27_Dan_08_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 8:20 - Gabriel Interprets Daniel's Vision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/8-19.htm" title="Daniel 8:19">◄</a> Daniel 8:20 <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm" title="Daniel 8:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/daniel/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/daniel/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/daniel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/daniel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/daniel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/daniel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest having <i>two</i> horns <i>are</i> the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/daniel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The ram which you saw, having the two horns—<i>they are</i> the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/daniel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ram which you saw with the two horns <i>represents</i> the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/daniel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/daniel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/daniel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The ram which you saw with the two horns is the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/daniel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/daniel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/daniel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/daniel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/daniel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The two horns of the ram are the kings of Media and Persia, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/daniel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/daniel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/daniel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"The ram you saw that had two horns represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/daniel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The ram that you saw with a pair of horns are the kings of Media and Persia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/daniel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/daniel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The ram that you saw with the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/daniel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/daniel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/daniel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/daniel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The ram that you have seen possessing two horns, [are] the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/daniel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The ram that thou hast seen possessing two horns, are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/daniel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest possessing horns, the kings of Media and Persia.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/daniel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The ram, which thou sawest with horns, is the king of the Medes and Persians. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/daniel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The ram, which you saw to have horns, is the king of the Medes and Persians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/daniel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“The two-horned ram you saw represents the kings of the Medes and Persians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/daniel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/daniel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The ram which you saw with two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/daniel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Darius the Mede The ram that you saw that has horns, those are the Kings of Media and Persia<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/daniel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest having the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/daniel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The ram which thou sawest that had the horns is the king of the Medes and Persians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/daniel/8-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=3041" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/daniel/8.htm">Gabriel Interprets Daniel's Vision</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>and said, “Behold, I will make known to you what will happen in the latter time of wrath, because it concerns the appointed time of the end. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7161.htm" title="7161: haq·qə·rā·nā·yim (Art:: N-fd) -- From qaran; a horn; by implication, a flask, cornet; by resembl. An elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray; figuratively, power.">The two-horned</a> <a href="/hebrew/352.htm" title="352: hā·’a·yil (Art:: N-ms) -- From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief; also a ram; a pilaster; an oak or other strong tree.">ram</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">you saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: ba·‘al (N-msc) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">represents the kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/4074.htm" title="4074: mā·ḏay (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Japheth, also his desc. and their land. Of foreign derivation; Madai, a country of central Asia.">of Media</a> <a href="/hebrew/6539.htm" title="6539: ū·p̄ā·rās (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A country in W. Asia which conquered Bab. Of foreign origin; Paras, an Eastern country, including its inhabitants.">and Persia.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-37.htm">Daniel 2:37-39</a></span><br />You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. / But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-5.htm">Daniel 7:5</a></span><br />Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/11-2.htm">Daniel 11:2-4</a></span><br />Now then, I will tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. By the power of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. / Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. / But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Revelation 13:1-2</a></span><br />Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. / The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-12.htm">Revelation 17:12-14</a></span><br />The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. / They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-11.htm">Jeremiah 51:11</a></span><br />Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD—vengeance for His temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-17.htm">Isaiah 13:17-18</a></span><br />Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. / Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/21-2.htm">Isaiah 21:2</a></span><br />A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1-2</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-9.htm">Jeremiah 50:9</a></span><br />For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-41.htm">Jeremiah 50:41-42</a></span><br />Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/38-5.htm">Ezekiel 38:5</a></span><br />Persia, Cush, and Put will accompany them, all with shields and helmets,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/6-6.htm">Zechariah 6:6</a></span><br />The one with the black horses is going toward the land of the north, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-20.htm">2 Chronicles 36:20-23</a></span><br />Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. / So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah. / In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1-4</a></span><br />In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/8-3.htm">Daniel 8:3</a></b></br> Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had <i>two</i> horns: and the <i>two</i> horns <i>were</i> high; but one <i>was</i> higher than the other, and the higher came up last.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/11-1.htm">Daniel 11:1,2</a></b></br> Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, <i>even</i> I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/daniel/8-8.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/daniel/7-24.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/daniel/6-8.htm">Media</a> <a href="/daniel/6-8.htm">Persia</a> <a href="/daniel/8-6.htm">Possessing</a> <a href="/daniel/8-7.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/revelation/13-17.htm">Represents</a> <a href="/daniel/4-20.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/daniel/8-4.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/daniel/8-6.htm">Two-Horned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/8-22.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/daniel/9-6.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/acts/2-9.htm">Media</a> <a href="/daniel/10-1.htm">Persia</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Possessing</a> <a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">Represents</a> <a href="/revelation/1-19.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/daniel/8-6.htm">Two-Horned</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/8-1.htm">Daniel's vision of the ram and he goat.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/8-13.htm">The two thousand three hundred days of the suspension of the daily sacrifice.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/8-15.htm">Gabriel comforts Daniel, and interprets the vision.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical symbolism, animals often represent kingdoms or empires. The ram is a fitting symbol for the Medo-Persian Empire, known for its power and conquests. The two horns signify the dual nature of the empire, composed of the Medes and the Persians. Historically, the ram was a symbol associated with Persia, and Persian kings wore a ram's head as a crown during battles.<p><b>represents the kings of Media and Persia</b><br>The Medo-Persian Empire was a significant power in the ancient Near East, succeeding the Babylonian Empire. The "kings" here refer to the rulers of this dual kingdom, with Cyrus the Great being the most notable, as he united the Medes and Persians. This empire is crucial in biblical history, as it allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling prophecies such as those in <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28 and 45</a>:1. The Medo-Persian Empire is also depicted in <a href="/daniel/2.htm">Daniel 2</a> as the silver chest and arms of the statue, indicating its position in the succession of world empires.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/daniel.htm">Daniel</a></b><br>A prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/two-horned_ram.htm">Two-horned Ram</a></b><br>Symbolic representation in Daniel's vision, representing the kings of Media and Persia. The ram's two horns signify the dual nature of the Medo-Persian Empire.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/media_and_persia.htm">Media and Persia</a></b><br>Two ancient kingdoms that formed a powerful empire. Media and Persia were united under Cyrus the Great, who played a significant role in biblical history, including the decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/v/vision.htm">Vision</a></b><br>A divine revelation given to Daniel, which includes symbolic imagery to convey future events concerning empires and their rulers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings_of_media_and_persia.htm">Kings of Media and Persia</a></b><br>Historical rulers of the Medo-Persian Empire, which succeeded the Babylonian Empire and played a crucial role in the history of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_prophetic_symbolism.htm">Understanding Prophetic Symbolism</a></b><br>The use of animals and horns in Daniel's vision serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding biblical symbolism to grasp the full meaning of prophetic texts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>The rise and fall of empires, as depicted in Daniel's vision, illustrate God's control over history and His ability to use nations to fulfill His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_exile.htm">Faithfulness in Exile</a></b><br>Daniel's life and visions encourage believers to remain faithful to God, even in challenging circumstances, trusting in His ultimate plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Historical Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>The accuracy of Daniel's vision concerning the Medo-Persian Empire strengthens our confidence in the reliability of Scripture and God's prophetic word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_future_events.htm">Preparation for Future Events</a></b><br>Understanding past prophecies and their fulfillment equips believers to discern and prepare for future events as revealed in Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_the_'four_kingdoms'_fit_history.htm">How do we reconcile the identity of the “four kingdoms” (Daniel 8:20-22) with historical empires, especially when some details appear inconsistent with recorded history? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/iran's_role_in_biblical_prophecy.htm">What role does Iran play in biblical prophecy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_rev_17_10-11_kings_fit_history.htm">Revelation 17:10–11 mentions seven kings and an eighth belonging to the seven; how does this numeric sequence fit known historical or royal lineages? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer._30_11_fit_israel's_exiles.htm">How does Jeremiah 30:11 align with Israel's ongoing foreign domination and exiles throughout history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20-22) See Notes on <a href="/context/daniel/8-3.htm" title="Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.">Daniel 8:3-8</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.</span> All the versions - the Septuagint, Theodotion, the Peshitta, and the Vulgate - have read, not <span class="hebrew">מַלְכֵי</span>, as we find in the Massoretic text, but <span class="hebrew">מֶלֶד</span> The ancient construct case in Hebrew was formed by adding <span class="hebrew">י</span> to the root. Possibly this may be a survival of that usage. In this case the change is due to scribal blunder. When we turn to <a href="/jeremiah/25-25.htm">Jeremiah 25:25</a> and Jeremiah 51:11, 58, we have the same phrases used as here: this is probably the origin of the blunder. For any one to ground an argument, as does Professor Bevan, on this, and maintain that it proves the writer to have held that there were two separate empires - one of Media, and the other of Persia - is absurd. When the true reading is adopted, this passage proves the very reverse of that for which Professor Bevan contends. The reasoning of Kliefoth, that the distinction between plural and singular points to the fact that, while several kings reigned ever the Persian Empire, only one ruled over the Greek, is very ingenious, but, unfortunately, it has no foundation in fact. "King," it may be observed, stands for dynasty, only that in the crisis of history, when the two powers encountered, each was ruled and represented by one king - Persia by Darius Codomannus, and Greece by Alexander. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/daniel/8-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The two-horned</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּרָנָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·rā·nā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7161.htm">Strong's 7161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ram</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאַ֥יִל</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’a·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you saw</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֖יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">represents the kings</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְכֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mal·ḵê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Media</span><br /><span class="heb">מָדַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ḏay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4074.htm">Strong's 4074: </a> </span><span class="str2">Media -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Persia.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפָרָֽס׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ā·rās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6539.htm">Strong's 6539: </a> </span><span class="str2">Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/daniel/8-20.htm">Daniel 8:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/daniel/8-20.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 8:20 The ram which you saw that had (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/8-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 8:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 8:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/8-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 8:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 8:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>