The verse highlights that the "little horn," though small in origin, ultimately grew to have an "appearance greater than its companions," becoming more prominent and powerful than the other horns it emerged among. This wasn't just about brute strength, but also about having "eyes and a mouth that spoke great things," indicating a cunning, deceptive nature alongside its imposing presence.
and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel is deeply troubled by the vision of the fourth terrifying beast and presses the angel for understanding. He specifically wants to know the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and even more so, the mysterious eleventh horn that rises among them, uprooting three others, and seems to possess human-like intelligence and a boastful voice.
Daniel sees a fearsome beast with ten horns. What do these horns represent, and how do they connect to the rise and fall of kingdoms?
The ten horns on the fourth beast symbolize successive kingdoms or dynasties that emerge from the disintegration of a larger empire. They represent powers that arise and exert influence, often through conflict and displacement.
A peculiar 'other horn' emerges, characterized by eyes and a mouth that speaks 'great things.' What makes this horn so distinct and threatening?
This 'other horn,' often referred to as the 'little horn' in other parts of the vision, is not just another kingdom but a distinct power with unique attributes. Its eyes symbolize intelligence and insight, while its mouth signifies its ability to speak and deceive with arrogance.
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Understand the original words
qeren · Aramaic Noun
In biblical imagery, horns represent power, strength, and authority. They often symbolize individual kings or the kingdoms themselves, signifying the exercise of dominion and aggression.
The 'ten horns' and the 'little horn' described in Daniel 7 are often interpreted by scholars as representing successive powers or rulers within the broader context of empires that impacted Judea, notably the Seleucid and Roman empires, and the rise of figures who wielded immense authority and often persecuted the faithful.
c. 167 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV Epiphanes' Desecration
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, desecrated the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, an act that deeply impacted Jewish identity and resistance.
167–160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt began as a response to Antiochus IV's oppressive policies and the desecration of the Temple, leading to a prolonged struggle for religious and political freedom.
c. 142 BC
Jewish Independence Restored
After years of conflict, the Maccabees succeeded in driving out the Seleucids and restoring Jewish self-governance, establishing the Hasmonean dynasty.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
Roman general Pompey intervened in a dispute within the Hasmonean ruling family, leading to Roman dominance over Judea and its eventual incorporation into the Roman Empire.
31 BC – AD 14
Augustus Caesar's Reign
The reign of Augustus Caesar marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. His consolidation of power and the establishment of imperial rule set the stage for subsequent Roman emperors.
c. AD 117
Roman Empire at its Zenith
The Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Emperor Trajan, influencing vast regions and diverse populations with its political and cultural power.
This passage also describes a 'little horn' that grows exceedingly great, mirroring the description in Daniel 7:20 of a horn that seemed greater than its companions.
Daniel 7:8This verse immediately precedes the one you provided and introduces the 'little horn,' describing its emergence and the uprooting of three other horns, setting the stage for the description of its characteristics in Daniel 7:20.
Revelation 13:5This New Testament passage describes a beast with a mouth that speaks 'great things and blasphemies,' echoing the 'mouth that spoke great things' attributed to the horn in Daniel 7:20.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4This passage speaks of a 'rebellion' and a 'man of lawlessness' who 'opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god,' which aligns with the arrogant and powerful nature of the horn described in Daniel 7:20.
Zechariah 11:16This verse describes a foolish shepherd who abandons his flock and whose arm is dried up, offering a contrasting image of failed leadership and judgment to the powerful, seemingly ascendant horn in Daniel 7:20.
calvinDaniel 7:19-20: "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;"
Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Tunc aptavi…
barnesDaniel 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."
And of the ten horns ... - See the notes at Daniel 7:7-8 . Whose look was more stout than his fellows - literally, "whose aspect was greater than that of its companions." This does not mean that its look or aspect was more fierce or severe than that of the othe…
The verse highlights that the "little horn," though small in origin, ultimately grew to have an "appearance greater than its companions," becoming more prominent and powerful than the other horns it emerged among. This wasn't just about brute strength, but also about having "eyes and a mouth that spoke great things," indicating a cunning, deceptive nature alongside its imposing presence.
Daniel is deeply troubled by the vision of the fourth terrifying beast and presses the angel for understanding. He specifically wants to know the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and even more so, the mysterious eleventh horn that rises among them, uprooting three others, and seems to possess human-like intelligence and a boastful voice.
Daniel is deeply troubled by the vision of the fourth terrifying beast and presses the angel for understanding. He specifically wants to know the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and even more so, the mysterious eleventh horn that rises among them, uprooting three others, and seems to possess human-like intelligence and a boastful voice.
"and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions." — The verse highlights that the "little horn," though small in origin, ultimately grew to have an "appearance greater than its companions," becoming more prominent and powerful than the other horns it…
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Last reviewed October 2026
