Daniel 8:8
"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Therefore the he goat waxed very great,.... The Grecian monarchy, under Alexander, became very powerful, and was very extensive; he not only conquered the Persian empire, but also the Indies, yea, the whole world, as he imagined; and indeed he did bring into subjection to him the greatest part of the then known world; and he was very great in his own esteem, at least reckoned himself lord of the world, called himself the son of Jupiter Ammon, and affected to be worshipped as a god: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; when the Grecian monarchy

was established, and became very powerful, and reached to the greatest part of the earth, then Alexander the first king of it, a great horn, and powerful monarch, died, or was broken; not as the two horns of the ram, by the power of the enemy; not by violence, but by intemperance, in a drunken fit, or, as was suspected, by poison; and that when he was in the height of his glory, swelled with his victories; and that in the prime of his days, when in his full strength, being in the "thirty third" year of his age: and for it, or in the room and stead of it (z), came up four notable ones; or, "four horns of vision" (a); very famous and conspicuous, like that in Dan 8:5 , which were the four kingdoms into which the empire was divided some time after Alexander's death, and the four kings that were over them: the kingdoms were those of Egypt, Greece, Asia, and Syria. Ptolemy was king of Egypt, to which belonged Lybia, Palestine, Arabia, and Caelesyria. Cassander was king of Macedonia and Greece. Lysimachus was king of Asia, to which belonged Thrace, Bithynia, and other places; and Seleucus was king of Syria, and of the eastern countries: these are the four heads of the leopard, or third beast, which signifies the Grecian monarchy, Dan 7:6 and these were toward the four winds of heaven; east, west, north, and south: Egypt, with its appendages, lay to the south; Asia, and what belonged to that, to the north; Macedonia and Greece to the west; and Syria to the east: and thus was the Grecian empire divided into four kingdoms, among the successors of Alexander: there were some partitions of it before this into provinces among governors, under the brother and son of Alexander; but after the battle of Ipsus, in which Antigonus, one of Alexander's captains, and a very principal, active, and ambitious man, was slain, and his army routed; the four confederate princes against him, above named, divided by consent the empire between them into separate kingdoms, and became really, and not in title only, kings of them (b); which is what is here prophesied of. (z) "loco ejus, vel illius", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis. (a) "quatuor cornua conspicua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "cornua aspectus quatuor", Michaelis. (b) See Prideaux's Connexion, part 1. B. 8. p. 558, 559.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (16 words)

H6842 צָפִיר
Definition:

5,21; constructצְפִיר הָעִזִּיםDaniel 8:5;Daniel 8:8(all in vision, symbolic of Alexander); plural construct (literal)צְפִירֵי עִזִּים2Chronicles 29:21,צְפִירֵי חַטָאתEzra 8:35he-goats for a sin-offer 5,21; constructצְפִיר הָעִזִּיםDaniel 8:5;Daniel 8:8(all in vision, symbolic of Alexander); plural construct (literal)צְפִירֵי עִזִּים2Chronicles 29:21,צְפִירֵי חַטָאתEzra 8:35he-goats for a sin-offer

H5795 עֵז
Definition:

9she-goat; — absolute׳עGenesis 15:96t.; pluralעַזִּיםGenesis 27:965t.; suffixעִזֶּיךָGenesis 31:38; —1as propertyGenesis 30:32,33,35 (J),Genesis 31:15,38 (E),1 Samuel 25:2.2as food:גְּדָיֵי (גְּדִי) ע 9she-goat; — absolute׳עGenesis 15:96t.; pluralעַזִּיםGenesis 27:965t.; suffixעִזֶּיךָGenesis 31:38; —1as propertyGenesis 30:32,33,35 (J),Genesis 31:15,38 (E),1 Samuel 25:2.2as food:גְּדָיֵי (גְּדִי) ע

H1431 גָּדַל
Definition:

1414t.; suffixגְּדֵלַנִיJob 31:18;Imperfectיִגְדַּלetc.Psalm 35:2734t.; —1grow up,a.childGenesis 21:8,20;Genesis 25:27;Genesis 38:11,14;Exodus 2:10,11 (JE)Judges 11:2;Judges 13:24;Ruth 1:12;1 Samuel 2 1414t.; suffixגְּדֵלַנִיJob 31:18;Imperfectיִגְדַּלetc.Psalm 35:2734t.; —1grow up,a.childGenesis 21:8,20;Genesis 25:27;Genesis 38:11,14;Exodus 2:10,11 (JE)Judges 11:2;Judges 13:24;Ruth 1:12;1 Samuel 2

Possible Meanings:
  • very great (semantic_range)
H5704 עַד
Definition:

20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti 20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti

Possible Meanings:
  • until (semantic_range)
H3966 מְאֹד
Definition:

—1force, might,Deuteronomy 6:5וּבְכָלמְֿאֹדֶ֑ךָand with all thymight; hence2 Kings 23:25.2in different idioms(298 t.) to express the idea ofexceedingly, greatly, very(whether of magnitude or degree):a —1force, might,Deuteronomy 6:5וּבְכָלמְֿאֹדֶ֑ךָand with all thymight; hence2 Kings 23:25.2in different idioms(298 t.) to express the idea ofexceedingly, greatly, very(whether of magnitude or degree):a

Possible Meanings:
  • muchness (semantic_range)
  • abundance (semantic_range)
H6105 עָצַם
Definition:

A primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. Close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; denominatively (frometsem) to crunch the bones -- break the bones, close, be grea A primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. Close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; denominatively (frometsem) to crunch the bones -- break the bones, close, be grea

Possible Meanings:
  • shut the eyes (semantic_range)
  • shutteth his eyes from (semantic_range)
  • he hath tightly shut your eyes (semantic_range)
H7665 שָׁבַר
Definition:

28;Isaiah 14:5, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁבֹּרJeremiah 19:11,בּוֺר-Isaiah 42:3; 3feminine singularתִּשְׁבָּרֿProverbs 25:15, etc.;Imperativemasculine singularשְׁבֹרPsalm 10:15, suffixשָׁבְ 28;Isaiah 14:5, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁבֹּרJeremiah 19:11,בּוֺר-Isaiah 42:3; 3feminine singularתִּשְׁבָּרֿProverbs 25:15, etc.;Imperativemasculine singularשְׁבֹרPsalm 10:15, suffixשָׁבְ

Possible Meanings:
  • buy grain (semantic_range)
  • buy grain (semantic_range)
  • sell grain (semantic_range)
H7161 קֶרֶן
Definition:

25horn; — absolute׳קIsaiah 5:1+,קָ֑רֶןPsalm 75:5; constructקֶ֫רֶןJoshua 6:5+; suffixקַרְנִי1 Samuel 2:1;Psalm 92:11, etc.; dualקַרְנַיִםHabakkuk 3:4,קְרָנַיִםDaniel 8:3,6,נָ֑יִם-Daniel 8:3;Daniel 8:20 25horn; — absolute׳קIsaiah 5:1+,קָ֑רֶןPsalm 75:5; constructקֶ֫רֶןJoshua 6:5+; suffixקַרְנִי1 Samuel 2:1;Psalm 92:11, etc.; dualקַרְנַיִםHabakkuk 3:4,קְרָנַיִםDaniel 8:3,6,נָ֑יִם-Daniel 8:3;Daniel 8:20

H1419 גָּדוֹל
Definition:

13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t. 13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t.

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
  • loud (semantic_range)
  • do great things (semantic_range)
  • greatness (semantic_range)
H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H2380 חָזוּת
Definition:

2;Daniel 8:5,8; constructחָזוּתIsaiah 29:11; suffixחָזוּתְכֶםIsaiah 28:18; —1vision, oracle of a prophetחָזוּת קָשָׁה הֻגַּדלִֿיIsaiah 21:2a hard vision is declared to me;וַתְּהִי לָכֶם חָזוּת הַּכֹּל 2;Daniel 8:5,8; constructחָזוּתIsaiah 29:11; suffixחָזוּתְכֶםIsaiah 28:18; —1vision, oracle of a prophetחָזוּת קָשָׁה הֻגַּדלִֿיIsaiah 21:2a hard vision is declared to me;וַתְּהִי לָכֶם חָזוּת הַּכֹּל

Possible Meanings:
  • sight (semantic_range)
  • visibility (semantic_range)
H0702 אַרְבַּע
Definition:

: Aramaicאַרְבַּע,אַרְבְּעָה,,; Nabataeanארבע, Palmyreneארבע,ארבעא, Lzb367); —masculine148(c.noun feminine)אַרְבַּע(absolute or construct)Exodus 21:37+; alsoאַרְבַּ֑עLeviticus 11:20+; note (Baer Gi)Jo : Aramaicאַרְבַּע,אַרְבְּעָה,,; Nabataeanארבע, Palmyreneארבע,ארבעא, Lzb367); —masculine148(c.noun feminine)אַרְבַּע(absolute or construct)Exodus 21:37+; alsoאַרְבַּ֑עLeviticus 11:20+; note (Baer Gi)Jo

Possible Meanings:
  • four (semantic_range)
H8478 תַּחַת
Definition:

4(Cooke320), Syriac); —1asadverb accusativeGenesis 49:25(=Deuteronomy 33:13) the deepרֹבֶצֶת תָּ֑חַתthat couchethbeneath; more usually withמִן,מִתָּחַתliterallyoff(מִן1c)the under part = beneath,Exodu 4(Cooke320), Syriac); —1asadverb accusativeGenesis 49:25(=Deuteronomy 33:13) the deepרֹבֶצֶת תָּ֑חַתthat couchethbeneath; more usually withמִן,מִתָּחַתliterallyoff(מִן1c)the under part = beneath,Exodu

Possible Meanings:
  • underneath (semantic_range)
  • below (semantic_range)
  • instead of (semantic_range)
H0702 אַרְבַּע
Definition:

: Aramaicאַרְבַּע,אַרְבְּעָה,,; Nabataeanארבע, Palmyreneארבע,ארבעא, Lzb367); —masculine148(c.noun feminine)אַרְבַּע(absolute or construct)Exodus 21:37+; alsoאַרְבַּ֑עLeviticus 11:20+; note (Baer Gi)Jo : Aramaicאַרְבַּע,אַרְבְּעָה,,; Nabataeanארבע, Palmyreneארבע,ארבעא, Lzb367); —masculine148(c.noun feminine)אַרְבַּע(absolute or construct)Exodus 21:37+; alsoאַרְבַּ֑עLeviticus 11:20+; note (Baer Gi)Jo

Possible Meanings:
  • four (semantic_range)
H7307 רוּחַ
Definition:

8(less oftenmasculineExodus 10:13+)breath, wind, spirit; — absolute׳רGenesis 8:1+,ר֑וּחָהJeremiah 52:23; constructרוּחַGenesis 6:17+; suffixרוּחִיGenesis 6:3+,רוּחֲךָPsalm 104:30+, etc.; pluralרוּחוֺת 8(less oftenmasculineExodus 10:13+)breath, wind, spirit; — absolute׳רGenesis 8:1+,ר֑וּחָהJeremiah 52:23; constructרוּחַGenesis 6:17+; suffixרוּחִיGenesis 6:3+,רוּחֲךָPsalm 104:30+, etc.; pluralרוּחוֺת

H8064 שָׁמַיִם
Definition:

28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene, 28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene,

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