The Horns of Daniel 7 and 8

In Daniel’s prophecies, two distinct little horns arise, each from different empires: one from the Greek Empire in Daniel 8, and the other from the Roman Empire in Daniel 7. Though both little horns share certain features—especially their association with powers that persecute God’s people—their historical contexts and timelines differ significantly. Understanding these two little horns is crucial for interpreting the broader prophetic narrative and discerning God’s unfolding plan in history. In this study, we will explore these two little horns, how they differ, and what their appearances reveal about God’s sovereignty over nations.

Why Chapters In Daniel Are Not Chronological

At first glance, it may seem puzzling that the historical details in Daniel chapter 8 take place before those in chapter 7. However, this apparent non-chronological order is a deliberate literary choice, likely rooted in chiasm—a structure where ideas or events are presented symmetrically rather than in a direct, linear sequence. In chiasm, the central point of the passage is emphasized, with the surrounding events building to that focal point.

For example, Daniel 7 and Daniel 8 exhibit chiastic patterns, with both covering overlapping kingdoms but from different perspectives. Daniel 7 offers a broad view, starting with Babylon and ending with Rome, while Daniel 8 focuses specifically on Greece, especially its internal divisions after Alexander’s death. Though these chapters overlap, they highlight different aspects of history—Daniel 7 gives a sweeping account of empire-building, while Daniel 8 zooms in on Greece’s legacy, particularly the rise of Antiochus Epiphanes.

Additionally, these chapters reflect prophetic recapitulation, a common technique in apocalyptic literature, where similar themes are revisited with more detail. Just as Revelation recaps history from different perspectives, Daniel 8 provides a more specific account of events that Daniel 7 introduces. By examining the same period of history through different lenses, Daniel’s visions offer both an overview and a detailed focus, enriching our understanding of God’s unfolding plan.

Ultimately, prophecy often comes in sequential layers, with broad and specific aspects of future events being revealed over time. Daniel 7 gives a wide-angle view of the kingdoms that will rise and fall, while Daniel 8 zooms in on the Greek Empire, demonstrating how specific historical events fit within God’s sovereignty. The non-chronological presentation of Daniel chapters 7-12 doesn’t diminish their interconnectedness but enhances it by providing complementary layers of understanding.

The Horns

The First Little Horn: Daniel 8—We encounter the first little horn which emerges from the Greek Empire. Specifically, it arises from the Seleucid dynasty under Antiochus Epiphanes, a cruel and tyrannical ruler who persecuted the Jewish people. This little horn symbolizes the power of Antiochus Epiphanes and his oppressive reign, which included the desecration of the Jewish temple—a significant event that led to the Maccabean Revolt and the eventual rededication of the temple, still celebrated during Hanukkah.

After Alexander the Great’s death, his empire was divided not among his descendants, but among his four top generals. These generals established four dynasties, each lasting for several centuries. In the next passage, we see that those four generals are described as the ‘four notable ones:”

“Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it FOUR NOTABLE ONES came up TOWARD THE FOUR WINDS of heaven. And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great…” (Daniel 8:8-9).

In Biblical symbolism, a ‘horn’ frequently represents power and authority. So the image of a horn growing out of “notable horns” would imply a power developing out of a greater power. The interpretation is that the four horns were dynasties, and the lesser horn was a member of one of those dynasties, the diabolical Antiochus Epiphanes.

Commentaries

This prophecy was indeed fulfilled: from one of the four generals came the ‘little horn.’ Countless commentaries confirm this, including one by Joseph Benson:

“The reader will be pleased particularly to observe this, as being a key to the right interpretation of the subsequent prophecy. The little horn proceeded from one of the four kingdoms just mentioned, into which Alexander’s empire was divided after his death: therefore to look for it elsewhere, or to interpret it of any power, king, or kingdom, which had not its origin in one of them, must be a misinterpretation of the prophecy. From one of the four successors of Alexander, namely, from Antiochus the Great, came forth Antiochus, afterward called Epiphanes.”

Albert Barnes offers a comparison between the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8 and the other ‘little horn’ from Daniel 7, which arises from the 10 kingdoms:

“And out of one of them, came forth a little horn – Emblematic of new power that should spring up. Compare the notes at Daniel 7:8. This little horn sprang up out of one of the others; it did not spring up in the midst of the others as the little horn in Daniel 7:8 did AMONG THE TEN OTHERS. This seemed to grow out of one of the four, and the meaning cannot be misunderstood. From one of the four powers or kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander would be divided, there would spring up this ambitions and persecuting power… Which became exceedingly powerful. It was comparatively small at first, but ultimately became mighty. There can be no doubt that Antiochus Epiphanes is denoted here.”

Furthermore, theologian Philip Mauro verifies this distinction:

“The little horn… did not spring up in the midst of the others as the little horn in Daniel 7 did AMONG THE TEN OTHERS. This seemed to grow out of one of the four, and the meaning cannot be misunderstood.”

It’s crucial to understand that Daniel describes two distinct ‘little horns.’ As noted, Daniel 8 refers to a horn emerging from the Greek Empire, specifically Antiochus Epiphanes.

The Second Little Horn: Daniel 7

Rose Among the 10 Horns—

In Daniel 7, we find another ‘little horn,’ but this one rises from among the ten kingdoms that resulted from the Roman Empire’s division (Daniel 7:7-8). This horn is distinct from the one in Daniel 8, which had come from the Greek Empire, marking a shift in both historical context and prophetic fulfillment

We learn in both Daniel 2 and 7 that the fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire, would be divided (Daniel 2:41). This division would split into two halves, similar to how the statue has two “legs,” and within that division, 10 kingdoms would arise—potentially symbolized by the 10 toes of the statue. While Daniel 2 hints at these 10 kingdoms, Daniel 7 explicitly presents them. Regarding the Roman Empire:

“It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Daniel 7:7).

The Early Church theologians firmly believed the Roman Empire would divide into 10 kingdoms, and they recorded this belief in their writings. This understanding is closely tied to their interpretation of the ‘restrainer’ in 2 Thessalonians 2 which they knew to be the pagan Roman Empire itself, which held back the rise of the ‘man of sin.

The “Restrainer” and Early Church Understanding—In 2 Thessalonians 2:5-6, Paul directly communicates to the Church the identity of the “restrainer”:

“Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now YOU KNOW WHAT IS RESTRAINING…”

Paul’s words make it clear that the restraining force held back the rise of the “man of sin.” Paul goes on to explain that once the restrainer is removed, lawlessness would fully reveal itself. Early Church writers, taught directly by Paul, communicated to us that this restrainer was the pagan Roman Empire, and they foresaw that when it fell (in 476 AD), a new authority would emerge, one that would rise up within the Church and wield power over it.

Tertullian, for instance, emphasized this understanding:

“‘For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now hinders must hinder, until he be taken out of the way.’ What obstacle is there but the ROMAN STATE, the falling away of which, by being SCATTERED INTO TEN KINGDOMS, shall introduce Antichrist.” (Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, p. 563)

It was evident to the Early Church that these events would occur after 70 AD, and would unfold after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Early Church’s understanding of the “restrainer” aligns perfectly with the historical events that followed the fall of Rome, when the power that had been restraining the “man of sin” was removed.

Identifying the “Man of Sin” and the Little Horn’s Role—As we look closely at the passage in 2 Thessalonians, it is clear that once the Roman Empire and its emperors were removed, the “man of sin” could be revealed. This is an important distinction: the “man of sin” could not have risen while the empire was still intact. As such, the idea that figures like Nero or other emperors were the “man of sin” is a significant flaw in Preterism. The “man of sin” could only emerge after the restraining power of Rome was broken.

Cyril of Jerusalem, another key Early Church figure, echoed this understanding:

“But this aforesaid Antichrist is to come when the times of the ROMAN EMPIRE shall have been fulfilled… There shall rise up together TEN KINGS [Kingdoms] OF THE ROMANS, reigning in different parts perhaps, but ALL ABOUT THE SAME TIME; and after those an eleventh, the Antichrist, who by his magical craft shall seize upon the ROMAN POWER; and of the kings [kingdoms] who reigned before him, ‘THREE HE SHALL HUMBLE.’” (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, p. 108)

This prophecy of the “little horn” rising up after the fall of the Roman Empire, and particularly the three kingdoms it would humble, is critical. These events perfectly align with the historical division of the Roman Empire into 10 kingdoms, 3 of which were eventually crushed by the new position of authority rising up within the Church, precisely as foretold in Daniel 7.

Three Kingdoms Removed—Daniel 7:7-8 describes this “little horn” emerging among the 10 kingdoms of the Roman Empire:

“Behold, a FOURTH BEAST, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom THREE of the first horns were PLUCKED OUT BY THE ROOTS.”

The “little horn” is described as speaking pompous words and growing greater than the others. It rises among the 10 horns, and the prophecy foretells that three of these kingdoms will be uprooted. This is precisely what happened when the position of authority rose within the Church which uprooted the Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths—three of the 10 kingdoms that arose from the fall of Rome.

The ten horns are symbolic of 10 kingdoms that arose out of the Roman Empire, and as one of the major proponents of Futurism, John F. Walvoord, notes:

“In Daniel’s vision, the ten horns come out of the Roman Empire and the ten are KINGDOMS, not economic unions.” (John F. Walvoord, End Times, p. 106)

While some Futurists believe that the Roman Empire must be rebuilt for the prophecy to be fulfilled, scholars of the Traditional Protestant Interpretation have long declared that the original fulfillment of the Roman Empire’s division into 10 kingdoms cannot be replicated. The historical reality already confirms the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Conclusion: Two Little Horns, One Fulfillment

The two “little horns” in Daniel 7 and 8 represent distinct powers emerging from different empires—one from Greece (Antiochus Epiphanes) and the other from Rome (the Church-based position of authority). While these horns arise in different historical contexts, both played pivotal roles in the persecution of God’s people and the fulfillment of key prophecies in the Book of Daniel. Understanding these little horns is crucial to grasping the broader prophetic narrative and recognizing God’s sovereignty as it unfolded through history.

As we transition to the next study, we will explore what happened afterwards, deepening our understanding of how God’s plan continued to unfold.