The four horns that replaced the broken one represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power.
Parallel translations
- WEB As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.
- KJV Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
- NKJV As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.
- NASB The broken horn and the four horns that came up in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
- NLT The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The broken horn replaced by four signifies four kingdoms arising from the nation, but lacking the first king's power. Alexander's empire would split into weaker successor states.
Overview
Gabriel explains that the four horns are four kingdoms emerging from Greece after the first king, none matching his might, fulfilled in the division of Alexander's empire among his generals. Fragmentation follows greatness, just as the vision foretold. The precise correspondence to later history confirms that God's word does not fail.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Dan 8:8Thus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.
- Dan 8:3Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one grew up later.
- Dan 11:4But 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.
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Christ at the center
Daniel sees the stone cut without hands that shatters the kingdoms, and 'one like a son of man' given everlasting dominion — titles and visions Jesus claims as his own.
How Daniel 8:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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