Daniel 8:3 Then 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.

◄ Daniel 8:3 ►

New International Version
I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later.

New Living Translation
As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long horns standing beside the river. One of the horns was longer than the other, even though it had grown later than the other one.

English Standard Version
I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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.

King James Bible
Then I lifted up mine 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.

New King James Version
Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.

New American Standard Bible
Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.

NASB 1995
Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.

NASB 1977
Then I lifted my gaze and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.

Amplified Bible
Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there in front of the canal stood a [lone] ram (the Medo-Persian Empire) which had two horns. The two horns were high, but one (Persia) was higher than the other (Media), and the higher one came up last.

Christian Standard Bible
I looked up, and there was a ram standing beside the canal. He had two horns. The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I looked up, and there was a ram standing beside the canal. He had two horns. The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last.

American Standard Version
Then I lifted up mine 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.

Contemporary English Version
when I looked up and saw a ram standing there with two horns on its head--both of them were long, but the second one was longer than the first.

English Revised Version
Then I lifted up mine 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I looked up and saw a single ram standing beside the gate. The ram had two long horns, one longer than the other, though the longer one had grown up later.

Good News Translation
and there beside the river I saw a ram that had two long horns, one of which was longer and newer than the other.

International Standard Version
"Then I turned my head to look, and to my surprise, a two-horned ram was standing beside the canal. The two horns grew long, the first one growing longer than the second, with the longer one springing up last.

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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.

NET Bible
I looked up and saw a ram with two horns standing at the canal. Its two horns were both long, but one was longer than the other. The longer one was coming up after the shorter one.

New Heart English Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and look, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns. And the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram which had two horns stood before the river. The two horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I lift up my eyes, and look, and behold, a certain ram is standing before the stream, and it has two horns, and the two horns [are] high; and one [is] higher than the other, and the high one is coming up last.

Young's Literal Translation
And I lift up mine eyes, and look, and lo, a certain ram is standing before the stream, and it hath two horns, and the two horns are high; and the one is higher than the other, and the high one is coming up last.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall lift up mine eyes, and I shall see, and behold, one ram stood before the stream, and horns to him: and the horns high; and the one high above the second, and the high came up at the last.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold a ram stood before the water, having two high horns, and one higher than the other, and growing up. Afterward

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a single ram stood before the marsh, having two high horns, and one was higher than the other and growing higher still.

New American Bible
I looked up and saw standing by the river a ram with two great horns, the one larger and newer than the other.

New Revised Standard Version
I looked up and saw a ram standing beside the river. It had two horns. Both horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up second.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there stood before the river Abol a ram which had two horns; and the two horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
[Darius the Mede] and I raised my eyes, and I saw, and behold, one ram standing before Abul, and it had horns, and its horns were high, and one higher than its neighbor, and this high one afterward grew up

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the stream 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a ram standing in front of the Ubal; and he had high horns; and one was higher than the other, and the high one came up last.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat
…2And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. 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. 4I saw the ram charging toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and there was no deliverance from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Revelation 13:1-2
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.

Revelation 17:3
And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 17:12
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.

Revelation 12:3
Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 17:9-10
This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. / There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.

Revelation 13:11
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.

Revelation 17:7
“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

Revelation 17:11
The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.

Zechariah 1:18-21
Then I looked up and saw four horns. / So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” / Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. ...

Zechariah 6:1-8
And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. ...

Ezekiel 1:10
The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 10:14
Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle.

Ezekiel 43:3
The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when He came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the River Kebar. I fell facedown,

Treasury of Scripture

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.

I lifted.

Daniel 10:5
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

Numbers 24:2
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

Joshua 5:13
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

a ram.

Daniel 8:20
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

Daniel 2:39
And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Daniel 7:5
And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

one.

Daniel 5:31
And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Daniel 6:28
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Ezra 1:2
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

the other.

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Daniel 8

1. Daniel's vision of the ram and he goat.
13. The two thousand three hundred days of the suspension of the daily sacrifice.
15. Gabriel comforts Daniel, and interprets the vision.

Berean Study Bible

I lifted up my eyes
This phrase indicates a deliberate action by Daniel, suggesting a moment of spiritual readiness and attentiveness. In the Hebrew context, lifting one's eyes often signifies looking towards God or seeking divine revelation. It is a posture of expectation and openness to what God is about to reveal. This act of lifting one's eyes can be seen throughout Scripture as a metaphor for seeking understanding or divine intervention (e.g., Psalm 121:1).

and saw
The act of seeing in biblical terms often goes beyond physical sight to include spiritual insight or revelation. In the Hebrew tradition, visions were a common way God communicated with His prophets. Daniel's ability to see indicates his role as a prophet and his receptiveness to God's messages. This seeing is not just with the eyes but with the heart and mind, perceiving the deeper truths God is unveiling.

a ram
The ram in this vision is symbolic and represents power and authority. In the context of Daniel's vision, the ram is later identified as the kings of Media and Persia (Daniel 8:20). Historically, the ram was a symbol of the Persian Empire, often depicted in their art and coinage. The use of a ram here signifies the might and influence of this empire during its time.

with two horns
Horns in biblical symbolism often represent strength and power. The two horns of the ram signify the dual nature of the Medo-Persian Empire, with Media and Persia being two distinct yet united powers. This imagery aligns with historical records of the Medo-Persian alliance, where Persia eventually became the dominant partner.

standing beside the canal
The canal, or river, in this vision is the Ulai Canal, which was located in the region of Susa, an important city in the Persian Empire. This geographical detail roots the vision in a real historical and geographical context, emphasizing the authenticity and specificity of the prophecy. The canal setting may also symbolize the flow of time and events, as water often does in Scripture.

and the horns were long
The length of the horns suggests the extent of the power and influence of the Medo-Persian Empire. In biblical symbolism, longer horns indicate greater strength and dominance. Historically, the Persian Empire was known for its vast reach and military prowess, which is reflected in this description.

one was longer than the other
This detail highlights the imbalance of power within the Medo-Persian alliance, with Persia being the more dominant force. Historically, Persia rose to greater prominence and overshadowed Media, which is accurately depicted in this vision. This imagery underscores the precision of biblical prophecy in reflecting historical realities.

but the longer one came up last
This phrase indicates the chronological rise of Persia after Media. Initially, Media was the more prominent power, but Persia eventually surpassed it in strength and influence. This aligns with historical accounts of the rise of Cyrus the Great and the subsequent expansion of the Persian Empire. The prophetic accuracy of this detail serves to affirm the divine inspiration of the vision.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) A ram--i.e., a single ram. The ram was standing before the river, or eastward of it, and represented the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 8:20). The two horns, like the two breasts and arms of the image, or the two sides of the bear, symbolise the twofold character of this empire. The higher horn denotes the Persians, the dominant race. For other instances of rams and goats representing nations, comp. Isaiah 14:9; Jeremiah 1:8; Zechariah 10:3.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Then I lifted up mine 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. The rendering of the LXX. does not differ essentially from the Massoretic Version, save in the last clause, which is rendered, "and the higher ascended (ἀνέβαινε)." As in the former verse, oobal is translated "gate." Certainly, as before remarked, "before a river" is an awkward combination; "before" or "over against a gate" is intelligible. "Eastward," which liphnee also means, will not suit the geographical circumstances, as Shushan itself stood on the east bank of the river Eulaeus, or Shapur. If, further, oobal means a "marsh," as Jerome renders it, then "eastward" would not suit. for the existing marsh is to the south-west of Shushan. Theodotion is in closer agreement with the Massoretic text, but does not translate (oobal, he merely transliterates it. The Peshitta is in strict agreement with the text of the Massoretes. Jerome, as we just said. in this verse renders oobal by paludem. Daniel in his vision seems looking from the walls of the citadel of Shushan, most likely even now the capital of the triumphant young conqueror. The progress of the arms of Cyrus would no doubt be viewed with apprehension by the court of Babylon. Daniel's thoughts would be naturally filled with the new factor in the polities of the Euphrates valley. Hence it was not unnatural that the thoughts of the (lay should colour the visions of the night. The choice of the animal - the ram - to represent the Medo-Persian monarchy is by some supposed to be illustrated by the figures of goats and rams on Persian cylinders. If it has any special meaning, it probably is that the monarchy had sprung up among a pastoral people. It is maintained by Professor Bevan, that this figure of a ram with two horns proves that there were two successive empires - a Median and a Persian. If Mr. Bevan would use his ingenuity, and show us any way by which the actual facts of the history and constitution of the Medo-Persian Empire could be represented in a symbol that would not be liable to his misinterpretation, it would be an advantage. The empire, we know, was built up by two races - the race which last came into prominence became the predominant. Here in the symbol before us the unity of the empire is exhibited by the animal being one, and the two races are indicated by the two horns. The duality of the symbol ought to be noted.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then I lifted
וָאֶשָּׂ֤א (wā·’eś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

my eyes
עֵינַי֙ (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

and saw
וָאֶרְאֶ֔ה (wā·’er·’eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

a ram
אַ֣יִל (’a·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

with
וְל֣וֹ (wə·lōw)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

two horns
קְרָנָ֑יִם (qə·rā·nā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

standing
עֹמֵ֛ד (‘ō·mêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

beside
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the canal.
הָאֻבָ֖ל (hā·’u·ḇāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 180: A stream, river

The horns
וְהַקְּרָנַ֣יִם (wə·haq·qə·rā·na·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - fd
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

were long,
גְּבֹה֗וֹת (gə·ḇō·hō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant

but one
וְהָאַחַת֙ (wə·hā·’a·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

was longer
גְּבֹהָ֣ה (gə·ḇō·hāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant

than
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the other,
הַשֵּׁנִ֔ית (haš·šê·nîṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

and the longer
וְהַ֨גְּבֹהָ֔ה (wə·hag·gə·ḇō·hāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant

one grew up
עֹלָ֖ה (‘ō·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

later.
בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃ (bā·’a·ḥă·rō·nāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 314: Hinder, late, last, western

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OT Prophets: Daniel 8:3 Then I lifted up my eyes (Dan. Da Dn)