The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Daniel 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I considered the horns, and behold another little horn sprung out of the midst of them: and three of the first horns were plucked up at the presence thereof: and behold eyes like the eyes of a man were in this horn, and a mouth speaking great things.

Douay-Rheims

מִשְׂתַּכַּ֨ל הֲוֵ֜ית בְּקַרְנַיָּ֗א וַ֠אֲלוּ קֶ֣רֶן אָחֳרִ֤י זְעֵירָה֙ סִלְקָ֣ת ביניהון בֵּֽינֵיהֵ֔ן וּתְלָ֗ת מִן־קַרְנַיָּא֙ קַדְמָ֣יָתָ֔א אתעקרו אֶתְעֲקַ֖רָה מִן־קדמיה קֳדָמַ֑הּ וַאֲל֨וּ עַיְנִ֜ין כְּעַיְנֵ֤י אֲנָשָׁא֙ בְּקַרְנָא־דָ֔א וּפֻ֖ם מְמַלִּ֥ל רַבְרְבָֽן׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

I observed the horns and noticed that from their midst emerged another small horn, which caused three of the initial horns to be uprooted. This horn had eyes resembling those of men and a mouth that spoke with great arrogance. Porphyry incorrectly suggests that this little horn refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, associating the three expelled horns with the sixth king, Ptolemy Philometor, the seventh, Ptolemy Euergetes, and Artarxias, the king of the Armenians. It should be pointed out that the first of these kings passed away long before the birth of Antiochus, and Artarxias retained his kingdom, even though, as is known, Antiochus engaged in conflict with him.

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Thus, we must affirm what has been expressed by many ecclesiastical writers: at the end of days, when the Roman Empire is dismantled, there will be ten kings who will partition the Roman world among themselves. An eleventh king, a lesser one, will rise to power and defeat three of these ten, specifically the rulers of Egypt, Africa, and Ethiopia, which we will elaborate upon later. Following their overthrow, the remaining seven kings will also fall under the authority of this victor. And it is stated, this horn possessed eyes like those of men. Therefore, we must not view him, as some have posited, as a demon or an evil spirit, but rather as a mere man in whom all of Satan will take residence bodily. The mouth that speaks with arrogance represents the man of sin, the son of perdition, who audaciously sits in the temple of God, claiming to be the Son of God (2 Thess. 2).

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

The Prophet continues by revealing, "and behold another small horn" that emerges among them, with devotions seemingly taken from his presence. Within that rose, he observes "eyes like the eyes of men" and a formidable mouth speaking. This symbolizes the Antichrist arising among the ten horns. The significance of this vision is that this horn will remove three horns that stand before him, implying that he will overthrow three rulers among the ten at once. The horn is described as small, representing its origins from a lesser tribe of Judah, yet will grow prominent in time. The Prophet uses the imagery of eyes to denote shrewdness and deceitfulness, characteristics he employs to mislead many. The mouth is said to "speak great things," indicating a tone of arrogance and pride.

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The Apostle Paul warns us explicitly of this, stating: "Let no one deceive you in any way; for unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God" (2 Thess. 2:3, 4). In line with this understanding, the blessed Daniel also asserts, "and the mouth speaks great things," making war with the saints, as he employs every possible tactic to recruit others into his malevolence, seeking to condemn them to the same fate he faces. Nonetheless, the prophet warns that if he pursues this course, his time will be short, and he will ultimately be defeated.

Hippolytus of Rome

2nd centuryChurch Father

This passage reveals nothing less than the Antichrist, who will also reinstate the kingdom of Judah. He will cast down three horns, which represent the monarchs of Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia, whom he will defeat in warfare (compare Dan. 11:43). Now, we must carefully determine the timing of these tribulations and how the little horn will emerge amidst the tormentors. This will occur when the iron legs, which previously held dominion, extend to the feet and toes, consistent with the vision of the statue and the fearsome beast outlined earlier, when iron and clay are united (Dan. 2:43). Daniel provides further clarity on this matter.

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He states, "And the covenant shall be established by many a single seven-day period: but in half a seven-day period my sacrifice and libation shall be taken away" (Dan. 9:27). He refers to a week of years, specifically the last week, which will occur in the final days, at the close of the world. Half of this week will be occupied by the prophets Enoch and Elijah, who, adorned in robes, will minister for "a thousand two hundred and sixty days" (Rev. 11:3), calling all people and nations to repentance.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.