The Little Horn By Mark Mayberry 12/7/2014 INTRODUCTION Qeren, an Aramaic word corresponding to the Hebrew #7161, refers to a horn [Thomas 7162]. It occurs 14x in 10 verses in the OT (Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15; 7:7, 8, 11, 20, 21, 24). Daniel 3:5 (NASB95) 5 that at the moment you hear the sound of the *horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. Daniel 3:7 (NASB95) 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the *horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Daniel 3:10 (NASB95) 10 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the *horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. Daniel 3:15 (NASB95) 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the *horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands? Daniel 7:7 (NASB95) 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten *horns. Daniel 7:8 (NASB95) 8 While I was contemplating the *horns, behold, another *horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first *horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this *horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:11 (NASB95) 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the *horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:20 (NASB95) 20 and the meaning of the ten *horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that *horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. Daniel 7:21 (NASB95) 21 I kept looking, and that *horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them Daniel 7:24 (NASB95) 24 As for the ten *horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. As an aside, Aramaic was a Semitic language known since the ninth century B.C. as the speech of the Aramaeans and later used extensively in southwest Asia as a commercial and governmental language and adopted as their customary speech by various non-aramaean peoples including the Jews after the Babylonian exile [Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary]. Contextually, these Biblical occurrences fall into two groupings: (1) In Daniel chapter 3, they are used of the blowing of horns calling all men to worship the golden image; (2) In Daniel chapter 7, they are used of the little horn that arose during the dominion of the fourth world empire (i.e., Rome), usurping authority, uttering great boasts and fiercely opposing the saints. SYMBOLIC OF ROMAN PERSECUTION This language is symbolic of Roman persecution, as foreshadowed in Daniel chapter Seven (Dan. 7:7-8, 11-12, 19-22, 23-27). Daniel 7:7-8 (NASB95) 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:11-12 (NASB95) 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time. Daniel 7:19-22 (NASB95) 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron
and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Daniel 7:23-27 (NASB95) 23 Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. SYMBOLIC OF GREEK PERSECUTION Similar language is used in Daniel chapter Eight to describe the deprivations of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Greek king of the Seleucid Empire who reigned from 175 B.C. until his death in 164 B.C. (Dan. 8:9-14). Daniel 8:9-14 (NASB95) 9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down. 11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down. 12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled? 14 He said to me, For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored.
SYMBOLISM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION It is also employed by John/Jesus in the Apocalypse to prepare New Testament saints for struggles that must shortly come to pass as they faced persecution by the Emperor Domitian, etc. (Rev. 13:1-10). Revelation 13:1-10 (NASB95) 1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him? 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REIGN OF THE LITTLE HORN Involves Usurpation The reign of the Little Horn would involve usurpation (Dan. 7:7-8, 19-20). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (4th ed.) says usurpation involves (1) the act of usurping, especially the wrongful seizure of royal sovereignty; (2) a wrongful seizure or exercise of authority or privilege belonging to another; an encroachment. Daniel 7:7-8 (NASB95) 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.
Daniel 7:19-20 (NASB95) 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. Involves Observation and Understanding The reign of the Little Horn would be characterized by observation and understanding (Dan. 7:8; cf. Ezek. 1:15-21; 10:9-12; Rev. 4:5-6, 8). Daniel 7:8 (NASB95) 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Ezekiel 1:15-21 (NASB95) 15 Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. 17 Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. 18 As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. 19 Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. 20 Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. 21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Ezekiel 10:9-12 (NASB95) 9 Then I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like the gleam of a Tarshish stone. 10 As for their appearance, all four of them had the same likeness, as if one wheel were within another wheel. 11 When they moved, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went; but they followed in the direction which they faced, without turning as they went. 12 Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around, the wheels belonging to all four of them. Revelation 4:5-6 (NASB95) 5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something
like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. Revelation 4:8 (NASB95) 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come. Involves Violence The reign of the Little Horn would be characterized by violence, against kings (Dan. 7:8) and the saints (Dan. 7:21-22). Daniel 7:8 (NASB95) 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:21-22 (NASB95) 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Involves Boastfulness The reign of the Little Horn would be characterized by boastfulness (Dan. 7:8, 11, 19-20, 25). Daniel 7:8 (NASB95) 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:11 (NASB95) 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. Daniel 7:19-20 (NASB95) 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. Daniel 7:25 (NASB95) 25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
CONCLUSION Faithful men will avoid usurpation, violent opposition to the truth, and boastfulness, cultivating instead a spirit of submission, obedience and humility (Psa. 5:4-7; 20:6-9; 75:4-8). Psalm 5:4-7 (NASB95) 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. 6 You destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. 7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. Psalm 20:6-9 (NASB95) 6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright. 9 Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call. Psalm 75:4-8 (NASB95) 4 I said to the boastful, Do not boast, And to the wicked, Do not lift up the horn; 5 Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride. 6 For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; 7 But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another. 8 For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams; It is well mixed, and He pours out of this; Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs.