Lexical Summary mitstseirah: Smallness, insignificance Original Word: מִצְּעִירָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance little Feminine of mits'ar; properly, littleness; concretely, diminutive -- little. see HEBREW mits'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee tsair. Topical Lexicon Canonical Context Daniel 8 records the vision of the ram and the goat, culminating in the appearance of “a little horn” (Daniel 8:9). The Hebrew phrase מִצְּעִירָה highlights the horn’s insignificant origin—“from littleness” it rises. The term frames the entire development of the horn: beginning obscure, ending formidable. Within the Book of Daniel, horns symbolize rulers or powers (Daniel 7:24; Daniel 8:20-22), so the modifier underscores the improbable ascent of a seemingly inconsequential force. Prophetic Significance 1. Progressive Expansion. The verse continues, “From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land” (Daniel 8:9). The movement “south… east… Beautiful Land” sketches its geographical ambition, hinting at dominion over Egypt, Persia, and Judah. Historical Fulfillment Most conservative interpreters identify the “little horn” with Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.). Rising out of the fractured Seleucid Empire (“from littleness”), he marched southward toward Egypt, turned east toward Persia, and ultimately assaulted the “Beautiful Land,” desecrating the temple, halting sacrifices, and erecting an idol (Daniel 8:11-12). His meteoric rise from relative obscurity to oppressive ruler matches the imagery of growth from smallness. Typological and Eschatological Dimensions While Antiochus represents the immediate horizon, Daniel 8 foreshadows a final antagonist. Daniel 8:17 alerts the prophet, “the vision concerns the time of the end.” Thus מִצְּעִירָה prepares the reader for dual layers of fulfillment: The word’s stress on humble origin aligns with New Testament portraits of the last adversary who will “emerge” after a restraining influence is removed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8). Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty. Daniel 8:24 clarifies that the little horn’s power is “not by his own,” reminding believers that even malevolent forces operate under God’s permissive will. Application to Ministry • Watchfulness. Small compromises or emerging ideologies can escalate into large-scale opposition. Leaders must discern early stirrings. Related Biblical Motifs • “Little” turned “great” appears in parables (Mark 4:31-32) and judgments (Habakkuk 1:5). Meditative Reflection for Believers The single appearance of מִצְּעִירָה in Daniel 8:9 portrays more than a lexical curiosity; it is a theological lens. God reveals how swiftly arrogant power can sprout, but also how surely it will wither when its purpose in His plan is complete. For the church, the message is clear: remain steadfast, for every “little horn” is little indeed before the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9-10). Forms and Transliterations מִצְּעִירָ֑ה מצעירה miṣ·ṣə·‘î·rāh miṣṣə‘îrāh mitztzeiRahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 8:9 HEB: קֶֽרֶן־ אַחַ֖ת מִצְּעִירָ֑ה וַתִּגְדַּל־ יֶ֛תֶר KJV: of them came forth a little horn, INT: horn of one A little grew exceedingly 1 Occurrence |