IV.       Analysis of Revelation 13:11-18

C.        Two Horns Like a Ram

            καὶ εἶχεν κέρατα δύο ὅμοια ἀρνίῳ (13:11c)

1.         Textual and Exegetical Issues

a.         κέρας is a horn of an animal, usually symbolizing power.

1)         It is used ten times in Revelation

•           The seven horns of the Lamb (5:6)

•           The four horns of the altar (9:13)

•           The ten horns of the dragon (12:3)

•           The ten horns of the beast from the sea (13:1)

•           The two horns of the beast from the land (13:11)

•           The ten horns of the scarlet beast (17:3, 7, 12, 16)

2)         Two horns are in contrast to the first beast that has ten horns (13:1)

3)         They are a parody of the Lamb who has seven horns (5:6) and possibly of the two witnesses, lampstands, and olive trees. (Beale and Carson, 1129)

d.         ἀρνίον was originally diminutive, but no longer in NT.

1)         A sheep of any age; lamb. (BDAG)

2)         In Rev a designation of Christ 5:6, 8, 12f; 6:1, 16; 7:9f, 14, 17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1, 4, 10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7, 9; 21:9, 14, 22f, 27; 22:1, 3; cp. the parody figure 13:11. τὰ ἀ. (as πρόβατα elsewh.) of the Christian community J 21:15. As a type of weakness 2 Cl 5:2ff. (BDAG)

3)         A ram: “(derivative of ἀρήν ‘lamb,’ 4.24) a sheep of any age — ‘lamb, sheep, ram.’ εἶχεν κέρατα δύο ὅμοια ἀρνίῳ ‘he had two horns like those of a ram’ Re 13:11. In the one context in the NT, namely, Re 13:11, in which ἀρνίον refers literally to a sheep, it is used in a phrase referring to the horns of an ἀρνίον. In such a context the reference is undoubtedly to a ‘ram,’ that is to say, the adult male of sheep.” (L&N 4.25)

4)         ἀρνίον is a unique term for Revelation: it is used 29 times in Revelation (5:6, 8, 12–13; 6:1, 16; 7:9–10, 14, 17; 12:11; 13:8, 11; 14:1, 4, 10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7, 9; 21:9, 14, 22–23, 27–22:1; 22:3). The only other NT use is John 21:15. (ἀμνὸς is used four times in NT: John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet 1:19, and πρόβατον is used 39 times in the NT but only once in Revelation 18:13.)

5)         May be consciously alluding to Christ, the Lamb (Rev 5:6) or to Jesus’ statement that false teachers are like wolves in sheep’s (πρόβατον) clothing (Matt 7:15).

2.         Literary Background

a.         Daniel 8:3

1)         It may be an allusion to the ram (אַיִל) with two horns (קְרָנָיִם) in Dan 8:3, possibly symbolizing the Medes and Persians who opposed God’s people.

•           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. (Dan 8:3)

2)         In Daniel the ram butts north, south, and west, signifying dominion over the whole world (Malina, 177).

b.         Horns in the OT symbolized powers and nations.

1)         Powerful nations (Zech 1:18–21[MT 2:1–4]).

•           Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?” He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.” Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”

2)         The authority of a nation (Jer 48:25).

•           Moab’s horn is cut off; her arm is broken,” declares the LORD. (Jer 48:25)

3)         Of kings (Ezek 29:21; Ps 132:17; Dan 8:8ab).

•           “On that day I will make a horn grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” (Ezek 29:21)

•           “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. (Psa 132:17)

•           The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven. (Dan 8:8)

3.         Interpretive Options (see Appendix IV)

a.         Preterit

1)         Subordinate to the first beast.

2)         Like the ram in Daniel 8.

b.         Idealist

1)         “Wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

2)         Messianic pretenders throughout history.

3)         Lies made outwardly appealing; the lie of Satan dressed up like truth.

c.         Futurist

1)         Looks meek on the outside.

2)         Has lesser authority than the first beast.