דניאל, פרק ח׳, פסוק ז׳

A violent and rapid collision between two great powers unfolds, ending in a crushing defeat that leaves the victim with no chance of recovery. As the attacking goat closes in on the ram, a direct, face-to-face confrontation erupts [מלבי״ם]. The assault is driven by bitter anger and cruel ferocity. The primary approach among commentators is that this fury stems from the attacker's absolute refusal to make peace with the defending king, Darius. Even though Darius offered generous terms of appeasement, including silver, gold, and family alliances, the attacker rejected them completely [מלבי״ם].

Conversely, a different perspective suggests that the bitterness and weakness actually belonged to the defending ram. According to this view, the moment the attacker arrived, the ram was immediately overcome by despair and weakness, failing to mount any meaningful resistance [יוסף אבן יחיא].

The attacker then strikes the ram, shattering its two horns. This devastating blow symbolizes the total submission and humiliation of the dual empire of Media and Persia [מלבי״ם, יוסף אבן יחיא]. The resulting defeat is absolute. In typical conflicts, a defeated nation might absorb a heavy blow, retreat, and rebuild its forces for another campaign. Here, however, the initial strike is so decisive that it completely destroys the empire's ability to recover [יוסף אבן יחיא].

The conquest is finalized as the attacker throws the ram to the ground and tramples it, an act that points to the death of the Persian king during the conflict [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the fallen empire is left entirely without rescue. Neither allied kings nor the nation's own people are able to save the kingdom or bring it back into the fight [מלבי״ם, יוסף אבן יחיא].