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Daniel 7

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In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

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Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

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And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

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The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

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And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

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After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

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After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

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I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

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I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

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A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

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I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

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As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

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I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

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And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

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I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

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I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

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These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

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But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

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Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

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And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

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I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

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Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

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Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

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And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

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And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

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But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

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And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

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Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

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Daniel 7

Daniel 7 launches the visionary section with the prophet's dream of four great beasts rising from the sea—a lion, bear, leopard, and a fourth terrible beast with iron teeth—representing successive world empires that wage war upon God's people before judgment comes upon them. The vision shifts to the heavenly court where the "Ancient of Days" sits in judgment, the beasts are destroyed, and "one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven" receives dominion, glory, and kingship—"an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." This apocalyptic vision establishes that earthly kingdoms, whatever their apparent dominance, are destined for judgment and replacement by the eternal kingdom of the Son of Man, a conviction that became foundational to Christian messianism and eschatology. The theology here is revolutionary for diaspora Jews: their present suffering under successive empires is not permanent but represents a necessary prelude to cosmic reversal wherein the righteous will "possess the kingdom and will possess it forever." The cryptic appearance of the "Son of Man" figure in this vision became central to New Testament christology, as later interpreters identified Jesus with this heavenly figure who comes with clouds and receives universal dominion. Daniel 7 shifts from confidence in individual faithfulness (ch. 1-6) to conviction in historical apocalyptic transformation, suggesting that faithful witness during persecution is validated not merely by personal deliverance but by the ultimate vindication of God's people through cosmic divine judgment. The vision reassures suffering communities that history is not random but moves toward predetermined divine sovereignty.

Daniel 7:15

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head alarmed me. Daniel's emotional response to the vision—spirit troubled, visions alarming—suggests the weight and significance of what he has witnessed. The vision has revealed God's sovereignty over history and the ultimate replacement of human empire with divine kingdom. The knowledge that the present empires (including the one ruling Daniel's people) will fall and be replaced brings both comfort (God's justice will prevail) and dread (the judgment will be severe).

Daniel 7:2

Daniel said: I saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea. The vision begins with cosmic imagery: the four winds (representing all divine forces and energies) agitate the great sea. In biblical symbolism, the sea often represents chaos, the nations, or forces hostile to God's order. The stirring of the sea by heavenly forces suggests that the coming political upheavals are initiated by God, not by human ambition or accident. All that follows—the rise and fall of empires—occurs within God's sovereign control, not through autonomous human agency.

Daniel 7:3

And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. Four distinct beasts emerge from the sea, representing four successive kingdoms (parallel to the four metals of the statue in chapter 2). The beasts differ fundamentally from one another, suggesting that each empire has its own distinctive character and nature. Yet all arise from the same chaotic sea, indicating that all are expressions of human empire in its rebellion against God. The beasts gradually increase in ferocity, suggesting that as history progresses, human rule becomes more violent and oppressive.

Daniel 7:1

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. He wrote down the dream; I, Daniel, write this account. The chapter pivots from historical narrative to apocalyptic vision, presenting Daniel's dream-visions of future empires and ultimate judgment. Daniel's careful documentation (he wrote down the dream) parallels chapter 2's pattern where dreams carry prophetic significance. The vision occurs in Belshazzar's first year, placing it before the fall of Babylon, suggesting that divine revelation anticipates historical events. The shift to first-person narration (I, Daniel, write this account) establishes Daniel as the visionary-prophet, similar to other biblical prophets recording their experiences.

Daniel 7:4

The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then, as I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a human being; and a human mind was given to it. The first beast (Babylon) is lion-like with eagles' wings, suggesting majestic power and swift movement. Yet the plucking off of its wings and the transformation to human-like standing represents humiliation and the loss of its dominance. The giving of a human mind suggests that Babylon's pride is brought low and humanized. This may allude to Nebuchadnezzar's madness and restoration (chapter 4), where he loses his human consciousness and must regain it.

Daniel 7:5

And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, had three ribs in its mouth, and was told, Arise, devour much flesh! The second beast (Persia) appears as a lopsided bear, suggesting asymmetrical power. The three ribs in its mouth and the command to devour much flesh indicate military conquest and violent expansion. The bear is less majestic than the lion but more brutal and voracious, suggesting that the Persian Empire is militarily powerful but less cultured and refined than Babylon. The three ribs may represent conquered territories or peoples.

Daniel 7:6

After this, as I watched, another appeared, like a leopard. The beast had four wings of a bird on its back and four heads; and dominion was given to it. The third beast (the Hellenistic empire of Alexander and his successors) appears as a leopard, swift and agile. Its four wings suggest even greater speed than the lion's two wings. The four heads represent the kingdom's division among Alexander's successors after his death (the Diadochi). The dominion given to it by divine authority suggests that even this rapid military empire operates under God's providential control.

Daniel 7:7

After this, in the visions of the night I saw a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth and was devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping on what was left. It was different from all the beasts that preceded it, and it had ten horns. The fourth beast (Rome) is the most fearsome, reflecting its ultimate military dominance and violence. Its iron teeth and its actions (devouring, breaking, stamping) describe ruthless conquest and power. The ten horns represent ten divisions or rulers within this kingdom. The fourth beast surpasses all previous beasts in ferocity, suggesting that the final human empire manifests supreme violence and oppression.

Daniel 7:8

As I watched, another horn, a little one, came up among them; and three of the earlier horns were plucked up by the roots before it. And there were eyes like human eyes in this horn, and a mouth speaking arrogantly. A little horn appears among the ten horns and uproots three of them, symbolizing a ruler who rises to prominence, displacing predecessors. The human eyes and arrogant mouth suggest intelligence and blasphemous speech. In historical interpretation, this may refer to Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler who persecuted the Jewish people. The arrogant mouth will prove significant in verses that follow.

Daniel 7:9

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient One took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. The vision shifts from earthly beasts to heavenly court: thrones are set up, and the Ancient One (God) takes His seat for judgment. The imagery of white clothing and pure wool hair suggests holiness, purity, and transcendence. The fiery throne and burning wheels evoke divine majesty and the presence of divine judgment. The establishment of the heavenly court represents the preparation for judgment on the earthly beasts and kingdoms.

Daniel 7:10

A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. The river of fire flowing from God's presence suggests divine power and judgment executing against the wicked. The vast numbers serving and attending God (a thousand thousands, ten thousand times ten thousand) emphasize the cosmic scale of heavenly authority. The opening of books suggests that divine judgment is based on recorded evidence of deeds; nothing is hidden from the heavenly court.

Daniel 7:11

I watched then because of the noise of the arrogant words that the horn was speaking. And as I watched, the beast was put to death, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. The arrogant horn's speech attracts divine judgment; the fourth beast is destroyed completely—its body burned with fire. This represents total annihilation of the final human empire and its arrogant ruler. The contrast between the cosmic majesty of the heavenly court and the beast's destruction emphasizes the futility of human empire in the face of divine judgment. The burning fire suggests both purification and judgment.

Daniel 7:12

As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. The first three beasts (previous empires) have their dominion taken away—they are deposed from power—yet they are allowed to continue existing for a time. This reflects historical reality: Babylon, Persia, and the Hellenistic kingdoms were conquered and displaced but their peoples continued to exist. The distinction between the fourth beast (completely destroyed) and the others suggests special judgment on the final empire.

Daniel 7:13

As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. The vision now presents a figure like a human being (not a beast) coming with the clouds of heaven to stand before the Ancient One. This figure's humanity contrasts with the previous beasts' animalistic nature, suggesting that this figure represents something fundamentally different—not human rebellion but divine intention. Coming with clouds suggests divine authority and power (clouds appear throughout Scripture as signs of God's presence). This figure will be granted dominion over all peoples.

Daniel 7:14

To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall never be destroyed. The figure's grant of dominion explicitly contrasts with the beasts' temporary authority. His dominion is eternal (shall not pass away) and his kingdom can never be destroyed—parallel to the stone-kingdom prophecy of chapter 2. The serving of all peoples, nations, and languages suggests universal scope of his rule. This represents God's ultimate kingdom, ruled by the figure like a human being, which will replace all human empires.

Daniel 7:16

I approached one of the attendants to ask him the true interpretation of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. Daniel seeks interpretation of the vision from one of the heavenly attendants, seeking to understand the meaning of the beasts and the figure. The attendant's willingness to explain suggests that Daniel has access to heavenly knowledge; he is granted understanding of cosmic history and divine purposes. This parallels his earlier access to dream-interpretation; Daniel remains a conduit between divine and human knowledge.

Daniel 7:17

These four beasts are four kings that shall arise out of the earth. The attendant's interpretation clarifies that the beasts represent four successive kingdoms (not merely metaphorical but actual historical powers). All four arise from the earth (human sphere of power and ambition), in contrast to the figure like a human being who comes with the clouds (divine sphere of authority). The interpretation frames human empire as arising from earthly, limited sources, while divine kingship originates from heaven.

Daniel 7:18

But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever. The attendant's interpretation provides the prophecy's ultimate outcome: the holy ones (the covenant people, those loyal to God) will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. This represents vindication of the faithful; they will share dominion under the figure like a human being in the eternal kingdom. The repetition (forever—forever and ever) emphasizes the perpetual nature of this possession. For Daniel's people (suffering under various empires), this prophecy offers hope that ultimately God's people will be vindicated.

Daniel 7:19

Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrible, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped on what was left. Daniel seeks more specific information about the fourth beast, whose ferocity and destructiveness surpass the others. His desire to know indicates that this final empire is of particular significance and perhaps poses special threat to God's people. The detailed description (teeth of iron, claws of bronze, devouring, breaking, stamping) emphasizes its violence.

Daniel 7:20

And concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell—the horn that had eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly, and that seemed greater than its companions. Daniel specifically asks about the ten horns and the little horn that uproots three and speaks arrogantly. The little horn's apparent greatness (seemed greater than its companions) and its arrogant speech mark it as a ruler of special significance within the fourth kingdom. The question indicates Daniel's particular concern about this arrogant horn and its implications for God's people.

Daniel 7:21

As I watched, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing against them. The prophecy reveals that the arrogant horn will make war against the holy ones (God's people) and initially prevail against them. This suggests persecution of believers during the dominion of this horn. The apparent prevailing of the horn against God's people creates psychological and spiritual crisis: how can the faithful endure when their persecutor seems to be winning? Yet the prophecy continues beyond this apparent victory.

Daniel 7:22

Until the Ancient One came; and judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom. The turning point: the Ancient One comes, renders judgment in favor of the holy ones, and the time arrives when they possess the kingdom. Despite the horn's initial prevailing, the heavenly court's judgment vindicates the persecuted faithful. Their vindication is not merely personal but cosmic; they receive the eternal kingdom. This prophecy assures persecuted believers that their suffering is not the final word; divine judgment will ultimately vindicate them.

Daniel 7:23

Then he said, As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth that shall be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it in pieces. The attendant explains that the fourth kingdom will be unprecedented in devouring, trampling, and breaking the whole earth. Its dominance will be more comprehensive and destructive than previous kingdoms. The language emphasizes violence and total conquest. For Daniel's people under oppressive rule, this prophecy acknowledges the reality of fierce empire while promising ultimate vindication through divine judgment.

Daniel 7:24

As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. He shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. The prophecy explains that ten kings will arise in the fourth kingdom, and after them another king will arise who will be different and will overthrow three kings. This represents political fragmentation and succession within the empire. The arrogant horn's rise to prominence through displacing others reflects the turbulent political history of empires dominated by powerful individuals.

Daniel 7:25

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, times, and half a time. The arrogant horn will blaspheme against the Most High, persecute God's people, attempt to change religious observances (sacred seasons) and law (Torah), and dominate the holy ones for a time, times, and half a time (a symbolic period of oppression). This prophecy describes religious persecution and attempts to suppress faithful practice. The specific mention of changing sacred seasons and law suggests that this ruler targets the fundamental practices that maintain Jewish religious identity. Yet the phrase given into his power for a limited time suggests that the persecution will not be eternal.

Daniel 7:26

But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and totally destroyed. The turning point: the heavenly court judges, the horn's dominion is removed, and he is completely destroyed. Unlike the persistence of earlier empires, this final arrogant ruler will be totally annihilated. The certainty of this judgment provides assurance to the persecuted: their persecutor's victory is temporary and will be utterly reversed.

Daniel 7:27

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them. The prophecy's conclusion: the kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven will be given to the holy ones (God's people). They will possess an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve them. This represents the ultimate vindication of believers; those who suffered under oppression will ultimately possess authority over all creation. The universality of their dominion (all dominions shall serve) parallels the universality of the oppression they endured.

Daniel 7:28

Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my complexion changed; but I kept the matter in my heart. The chapter concludes with Daniel's emotional state after receiving the vision. His thoughts are greatly troubled, and his complexion changes—indicating the weight and impact of the revelation. Yet he keeps the matter in his heart, maintaining the secret while processing its significance. The vision has revealed both comfort (ultimate vindication of believers) and horror (persecution and suffering before that vindication).