Daniel 7
7
Daniel’s First Vision: The Four Beasts
1During the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, I, Daniel, had a dream filled with visions # 7:1 Daniel was a seer. He experienced many dreams, including dreams filled with visions. In the book, he records four visions that span the time between the destruction of Jerusalem in 587/586 BC and the revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 164 BC. while I lay on my bed. So, I wrote down my dream, describing in full all that I had seen. # 7:1 It is likely that this vision happened in 554 BC, which would be prior to the events of ch. 5. The words “see,” “look(ed),” or “vision” are found fourteen times in this chapter.
2Suddenly, in my night vision, I saw # 7:2 Or literally “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold.” the four winds of the heavens # 7:2 The four winds might be a metaphor of angelic activity. Compare the imagery of the visions of Ezek. 1 and Zech. 6:5. burst forth upon the great sea. # 7:2 The “great sea” symbolically represents the “sea of humanity.” 3Then emerging from the tossing sea came four immense beasts, each different from the others. # 7:3 Daniel’s vision is an impressive overview of human history. God has a plan for the world. History is his story. Many scholars view the four beasts as representing empires, not people: the Babylonian (the winged lion; see v. 4), the Medo-Persian (the bear; see v. 5), the Greek (the tiger; see v. 6), and the Roman (the apocalyptic beast; see vv. 7–8). Daniel’s vision was an overview of nearly one thousand years of the future. Only God’s supernatural knowledge could make this known to Daniel.
4The first one was like a winged lion, with wings like an eagle. # 7:4 The imagery of the winged lion pictures Babylon and its swift attacks against its neighboring nations (see Jer. 49:19, 22). As I watched, its wings were plucked off, # 7:4 Babylon, the winged lion, had its wings plucked off during the season of insanity of its king, Nebuchadnezzar (ch. 4). Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration to sanity and to his rulership is described as being given a “human heart.” His wings stretching upward were “plucked off” for a season until he acknowledged the Most High God. and it was lifted up from the earth, standing on two feet like a person, and it was given a human heart.
5Then the second beast I saw resembled a bear. It was half crouching # 7:5 Or “raised up on one side.” and had three ribs # 7:5 Some Jewish scholars interpret the “three ribs” as three Persian kings: Cyrus, Ahasuerus, and Darius. clenched between its fangs. It was told, “Stand up and devour more flesh.”
6After that, as I looked on, behold, there was another one that looked like a tiger. # 7:6 Or literally “striped cat” or “leopard.” Most scholars interpret the “tiger” or “leopard” as the Greek Empire led by Alexander the Great. On its back were four large wings of a bird. This beast had four heads, # 7:6 The four heads are possibly a reference to the four generals who took over the Greek Empire after the death of Alexander. Others see the four heads as the four headwaters or beginnings of the Greek Empire: Alexander’s conquest, Greek Egypt, Greek Syria, and the Hellenistic period of the flourishing of the Greek language and culture. and it was given authority for dominion.
7Then in my night vision, behold, I saw a fourth beast! It was dreadful, terrifying, and incredibly powerful. It had huge iron teeth # 7:7 Some manuscript evidence adds “and claws of bronze.” The word order is “and teeth of iron [were] hers, great ones devouring and crushing,” which means it could be translated, “It had large iron teeth used for devouring and crushing great ones [great kingdoms].” used for crushing and devouring its victims. With its massive feet it trampled on what was left. It had ten horns # 7:7 Horns are a biblical symbol of authority, power, and rulership. “Ten horns” is possibly a reference to the first ten rulers over the Roman Empire, which correspond to the ten toes of the statue of ch. 2. The ten horns (rulers) of the Roman Empire include Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Tiberius Caesar, Gaius Caesar (Caligula), Claudius Caesar, Nero Claudius Caesar, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. and was totally different from the other beasts.
8As I was wondering about the horns, suddenly, another little horn # 7:8 Some scholars view this “little horn” as a possible reference to Herod the Great and the line of Herods that came after him. The Herods were different from other Roman leaders, for they were Edomites and circumcised Jews. sprouted up among them and tore out by the roots three of the previous horns to make room for it. # 7:8 See v. 24. There are multiple interpretations for the three uprooted horns. Some see this as three emperors, three kingdoms, or three types of government. If indeed the “little horn” was Herod the Great (and the Herods after him), then the three horns uprooted by him were possibly Augustus (who tried to kill the Jews), Tiberius (who was involved in killing Jesus), and Claudius (who killed James). On this little horn there were eyes like that of a man and a mouth boasting arrogantly. # 7:8 Or “a mouth speaking great things.”
The Courtroom of Heaven
9As I looked on, I observed a heavenly courtroom. Various thrones were being arranged # 7:9 These thrones were apparently set up for a council of judges. Ancient Jewish tradition believes that God’s holy ones have the privilege of sitting at his side to participate in judgment (see Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; Rev. 3:21; 20:4). until the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow, and his hair was white like perfectly clean wool. His throne was a tempest of fiery flames, # 7:9 See Gen. 15:17; Ex. 3:2; 19:18. set upon wheels of blazing fire. # 7:9 This is Yahweh’s chariot-throne. It is important to note that God’s throne is not always stationary but in motion. It sits upon wheels of fire. See Ezek. 1. God’s government (throne) is meant to come to the earth. See Pss. 58:11; 103:19. 10A surging stream of fire flowed from before him. # 7:10 The stream (or river) of fire represents the blindingly brilliant glory of God’s presence that conquers all who come before him. Like lava rolling out of God’s presence, so the burning fire of holiness pours out from his throne. See Heb. 12:29. Immeasurable numbers of people were serving him, and countless myriads were attending him. # 7:10 Or “Thousands upon thousands . . . and myriads of myriads.” See Rev. 5:11. The court convened for judgment, and the books were opened. # 7:10 See Ps. 56:8; Mal. 3:16; Rev. 20:12.
11As I kept on looking, I heard boastful words being spoken by the little horn. As I watched, the verdict was issued. The fourth beast was killed, and its body was thrown into the blazing fire. 12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion had been taken away, but they were allowed to continue living for an appointed time.
13Then, as I was looking on in my night visions, suddenly I saw one like a son of man # 7:13 The phrase “son of man” is found in the Bible nearly two hundred times. Eighty-four times it is found in the Gospels describing Jesus Christ. Although the phrase “son of man” implies a human being, in this reference, he is much more than a human. It is a Messianic title for our Lord Jesus. He is not “a son of a man,” but the Son of Man. coming in the midst of the clouds of heaven. # 7:13 See Ps. 104:3; Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; Rev. 1:7; 14:14. He was ushered into the presence of the Ancient of Days and presented before him. 14Then the Ancient of Days conferred upon him dominion, glory, and kingship. People of every nation and language group worshiped him. His dominion is everlasting and will never pass away, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Interpretation of the Vision
15As for me, Daniel, I was terrified by these night visions, and my spirit # 7:15 Or “my spirit in its sheath [body],” that is, the spirit contained in his body. The Septuagint reads, “my spirit was troubled in these things.” was deeply disturbed by all that I saw. 16I went up to one # 7:16 See v. 10. This “one” was possibly an angel. It was also an angel who interpreted the prophet Zechariah’s dreams (see Zech. 1:8–9, 18–21; 2:1–5). who was standing there and asked him to explain the true meaning of what I had witnessed. So he gave me the interpretation:
17“These four great beasts represent four empires # 7:17 Or “kings.” One Aramaic manuscript along with the ancient Greek and Latin have “kingdoms.” that will rise to power over the earth. 18But after them, the holy ones, the most high ones, # 7:18 Or “exalted ones.” The Aramaic is clearly plural, thus, “most high ones.” Some linguists see this as a “plural of majesty” that could be translated in the singular “the holy ones of the Most High.” However, in every other reference to God in chs. 2–7, the phrase “Most High” is singular. Indeed, God’s saints today have been raised up to sit in the heavenly realms with Jesus Christ (see Rom. 8:30; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1–2; Rev. 3:21). Every believer is a “holy one [saint]” and one of the “most high ones” who receive the kingdom of God. will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Yes, forever and ever!”
19But I was curious to know more about the fourth beast. It was much different from all the others—the terrifying, dreadful beast. It crushed its victims with claws of bronze and with teeth of iron and then trampled on them. 20Also, I wanted to know more about the ten horns on its head and the more prominent horn that sprouted up and uprooted three of the previous horns. I wanted to gain insight # 7:20 Verses 19–20 comprise one long, complicated Aramaic sentence. In this translation, it has been broken into five sentences for the sake of clarity in the English narrative. about this conspicuous little horn, more imposing than the others, with eyes in it and a mouth speaking arrogantly. 21As I watched, that horn fought against the holy ones # 7:21 That is, believers or “saints.” See v. 27. and was defeating them 22until the Everlasting One came on the scene. He handed judgment # 7:22 The day is coming when the saints of the Most High will judge angels and rule the nations with Christ. See 1 Cor. 6:2–3; Rev. 2:26–27; 3:21; 20:4–6. over to the saints of the Most High, and dominion was given to the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came when the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.
23He gave me the interpretation: “The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and shatter it to pieces. 24And the ten horns are ten kings that will arise from that fourth kingdom, and they will succeed each other. But after them, an eleventh king will rise to power. He will be different from the previous ones and will subdue # 7:24 Or “wear away” or “bring low.” Some scholars consider this eleventh king to be Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BC), who followed a succession of rulers of the Seleucid dynasty. He eventually banned the observance of the Sabbath and feast days (see v. 25). three of those kings. 25He will speak blasphemous words against the Most High and try to wear down # 7:25 The Aramaic word yeballeʾ found here is often used to mean wearing out clothing. The sense is that this king will harass and oppress God’s people until they feel defeated and worn out. Surely, this is the scheme of the enemy of God’s people—to wear them out and harass them with continuous oppression. the holy ones of the Most High. He will try to alter the set periods of time # 7:25 Or “appointed events.” and change God’s decree, # 7:25 Although most translations have “change the law,” the Aramaic word dat used here carries the primary sense of “decree.” It is not the formal equivalent word for torah (the Hebrew word for law); dat is exclusively an Aramaic term found in the Persian period (ca. mid-sixth–mid-fourth centuries BC). The little horn is trying to alter God’s decree of an everlasting kingdom given to the saints of the Most High to possess. and the saints will be subjected to his power # 7:25 Or “given to him.” But in a divine reversal, God will “give” his kingdom to the saints. The saints who were once oppressed are given the charge and authority of the kingdom. for a time, times, and half a time. # 7:25 If the “time” is equal to a year, then this would be three and a half years. 26But when the heavenly court convenes, his ruling power will be stripped from him. His authority will be abolished and destroyed forever. 27Then the Most High will give to his holy ones the kingdom and the dominion and the grandeur of all the kingdoms on earth. All rulers and authorities will serve and obey him, for his kingdom is everlasting.”
28That is all that I saw in my dream. # 7:28 Or “This is the end of the matter.” I, Daniel, was so greatly terrified by my thoughts that my face turned pale, but I hid the vision in my heart. # 7:28 Or “kept the matter to myself.” Here ends the Aramaic portion of the book, and the Hebrew resumes at ch. 8 to the end of the book.
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Daniel 7: TPT
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