Daniel 7
7
Daniel has a Vision of Four Animals Coming up from the Sea
1 In the first#sn The first year of Belshazzar’s reign would have been ca. 553 B.C. Daniel would have been approximately 67 years old at the time of this vision. year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had#tn Aram “saw.” a dream filled with visions#tn Aram “and visions of his head.” The Aramaic is difficult here. Some scholars add a verb thought to be missing (e.g., “the visions of his head [were alarming him]”), but there is no external evidence to support such a decision and the awkwardness of the text at this point may be original. while he was lying on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream in summary fashion.#tn Aram “head of words.” The phrase is absent in Theodotion. Cf. NIV “the substance of his dream.” 2 Daniel explained:#tn Aram “answered and said.” “I was watching in my vision during the night as#tn Aram “and behold.” the four winds of the sky#tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context. were stirring up the great sea.#sn The referent of the great sea is unclear. The common view that the expression refers to the Mediterranean Sea is conjectural. 3 Then four large beasts came up from the sea; they were different from one another.
4 “The first one was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off and it was lifted up from the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human being, and a human mind#tn Aram “heart of a man.” was given to it.#sn The identity of the first animal, derived from v. 17 and the parallels in chap. 2, is Babylon. The reference to the plucking of its wings is probably a reference to the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity (cf. chap. 4). The latter part of v. 4 then describes the restoration of Nebuchadnezzar. The other animals have traditionally been understood to represent respectively Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome, although most of modern scholarship identifies them as Media, Persia, and Greece. For a biblical parallel to the mention of lion, bear, and leopard together, see Hos 13:7-8.
5 “Then#tn Aram “and behold.” a second beast appeared, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and there were three ribs#sn The three ribs held securely in the mouth of the bear, perhaps representing Media-Persia, apparently symbolize military conquest, but the exact identity of the “ribs” is not clear. Possibly it is a reference to the Persian conquest of Lydia, Egypt, and Babylonia. in its mouth between its teeth.#tc The LXX lacks the phrase “between its teeth.” It was told,#tn Aram “and thus they were saying to it.” ‘Get up and devour much flesh!’
6 “After these things,#tn Aram “this.” So also in v. 7. as I was watching, another beast#tn Aram “and behold, another one.” like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back.#tn Or “sides.” This beast had four heads,#sn If the third animal is Greece, the most likely identification of these four heads is the four-fold division of the empire of Alexander the Great following his death. See note on Dan 8:8. and ruling authority was given to it.
7 “After these things, as I was watching in the night visions#tn The Aramaic text has also “and behold.” So also in vv. 8, 13. a fourth beast appeared – one dreadful, terrible, and very strong.#sn The fourth animal differs from the others in that it is nondescript. Apparently it was so fearsome that Daniel could find nothing with which to compare it. Attempts to identify this animal as an elephant or other known creature are conjectural. It had two large rows#tn The Aramaic word for “teeth” is dual rather than plural, suggesting two rows of teeth. of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.
8 “As I was contemplating the horns, another horn – a small one – came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it.#tn Aram “were uprooted from before it.” This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant#tn Aram “great.” So also in vv. 11, 20. things.
9 “While I was watching,
thrones were set up,
and the Ancient of Days#tn Or “the Ancient One” (NAB, NRSV, NLT), although the traditional expression has been retained in the present translation because it is familiar to many readers. Cf. TEV “One who had been living for ever”; CEV “the Eternal God.” took his seat.
His attire was white like snow;
the hair of his head was like lamb’s#tn Traditionally the Aramaic word נְקֵא (nÿqe’) has been rendered “pure,” but here it more likely means “of a lamb.” Cf. the Syriac neqya’ (“a sheep, ewe”). On this word see further, M. Sokoloff, “’amar neqe’, ‘Lamb’s Wool’ (Dan 7:9),” JBL 95 (1976): 277-79. wool.
His throne was ablaze with fire
and its wheels were all aflame.#tn Aram “a flaming fire.”
10 A river of fire was streaming forth
and proceeding from his presence.
Many thousands were ministering to him;
Many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him.#tn Aram “were standing before him.”
The court convened#tn Aram “judgment sat.”
and the books were opened.
11 “Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching#tc The LXX and Theodotion lack the words “I was watching” here. It is possible that these words in the MT are a dittography from the first part of the verse. until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and thrown into#tn Aram “and given over to” (so NRSV). the flaming fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living#tn Aram “a prolonging of life was granted to them.” for a time and a season. 13 I was watching in the night visions,
“And with#tc The LXX has ἐπί (epi, “upon”) here (cf. Matt 24:30; 26:64). Theodotion has μετά (meta, “with”) here (cf. Mark 14:62; Rev 1:7). the clouds of the sky#tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
one like a son of man#sn This text is probably the main OT background for Jesus’ use of the term “son of man.” In both Jewish and Christian circles the reference in the book of Daniel has traditionally been understood to refer to an individual, usually in a messianic sense. Many modern scholars, however, understand the reference to have a corporate identity. In this view, the “son of man” is to be equated with the “holy ones” (vv. 18, 21, 22, 25) or the “people of the holy ones” (v. 27) and understood as a reference to the Jewish people. Others understand Daniel’s reference to be to the angel Michael. was approaching.
He went up to the Ancient of Days
and was escorted#tn Aram “they brought him near.” before him.
14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.
All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving#tn Some take “serving” here in the sense of “worshiping.” him.
His authority is eternal and will not pass away.#tn Aram “is an eternal authority which will not pass away.”
His kingdom will not be destroyed.#tn Aram “is one which will not be destroyed.”
An Angel Interprets Daniel’s Vision
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed,#tn The Aramaic text includes the phrase “in its sheath,” apparently viewing the body as a container or receptacle for the spirit somewhat like a sheath or scabbard is for a knife or a sword (cf. NAB “within its sheath of flesh”). For this phrase the LXX and Vulgate have “in these things.” and the visions of my mind#tn Aram “head.” were alarming me. 16 I approached one of those standing nearby and asked him about the meaning#tn Aram “what is certain.” of all this. So he spoke with me and revealed#tn Aram “and made known.” to me the interpretation of the vision:#tn Aram “matter,” but the matter at hand is of course the vision. 17 ‘These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 The holy ones#sn The expression holy ones is either a reference to angels or to human beings devoted to God. of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will take possession of the kingdom forever and ever.’
19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning#tn Aram “to make certain.” of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It was very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet. 20 I also wanted to know#tn The words “I also wanted to know” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons. the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and of that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes#tc The conjunction in the MT before “eyes” is odd. The ancient versions do not seem to presuppose it. and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others.#tn Aram “greater than its companions.” 21 While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating#tn Aram “prevailing against” (KJV and ASV both similar); NASB “overpowering them”; TEV “conquered them.” them, 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and judgment was rendered#tc In the LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate the verb is active, understanding “judgment” to be the object rather than the subject of the verb (i.e., “the Ancient of Days rendered judgment”). This presupposes a different vocalization of the verb ( יְהַב [yÿhav] rather than the MT יְהִב [yÿhiv]). in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.
23 “This is what he told me:#tn Aram “thus he said.”
‘The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on earth
that will differ from all the other kingdoms.
It will devour all the earth
and will trample and crush it.
24 The ten horns
mean that ten kings will arise from that kingdom.
Another king will arise after them,
but he will be different from the earlier ones.
He will humiliate#tn Or “subjugate”; KJV, NASB, NIV “subdue”; ASV, NRSV “put down.” three kings.
25 He will speak words against the Most High.
He will harass#tn Aram “wear out” (so KJV, ASV, NRSV); NASB, NLT “wear down.” The word is a hapax legomenon in biblical Aramaic, but in biblical Hebrew it especially refers to wearing out such things as garments. Here it is translated “harass…continually.” the holy ones of the Most High continually.
His intention#tn Aram “he will think.” will be to change times established by law.#tn Aram “times and law.” The present translation is based on the understanding that the expression is a hendiadys.
They will be delivered into his hand
For a time, times,#sn Although the word times is vocalized in the MT as a plural, it probably should be regarded as a dual. The Masoretes may have been influenced here by the fact that in late Aramaic (and Syriac) the dual forms fall out of use. The meaning would thus be three and a half “times.” and half a time.
26 But the court will convene,#tn Aram “judgment will sit” (KJV similar). and his ruling authority will be removed –
destroyed and abolished forever!
27 Then the kingdom, authority,
and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven
will be delivered to the people of the holy ones#tn If the “holy ones” are angels, then this probably refers to the angels as protectors of God’s people. If the “holy ones” are God’s people, then this is an appositional construction, “the people who are the holy ones.” See 8:24 for the corresponding Hebrew phrase and the note there. of the Most High.
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
all authorities will serve him and obey him.’
28 “This is the conclusion of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and the color drained from my face.#tn Aram “my brightness was changing on me.” But I kept the matter to myself.”#tn Aram “in my heart.”
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1996 - 2007 by Biblical Studies Press, LLC
Daniel 7
7
Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts
(Revelation 13:1–10)
1In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.
2Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.#7:2 Perhaps the Great Sea, that is, the Mediterranean Sea 3Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others:
4The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man.
5Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’
6Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
7After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.
Daniel’s Vision of the Ancient of Days
9As I continued to watch,
thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
10A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from His presence.
Thousands upon thousands attended Him,
and myriads upon myriads stood before Him.
The court was convened,
and the books were opened.
11Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.
Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man
13In my vision in the night I continued to watch,
and I saw One like the Son of Man #7:13 Or one like a son of man
coming with the clouds of heaven.#7:13 See Matthew 24:30, Matthew 26:64, Mark 13:26, Mark 14:62, Luke 21:27, Revelation 1:13, and Revelation 14:14.
He approached the Ancient of Days
and was led into His presence.
14And He was given dominion,
glory, and kingship,
that the people of every nation and language
should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and His kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.
Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me. 16I approached one of those who were standing there, and I asked him the true meaning of all this.
So he told me the interpretation of these things: 17‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’
19Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others—extremely terrifying—devouring and crushing with iron teeth and bronze claws, then trampling underfoot whatever was left. 20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. 21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, 22until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.
23This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. 25He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
26But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
28Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”
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The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.