Daniel 7
The Vision of the Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
2Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.
3Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another.
4“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it.
5“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’
6“After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns.
8“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.
9“I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was Ancient of Days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
10A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened.
11“I watched at that time because of the voice of the arrogant words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire.
12As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.
14Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed.
The Interpretation of the Four Kingdoms Vision
15“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
19“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of bronze; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
20and concerning the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
21I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them,
22until 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.
23“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
24As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different from the former, and he will put down three kings.
25He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
26“‘But the judgment will be set, and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.
27The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’
28“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.”
Daniel receives a prophetic vision of four successive world empires represented as beasts rising from the sea, culminating in God's eternal kingdom. The vision reveals the Ancient of Days presiding over divine judgment and granting dominion to 'one like a son of man' whose kingdom will never be destroyed. This apocalyptic revelation provides hope that despite earthly persecution and the arrogance of human rulers, God's sovereign plan will ultimately triumph.
Context
This chapter marks a shift from historical narratives to apocalyptic visions, transitioning from Daniel's experiences in Babylon to prophetic revelations about future world empires.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3Daniel's Vision BeginsDaniel dreams of four winds stirring the sea and four great beasts emerging from the waters.
- 4-8The Four Beasts DescribedDaniel sees a lion with eagle's wings, a bear with three ribs, a leopard with four wings and heads, and a terrifying fourth beast with ten horns and a boastful little horn.
- 9-12The Ancient of Days and Divine JudgmentGod appears on His fiery throne surrounded by countless servants, opens the books of judgment, and destroys the fourth beast.
- 13-14The Son of Man Receives DominionOne like a son of man approaches the Ancient of Days and receives an everlasting kingdom over all peoples and nations.
- 15-28Interpretation of the VisionAn angelic interpreter explains that the beasts represent four kingdoms, with the saints ultimately receiving God's eternal kingdom despite persecution.
The Vision of the Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days
7:1–7:14Daniel receives a vision of four great beasts representing earthly kingdoms, followed by the Ancient of Days establishing divine judgment. This apocalyptic vision reveals God's ultimate sovereignty over human empires and the coming divine kingdom.
person_contrast
Daniel's vision uniquely combines maritime chaos imagery ("four winds...broke out on the great sea") with courtroom language ("thrones were placed," "books were opened"), creating an unprecedented fusion of cosmic disorder and divine legal proceedings.
The Interpretation of the Four Kingdoms Vision
7:15–7:28An angelic interpreter explains Daniel's vision, revealing that the four beasts represent earthly kingdoms that will persecute God's people before the saints ultimately receive the eternal kingdom. The vision promises God's people will triumph despite temporary suffering.
person_contrast
Daniel's distress over the vision contrasts sharply with the angel's reassuring interpretation that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom" (v. 18), transforming apocalyptic terror into ultimate hope.
Daniel 7:1
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Daniel 2:15lexicalHe answered Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Arioch made the thing known to…
Daniel 5:29lexicalThen Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclam…
Daniel 3:19lexicalThen Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…
Daniel 2:26lexicalThe king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, an…
Daniel 7:2
Daniel 2:19lexicalThen the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel 3:25lexicalHe answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of th…
Ezra 5:11lexicalThus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house tha…
Daniel 2:26lexicalThe king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, an…
Daniel 5:17lexicalThen Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I…
Daniel 7:4
Daniel 5:21lexicalHe was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys…
Daniel 2:34lexicalYou saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and brok…
Daniel 2:41lexicalWhereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will…
Daniel 2:39lexical“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule ove…
Daniel 2:43lexicalWhereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to…
Daniel 7:5
Daniel 2:31lexical“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood be…
Daniel 3:24lexicalThen Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast t…
Ezra 6:2lexicalA scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record:
Daniel 3:25lexicalHe answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of th…
Daniel 2:39lexical“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule ove…
Daniel 7:6
Daniel 2:38lexicalWherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and h…
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Daniel 2:43lexicalWhereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to…
Daniel 2:45lexicalBecause you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze…
Daniel 2:34lexicalYou saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and brok…
Daniel 7:7
Daniel 2:35lexicalThen the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff…
Daniel 2:40lexicalThe fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushe…
Daniel 2:45lexicalBecause you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze…
Daniel 5:19lexicalBecause of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He ki…
Daniel 2:34lexicalYou saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and brok…
Daniel 7:8
Ezra 4:12lexicalBe it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebelliou…
Daniel 2:31lexical“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood be…
Daniel 3:10lexicalYou, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all…
Ezra 5:5lexicalBut the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to…
Daniel 2:29lexical“As for you, O king, your thoughts came on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made k…
Daniel 7:9
Daniel 3:27lexicalThe local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men,…
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Daniel 2:34lexicalYou saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and brok…
Daniel 3:21lexicalThen these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into t…
Daniel 3:22lexicalTherefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those…
Daniel 7:10
Daniel 3:26lexicalThen Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed…
Ezra 4:17lexicalThen the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions wh…
Ezra 4:10lexicaland the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in th…
Ezra 6:18lexicalThey set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,…
Ezra 4:15lexicalthat search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know th…
Daniel 7:11
Daniel 5:21lexicalHe was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys…
Daniel 5:19lexicalBecause of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He ki…
Ezra 5:16lexicalThen the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until…
Daniel 3:15lexicalNow if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to…
Daniel 3:22lexicalTherefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those…
Daniel 7:12
Daniel 2:21lexicalHe changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to…
Daniel 2:9lexicalBut if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words…
Daniel 5:21lexicalHe was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys…
Daniel 7:13
Daniel 5:21lexicalHe was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys…
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Ezra 6:10lexicalthat they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons…
Ezra 6:9lexicalThat which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also whe…
Daniel 2:43lexicalWhereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to…
Daniel 7:14
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Daniel 3:29lexicalTherefore I make a decree that every people, nation, and language which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach,…
Daniel 5:19lexicalBecause of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He ki…
Daniel 3:7lexicalTherefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds…
Daniel 3:28lexicalNebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delive…
Daniel 7:15
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Daniel 3:24lexicalThen Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast t…
Daniel 3:25lexicalHe answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of th…
Daniel 5:12lexicalbecause an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving…
Daniel 2:25lexicalThen Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said this to him: “I have found a man of the children of the…
Daniel 7:16
Daniel 2:30lexicalBut as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that…
Daniel 2:9lexicalBut if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words…
Daniel 2:8lexicalThe king answered, “I know of a certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me.
Daniel 2:5lexicalThe king answered the Chaldeans, “The thing has gone from me. If you don’t make known to me the dream and its interpreta…
Daniel 2:10lexicalThe Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no ki…
Daniel 7:17
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Daniel 2:39lexical“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule ove…
Daniel 5:21lexicalHe was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys…
Jeremiah 10:11lexical“You shall say this to them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth, and from…
Daniel 2:35lexicalThen the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff…
Daniel 7:18
Daniel 5:11lexicalThere is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and underst…
Daniel 2:20lexicalDaniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Daniel 7:19
Daniel 2:35lexicalThen the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff…
Daniel 2:34lexicalYou saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and brok…
Daniel 2:45lexicalBecause you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze…
Daniel 5:19lexicalBecause of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He ki…
Daniel 2:41lexicalWhereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will…
Daniel 7:20
Daniel 2:28lexicalbut there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latte…
Ezra 4:12lexicalBe it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebelliou…
Daniel 2:48lexicalThen the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Babylon and…
Daniel 2:29lexical“As for you, O king, your thoughts came on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made k…
Daniel 2:39lexical“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule ove…
Daniel 7:21
Daniel 2:31lexical“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood be…
Ezra 6:8lexicalMoreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God:…
Daniel 2:43lexicalWhereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to…
Daniel 3:15lexicalNow if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to…
Daniel 7:22
Daniel 5:11lexicalThere is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and underst…
Ezra 6:15lexicalThis house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Ezra 5:16lexicalThen the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until…
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Ezra 6:9lexicalThat which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also whe…
Daniel 7:23
Daniel 2:35lexicalThen the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff…
Daniel 2:40lexicalThe fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushe…
Daniel 2:39lexical“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule ove…
Ezra 7:23lexicalWhatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should th…
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Daniel 7:24
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Ezra 6:15lexicalThis house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Daniel 2:21lexicalHe changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to…
Daniel 3:15lexicalNow if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to…
Daniel 3:24lexicalThen Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast t…
Daniel 7:25
Daniel 2:9lexicalBut if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words…
Daniel 2:21lexicalHe changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to…
Daniel 3:28lexicalNebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delive…
Daniel 3:15lexicalNow if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to…
Ezra 7:25lexicalYou, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all th…
Daniel 7:27
Daniel 2:44lexical“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereig…
Daniel 5:19lexicalBecause of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He ki…
Daniel 3:7lexicalTherefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds…
Daniel 5:23lexicalbut have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and y…
Ezra 5:12lexicalBut after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Baby…
Daniel 7:28
Daniel 5:10lexicalThe queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house. The queen spoke and said, “O kin…
Daniel 5:9lexicalThen King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.
Daniel 5:6lexicalThen the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and…
Daniel 2:30lexicalBut as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that…
Daniel 2:9lexicalBut if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words…
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Historical Context
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