Daniel 7:4-11

4 “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.

5 “And there before me was a second beast, 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. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’

6 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

7 “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.

8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.

Daniel 7:4-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 7

This chapter contains Daniel's vision of the four beasts, The time, place, manner, writing, and declaration of the vision, Da 7:1, the rise of the beasts, and the description of them, Da 7:2-8, the judgment of God upon them, especially the last, and the delivery of universal monarchy to his Son, Da 7:9-14, the interpretation of the vision at the request of Daniel, being greatly affected with it, Da 7:15-18, a particular inquiry of his about the fourth beast, concerning which a full account is given, Da 7:19-27, all which caused in him many thoughts of heart, and reflections of mind, Da 7:28.

Cross References

• 1. S 2 Kings 24:1; Psalms 7:2; Jeremiah 4:7; Revelation 13:2
• 2. S Ezekiel 17:3
• 3. Daniel 2:39
• 4. Revelation 13:2
• 5. S Ezekiel 40:2
• 6. S Daniel 2:40
• 7. Daniel 8:10
• 8. Daniel 8:7
• 9. S Revelation 12:3
• 10. Daniel 8:9
• 11. Revelation 9:7
• 12. S Psalms 12:3; Revelation 13:5-6
• 13. ver 22
• 14. S 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Matthew 19:28; Revelation 4:2; Revelation 20:4
• 15. S Matthew 28:3
• 16. Revelation 1:14
• 17. S Ezekiel 1:15; Ezekiel 10:6
• 18. Psalms 50:3; Psalms 97:3; Isaiah 30:27
• 19. S Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalms 68:17; Jude 1:14; Revelation 5:11
• 20. S Exodus 32:32; S Psalms 56:8; Revelation 20:11-15
• 21. Revelation 13:5-6
• 22. Revelation 19:20