Daniel 7:8-18

8 "While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn,^[a] a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it.^[b] There were eyes in this horn like a man's, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.

The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man

9 "As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool.^[c] His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened,^[d] and the books were opened.

11 "I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.^[e]

12 As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time.^[f]

13 I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man^[g] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.

14 He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve^[h] Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.^[i]

Interpretation of the Vision

15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me,^[j] and the visions in my mind terrified me.

16 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:

17 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.

18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.'

Daniel 7:8-18 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Dn 7:11,20-21,24-26
• [b] Dn 7:20,24
• [c] Isa 1:18
• [d] Dn 7:26
• [e] Dn 7:26
• [f] Dn 2:21
• [g] Mt 16:27-28; 26:64; Rv 1:7
• [h] Dn 3:14,17-18,28; 6:17,21; 7:27
• [i] Dn 7:27
• [j] Lit was distressed in the middle of its sheath