Daniel 7:15-28

Daniel's Vision Interpreted

15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me[a] was anxious, and 1the visions of my head alarmed me.
16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17 2'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
18 But 3the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'
19 "Then I desired to know the truth about 4the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet,
20 5and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.
21 As I looked, this horn 6made war with the saints and prevailed over them,
22 until the 7Ancient of Days came, and 8judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when 9the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 "Thus he said: 'As for 10the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.
25 11He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to 12change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for 13a time, times, and half a time.
26 14But the court shall sit in judgment, and 15his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed 16to the end.
27 17And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of 18the saints of the Most High; 19their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.'[b]
28 "Here is the end of the matter. 20As for me, Daniel, my 21thoughts greatly alarmed me, 22and my color changed, but 23I kept the matter in my heart."

Daniel 7:15-28 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 23

  • 1. See ver. 1
  • 2. [ver. 3]
  • 3. ver. 22, 27; Matthew 25:34; [1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 2:26; Revelation 20:4]
  • 4. ver. 7
  • 5. ver. 8
  • 6. [Daniel 8:24]
  • 7. ver. 9, 13
  • 8. [See ver. 18 above]
  • 9. [See ver. 18 above]
  • 10. [See ver. 19 above]
  • 11. [Daniel 11:36]
  • 12. Daniel 2:9, 21
  • 13. Daniel 12:7; Revelation 12:14
  • 14. See ver. 10
  • 15. [ver. 12, 14]
  • 16. Daniel 6:26
  • 17. See ver. 18
  • 18. See ver. 18
  • 19. See Daniel 2:44
  • 20. ver. 15; [Daniel 8:27; Daniel 10:8, 16; Jeremiah 23:9]
  • 21. Daniel 4:5, 19; Daniel 5:6
  • 22. [Daniel 5:6, 10]
  • 23. [Luke 2:19, 51]

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Aramaic within its sheath
  • [b]. Or his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.