Daniel 7:10-20

10 and a stream of fire was pouring out from it. There were many thousands of people there to serve him, and millions of people stood before him. The court began its session, and the books were opened. ¹

11 While I was looking, I could still hear the little horn bragging and boasting. As I watched, the fourth beast was killed, and its body was thrown into the flames and destroyed.

12 The other beasts had their power taken away, but they were permitted to go on living for a limited time.

13 During this vision in the night, I saw what looked like a human being. He was approaching me, surrounded by clouds, and he went to the one who had been living forever and was presented to him. ²

14 He was given authority, honor, and royal power, so that the people of all nations, races, and languages would serve him. His authority would last forever, and his kingdom would never end. ³

15 The visions I saw alarmed me, and I was deeply disturbed.

16 I went up to one of those standing there and asked him to explain it all. So he told me the meaning.

17 He said, "These four huge beasts are four empires which will arise on earth.

18 And the people of the Supreme God will receive royal power and keep it forever and ever." ⁴

19 Then I wanted to know more about the fourth beast, which was not like any of the others - the terrifying beast which crushed its victims with its bronze claws and iron teeth and then trampled on them.

20 And I wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the horn that had come up afterward and had made three of the horns fall. It had eyes and a mouth and was boasting proudly. It was more terrifying than any of the others.

Daniel 7:10-20 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. 7.10 aRevelation 5.11; bRevelation 20.12.
• 2. 7.13Matthew 24.30; 26.64;Mark 13.26; 14.62;Luke 21.27;Revelation 1.7, 13; 14.14.
• 3. 7.14Revelation 11.15.
• 4. 7.18Revelation 22.5.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Aramaic has two additional words, the meaning of which is unclear.]