Daniel 7:14-24

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. ¹

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." ²

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.

21 While I was looking, that horn made war on God's people and conquered them. ³

22 Then the one who had been living forever came and pronounced judgment in favor of the people of the Supreme God. The time had arrived for God's people to receive royal power. ⁴

23 This is the explanation I was given: "The fourth beast is a fourth empire that will be on the earth and will be different from all other empires. It will crush the whole earth and trample it down.

24 The ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will appear; he will be very different from the earlier ones and will overthrow three kings. ⁵

Daniel 7:14-24 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. 7.14Revelation 11.15.
• 2. 7.18Revelation 22.5.
• 3. 7.21Revelation 13.7.
• 4. 7.22Revelation 20.4.
• 5. 7.24Revelation 17.12.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Aramaic has two additional words, the meaning of which is unclear.]
• [b]. pronounced judgment in favor of; [or] gave the right to judge to.