Daniel 7 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Daniel 7 meaning explained in AI Summary

Daniel 7 is a pivotal chapter in the book, filled with vivid imagery and symbolic language. It describes a dream-vision Daniel receives, revealing God's plan for the future and the ultimate triumph of his kingdom.

The Vision:

Four Beasts (v. 2-8): Daniel sees four monstrous beasts emerging from the sea, each representing a successive world empire:
- Lion with eagle's wings: Likely Babylon, known for its power and swiftness.
- Bear raised up on one side with ribs in its teeth: Probably Medo-Persia, characterized by its uneven power and insatiable appetite for conquest.
- Leopard with four wings and four heads: Possibly Greece under Alexander the Great, known for its speed and division into four kingdoms after his death.
- Terrifying beast with iron teeth and ten horns: Likely the Roman Empire, known for its brutality and vastness. A "little horn" arises among the ten, uprooting three and speaking arrogantly, representing a future blasphemous king.
The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man (v. 9-14): The scene shifts to a heavenly court. The Ancient of Days, representing God, sits on his throne in judgment. The fourth beast is slain, and its dominion taken away. Then, "one like a son of man" approaches the Ancient of Days and receives an everlasting dominion, glory, and kingdom.

Interpretation:

God's Sovereignty: Despite the terrifying power of the beasts (earthly kingdoms), God remains sovereign. He judges the wicked and ultimately establishes his eternal kingdom.
Hope for the Oppressed: While the vision depicts a time of tribulation and persecution under the "little horn," it offers hope for God's people. The "Son of Man" receives dominion, symbolizing the eventual victory of righteousness and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Key Themes:

God's Sovereignty over History: The vision emphasizes that God is in control, even amidst the chaos and brutality of earthly kingdoms.
The Coming Kingdom: The "Son of Man" receiving an everlasting kingdom points towards the future reign of God and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Hope and Encouragement for the Faithful: Despite the trials faced by God's people, the vision offers hope and assurance of their ultimate vindication and participation in God's eternal kingdom.

Daniel 7 serves as a powerful reminder that though evil may seem triumphant for a time, God is ultimately in control. It offers a message of hope and encouragement, pointing towards a future where righteousness reigns and God's people inherit an everlasting kingdom.

Daniel 7 bible study ai commentary

Daniel 7 introduces a foundational apocalyptic vision that parallels the dream in Daniel 2 but adds significant new details about the nature of world empires and the ultimate triumph of a divine figure, the "Son of Man." The chapter contrasts the brutal, beast-like nature of human kingdoms, which arise from the chaotic sea of nations, with the eternal, humane kingdom of God, which descends from heaven. The vision culminates in a heavenly court scene where judgment is passed, and universal, everlasting dominion is given to the Son of Man and his people.

Daniel 7 context

The vision is dated to the first year of Belshazzar (c. 553 BC), the co-regent of Babylon with his father Nabonidus. Though Babylon was still the dominant power, its decline was imminent. The chapter is written in Aramaic (Dan 2:4-7:28), the international language of that era, suggesting a message for a wider audience beyond just the Jews. The genre is apocalyptic, characterized by symbolic visions, heavenly journeys, angelic interpreters, and a focus on eschatological judgment and vindication. It provides God's perspective on the world powers represented as a magnificent statue in chapter 2, revealing their true, rapacious, and monstrous character.

Daniel 7:1-3

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.”

In-depth-analysis

Four Winds of Heaven: Symbolize divine power and sovereign action stirring up world events. God is the one instigating the historical shifts that follow.
The Great Sea: Aramaic yammā rabbā. Represents the tumultuous, chaotic sea of Gentile nations or humanity outside of a covenant relationship with God. From this chaos, empires rise.
Four Great Beasts: These are kings or kingdoms (as interpreted in v. 17). Chapter 2 pictured the empires from a human viewpoint (a dazzling statue). Chapter 7 reveals their true nature from God's viewpoint: predatory, violent, and sub-human.

Bible references

Daniel 2:31-35: "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue..." (The parallel prophecy of the four kingdoms).
Revelation 17:15: "Then the angel said to me, 'The waters you saw...are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.'" (Confirms the symbolic meaning of the "sea").
Isaiah 17:12-13: "Oh, the raging of many nations—they rage like the raging sea...the roaring of the peoples—they roar like the roaring of rushing waters!" (Sea representing Gentile nations in turmoil).
Revelation 13:1: "The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea..." (John directly echoes Daniel's imagery for his vision of the end-times beast).

Cross references

Jer 49:36 (four winds as judgment), Zech 6:5 (four spirits/winds of heaven), Lk 21:25 (roaring seas as eschatological sign).

Polemics

The vision subverts Ancient Near Eastern creation myths, like the Babylonian Enuma Elish, where a heroic god (Marduk) battles a sea monster (Tiamat) to establish order. In Daniel, Yahweh is in absolute control; He doesn't battle chaos but uses it, summoning the monstrous beasts from the sea to accomplish His sovereign plan for history.

Daniel 7:4

"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 man, and the heart of a man was given to it."

In-depth-analysis

Lion with Eagle's Wings: Represents the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The lion was a prominent symbol of Babylon (seen on the Ishtar Gate). Both the lion (king of beasts) and the eagle (king of birds) symbolize its power, majesty, and speed of conquest.
Wings Torn Off... Heart of a Man: This directly alludes to the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. His prideful, beast-like nature was broken, and after a period of insanity, he was restored with humility and reason—a "man's heart." This symbolizes a taming or decline in the empire's ferocity.

Bible references

Daniel 4:33-34: "He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox... his sanity was restored." (The historical event symbolized here).
Jeremiah 4:7: "A lion has come out of his lair; a destroyer of nations has set out." (Jeremiah identifies Babylon as a lion).
Jeremiah 49:22: "Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down..." (Eagle as a symbol for Nebuchadnezzar's conquests).

Cross references

Ezek 17:3 (parable of the eagle), Hab 1:8 (Babylonian speed).

Daniel 7:5

"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!'"

In-depth-analysis

Bear: Represents the Medo-Persian Empire. It is less majestic than the lion but more brutish and powerful.
Raised Up on One Side: This signifies the inequality within the Medo-Persian alliance. Persia, the later partner, grew to be far more powerful and dominant than Media.
Three Ribs: Commonly interpreted as three major conquests that established the empire's dominance: Lydia (546 BC), Babylon (539 BC), and Egypt (525 BC).
Eat Your Fill of Flesh: Highlights the empire's vast, consuming, and expansionist nature.

Bible references

Daniel 8:3, 20: "I saw a ram with two horns... one of the horns was longer than the other... The two-horned ram... are the kings of Media and Persia." (A parallel vision confirming the two-part, unequal nature of this empire).
Isaiah 13:17-18: "See, I will stir up against them the Medes... They will have no mercy on infants..." (Describes the ferocity of the Medes, part of this empire).

Cross references

Dan 2:32 (chest and arms of silver), Dan 5:28 (kingdom divided and given to Medes and Persians).

Daniel 7:6

"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."

In-depth-analysis

Leopard: Represents the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The leopard signifies speed and ferocity.
Four Wings: This amplifies the symbol of speed, representing the breathtaking velocity of Alexander's conquests across the known world (from 334-323 BC).
Four Heads: After Alexander's unexpected death, his empire was not passed to a single heir but was divided among his four main generals (the Diadochi): Cassander (Macedonia/Greece), Lysimachus (Thrace/Asia Minor), Seleucus (Syria/Babylon), and Ptolemy (Egypt). The four heads represent this fourfold division of power.

Bible references

Daniel 8:5-8, 21-22: "...a goat with a prominent horn... As I was watching, the great horn was broken and in its place four prominent horns grew up... The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn... is the first king. The four horns... are four kingdoms that will emerge..." (This vision explicitly identifies the beast as Greece and foretells its division into four kingdoms).
Daniel 11:2-4: Prophesies a mighty king of Greece (Alexander) whose empire will be broken and divided "toward the four winds of heaven."

Cross references

Dan 2:32 (belly and thighs of bronze), Zech 6:1-3 (four chariots).

Daniel 7:7-8

"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. 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 man and a mouth that spoke boastfully."

In-depth-analysis

Fourth Beast: Represents the Roman Empire. Daniel cannot compare it to any known animal; its terror is unique. This aligns with Rome's unprecedented military might, ruthless efficiency, and global dominion.
Iron Teeth: Directly corresponds to the legs of iron in the Daniel 2 statue, symbolizing its strength to "crush and break."
Ten Horns: A "horn" is a symbol of power or a king/ruler. The ten horns represent a ten-king confederation or successive rulers that arise out of the Roman Empire in its final form.
Little Horn: This is a key eschatological figure, widely identified as the Antichrist.
- Arises among them: He emerges from within the final power structure of the fourth empire.
- Uproots three: He violently removes three of the other ten rulers to establish his own dominance.
- Eyes like a man: Signifies intelligence, cunning, and shrewdness.
- Mouth that spoke boastfully: His defining characteristic is blasphemy against God and arrogant self-exaltation.

Bible references

Revelation 13:1-2: "...a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns... The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority." (Describes the end-times Beast, a composite of Daniel's beasts, with ten horns).
Revelation 17:12: "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast." (Explicitly interprets the ten horns as ten kings in the end times).
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: "...the man of lawlessness is revealed... He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (Paul's description of the Antichrist perfectly matches the "little horn's" boastful character).

Cross references

Dan 2:40 (the fourth kingdom of iron), Dan 8:9 (a small horn grows in power), Rev 13:5-6 (the beast's mouth utters blasphemies).

Daniel 7:9-10

"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. 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."

In-depth-analysis

The scene shifts abruptly from earth to heaven. Human history, with its beastly empires, is subject to the judgment of the heavenly court.
Ancient of Days: Aramaic ʻAttiq Yomin. A title for God the Father, emphasizing His eternal nature, wisdom, and sovereign authority over time and history.
White Clothing/Hair: Symbolizes absolute purity, holiness, and righteousness.
Fiery Throne with Wheels: Depicts God's awesome, unapproachable glory and His active, mobile judgment that can go anywhere. It combines the imagery of a throne (stability) and a chariot (mobility).
River of Fire: Represents His purifying, consuming judgment.
Thousands upon thousands...: An innumerable angelic host attending the court, emphasizing the majesty and authority of the Judge.
The Books were opened: The divine record of all deeds. This is a scene of formal, legal judgment. History and the actions of the beasts are being called to account.

Bible references

Revelation 20:11-12: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it... and the books were opened... the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." (A direct parallel of this judgment scene).
Revelation 4:2-4: "There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it... From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder." (John's vision of the throne room echoes Daniel's).
Ezekiel 1:26-28: "...the likeness of a throne... on the throne was a figure like that of a man... full of blazing fire..." (Ezekiel's vision of God's glory provides the imagery for Daniel's throne).
Psalm 97:2-3: "Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side."

Cross references

1 Kgs 22:19 (heavenly council), Rev 1:14 (Son of Man's hair is white), Heb 12:29 ("our God is a consuming fire").

Daniel 7:11-12

"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. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)"

In-depth-analysis

The little horn's blasphemy is the specific catalyst for the final judgment. God's tolerance for arrogant defiance has an end point.
Beast Slain... Thrown into the Fire: This describes a sudden, total, and final destruction of the fourth empire and its leader. Unlike previous empires, there is no remnant or successor. Its end is cataclysmic judgment.
Other Beasts... Allowed to live: Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece were militarily conquered, but their cultures, peoples, and territories were absorbed into the next empire. They lost their dominion (sholtan), but their existence (ḥayyin, "lives") continued for a "season and a time." Rome's final manifestation will be utterly annihilated.

Bible references

Revelation 19:20: "But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet... The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur." (Describes the exact same end for the Beast and his associate).
2 Thessalonians 2:8: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming." (The little horn/man of lawlessness is destroyed personally by Christ).

Daniel 7:13-14

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations, peoples and languages worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

In-depth-analysis

This is the climax of the vision and one of the most significant Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.
One Like a Son of Man: Aramaic kebar 'enash. He appears in human form, a stark contrast to the preceding inhuman beasts. He represents perfect, divinely-appointed humanity.
Coming with the Clouds of Heaven: In the OT, riding or coming with clouds is an attribute exclusive to Yahweh himself (Ps 104:3). This signifies the divine nature and authority of the "Son of Man."
Approached the Ancient of Days: He has access to the very throne of God the Father, a status no mere man or angel could claim.
Given Authority, Glory, and Power: The dominion lost by the beasts is formally transferred to him. This is an investiture ceremony.
All nations... Worshiped Him: Aramaic pelaḥ. This verb is used exclusively for the worship of God elsewhere in Daniel (e.g., Dan 3:12, 14, 17). Attributing worship to the "Son of Man" is a staggering statement of his divine identity in a fiercely monotheistic context.
Everlasting Dominion: His kingdom solves the problem of history. It is eternal, universal, and righteous, replacing the transient, violent empires of man.

Bible references

Matthew 26:64: "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Jesus explicitly applies this verse to Himself at His trial, an act the high priest understood as blasphemy).
Mark 14:61-62: "...Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'" (The most direct self-identification of Jesus with this figure).
Philippians 2:9-11: "...God exalted him to the highest place... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Describes the fulfillment of this investiture).
Revelation 1:7: "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him..." (Echoes the Daniel 7 "coming with the clouds" imagery).
Revelation 5:9-10: "...with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Shows how Christ receives a universal kingdom).

Cross references

Mt 24:30 (sign of the Son of Man), Lk 21:27 (they will see the Son of Man), Rev 14:14 (one like a son of man on a cloud), Eph 1:20-22 (all authority given to Christ), Dan 2:44 (a kingdom that will never be destroyed).

Daniel 7:15-28

These verses provide the angelic interpretation of the vision, confirming and elaborating on what Daniel saw. The interpretation focuses on the fourth beast, the little horn, and the ultimate vindication of God's people.

v. 17-18: The angel gives the core summary: "The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever..." The central conflict is between earthly kingdoms and God's people.
v. 19-22: Daniel specifically asks for more detail about the terrifying fourth beast and the arrogant little horn who "was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people." This highlights the period of intense persecution before divine intervention.
v. 23-25: The angel confirms the fourth beast will "devour the whole earth." The ten horns are ten kings. The little horn will subdue three kings, speak against the "Most High" (ʻElyonin, God), "oppress his holy people" (qaddishin, the saints), and try to "change the set times and the laws." This points to a total rebellion against God's divine and natural order. The saints will be handed over to him for "a time, times and half a time."
Time, Times and a Half a Time: This prophetic period (one year + two years + half a year = 3.5 years) is crucial. It reappears in Revelation as 42 months or 1,260 days (Rev 11:2-3, 12:6, 13:5), signifying the period of the Antichrist's reign and the great tribulation. It shows that the persecution, though severe, is divinely limited in duration.
v. 26-28: The interpretation concludes with the same verdict as the vision: "The court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever." The kingdom is then given to the "holy people of the Most High." Their kingdom is everlasting, and all rulers will serve God. This shows that the kingdom given to the Son of Man (v. 14) is shared with His people.

Bible references

Revelation 12:14: "The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle... where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach." (Same time period used for the protection of God's people).
Revelation 13:5-7: "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months... It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them." (A direct NT parallel to Dan 7:25).
1 Corinthians 6:2: "Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?" (The saints sharing in the final rule and judgment).
Revelation 2:26-27: "To the one who is victorious... I will give authority over the nations." (The promise of co-regency with Christ).

Cross references

Dan 12:7 (time, times and a half), Rev 5:10 (saints will reign on the earth), Rev 11:2 (forty-two months), Rev 20:4 (saints reign with Christ), 2 Tim 2:12 (if we endure, we will also reign with him).

Daniel chapter 7 analysis

The Tale of Two 'Sons': The chapter brilliantly contrasts the beast-like empires of humanity with the true, righteous humanity of the "Son of Man." Worldly power is sub-human and monstrous; heavenly power is embodied in a perfect Man.
Jesus's Favorite Title: Jesus used the title "Son of Man" for himself over 80 times in the Gospels. He used it to refer to his earthly authority (Mk 2:10), his suffering (Mk 8:31), and his glorious return in judgment (Mt 26:64). By choosing this title from Daniel 7, he claimed to be the human yet divine figure to whom God would give an eternal, universal kingdom.
Aramaic Wordplay: The saints who receive the kingdom are qaddishin ("holy ones"), and the kingdom is given to them by the "Most High" (ʻElyonin) who is served by the "Son of Man." The shared holiness connects God, the Messiah, and His people.
Three Interpretive Lenses: The identity of the fourth beast and little horn has been viewed through three primary lenses:
1. Preterist: Views the "little horn" as the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC), who brutally persecuted the Jews and desecrated the Temple.
2. Historicist: Sees the prophecies fulfilled progressively throughout church history, often identifying the little horn with the Papacy.
3. Futurist: Views the little horn as a future individual, the Antichrist, who will appear at the end of the age in a revived form of the Roman Empire. The strong parallels with Revelation 13 and 2 Thessalonians 2 lend significant weight to this interpretation.
Divine Sovereignty in Chaos: The overriding message is God's absolute control over history. The monstrous chaos of human politics is not random. God raises up and casts down empires according to His sovereign timeline (din, judgment), and history is moving toward a predetermined and righteous conclusion: the eternal kingdom of His Son.

Daniel 7 summary

Daniel sees a vision of four monstrous beasts rising from a chaotic sea, representing four successive world empires: Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), Greece (leopard), and a terrifying fourth beast (Rome), from which a blasphemous "little horn" (the Antichrist) arises. The scene shifts to a heavenly court where the "Ancient of Days" (God the Father) judges the beasts and declares their end. A divine figure "like a son of man" approaches God on the clouds and is given an eternal, universal kingdom, which he shares with his holy people.

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Daniel chapter 7 kjv

¹ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
² Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
³ And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
⁴ The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
⁵ And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
⁶ After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
⁷ After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
⁸ I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
⁹ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
¹⁰ A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
¹¹ I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
¹² As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
¹³ I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
¹⁴ And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
¹⁵ I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
¹⁶ I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
¹⁷ These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
¹⁸ But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
¹⁹ Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
²⁰ And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
²¹ I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
²² Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
²³ Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
²⁴ And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
²⁵ And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
²⁶ But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
²⁷ And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
²⁸ Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Daniel chapter 7 nkjv

¹ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.
² Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
³ And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.
⁴ The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
⁵ "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!'
⁶ "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
⁷ "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
⁸ I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
⁹ "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
¹⁰ A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.
¹¹ "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
¹² As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
¹³ "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
¹⁵ "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
¹⁶ I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:
¹⁷ 'Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
¹⁸ But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'
¹⁹ "Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;
²⁰ and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
²¹ "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,
²² until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
²³ "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces.
²⁴ The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings.
²⁵ He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
²⁶ 'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever.
²⁷ Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.'
²⁸ "This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."

Daniel chapter 7 niv

¹ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
² Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.
³ Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
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.
¹² (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
¹³ "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
¹⁵ "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.
¹⁶ I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. "So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:
¹⁷ 'The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.
¹⁸ But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever?yes, for ever and ever.'
¹⁹ "Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws?the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.
²⁰ I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell?the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
²¹ As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,
²² until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
²³ "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.
²⁴ The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.
²⁵ He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
²⁶ "?'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.
²⁷ Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'
²⁸ "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."

Daniel chapter 7 esv

¹ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.
² Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.
³ And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
⁴ The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.
⁵ And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, 'Arise, devour much flesh.'
⁶ After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
⁷ After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
⁸ I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
⁹ "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.
¹⁰ A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
¹¹ "I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
¹² As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
¹³ "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
¹⁴ And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
¹⁵ "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the 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 'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
¹⁸ But the 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 the 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 and 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 made war with the saints and prevailed over them,
²² until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
²³ "Thus he said: 'As for the 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 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
²⁶ But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
²⁷ And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.'
²⁸ "Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart."

Daniel chapter 7 nlt

¹ Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar's reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
² In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction.
³ Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.
⁴ The first beast was like a lion with eagles' wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.
⁵ Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, "Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!"
⁶ Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird's wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.
⁷ Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast ? terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.
⁸ As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
⁹ I watched as thrones were put in place
and the Ancient One sat down to judge.
His clothing was as white as snow,
his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
with wheels of blazing fire,
¹⁰ and a river of fire was pouring out,
flowing from his presence.
Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him.
Then the court began its session,
and the books were opened.
¹¹ I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn's boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire.
¹² The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.
¹³ As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
¹⁴ He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal ? it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
¹⁵ I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me.
¹⁶ So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this:
¹⁷ "These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.
¹⁸ But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever."
¹⁹ Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet.
²⁰ I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast's head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
²¹ As I watched, this horn was waging war against God's holy people and was defeating them,
²² until the Ancient One ? the Most High ? came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.
²³ Then he said to me, "This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path.
²⁴ Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them.
²⁵ He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
²⁶ "But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed.
²⁷ Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him."
²⁸ That was the end of the vision. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself.