Daniel 7:19 kjv
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;
Daniel 7:19 nkjv
"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;
Daniel 7:19 niv
"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.
Daniel 7:19 esv
"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,
Daniel 7:19 nlt
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.
Daniel 7 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 2:40-41 | "Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron..." | The iron kingdom, parallels the fourth beast. |
| Dan 7:7-8 | "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast..." | Initial description of the beast and its unique characteristics. |
| Dan 7:23 | "The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different..." | Angel's interpretation confirms its uniqueness and destructive power. |
| Rev 13:1-2 | "Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea... like a leopard... lion... bear..." | Composite beast embodying characteristics of prior oppressive empires. |
| Rev 13:5-7 | "It was given a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies... to make war with the saints..." | The beast's power to conquer and persecute God's people. |
| Rev 17:12-14 | "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings... make war with the Lamb..." | Foreshadows ultimate conflict between worldly power and Christ. |
| Jer 50:17 | "Israel is a scattered flock; the lions have driven him away..." | Empires depicted as ravenous beasts devouring nations. |
| Jer 51:20-23 | "You are My war-club and weapon of war... shatter nations..." | Babylon's destructive role as God's instrument, metaphorically a 'crushing' power. |
| Ps 2:9 | "You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them..." | Messiah's future reign, mirroring the iron strength but for justice. |
| Joel 1:6 | "For a nation has invaded My land, mighty and without number; Its teeth are the teeth of a lion..." | An oppressive force likened to locusts, describing destructive power. |
| Isa 5:28-29 | "Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, and they have the fangs of a lioness..." | Images of powerful, destructive invading forces. |
| Isa 63:3 | "I have trodden the winepress alone... I also trod them in My anger..." | God's righteous judgment against nations, trampling foes. |
| Lam 2:2 | "The Lord has devoured without compassion all the habitations of Jacob..." | Depiction of devastating judgment by God, using 'devoured' metaphorically. |
| Zech 1:19-21 | "These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem..." | The oppressive Gentile powers described as 'horns'. |
| Zech 14:1-2 | "For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle... and the city will be captured..." | End-time gathering of nations and trampling of Jerusalem. |
| Lk 21:24 | "Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." | Prophetic statement regarding Gentile domination over Jerusalem. |
| Dan 8:23-24 | "In the latter period of their rule... a king will arise... mighty and doing extraordinary destruction." | Description of a future destructive ruler within the Greek kingdom. |
| 2 Thess 2:3-4 | "the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself..." | Characteristics of the Antichrist, echoing the beast's arrogance and power. |
| Rev 19:19-20 | "And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet... these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire..." | Ultimate defeat of the beast and its power. |
| Phil 3:20-21 | "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... subject all things to Himself." | Contrast to beastly rule; ultimate submission to Christ's power. |
Daniel 7 verses
Daniel 7 19 Meaning
In Daniel's night vision, the prophet is particularly fixated on understanding the fourth beast, an entity far more dreadful and destructive than any previously revealed. This verse conveys Daniel's intense desire to comprehend the true nature of this terrifying kingdom, described by its unmatched strength, cruelty, and consuming power, signified by its iron teeth, bronze claws, and actions of devouring, crushing, and trampling everything in its path.
Daniel 7 19 Context
Daniel 7 opens with a profound prophetic vision received by Daniel during the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon. This chapter details a sequence of four great beasts arising from the sea, symbolizing a succession of world empires. The first three beasts represent Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard). Daniel 7:19 zeroes in on the fourth beast, which is unlike any he had seen or previously described. While the earlier descriptions included some terror, Daniel's deep concern here stems from the extreme uniqueness and unmatched brutality of this fourth entity. He is captivated by its destructive power and seeks specific understanding about its nature, including its 'ten horns' and 'little horn' which emerges subsequently. This particular inquiry sets the stage for the angelic interpretation that follows, revealing more about this final and terrifying Gentile empire. Historically and prophetically, this fourth beast is widely understood to represent the Roman Empire, and its iron nature links directly to the "legs of iron" in Daniel 2, signifying unparalleled strength, pervasive dominion, and an unprecedented capacity for crushing its opposition.
Word Analysis
- Then I wanted to know the truth concerning: Daniel's proactive inquiry. The Aramaic, וּבָצְיִתִּי לְיַצָּבָא עַל־ (uḇāṣyittî ləyaṣṣāḇāʾ ʿal-), means "I earnestly desired to establish concerning" or "to make certain about." This reflects a deep intellectual and spiritual need for clarity on what he saw, going beyond mere curiosity.
- the fourth beast (חֵיוְתָא רְבִיעָיְתָא - ḥêwṯā rəḇîʿāyəṯā): This specifically designates the unique and final human empire in this sequence before the eternal kingdom of God. Its animalistic depiction contrasts sharply with divine order.
- which was different (שָׁנְיָא - šānyā): This Aramaic word means "altered," "changed," or "diverse." It emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this beast compared to the previous three, implying its unparalleled scope, methods, and longevity in its imperial power. This signifies its unique role in history and prophecy.
- from all the others: Highlights its unparalleled nature; none before it had exhibited such characteristics or would achieve such a dominion.
- extremely terrifying (דָּחֲלָה יַתִּירָה - dāḥă lālāh yattîrāh): The word דָּחֲלָה signifies "dreadful" or "fearsome," and יַתִּירָה (yattîrāh) means "exceeding," "very much." Together, they emphasize an intensity of terror beyond description, representing its oppressive rule and military might that instilled widespread fear.
- with teeth of iron (שִׁנִּין דִּפְרְזֶל - šinnîn dī p̄ārĕzel): "Iron" (פְּרְזֶל - parzel) symbolizes absolute strength, destructive capability, and an unbreakable quality. This links to Daniel 2:40, where iron signifies crushing power. These teeth indicate an insatiable and irresistible force that devours nations.
- and claws of bronze (וְטִפְרִין דִּנְחָשׁ - wəṭip̄rîn dī nĕḥāš): "Claws" (טִפְרִין - tiprin) signify gripping power and rending, while "bronze" (נְחָשׁ - nĕḥāš) represents hardness and unyielding strength. Bronze in ancient contexts was also used for weaponry. This combination signifies the beast's ability to seize, hold, and tear apart, leaving nothing.
- and which devoured (אָכְלָה - ʾākəlāh): Implies total consumption, taking everything unto itself. This kingdom would completely absorb conquered territories and resources.
- crushed (מַדְּקָה - maddəqāh): Signifies breaking into small pieces, pulverizing. This kingdom's methods would break down the existing structures and identity of its subjects.
- and trampled down (וְרָמְסָה - wə rāməsāh): Suggests utter subjugation, reducing opposition to dust beneath its feet, a sign of complete dominance and destruction. This applies to land, peoples, and cultures.
- the remainder with its feet: Even what wasn't initially devoured or crushed would be trodden underfoot, implying no recovery or remnants outside its oppressive control.
Daniel 7 19 Commentary
Daniel 7:19 articulates Daniel's specific apprehension and intense desire to grasp the meaning of the fourth beast. Its unique characteristics of being "different," "terrifying," with "teeth of iron" and "claws of bronze," symbolize an empire of unprecedented ruthlessness, destructive military might, and pervasive control. The "iron" suggests an unbreakable, powerful regime, strongly connecting to the legs of iron in Daniel 2 which point to the Roman Empire. The "bronze claws" signify its tenacious grip and ability to tear apart and retain conquered peoples. The triplet of "devoured, crushed, and trampled" portrays total subjugation, systematic destruction of cultures and autonomy, and irreversible subjugation of its dominion. This beast represents the apex of human, anti-God political power, setting the stage for the rise of the "little horn" and the eventual divine intervention to establish God's eternal kingdom.
Bonus Section
The precise details concerning the "teeth of iron" and "claws of bronze" emphasize not only military might but also the unique legal and administrative efficiency of this empire in absorbing and controlling conquered territories. Unlike previous empires that often left some aspects of local rule, this beast consolidates power and grinds down resistance comprehensively. This level of pervasive control sets it apart, foreshadowing the immense power that will eventually manifest in the "little horn" and the Antichrist. The vivid imagery prepares the reader for the ensuing conflict between this formidable beastly kingdom and the ultimate, righteous "Son of Man."