Daniel 7:23 kjv
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.
Daniel 7:23 nkjv
"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.
Daniel 7:23 niv
"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.
Daniel 7:23 esv
"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.
Daniel 7:23 nlt
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.
Daniel 7 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:8 | The fourth beast arises; a little horn springs up among the ten horns. | The initial emergence of the disturbing horn. |
| Dan 7:11 | The beast is slain and its body destroyed because of the arrogant words spoken by the little horn. | The consequence of the little horn's actions. |
| Dan 7:20 | Distinctiveness of the ten horns and the little horn's arrogance. | Focus on the characteristics of the horn. |
| Dan 7:21 | The little horn makes war on the saints and overcomes them. | The spiritual warfare aspect. |
| Dan 7:22 | Judgment is given in favor of the saints. | Divine intervention and justice. |
| Dan 8:9 | From one of the horns of a goat, a little horn emerges and grows great. | Parallel prophecy about a similar figure. |
| Dan 8:23-25 | This little horn, a king of bold countenance, understands sinister schemes and opposes the Mighty One. | Further description of the horn's actions. |
| Rev 13:1-10 | A beast rises from the sea with seven heads and ten horns, and a second beast from the earth deceives. | Echoes of the beast and its influence. |
| Rev 13:5-7 | The beast is given a mouth speaking arrogant words and authority to wage war on the saints. | Parallel authority and actions of the horn. |
| Rev 17:12-13 | The ten horns are ten kings who receive authority as kings. | Clarification of the ten horns. |
| Rev 17:16 | The ten horns will hate the prostitute and destroy her. | The fate of the ten horns. |
| Zech 11:16 | A worthless shepherd raising up a new ruler over the flock. | Possible prophetic foreshadowing. |
| Ps 2:1-4 | Nations rage and plot against the Lord and his Anointed. | The context of earthly opposition to God. |
| Ps 73:8-9 | The wicked boast and speak arrogant things against God and man. | The nature of the horn's speech. |
| Is 14:12-15 | Lucifer's fall due to pride and his desire to ascend above God. | The ultimate source of arrogant speech. |
| Matt 24:24 | False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs to lead astray. | Deception associated with the horn. |
| 2 Thess 2:3-4 | The man of lawlessness will oppose and exalt himself above God. | A strong parallel to the horn's defiance. |
| 2 Tim 3:1-5 | In the last days, difficult times will come, with people who are lovers of self and boastful. | Characteristics of those aligned with the horn. |
| 1 John 2:18 | Antichrist denies Jesus and is the spirit of antichrist already in the world. | The overarching spiritual opposition. |
| Jude 1:4 | Ungodly people pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny Christ. | The perversion of truth by oppositional figures. |
Daniel 7 verses
Daniel 7 23 Meaning
The fourth beast, unlike the others, possesses ten horns. One of these horns is uprooted and replaced by a smaller horn that grows to become dominant and destructive, with eyes like a man and a mouth that speaks arrogant words. This new horn wages war against the saints, ultimately prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days intervenes to deliver judgment and restore justice to the holy ones.
Daniel 7 23 Context
Daniel 7 describes a series of four beasts, symbolizing four successive kingdoms following Babylon. The fourth beast is exceptionally terrifying, distinguished by its ten horns. Verse 23 specifically addresses the emergence of an eleventh, lesser horn that uproots three of the original ten. This horn possesses human-like eyes and a mouth that speaks blasphemies. It is characterized by its aggressive persecution of the holy people of God. The passage details its initial success in dominating them before divine judgment is passed and the saints ultimately triumph, inheriting the kingdom. Historically, this vision is understood as pertaining to empires and figures that would arise in the period after the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, leading up to and influencing the first century CE and beyond. The interpretation often points to a powerful political and religious entity that would oppose God's people.
Daniel 7 23 Word Analysis
- And (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction, linking actions and clauses. Indicates continuation.
- I (Hebrew: אֲנָא - ana): First-person pronoun. Daniel speaking.
- furthermore (Hebrew: עַל־כֵּן - al-ken): Therefore, for this reason. Implies a conclusion or further consequence.
- behold (Hebrew: הָא —hē): Behold, lo, indeed. A particle calling attention to what follows.
- the fourth (Hebrew: רְבִיעָאָה —rəḇī‘ā’â): Fourth in order.
- beast (Hebrew: חֵיוָה —ḥêwâ): Beast, animal, creature. Often used for wild, terrifying animals.
- had (Implied in verb conjugation)
- ten (Hebrew: עֲשַׂר —‘ăśar): The cardinal number ten.
- horns (Hebrew: קַרְנִין —qar·nîn): Horns. Symbol of power, kingship, and might. Plural form.
- and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction.
- lo (Hebrew: הָא —hē): Behold, indeed. Drawing attention.
- another (Hebrew: אָחֳרִין —’āḥōrîn): Another, different. Signifies a new entity arising.
- little (Hebrew: זְעֵירָה —zə‘êrā): Small, little. Contrasting its size with its significant impact.
- horn (Hebrew: קַרְנָא —qarnā): Horn. Singular, the new horn that emerges.
- came up (Hebrew: צְמַחַת —ṣmə·ḥaṯ): Grew, sprang up, sprouted. Indicating organic and gradual emergence.
- among (Hebrew: בֵּינֵיהוֹן —ḇên·hôn): Between, among them. Indicates emergence from within the existing horns/kingdoms.
- them (Hebrew: הֵן —hēn): Them. Refers back to the ten horns.
- and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction.
- three (Hebrew: תְּלָת —ṯə·lāṯ): Three. The number uprooted.
- of (Hebrew: מִן —min): From. Denotes removal or separation.
- the first (Hebrew: קַדְמָאָה —qadmā’â): First.
- horns (Hebrew: קַרְנַיָא —qarnayâ): Horns. Plural.
- were (Implied in verb conjugation)
- plucked up (Hebrew: עֲקַר —‘ă·qar): Uprooted, plucked up by the root. A violent and decisive removal.
- by (Implied)
- it (Hebrew: הִיא —hī’): It. Refers to the little horn.
- and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction.
- behold (Hebrew: הָא —hē): Behold. Emphasizing the following remarkable characteristics.
- in (Hebrew: בְּ - bə): In.
- this (Hebrew: דָנָה —ḏā·nā): This.
- horn (Hebrew: קַרְנָא —qarnā): Horn.
- were (Implied)
- eyes (Hebrew: עָֽיְנִין —‘ā·yə·nîn): Eyes. Plural.
- like (Hebrew: כְּ —kə): Like, as.
- the eyes (Hebrew: עֽיְנֵי —‘ə·yîn): Eyes.
- of (Hebrew: דִּ —di): Of.
- man (Hebrew: אֱנָשׁ —’ĕ·nāš): Man, human. Significant detail as it implies intelligence and perhaps cunning.
- and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction.
- a mouth (Hebrew: פֻּם —pum): Mouth. Singular.
- speaking (Hebrew: דָּבֵר —ḏā·ḇēr): Speaking, saying. Present participle.
- great (Hebrew: שִׂגְיָן —śig·yān): Great, many, exceedingly. Refers to arrogance, boldness, or multitude of words.
- things (Implied).
- or (Hebrew: אוֹ —’ō): Or, rather. Introducing the description of its speech.
- blasphemies (Hebrew: זָדוֹן —zā·ḏôn): Pride, arrogance, presumption. The nature of its speech is proud or presumptuous, which can include blasphemy against God.
Words Group Analysis:
- "Another little horn came up among them": This signifies the emergence of a new power, seemingly minor initially but from within the existing structures (powers represented by the horns). It’s not an entirely external force but one that develops from within the previous systems.
- "and three of the first horns were plucked up by it": This emphasizes the destructive and supplanting nature of this new power. It forcefully removes preceding powers, signifying a major shift in the geopolitical landscape depicted.
- "eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things": The human-like eyes suggest intelligence, consciousness, and perhaps deliberate observation, contrasting with the purely bestial nature of the other beasts. The mouth speaking "great things" (or "blasphemies" depending on translation nuance) points to arrogance, presumptuous speech, and defiance against the divine. This is a key characteristic distinguishing this horn.
Daniel 7 23 Bonus Section
The Hebrew word used for "speaking great things" or "blasphemies" (זָדוֹן - zadon) carries the weight of presumption, arrogance, and defiance against a higher authority, strongly implying not just boastfulness but a challenge to divine sovereignty. The metaphor of "uprooting" signifies a complete destruction and replacement, not just defeat or subjugation, indicating a profound disruption of the existing order. The detail of "eyes like a man" can also be interpreted in relation to perception or discernment, suggesting an entity that sees and understands in a calculated, strategic, human manner, enabling its rise and destructive path. This specificity in description, particularly the juxtaposition of bestial power with human-like perceptive and communicative attributes, is characteristic of how prophetic literature often portrays figures of extreme opposition, often with a focus on spiritual deception intertwined with political might.
Daniel 7 23 Commentary
This verse vividly portrays a hostile entity that emerges from a broader political system. The fourth beast, described as terrible and exceeding strength, represents a final, dominant, oppressive kingdom. The ten horns signify ten rulers or kingdoms within that broader system. The singular "little horn" that arises among them is pivotal. It is "little" perhaps in its initial status but becomes immensely powerful. Its violent uprooting of three preceding horns underscores its aggressive consolidation of power, eliminating rivals and establishing its authority by force. The "eyes like a man" suggest a possessor of intelligence, insight, or even human-like consciousness and intent, perhaps highlighting its manipulative or strategically driven actions, distinct from the brute force of the beast itself. The "mouth speaking great things" (or blasphemies) reveals its arrogant, self-aggrandizing, and sacrilegious nature, a defining trait that often implies opposition to divine authority and the people of God. This horn is not merely political; its defiance reaches into the spiritual realm.