Daniel 7 25

Daniel 7:25 kjv

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.

Daniel 7:25 nkjv

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.

Daniel 7:25 niv

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.

Daniel 7:25 esv

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.

Daniel 7:25 nlt

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.

Daniel 7 verses

Daniel 7 25 meaning

Daniel 7:25 describes the actions of the "little horn," a symbolic power arising from the fourth beast in Daniel's vision. This power will utter blasphemous words against God, relentlessly oppress God's faithful people, and attempt to alter divine ordinances and sacred calendar appointments. The verse also reveals that this oppressive period, though severe, will be divinely limited to a specific duration: "a time and times and the dividing of time." It underscores the audacity of earthly power to challenge divine authority and the resilience of God's people during tribulation, with a set end decreed by God.

Daniel 7 25 Context

Daniel chapter 7 presents a prophetic vision given to Daniel in the first year of Belshazzar's reign (circa 553 BC). It describes four great beasts arising from the sea, representing four successive world empires (Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome, or a final eschatological empire). The most complex aspect is the fourth beast, terrifying and powerful, from which ten horns emerge, followed by a "little horn" that uproots three of the initial horns. This "little horn" is the subject of verse 25, a blasphemous, persecuting, and authoritative power.

Historically, this vision provides reassurance to the exiles in Babylon and future generations of God's people, demonstrating God's sovereign control over human history and the eventual triumph of His kingdom despite periods of intense oppression by Gentile powers. The use of Aramaic for this section (Dan 2:4-7:28) signifies a message addressing not only the Jewish people but also the broader Gentile world powers. The direct and indirect polemic against contemporary beliefs of human rulers claiming divine status is evident. Earthly kings might establish their own 'times and laws', but Daniel’s vision asserts that ultimately, God is the supreme Most High ('elāyīn) who alone holds ultimate authority over creation and its appointed orders, and whose saints will ultimately receive His eternal kingdom.

Daniel 7 25 Word analysis

• He shall speak great words:
  • "speak" (יְמַלֵּל - yĕmallēl): Aramaic, meaning "to speak, to utter." It implies open declaration.
  • "great words" (מִלִּין רַבְרְבָן - millîn ravrevān): Aramaic, literally "great words" or "mighty words." In this context, it carries a strong connotation of "boastful," "arrogant," or "blasphemous" words. It signifies audacious self-exaltation and direct verbal defiance against God's supreme authority, similar to a ruler setting himself up as divine (cf. 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5).
• against the most High:
  • "against" (לְצַד - ləṣad): Aramaic, meaning "against," "concerning."
  • "the most High" (עֶלְיוֹנִין - ʿel·yônîn): Aramaic, referring to God as the Supreme One. This title emphasizes His sovereignty, transcendence, and absolute authority. The "great words" are a direct challenge to His nature and rule. This blasphemy signifies an ultimate rebellion against the true God, attributing divine honors or claims to self.
• and shall wear out:
  • "wear out" (יְבַלֵּא - yĕballê): Aramaic, meaning "to wear out," "to make thin," "to afflict," "to exhaust," "to persecute." It suggests a persistent, drawn-out, and debilitating persecution designed to exhaust the resilience of the target. It's not a quick destruction, but a relentless oppression, leading to moral and physical fatigue among God's people. This speaks of relentless ideological, psychological, and physical attacks.
• the saints of the most High:
  • "the saints" (קַדִּישֵׁי - qaddîšê): Aramaic, "holy ones." This term refers to God's chosen people, set apart for Him. They are His faithful followers, often suffering for their loyalty. This could refer to Jewish people in particular or the wider spiritual community of believers across time.
  • "of the most High" (עֶלְיוֹנִין - ʿel·yônîn): Again linking these holy ones directly to the Supreme God, emphasizing their allegiance and why they are persecuted—because they belong to the true God, whom the horn blasphemes.
• and think to change times and laws:
  • "think to change" (וְיִסְבַּר לְהַשְׁׁנָיָה - wĕyisbār lĕhaššĕnāyāʾ): Aramaic, "he shall intend to change," "he shall plan to alter." The term emphasizes deliberate, audacious planning and presumption on the part of the horn. It's not a casual change, but a calculated usurpation of divine prerogative.
  • "times" (זִמְנִין - zimenîn): Aramaic, "appointed times," "seasons," "festivals." This could refer to the divinely ordained religious calendar (like Jewish festivals which structured worship and life), cosmic order and the natural flow of creation, or even prophetic timelines established by God. Altering these implies attempting to control sacred history and disrupt divine providence.
  • "and laws" (וְדָתִין - wĕdāṯīn): Aramaic, "laws," "statutes," "decrees." These are God's divine commandments, moral statutes, and possibly civil laws reflecting God's order. To change them implies usurping God's legislative authority and establishing a new order that defies God's will (cf. Mal 4:4, Dan 2:21). It suggests an attempt to impose a counter-divine order.
• and they shall be given into his hand:
  • "and they shall be given" (וְיִתְיַהֲב֗וּן - wĕyityahavûn): Aramaic, passive voice. This highlights divine permission and sovereignty. The saints are not simply overcome by superior power but are "given" by God's decree, indicating that the tribulation is under His ultimate control for His purposes. It's a test and a purification.
  • "into his hand" (בִּידֵהּ - bîdêh): Aramaic, "into his power," "into his authority." Signifies the full, temporary control and dominance of the oppressive power over God's people.
• until a time and times and the dividing of time:
  • "until" (עַד - ʿad): Aramaic, setting a clear boundary or duration.
  • "a time and times and the dividing of time" (עִדָּן וְעִדָּנִין וּפְלַג עִדָּן - ʿiddān wĕʿiddānîn wĕflaḡ ʿiddān): Aramaic. "A time" = one unit of time (often a year in prophetic language). "Times" = two units of time. "Dividing of time" (פְלַג pĕlaḡ) = half a unit of time. This phrase is universally interpreted as 3.5 "years" (or prophetic years of 360 days), which equates to 42 months or 1260 days. This exact period is referenced in Revelation (Rev 11:2-3, 12:6, 12:14, 13:5), providing a strong intertextual link and confirming a precise, albeit symbolically expressed, duration of intense persecution. It underscores God's control, even over the duration of the tribulation.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "He shall speak great words against the most High": This phrase portrays the absolute defiance and arrogance of the 'little horn,' targeting God's very being and authority through blasphemous utterances. It's a direct assault on the divine person and position, asserting a human or demonic challenge to supreme rule.
• "and shall wear out the saints of the most High": This points to a systematic, prolonged, and exhaustive persecution of God's faithful followers. The persecution isn't aimed at annihilation, but at "wearing out" or exhausting their faith and resolve. It speaks to both physical tribulation and spiritual attrition.
• "and think to change times and laws": This phrase illustrates the profound hubris and ambition of this power to usurp God's sovereign prerogative. By seeking to alter divine ordinances (laws) and appointed seasons (times), it aims to restructure existence, defy divine order, and assert ultimate authority over religious observance, moral code, and perhaps even the fabric of creation and its calendrical rhythm, challenging the very notion of fixed, God-given realities.
• "and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time": This entire clause confirms that despite the severity of the horn's actions, its power is not absolute. God's ultimate sovereignty is highlighted: the saints are given (divinely permitted) into its hand, and this period of oppression has a fixed, predetermined end. The precise symbolic duration (3.5 times) signals God's detailed plan and ultimate control over even the darkest periods of history.

Daniel 7 25 Bonus section

The specific language "times and laws" (Aramaic zimenîn wĕdāṯīn) suggests both cultic/religious calendar and moral/statutory injunctions. "Times" (zimenîn) refers to fixed appointed times, which would have primarily been the feast days of Israel (e.g., Passover, Tabernacles). These were central to Israelite identity and their worship of God. Altering them would be a direct attack on their religious freedom and relationship with God. "Laws" (dāṯīn) are the divine statutes and ordinances that govern life and morality. Thus, the little horn seeks to control both religious worship and ethical conduct.

Some scholarly interpretations see the "little horn" as having a multi-stage fulfillment: first in Antiochus IV Epiphanes (a clear type who profaned the temple, persecuted Jews, and banned Jewish laws/feasts), then potentially Rome or another historical entity, and ultimately an eschatological antichrist figure at the end of time. The recurrence of this pattern highlights that oppressive powers seeking to dominate and dictate worship have existed throughout history and will reach a climax before Christ's return. The passage's detail emphasizes that God allows this evil for a period, yet ultimately triumphs, ensuring the survival and ultimate vindication of His people.

Daniel 7 25 Commentary

Daniel 7:25 offers a chilling yet ultimately reassuring glimpse into the nature of final cosmic rebellion and divine sovereignty. The "little horn" embodies a culmination of antichrist qualities: profound blasphemy, relentless persecution of God's devoted people, and an audacious attempt to dethrone God by reordering creation and moral law. This is not merely an earthly dictator, but a spiritual force seeking to replace God as the ultimate source of authority. His desire to "change times and laws" suggests a comprehensive usurpation, altering everything from divine festivals to ethical foundations, demonstrating a delusion of ultimate control over both the sacred and the secular. However, the most critical aspect is the explicit declaration that God's people "shall be given into his hand," signifying that this tribulation is not a defeat of God, but a divinely permitted and bounded trial. The specific timeframe of "a time, times, and half a time" reiterates God's unwavering control over even the period of oppression, ensuring it has a set beginning and an unalterable end. This period, further elucidated in Revelation, underscores that evil's triumph is always temporary and constrained by divine decree. The verse provides a stark warning about ultimate human rebellion while concurrently comforting the faithful with the knowledge of God's steadfast sovereignty and the fixed duration of tribulation.Example: A contemporary example of 'wearing out the saints' could be subtle yet pervasive societal pressures that incrementally undermine religious practice and belief, slowly eroding conviction rather than direct, violent persecution. An attempt to 'change times and laws' could be seen in attempts to redefine fundamental moral standards or suppress religious observance, imposing a new, human-centric worldview as the ultimate authority.