Daniel 7 26

Daniel 7:26 kjv

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

Daniel 7:26 nkjv

'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever.

Daniel 7:26 niv

"?'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.

Daniel 7:26 esv

But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

Daniel 7:26 nlt

"But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed.

Daniel 7 verses

Daniel 7 26 meaning

Daniel 7:26 declares the solemn, divinely ordained judgment against the oppressive "little horn" power. It means that despite its temporary rise and persecution of God's people, a heavenly court will convene to strip this power of its authority. Its dominion will not just diminish, but be utterly consumed, brought to a complete and final end, ensuring its absolute annihilation. This verse signifies the certain triumph of God's sovereign justice over all rebellion and evil.

Daniel 7 26 Context

Daniel 7 records Daniel's dream vision of four great beasts arising from the sea, representing successive world empires, followed by the emergence of a "little horn" from the fourth beast, symbolizing an intensely aggressive, blasphemous, and persecuting power. This little horn makes war against the "saints of the Most High." Verse 26 comes after a detailed description of the little horn's defiance and its dominion, lasting "a time, times, and half a time." It serves as a direct contrast to the horn's temporary success, preceding the ultimate establishment of the eternal, universal kingdom of the "Son of Man" and the "saints." Historically, many view the little horn as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but its portrayal and the context of the larger chapter point to a greater eschatological figure, ultimately symbolizing any oppressive power that resists God and His people, culminating in a final antichrist figure. The verse underscores that despite the appearance of the horn's power, there is a higher divine court that will render the ultimate verdict.

Daniel 7 26 Word analysis

• But (`וְדִינָא֙` - wě·ḏî·nā): The conjunctive 'but' (waw) indicates a strong contrast and turning point. 'Dina' (from Aramaic `דִּין`) refers to 'judgment' or 'court.' It signifies a formal legal process initiated by a supreme authority. This transition from the little horn's persecution to God's judgment is central to the passage.
• the court (`דִּינָא֙` - dīnā): As above, refers to the heavenly judicial body presided over by the Ancient of Days, as seen in Dan 7:9-10. This is God's divine assembly, holding ultimate authority, setting human governments in their place. Its function here is not mere deliberation but decisive action.
• shall sit (`יִתִּ֔ב` - yiṭ·ṭiḇ): (Aramaic `יְתַב` - `yĕthab`, to sit, remain, dwell, to be in session). Connotes formal establishment and authority. A judge 'sits' to render judgment, indicating solemnity, stability, and power in the judicial process. This isn't a hasty decision but a settled decree.
• in judgment: Implicit in "the court shall sit." The action of 'sitting' is for the purpose of carrying out a legal judgment, as described in Dan 7:10 (books were opened).
• and his dominion (`וְשָׁלְטָנֵ֖הּ` - wə·šāl·ṭā·nêh): (Aramaic `שָׁלְטָן` - `šolṭan`, dominion, rule, authority). Refers specifically to the power and authority wielded by the "little horn," encompassing its political, military, and oppressive control over territories and people. The Hebrew term `מַלְכוּת` (malkut) for kingdom or dominion also carries similar weight. This "his" clearly points to the antagonist.
• shall be taken away (`יְהַעֲדּ֑וֹן` - yĕ·ha·ʿă·ḏûn): (Aramaic `עֲדָא` - `‘ada`, to pass away, remove, take away). This is a passive verb (Haphel/Hif'il conjugation implying a causative action done to it), signifying that its power is not just fading but actively removed by a higher power. It implies the end of its legitimate claim to authority.
• to be consumed (`לְהַשְׁמָדָ֣ה` - lə·haš·mā·ḏāh): (Aramaic `שְׁמַד` - `shĕmad`, to destroy, exterminate). The preposition 'to' indicates purpose or result. This term suggests active, total, and irreversible destruction, going beyond mere removal to complete annihilation. It speaks of divine wrath against evil.
• and destroyed (`וּלְהוֹבָדָ֖ה` - ū·lə·hō·ḇā·ḏāh): (Aramaic `אֲבַד` - `‘abad`, to perish, destroy, wipe out). Similar to 'consumed,' this emphasizes utter ruin, making an end of something so completely that it ceases to exist. The pairing of two strong verbs underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of this destruction.
• to the end (`עַד־סוֹפָֽא׃` - ‘aḏ-sō·fā`): (Aramaic `סוֹף` - `soph`, end, limit). Signifies the absolute, definitive, and irreversible nature of the destruction. It is not a temporary setback or a period of decline, but an ultimate cessation, without hope of resurgence. It marks the finality of divine judgment.

• The court shall sit in judgment: This phrase refers to a judicial session, likely symbolic of God's final assessment and sentencing. It indicates that the removal of the oppressive power's authority is a righteous and lawful act, carried out by the supreme divine court. This solemn procedure underlines God's just governance of the universe.
• His dominion shall be taken away: This emphasizes the loss of legitimate power. It is not self-destruction but a removal by divine decree, signaling the end of his illegitimate rule and persecution. This directly contrasts with the everlasting dominion given to the Son of Man (Dan 7:14).
• to be consumed and destroyed: These two strong verbs, `שְׁמַד` (shmad) and `אֲבַד` (‘abad), convey a comprehensive and total annihilation. It's a vivid description of obliteration, leaving no remnant or possibility of restoration for the oppressive power. The divine wrath is against the entity, not merely its influence.
• to the end: This phrase definitively underscores the finality and irreversibility of the destruction. It assures God's people that the end of this evil kingdom will be absolute, providing eternal peace and security in the coming kingdom. There will be no lingering threat or future revival.

Daniel 7 26 Bonus section

The Aramaic construction לְהַשְׁמָדָ֣ה וּלְהוֹבָדָ֖ה (lehashmadatah ulehovadatah) uses an infinitive construct with the preposition 'to' (לְ - le-), indicating purpose or result, much like saying "for the purpose of its utter destruction and final ruin." This stylistic choice intensifies the sense of the judgment's goal: not just removal, but thorough and permanent eradication. The "they" in "they shall take away" (יְהַעֲדּ֑וֹן - yehaʿadoon) is a masculine plural, possibly referring to the angels or the members of the divine court who carry out the decree, underscoring the active, divine agency in its downfall, rather than a natural decay. This verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, assuring believers of God's ultimate triumph over evil, a theme echoed profoundly in the New Testament's eschatological prophecies, particularly in Revelation. It provides a blueprint for understanding the eventual demise of all oppressive, anti-God forces throughout history and into the ultimate future.

Daniel 7 26 Commentary

Daniel 7:26 is a pivotal declaration of divine justice, promising the inevitable downfall of the wicked "little horn" power. Following its blasphemies and persecution, the verse asserts that a heavenly judicial council, led by the Ancient of Days, will convene. This court's purpose is to officially and decisively strip away the little horn's dominion. The phrase "shall be taken away" indicates an active removal by a higher power, contrasting sharply with the horn's temporary usurped authority. The subsequent verbs, "to be consumed and destroyed," emphasize the totality and irreversibility of this judgment, leading to complete annihilation without possibility of resurgence. The phrase "to the end" signifies a permanent, final conclusion. This verse offers immense comfort to those suffering under oppressive powers, confirming that God's sovereignty remains absolute and He will bring about the certain and comprehensive end of all anti-God regimes, paving the way for His eternal kingdom. It serves as a stark warning to all who oppose divine authority.