Daniel 7:4 kjv
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.
Daniel 7:4 nkjv
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.
Daniel 7:4 niv
"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.
Daniel 7:4 esv
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.
Daniel 7:4 nlt
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.
Daniel 7 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 7:17 | "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth." | Explanation of Beasts |
| Daniel 7:23 | "Thus he said, ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms..." | Fourth Beast Comparison |
| Jeremiah 4:7 | "The lion has come up from the thicket, the destroyer of nations has prepared himself..." | Lion as Destroyer |
| Isaiah 5:29 | "Their roar is like the roar of a lion; they roar mightily and seize their prey; they carry it off and no one can deliver it." | Lion's Aggression |
| Hosea 11:10 | "They shall go after the LORD; like a lion he will roar; indeed he will roar; and with great terror his sons shall come trembling from the west." | Lion's Roar |
| Jeremiah 50:17 | "Israel is a scattered sheep that the lions have driven away." | Lion as Oppressor |
| Ezekiel 17:3 | "Say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers, full of varied colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar." | Eagle's Wings Symbolism |
| Revelation 13:2 | "And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like those of a bear, and its mouth like the mouth of a lion. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority." | Lion-like Attributes |
| 2 Samuel 23:20 | "And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, did mighty deeds. He struck down the two mighty men of Moab. And he himself went down and slew a lion in a pit on the day of snow." | Lion as Mighty Warrior |
| Proverbs 28:1 | "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." | Lion as Symbol of Boldness |
Daniel 7 verses
Daniel 7 4 Meaning
The verse describes the first of four beasts seen in Daniel's vision. This first beast is compared to a lion, a powerful and majestic king of beasts. It possesses great eagle's wings, symbolizing swiftness and dominance, which are then torn away. This indicates a future loss of power or authority for the entity represented by the lion.
Daniel 7 4 Context
Daniel chapter 7 describes a series of visions given to the prophet Daniel concerning future kingdoms and their ultimate judgment by God. Verse 4 introduces the first of four powerful beasts that rise from the sea. The sea in prophetic literature often symbolizes nations, peoples, and turmoil. The visions are presented in a dream sequence that Daniel experiences while in Babylon, offering insight into empires that would influence or dominate God's people. This particular vision follows Daniel's earlier interpretations of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2, which also depicted a succession of kingdoms.
Daniel 7 4 Word Analysis
- And: Connects this verse to the preceding or following narrative, establishing a sequence of visions.
- I: Refers to the prophet Daniel as the recipient of the vision.
- beheld: Signifies attentive observation and deep contemplation of the vision.
- till: Indicates a duration or transition within the vision.
- I: Again, Daniel.
- was: A state of being or perception.
- considering: Implies a mental process of analyzing and understanding.
- the: Definite article.
- other: Suggests distinctions between the beasts.
- beasts: Denotes powerful, non-human entities, often representing nations or kingdoms.
- which: Relative pronoun introducing descriptive clauses.
- came: Signifies the emergence or origin.
- up: Directional, indicating from below or the sea.
- unto: Towards.
- me: Daniel.
- upon: Location.
- the: Definite article.
- earth: Represents the realm of human kingdoms and nations.
Group Analysis:
- "I beheld till I was considering": This phrase emphasizes Daniel's active role in interpreting the visions; he is not passively receiving them but actively trying to make sense of what he sees. It highlights the cognitive aspect of prophetic understanding.
- "The other beasts which came up unto me": This points to a sequence of distinct entities or powers emerging. The description implies a succession, with the first beast being the initial focus before others appear.
- "came up upon the earth": The emergence from the sea (verse 2) is now situated in relation to the earth, indicating these entities have earthly power and dominion over human affairs.
Daniel 7 4 Bonus Section
The imagery of the lion and eagle combined is potent. The lion is a universal symbol of strength, royalty, and predatory power. In the ancient Near East, empires like Assyria and Babylon were often depicted with leonine attributes. The eagle, with its powerful wings, signifies swiftness, far-reaching vision, and imperial reach. When these wings are torn, it illustrates a curtailment of that imperial might, foreshadowing the fall of Babylon to Persia. The juxtaposition suggests a composite representation of kingly power and conquering ability, both of which are ultimately transient. This initial powerful kingdom is destined for change, initiating the succession of empires Daniel witnesses.
Daniel 7 4 Commentary
This initial vision in Daniel 7 sets the stage for understanding God's sovereign control over earthly powers. The lion with eagle's wings is widely interpreted as representing the Babylonian Empire, specifically King Nebuchadnezzar or the empire itself, given its fierceness (lion) and vast, rapid conquests (eagle's wings). The tearing away of the wings signifies a decline or defeat of this early powerful empire, paving the way for subsequent powers in the vision. The focus on earthly dominance underscores that these are temporal kingdoms, subject to divine authority and eventual judgment.