1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. (Da 1:17; Da 2:28; Da 4:5; Da 5:1; Da 7:15)2Daniel declared,[1] “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. (Eze 37:9; Da 8:8; Da 11:4; Zec 2:6; Re 7:1)3And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. (Re 13:1)4The 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.5And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ (Da 2:39)6After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. (Da 11:5; Hab 1:8; Re 13:2)7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (Da 7:19; Da 7:20; Da 7:23; Re 12:3; Re 13:1; Re 17:12)8I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Da 7:20; Da 7:24; Da 8:9; Re 13:5)
The Ancient of Days Reigns
9“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. (1Ki 22:19; Ps 90:2; Eze 1:16; Eze 10:2; Da 7:22; Mt 19:28; Mt 28:3; Re 1:14; Re 20:4)10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. (Ps 21:9; Ps 68:17; Ps 103:21; Da 7:22; Da 7:26; Zec 3:4; Heb 12:22; Re 5:11; Re 11:18; Re 20:4; Re 20:12)11“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. (Da 7:8; Re 19:20; Re 20:10)12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. (Da 7:14; Da 7:26)
The Son of Man Is Given Dominion
13“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. (Da 7:9; Mt 26:64; Mr 14:62; Re 1:7; Re 14:14)14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Ps 110:1; Isa 9:6; Da 2:44; Da 3:4; Re 11:15)
Daniel’s Vision Interpreted
15“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me[2] was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. (Da 7:1)16I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.17‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. (Da 7:3)18But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ (Da 7:22; Da 7:27; Mt 25:34; 1Co 6:2; Re 2:26; Re 20:4)19“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, (Da 7:7)20and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. (Da 7:8)21As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, (Da 8:24)22until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. (Da 7:9; Da 7:13; Da 7:18)23“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. (Da 7:19)24As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.25He 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. (Da 2:9; Da 2:21; Da 11:36; Da 12:7; Re 12:14)26But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. (Da 6:26; Da 7:10; Da 7:12; Da 7:14)27And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’[3] (Da 2:44; Da 7:18)28“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” (Jer 23:9; Da 4:5; Da 4:19; Da 5:6; Da 5:10; Da 7:15; Da 8:27; Da 10:8; Da 10:16; Lu 2:19; Lu 2:51)
Daniel 7
New International Version
Daniel’s dream of four beasts
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.2Daniel said: ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.3Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.4‘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.5‘And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, “Get up and eat your fill of flesh!”6‘After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.7‘After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast – terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.8‘While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.9‘As I looked, ‘thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.10A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.11‘Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.12(The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)13‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[1] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.14He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The interpretation of the dream
15‘I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.16I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. ‘So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:17“The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.18But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it for ever – yes, for ever and ever.”19‘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.20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell – the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,22until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favour of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.23‘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.24The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.25He 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.[2]26‘ “But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed for ever.27Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”28‘This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.’
Daniel 7
King James Version
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.2Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.3And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.4The first was like a lion, and had eagle' 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' heart was given to it.5And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.6After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.8I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.11I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.12As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.15I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.17These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.19Then 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;20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23Thus 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.24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25And 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.26But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.28Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Daniel 7
New International Reader’s Version
Daniel has a dream about four animals
1It was the first year that Belshazzar was king of Babylon. Daniel had a dream. He was lying in bed. In his dream, visions passed through his mind. He wrote down what he saw.2Daniel said, ‘I had a vision at night. I looked up and saw the four winds of heaven. They were stirring up the Mediterranean Sea.3Four large animals came up out of the sea. Each one was different from the others.4‘The first animal was like a lion. It had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground. It stood on two feet like a human being. And the mind of a human being was given to it.5‘I saw a second animal. It looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides. And it had three ribs between its teeth. It was told, “Get up! Eat meat until you are full!”6‘After that, I saw another animal. It looked like a leopard. On its back were four wings like the wings of a bird. The animal I saw had four heads. And it was given authority to rule.7‘After that, in my vision I looked up and saw a fourth animal. It was terrifying and very powerful. It had large iron teeth. It crushed those it attacked and ate them up. It trampled on anything that was left. It was different from the other animals. And it had ten horns.8‘I thought about the horns. Then I saw another horn. It was a little one. It grew up among the other horns. Three of the first horns were pulled up by their roots to make room for it. The little horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being. Its mouth was always boasting.9‘As I watched, ‘thrones were set in place. The Eternal God took his seat. His clothes were as white as snow. The hair on his head was white like wool. His throne was blazing with fire. And flames were all around its wheels.10A river of fire was flowing. It was coming out from in front of God. Thousands and thousands of angels served him. Millions of them stood in front of him. The court was seated. And the books were opened.11‘Then I continued to watch because of the way the horn was boasting. I kept looking until the fourth animal was killed. I watched until its body was destroyed. It was thrown into the blazing fire.12The authority of the other animals had been stripped away from them. But they were allowed to live for a period of time.13‘In my vision I saw one who looked like a son of man. He was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Eternal God. He was led right up to him.14And he was given authority, glory and a kingdom. People of all nations, no matter what language they spoke, worshipped him. His authority will last for ever. It will not pass away. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
An angel tells Daniel what his dream means
15‘My spirit was troubled. The visions that passed through my mind upset me.16I approached an angel who was standing there. I asked him what all these things really meant. ‘So he explained to me what everything meant.17He said, “The four large animals stand for four kings. The kings will appear on the earth.18But the holy people of the Most High God will receive the kingdom. They will possess it for ever. It will belong to them for ever and ever.”19‘Then I wanted to know what the fourth animal stood for. It was different from the others. It was the most terrifying of all. It had iron teeth and bronze claws. It crushed everyone it attacked and ate them up. It trampled on anything that was left.20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head. And I wanted to know about the other horn that grew up later. It caused three of the ten horns to fall out. It appeared to be stronger than the others. It had eyes. And its mouth was always boasting.21I saw that the horn was at war with God’s holy people. It was winning the battle over them.22But then the Eternal God came. He decided in favour of his holy people. So the time came when the kingdom was given to them.23‘Here’s how the angel explained it to me. He said, “The fourth animal stands for a fourth kingdom. It will appear on earth. It will be different from the other kingdoms. It will eat up the whole earth. It will trample on it and crush it.24The ten horns stand for ten kings. They will come from the fourth kingdom. After them another king will appear. He will be different from the earlier ones. He’ll bring three kings under his control.25He’ll speak against the Most High God. He’ll treat God’s holy people badly. He will try to change the times and laws that were given by God. God’s holy people will be placed under his power for three and a half years.26‘ “But the court will be seated. And the power of that king will be taken away from him. It will be completely destroyed for ever.27Then the authority, power and greatness of all the kingdoms on earth will be taken from them. And all they had will be given to the holy people of the Most High God. His kingdom will last for ever. Every ruler will worship and obey him.”28‘That’s all I saw. My thoughts deeply troubled me. My face turned pale. But I kept those things to myself.’