Daniël 7
Het Boek
Het visioen van de vier grote dieren
7 In het eerste regeringsjaar van koning Belsazar had Daniël een droom. Hij kreeg visioenen terwijl hij op bed lag en schreef ze later op. Dit is het verslag van wat hij droomde.
2 In mijn nachtelijke droom zag ik de winden uit alle vier de windstreken losbarsten in een hevige storm die de grote zee geselde. 3 Vier grote dieren rezen op uit het water, alle vier verschillend. 4 De eerste zag eruit als een leeuw, maar had ook arendsvleugels! Terwijl ik bleef kijken, werden zijn vleugels uitgerukt. Hij kon niet langer vliegen, maar werd opgetild en op zijn voeten overeind gezet als een mens en kreeg het verstand van een mens. 5 Het tweede dier leek op een beer. Hij had zijn ene poot opgeheven en hield drie ribben in zijn bek. Ik hoorde een stem zeggen: ‘Sta op! Eet veel vlees!’ 6 Daarna keek ik naar het derde dier. Dit zag eruit als een panter, maar op zijn rug zaten vier vleugels als van een vogel en hij had vier koppen. Hem werd veel macht gegeven.
7 Terwijl ik toekeek in mijn droom, zag ik een vierde dier. Hij was afschrikwekkend en zag er geweldig sterk uit! Hij verscheurde zijn voedsel met zijn grote ijzeren tanden en het overige vertrapte hij onder zijn poten. Dit dier was heel anders dan de vorige dieren en had tien horens. 8 Terwijl ik op de horens lette, verscheen er plotseling een andere kleine hoorn tussen. Drie van de eerste horens werden ervoor uitgerukt. Deze kleine hoorn had ogen die leken op mensenogen en een mond die allerlei grootspraak uitsloeg.
9 Ik keek toe hoe er tronen werden neergezet en er een Hoogbejaarde plaatsnam. Zijn kleren waren sneeuwwit en zijn haar wit als zuivere wol. Hij zat op een vlammende troon die op eveneens vlammende wielen reed. 10 Een vuurstroom steeg naar boven en vloeide voor Hem uit. Miljoenen dienden Hem en miljarden mensen stonden vóór Hem. Het gerechtshof ging zitten en de boeken werden geopend. 11 Terwijl ik keek, hoorde ik de overmoedige woorden van de hoorn van het vierde dier. Ik bleef kijken tot hij werd gedood en zijn lichaam werd verbrand. 12 Wat de drie andere dieren betreft: hun werd hun macht ontnomen, maar zij mochten nog enige tijd blijven leven.
13 Daarna zag ik in mijn droom de aankomst van iemand die er uitzag als een Mensenzoon. Hij kwam op de wolken van de hemel en werd naar de Hoogbejaarde geleid. 14 Hij ontving macht en heerschappij om te regeren en werd overladen met eerbewijzen. Mensen van allerlei verschillende volken en talen dienden Hem. Hij zal eeuwig heersen en aan zijn macht zal geen einde komen. Zijn koningschap is zó geweldig dat het nooit ten val zal komen.
15 Ik, Daniël, was diep onder de indruk door alles wat ik had gezien en de visioenen brachten me in verwarring. 16 Daarom ging ik naar een van de omstanders en vroeg hem naar de betekenis van dit alles. Hij legde het mij uit. 17 ‘Die vier grote dieren,’ zei hij, ‘verbeelden vier koningen die uit de aarde zullen opkomen en heersen. 18 Daarna zal het heilige volk van God, de Allerhoogste, de macht krijgen en de wereld voor altijd regeren, tot in alle eeuwigheid.’ 19 Toen vroeg ik wat dat vierde dier te betekenen had dat zo verschilde van de andere dieren en er zo gruwelijk uitzag met zijn ijzeren tanden en koperen klauwen, waarmee hij zijn voedsel verscheurde en het overige vertrapte onder zijn poten. 20 Ik vroeg ook naar de betekenis van de tien horens op zijn kop en van die ene hoorn die later opkwam en waarvoor er drie uitvielen. En waarom hij ogen had en een mond die brallerige taal uitsloeg en waarom hij groter was dan de anderen. 21 Want ik had gezien dat deze hoorn vocht tegen de heiligen en van hen won, 22 tot de Hoogbejaarde kwam en zijn heiligen de overwinning gaf. Toen was het moment aangebroken waarop zij de macht kregen. 23 ‘Dat vierde dier,’ vertelde hij mij, ‘is de vierde wereldmacht die de aarde zal regeren. Het zal verschillen van alle andere. Het zal de hele wereld verslinden en alles vertrappen en vernietigen. 24 Zijn tien horens zijn tien koningen die in dat rijk zullen opstaan. Dan zal er nog een koning opstaan die verschilt van de anderen en drie van hen ten val zal brengen. 25 Hij zal tekeer gaan tegen God, de Allerhoogste, en zijn heiligen achtervolgen. Hij zal proberen alle wetten, regels en gebruiken te veranderen. Drieënhalf jaar lang zullen de heiligen aan zijn grillen worden overgeleverd. 26 Maar dan zal er een rechtszitting zijn en hem zal zijn macht ontnomen worden, hij zal voor eeuwig vernietigd worden. 27 Alle naties, koningen en grootheden onder de hemel zullen hun macht kwijtraken aan het heilige volk van God. Hij zal voor eeuwig over alles en iedereen regeren en alle machthebbers zullen Hem dienen en gehoorzamen.’
28 Dit was het einde van de droom. Bij het ontwaken verkeerde ik, Daniël, in grote verwarring. Ik was helemaal ontdaan, maar vertelde niemand wat ik had gezien.
Daniel 7
King James Version
7 In 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.
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 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.
5 And 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.
6 After 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.
7 After 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.
8 I 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.
9 I 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.
10 A 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.
11 I 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.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I 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.
14 And 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.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I 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.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
19 Then 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;
20 And 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.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
22 Until 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.
23 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.
24 And 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.
25 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.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And 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.
28 Hitherto 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
English Standard Version
Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts
7 In the first year of (A)Belshazzar king of Babylon, (B)Daniel saw a dream and (C)visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared,[a] “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, (D)the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts (E)came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 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. 5 And behold, (F)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.’ 6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a (G)leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and (H)dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, (I)terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; (J)it devoured and broke in pieces (K)and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and (L)it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, (M)there came up among them another horn, a little one, (N)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 (O)a mouth speaking great things.
The Ancient of Days Reigns
9 “As I looked,
(P)thrones were placed,
and the (Q)Ancient of Days took his seat;
(R)his clothing was white as snow,
and (S)the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
(T)its wheels were burning fire.
10 (U)A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
(V)a thousand thousands (W)served him,
(X)and ten thousand times ten thousand (Y)stood before him;
the (Z)court sat in judgment,
and (AA)the books were opened.
11 “I looked then because of the sound of (AB)the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, (AC)the beast was killed, and its body destroyed (AD)and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, (AE)their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
The Son of Man Is Given Dominion
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and (AF)behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the (AG)Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 (AH)And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all (AI)peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
(AJ)his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
Daniel's Vision Interpreted
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me[b] was anxious, and (AK)the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I 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 (AL)‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But (AM)the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
19 “Then I desired to know the truth about (AN)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, 20 (AO)and 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. 21 As I looked, this horn (AP)made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the (AQ)Ancient of Days came, and (AR)judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when (AS)the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 “Thus he said: ‘As for (AT)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.
24 As 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.
25 (AU)He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to (AV)change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for (AW)a time, times, and half a time.
26 (AX)But the court shall sit in judgment,
and (AY)his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed (AZ)to the end.
27 (BA)And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of (BB)the saints of the Most High;
(BC)his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’[c]
28 “Here is the end of the matter. (BD)As for me, Daniel, my (BE)thoughts greatly alarmed me, (BF)and my color changed, but (BG)I kept the matter in my heart.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:2 Aramaic answered and said
- Daniel 7:15 Aramaic within its sheath
- Daniel 7:27 Or their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them
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