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Daniel 7
Dios Habla Hoy
Daniel 7
Dios Habla Hoy
La visión de los cuatro monstruos
7 Una noche, durante el primer año del reinado de Belsasar en Babilonia, Daniel tuvo un sueño y visiones. En cuanto se despertó, puso por escrito las cosas principales que había soñado. Esto es lo que escribió:
2 «Yo veía en mi sueño que los cuatro vientos soplaban y agitaban las aguas del gran mar. 3 De repente, cuatro enormes monstruos, diferentes uno del otro, salieron del mar. 4 El primero se parecía a un león, pero tenía alas de águila. Mientras yo lo estaba mirando, le arrancaron las alas, lo levantaron del suelo y lo apoyaron sobre sus patas traseras, poniéndolo de pie como un hombre, y su cerebro se convirtió en el de un ser humano.
5 »El segundo se parecía a un oso, alzado más de un lado que de otro, el cual tenía tres costillas entre los dientes; y oí que le decían: “¡Anda, come toda la carne que puedas!”
6 »El tercero se parecía a un leopardo, pero con cuatro alas en la espalda; también vi que tenía cuatro cabezas y que se le entregaba el poder.
7 »El cuarto monstruo que vi en mis visiones era terrible, espantoso, y de una fuerza extraordinaria. Tenía grandes dientes de hierro; todo lo devoraba y destrozaba, y pisoteaba las sobras. Era un monstruo diferente de todos los que yo había visto en mi sueño, y tenía diez cuernos en la cabeza.
8 »Mientras yo estaba mirando los cuernos, vi que de entre ellos salía otro cuerno más pequeño, y entonces le arrancaron tres cuernos para dejar lugar al último que le había salido, el cual tenía ojos como los de un ser humano y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia.
El juicio de Dios
9 »Seguí mirando,
hasta que fueron puestos unos tronos
y un Anciano se sentó.
Su vestido era blanco como la nieve,
y su cabello como lana limpia.
El trono y sus ruedas eran llamas de fuego,
10 y un río de fuego salía de delante de él.
Miles y miles le servían,
y millones y millones estaban de pie en su presencia.
El tribunal dio principio a la sesión,
y los libros fueron abiertos.
11 »Yo estaba mirando, atraído por las cosas tan arrogantes que el cuerno pequeño decía; y mientras estaba mirando, mataron al monstruo y lo despedazaron, y luego lo echaron al fuego para que se quemara. 12 También a los otros monstruos se les quitó el poder, pero los dejaron seguir viviendo hasta que les llegara su hora.
13 »Yo seguía viendo estas visiones en la noche. De pronto:
»Vi que venía entre las nubes
alguien parecido a un hijo de hombre,
el cual fue a donde estaba el Anciano;
y le hicieron acercarse a él.
14 Y le fue dado el poder, la gloria y el reino,
y gente de todas las naciones y lenguas le servían.
Su poder será siempre el mismo,
y su reino jamás será destruido.
15 »Yo, Daniel, sentí que el terror se apoderaba de mí; y muy preocupado por todo lo que había visto, 16 me acerqué a uno de los que estaban allí de pie, y le pedí que me explicara todo aquello. Él aceptó explicármelo, y me dijo: 17 “Estos cuatro monstruos son cuatro reyes que dominarán el mundo. 18 Pero después el reino será entregado al pueblo del Dios altísimo, y será suyo por toda la eternidad.”
19 »Yo quería saber más acerca del cuarto monstruo, que era tan diferente de los otros, pues su aspecto era horrible: tenía dientes de hierro y garras de bronce; todo lo devoraba y destrozaba, y pisoteaba las sobras. 20 También quería yo saber más acerca de sus diez cuernos, y del cuerno pequeño que tenía ojos y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia, pues hasta parecía más grande que los otros cuernos, y tres cuernos habían caído para dejarle lugar. 21 Entonces vi que este cuerno luchaba contra el pueblo de Dios, y lo vencía, 22 hasta que llegó el Anciano e hizo justicia al pueblo del Dios altísimo, pues se había cumplido el tiempo para que el pueblo de Dios tomara posesión del reino. 23 Y dijo:
»“El cuarto monstruo será un cuarto reino
que habrá sobre la tierra,
diferente de todos los demás.
Devorará toda la tierra,
la pisoteará y la destrozará.
24 Los diez cuernos son diez reyes
que reinarán en ese reino.
Después de ellos subirá otro al poder,
que será muy diferente de los primeros
y que derribará a tres de estos reyes.
25 Insultará al Dios altísimo
e irá acabando con su pueblo;
tratará de cambiar la ley de Dios y las fiestas religiosas,
y el pueblo de Dios estará bajo su poder
durante tres años y medio.
26 Pero el tribunal celebrará un juicio,
y se le arrebatará el poder,
dejándolo completamente destruido.
27 Y el reino, el poder y la gloria
de todos los reinos de la tierra
serán dados al pueblo del Dios altísimo.
Su reino permanecerá para siempre,
y todos los pueblos de la tierra
le servirán y le obedecerán.”
28 »Éste es el final del relato. Y yo, Daniel, me quedé muy preocupado y me puse pálido; pero no dije nada a nadie sobre este asunto.»
Daniel 7
New Catholic Bible
Daniel 7
New Catholic Bible
Apocalypse: Visions of Daniel concerning the Future[a]
The Visions of the Beasts and the Son of Man[b]
Chapter 7
Four Great Beasts Come Up from the Sea.[c] 1 In the first year that Belshazzar was king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and experienced visions in his mind as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down his account of the dream as follows:
2 In the vision I saw during the night, I, Daniel, beheld the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four huge beasts then emerged from the sea, each one different from the others. 4 The first was like a lion, but with the wings of an eagle. As I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet as if it were a human being. It was also given a human heart.
5 Then a second beast appeared that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. The order was given to it: “Arise and gorge yourself with bodies.”
6 After this, as I watched, another beast appeared, like a leopard. On its back it had four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. This beast was given dominion.
7 After this, in my night visions, I beheld a fourth beast terrifying, fearsome, and exceedingly strong. With its great iron teeth it devoured and crushed its victims, and it trampled their remains with its feet. It was different from all of the preceding beasts, and it had ten horns.
8 While I was gazing up at these horns, I beheld another horn, a small one, sprouting in their midst. Three of the other horns were uprooted to make room for it. This horn had eyes like human eyes, and a mouth that spoke with arrogance.
One Like the Son of Man[d]
9 While I was watching,
thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient One sat on his throne.
His robe was as white as snow,
and the hair on his head was as pure as wool.
His throne was ablaze with fiery flames,
and its wheels were a burning fire.
10 A stream of fire surged forth
and flowed out from his presence.
Thousands upon thousands served him,
and myriads upon myriads stood before him.
The court was in session,
and the books lay open.
11 Then I continued to watch because of the arrogant words that the horn was speaking. And as I watched the beast was put to death. Its body was destroyed and thrown into the fire to be consumed. 12 As for the other beasts, they lost their dominion, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 As the night visions continued,
I beheld approaching on the clouds of heaven
one like a son of man.
He came before the Ancient One
and was presented to him.
14 Dominion and glory and kingship
were conferred upon him
so that all peoples and nations of every language
would become his servants.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will never pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.
15 The Kingdom of the Holy Ones of the Most High. I, Daniel, experienced great anguish of spirit, and the visions that flashed through my mind truly terrified me. 16 Therefore, I approached one of those who were standing there and asked him what all this truly signified. He in turn revealed to me what all these things meant, 17 “These four great beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive kingly power and possess it forever and ever.”
19 Then I expressed my desire to know about the fourth beast, since it was different from all the rest, and terrifying to behold with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling underfoot and devouring its victims. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head, and why the other horn sprouted, before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and an arrogant mouth, and whose appearance was more imposing than that of the others.
21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy ones and prevailing over them, 22 until the Ancient One came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom. 23 This is the explanation he offered:
“As for the fourth beast,
it signifies a fourth kingdom on earth
that will differ from all other kingdoms.
It shall devour the earth,
trample it underfoot, and crush it to pieces.
24 As for the ten horns,
from this kingdom ten kings shall rise,
and another shall arise after them.
This last king will be different from the earlier ones,
and he will overcome three kings.
25 He will insult the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High
in his stubborn determination
to change the sacred seasons and the law.
They shall be given into his power
for a time, two times, and half a time.
26 Finally the court will sit in judgment,
and his power will be taken away,
with his sovereignty completely destroyed forever.
27 Then kingship and dominion and the splendor
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
will be given to the holy people of the Most High,
whose kingdom will be everlasting,
and all dominions will serve and obey him.”
28 Here the account ends. I, Daniel, was greatly disturbed by my thoughts, and I turned pale, but I kept these things to myself.
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:1 Up to this point we have been edified by events in the life of a hero. Now he, himself, speaks in the chiaroscuro language of the apocalypses. The narrative transports the reader beyond the passing scene: the great empires that come and are swallowed up are simply preparations for the events that will mark the end of time. The prophet will also proclaim the mysterious coming of a “son of man” and the resurrection of the righteous.
- Daniel 7:1 This is the most important eschatological passage in the Book of Daniel. The immediate explanation is concerned with the time of Antiochus IV. But there are other Antiochuses in the course of human history.
- Daniel 7:1 These fabulous animals, close relatives of the forces of disorder which are often mentioned in the Bible (Ps 74; Isa 51:9) or in the primitive traditions of the peoples, stand here for the empires that controlled the East from the seventh to the second century before our era. If we may judge by the images he uses, the author sees the order of regimes as follows: Babylon, the Medes, the Persians, and then the Greeks, who have recently astonished the world by the conquests of Alexander the Great, who died in 323 B.C. Alexander’s successors have divided his empire among themselves, and it is this that is presently sowing terror. Horns are always a sign of power; here they symbolize the kings of the Greek dynasty of the Seleucids, who control Syria. The little, destructive horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–163 B.C.), who has rid himself of more than one of his rivals. This entire scenario, then, is intended to fill out the portrait of this persecuting ruler. But Antiochus IV has passed away, and other haughty regimes have arisen that must be identified with the same critical clarity. The Book of Revelation (Rev 13) takes over the image of the horned beast to signify evil in all the forms in which it is directed against the community of those whom Christ has brought together.
- Daniel 7:9 At this point, a mysterious personage is enthroned: the Man par excellence, who calls to mind the figure of the Servant in Isaiah (Isa 52:13-15) and represents the group of spiritual believers to whom God entrusts his kingdom forever (Dan 7:18, 22, 27). He stands at the head of the kingdom of God announced by the Prophets. In this way the coming fall of Antiochus and of the persecuting regimes is prefigured; it will be possible once again to profess the faith freely. In addition, the vision promises a new era in which the whole of humanity will be gathered into the one kingdom of God. Also included here is the title son of man, which Jesus will apply to himself and which, once freed from nationalistic interpretations, will suggest the newness of God’s work in the world, namely, the gospel message. In the Christian Apocalypse, the title designates Christ as judge at the end of time (Mt 24:30; Rev 1:13; 14:14).
Daniel 7
New King James Version
Daniel 7
New King James Version
Vision of the Four Beasts
7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, (A)Daniel [a]had a dream and (B)visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling [b]the main facts.
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts (C)came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was (D)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 (E)man’s heart was given to it.
5 (F)“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had (G)four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, (H)a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, (I)and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and (J)there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes (K)of a man, (L)and a mouth speaking [c]pompous words.
Vision of the Ancient of Days
9 “I(M) watched till thrones were [d]put in place,
And (N)the Ancient of Days was seated;
(O)His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
(P)Its wheels a burning fire;
10 (Q)A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
(R)A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
(S)The [e]court was seated,
And the books were opened.
11 “I watched then because of the sound of the [f]pompous words which the horn was speaking; (T)I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 “I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, (U)One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14 (V)Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all (W)peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is (X)an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit [g]within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four [h]kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But (Y)the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke [i]pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
21 “I was watching; (Z)and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, (AA)and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
23 “Thus he said:
‘The fourth beast shall be
(AB)A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 (AC)The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 (AD)He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall (AE)persecute[j] the saints of the Most High,
And shall (AF)intend to change times and law.
Then (AG)the saints shall be given into his hand
(AH)For a time and times and half a time.
26 ‘But(AI) the court shall be seated,
And they shall (AJ)take away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the (AK)kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
(AL)His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
(AM)And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
28 “This is the end of the [k]account. As for me, Daniel, (AN)my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I (AO)kept the matter in my heart.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:1 Lit. saw
- Daniel 7:1 Lit. the head or chief of the words
- Daniel 7:8 Lit. great things
- Daniel 7:9 Or set up
- Daniel 7:10 Or judgment
- Daniel 7:11 Lit. great
- Daniel 7:15 Lit. in the midst of its sheath
- Daniel 7:17 Representing their kingdoms, v. 23
- Daniel 7:20 Lit. great things
- Daniel 7:25 Lit. wear out
- Daniel 7:28 Lit. word
Daniel 7
New International Version
Daniel 7
New International Version
Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts
7 In the first year of Belshazzar(A) king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions(B) passed through his mind(C) as he was lying in bed.(D) He wrote(E) down the substance of his dream.
2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven(F) churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts,(G) each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
4 “The first was like a lion,(H) and it had the wings of an eagle.(I) 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!’(J)
6 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard.(K) 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(L) at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron(M) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled(N) underfoot whatever was left.(O) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.(P)
8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little(Q) 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(R) and a mouth that spoke boastfully.(S)
9 “As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days(T) took his seat.(U)
His clothing was as white as snow;(V)
the hair of his head was white like wool.(W)
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels(X) were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire(Y) was flowing,
coming out from before him.(Z)
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books(AA) were opened.
11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking.(AB) I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.(AC) 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,[a](AD) coming(AE) with the clouds of heaven.(AF) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority,(AG) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(AH) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(AI) is one that will never be destroyed.(AJ)
The Interpretation of the Dream
15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.(AK) 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.
“So he told me and gave me the interpretation(AL) of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people(AM) of the Most High will receive the kingdom(AN) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’(AO)
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. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns(AP) 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.(AQ) 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,(AR) 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.(AS)
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.(AT) 24 The ten horns(AU) 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. 25 He will speak against the Most High(AV) and oppress his holy people(AW) and try to change the set times(AX) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[b](AY)
26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed(AZ) forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms(BA) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people(BB) of the Most High.(BC) His kingdom will be an everlasting(BD) kingdom, and all rulers will worship(BE) and obey him.’
28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled(BF) by my thoughts,(BG) and my face turned pale,(BH) but I kept the matter to myself.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.
- Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year
Dios Habla Hoy (DHH)
Dios habla hoy ®, © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1966, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1996.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.