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
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
Daniel 7
La Biblia de las Américas
Visión de las cuatro bestias
7 En el año primero del rey Belsasar de Babilonia, Daniel tuvo un sueño y visiones(A) en su mente[a], estando en su cama. Entonces escribió el sueño y relató el resumen[b] de él[c](B). 2 Habló Daniel, y dijo: Miraba yo en mi visión nocturna(C), y he aquí, los cuatro vientos del cielo agitaban el gran mar(D); 3 y cuatro bestias enormes, diferentes unas de otras, subían del mar(E). 4 La primera era como un león(F) y tenía alas de águila. Mientras yo miraba, sus alas le fueron arrancadas, fue levantada del suelo y puesta sobre dos pies, como un hombre, y le fue dado corazón de hombre. 5 Y he aquí, otra segunda bestia, semejante a un oso, estaba levantada de un costado, y en su boca, entre sus dientes, tenía tres costillas; y le dijeron así: «Levántate, y devora mucha carne». 6 Después de esto seguí mirando, y he aquí, otra más, semejante a un leopardo que tenía sobre su dorso[d] cuatro alas de ave; la bestia tenía cuatro cabezas, y le fue dado dominio(G). 7 Después de esto seguí mirando en las visiones nocturnas, y he aquí, una cuarta bestia, terrible, espantosa y en gran manera fuerte que tenía enormes dientes de hierro; devoraba, desmenuzaba y hollaba los restos con sus pies. Era diferente de todas las bestias que le antecedieron y tenía diez cuernos(H). 8 Mientras yo contemplaba los cuernos, he aquí, otro cuerno, uno pequeño, surgió entre ellos(I), y tres de los primeros cuernos fueron arrancados delante de él; y he aquí, este cuerno tenía ojos[e] como los ojos de un hombre, y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia[f](J).
9 Seguí mirando
hasta que se establecieron tronos(K),
y el Anciano de Días se sentó.
Su vestidura era blanca como la nieve(L),
y el cabello de su cabeza como lana pura,
su trono, llamas de fuego(M),
y sus ruedas, fuego abrasador(N).
10 Un río de fuego corría,
saliendo de delante de Él(O).
Miles de millares le servían,
y miríadas de miríadas estaban en pie delante de Él(P).
El tribunal se sentó(Q),
y se abrieron los libros(R).
11 Entonces yo seguí mirando a causa del ruido de las palabras arrogantes[g] que el cuerno decía; seguí mirando hasta que mataron a la bestia, destrozaron su cuerpo y lo echaron a las llamas del fuego(S). 12 A las demás bestias, se les quitó el dominio, pero les fue concedida una prolongación de la vida por un tiempo determinado.
13 Seguí mirando en las visiones nocturnas,
y he aquí, con las nubes del cielo
venía uno como un Hijo de Hombre(T),
que se dirigió al Anciano de Días
y fue presentado ante Él.
14 Y le fue dado dominio,
gloria y reino[h](U),
para que todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas
le sirvieran(V).
Su dominio es un dominio eterno(W)
que nunca pasará(X),
y su reino uno
que no será destruido(Y).
15 A mí, Daniel, se me angustió por dentro[i] el espíritu, y las visiones de mi mente[j](Z) seguían turbándome(AA). 16 Me acerqué a uno de los que estaban allí de pie y le pedí que me dijera la verdad acerca de todo esto. Y me respondió, dándome a conocer(AB) la interpretación de estas cosas(AC): 17 «Estas bestias enormes, que son cuatro, son cuatro reyes que se levantarán de la tierra. 18 Pero los santos del Altísimo recibirán el reino y poseerán el reino para siempre, por los siglos de los siglos(AD)». 19 Entonces quise saber la verdad acerca de la cuarta bestia, que era diferente de todas las demás[k], y en gran manera terrible, con sus dientes de hierro y sus garras de bronce, y que devoraba, desmenuzaba y hollaba los restos con sus pies(AE), 20 y la verdad acerca de los diez cuernos que tenía en su cabeza, y del otro cuerno que había surgido, delante del cual cayeron tres de ellos, es decir, el cuerno que tenía ojos y una boca que hablaba con mucha arrogancia[l], y cuya apariencia era mayor que la de sus compañeros. 21 Mientras yo miraba, este cuerno hacía guerra contra los santos y prevalecía sobre ellos(AF), 22 hasta que vino el Anciano de Días y se hizo[m] justicia a favor de los santos del Altísimo, y llegó el tiempo cuando los santos tomaron posesión del reino(AG).
23 Dijo así: «La cuarta bestia será un cuarto reino en la tierra, que será diferente de todos los otros reinos; devorará toda la tierra, la hollará y la desmenuzará. 24 Y los diez cuernos de este reino son diez reyes que se levantarán(AH), y otro se levantará después de ellos; él será diferente de los anteriores y subyugará a tres reyes. 25 Y él proferirá palabras contra el Altísimo(AI) y afligirá a los santos del Altísimo(AJ), e intentará cambiar los tiempos y la ley; y le serán entregados en sus manos por un tiempo[n], por tiempos[o] y por medio tiempo[p](AK). 26 Pero el tribunal se sentará para juzgar(AL), y su dominio le será quitado, aniquilado y destruido para siempre[q]. 27 Y la soberanía[r], el dominio y la grandeza de todos los reinos debajo de todo el cielo serán entregados al pueblo de los santos del Altísimo. Su reino será un reino eterno(AM), y todos los dominios le servirán(AN) y le obedecerán(AO)». 28 Hasta aquí la revelación[s]. En cuanto a mí, Daniel, mis pensamientos me turbaron en gran manera y mi rostro palideció[t](AP), pero guardé el asunto en mi corazón(AQ).
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:1 Lit., de su cabeza
- Daniel 7:1 O, el principio
- Daniel 7:1 Lit., las palabras
- Daniel 7:6 O, costado
- Daniel 7:8 Lit., en este cuerno había ojos
- Daniel 7:8 Lit., hablaba grandes cosas
- Daniel 7:11 Lit., grandes
- Daniel 7:14 O, soberanía
- Daniel 7:15 Lit., en medio de su envoltura; i.e., del cuerpo
- Daniel 7:15 Lit., cabeza
- Daniel 7:19 Lit., todas ellas
- Daniel 7:20 Lit., grandes cosas
- Daniel 7:22 Lit., se dio
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., año(s)
- Daniel 7:26 Lit., para aniquilar y destruir hasta el fin
- Daniel 7:27 O, el reino
- Daniel 7:28 Lit., el fin de la palabra
- Daniel 7:28 Lit., mi brillantez cambió sobre mí
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
