Daniel 7:15-28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Interpretation of the Vision
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me,[a] and the visions in my mind terrified me.(A) 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him(B) the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:(C) 17 ‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’(D)
19 “Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast,(E) the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the 10 horns(F) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly,(G) and that was more visible than the others. 21 As I was watching, this horn waged war(H) against the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment(I) was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.
23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24 The 10 horns(J) are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. 25 He will speak words against the Most High(K) and oppress[b] the holy ones(L) of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals[c] and laws,(M) and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.[d](N) 26 But the court will convene,(O) and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.(P) 27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,(Q) and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
28 “This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly,(R) and my face turned pale,[e] but I kept the matter to myself.”(S)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 7:15 Lit was distressed in the middle of its sheath
- Daniel 7:25 Lit wear out
- Daniel 7:25 Lit change times
- Daniel 7:25 Or for three and a half years
- Daniel 7:28 Lit my brightness changed on me
Daniel 7:15-28
International Standard Version
The Vision Interpreted
15 “Now as for me, Daniel, I was emotionally troubled, and what I had seen in the visions kept alarming me. 16 So I approached one of those who was standing nearby and began to ask the meaning of all of this. He spoke to me and caused me to understand the interpretation of these things. 17 He said, ‘These four great animals are four kings who will rise to power from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Highest will receive the kingdom forever, inheriting it[a] forever and ever.’
19 “I wanted to learn the precise significance of the fourth animal that was different from all the others, extremely awe-inspiring, with iron teeth and bronze claws, and that had devoured and crushed things,[b] trampling under its feet whatever remained. 20 Also, I wanted to learn the significance of[c] the ten horns on its head and the other horn that had arisen, before which three of them had fallen—that is, the horn with eyes and a mouth that uttered magnificent things and which was greater in appearance than its fellows.
21 “As I continued to watch, that same horn waged war against the saints, and was prevailing against them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived to pass judgment in favor of the saints of the Highest One and the time came for the saints to take possession of the kingdom. 23 So he said:
‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 Now as to the ten horns, ten kings will rise to power from this kingdom, and another king[d] will rise to power after them. He will be different from the previous kings,[e] and will defeat three kings. 25 He’ll speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One. He’ll attempt to alter times and laws, and they’ll be given into his control for a time, times, and half a time. 26 Nevertheless, the court will convene, and his authority will be removed, annulled, and destroyed forever. 27 Then the kingdom, authority, and magnificence of all nations of the earth[f] will be given to the people who are the saints of the Highest One. His kingdom will endure forever, and all authorities will serve him and obey him.’
28 “At this point the vision ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts continued to alarm me, and I lost my natural color, but I kept quiet about the matter.”[g]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 7:18 The Aram. lacks inheriting it
- Daniel 7:19 The Aram. lacks things
- Daniel 7:20 The Aram. lacks I wanted to learn the significance of
- Daniel 7:24 The Aram. lacks king
- Daniel 7:24 The Aram. lacks kings
- Daniel 7:27 Lit. of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
- Daniel 7:28 Lit. kept the matter in my heart
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