Daniel 7:15-28
New American Standard Bible
The Vision Interpreted
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within [a]me, and the (A)visions [b]in my mind kept (B)alarming me. 16 I approached one of those who were (C)standing by and began requesting of him the [c]exact meaning of all this. So he (D)told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [d](E)saints of the Highest One will (F)receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, [e]for all ages to come.’
19 “Then I desired to know the [f]exact meaning of the (G)fourth beast, which was different from all [g]the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of the horns fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and [h]which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was (H)waging war with the [i]saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and (I)judgment was [j]passed in favor of the [k]saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the [l]saints took possession of the kingdom.
23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. 24 As for the (J)ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will [m]humble three kings. 25 And he will [n](K)speak against the (L)Most High and (M)wear down the [o]saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make (N)alterations in times and in law; and [p]they will be handed over to him for a [q](O)time, [r]times, and half a [s]time. 26 But the court will [t]convene for judgment, and his dominion will be (P)taken away, [u]annihilated and destroyed [v]forever. 27 Then the [w](Q)sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the [x]saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an (R)everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will (S)serve and obey Him.’
28 “[y]At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were (T)greatly alarming me and my [z]face became pale, but I (U)kept the matter [aa]to myself.”
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- Daniel 7:15 Lit its sheath
- Daniel 7:15 Lit of my head
- Daniel 7:16 Lit what was certain
- Daniel 7:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:18 Lit and unto the age of the ages
- Daniel 7:19 Lit truth concerning
- Daniel 7:19 Lit of them
- Daniel 7:20 Lit its appearance was larger
- Daniel 7:21 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:22 Lit given for
- Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:22 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:24 Or humiliate
- Daniel 7:25 Lit speak words
- Daniel 7:25 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., the saints
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
- Daniel 7:25 I.e., year(s)
- Daniel 7:26 Lit take its place
- Daniel 7:26 Lit to annihilate and to destroy
- Daniel 7:26 Lit to the end
- Daniel 7:27 Or kingdom
- Daniel 7:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Daniel 7:28 Lit To here the end of the word
- Daniel 7:28 Lit brightness was changing upon me
- Daniel 7:28 Lit in my heart
Daniel 7:15-28
Common English Bible
Beasts interpreted
15 Now this caused me, Daniel, to worry.[a] My visions disturbed me greatly. 16 So I went to one of the servants who was standing ready nearby. I asked him for the truth about all this.
He spoke to me and explained to me the meaning of these things. 17 “These four giant beasts are four kings that will rise up from the earth, 18 but the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingship. They will hold the kingship securely forever and always.”
19 Next I wanted greater clarity about the fourth beast, the one that was different from all the others and utterly terrifying with its iron teeth and bronze claws. As it ate and crushed, its feet smashed whatever was left over. 20 I wanted greater clarity about the ten horns on its head, and the other horn that came up, along with the three that fell out to make room for it—but especially about the horn that had eyes and a mouth that bragged, and that seemed more important than the others. 21 As I watched, this same horn waged war against the holy ones and defeated them, 22 until the Ancient One came. Then judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. The set time arrived, and the holy ones held the kingship securely.
23 This is what he said:
“The fourth beast means
that there will be a fourth kingship on the earth.
It will be different from all the other kingships.
It will devour the entire earth, trample it, crush it.
24 The ten horns mean
that from this kingship will rise ten kings,
and after them will rise yet another.
He will be different from the previous ones.
He will defeat three kings.
25 He will say things against the Most High
and will exhaust the holy ones of the Most High.
He will try to change times set by law.
And for a period of time,
periods of time,
and half a period of time,
they will be delivered into his power.
26 Then the court will sit in session.
His rule will be taken away—
ruined and wiped out for all time.
27 The kingship, authority, and power
of all kingdoms under heaven
will be given to the people,
the holy ones of the Most High.
Their kingship is an everlasting one; every authority will serve them and obey.”
28 The account ends here.
Now as for how I, Daniel, felt about this: My thoughts disturbed me greatly. My mood darkened considerably, and I kept thinking about this matter.
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- Daniel 7:15 Or my spirit was distressed in its sheath; Aram uncertain
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