Daniel 7:15-28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me,[a] and the visions of my head terrified me.(A) 16 I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter:(B) 17 “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever.”(C)
19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning 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 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and before which three others had fallen—the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly and that seemed greater than the others. 21 As I looked, that horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them,(D) 22 until the Ancient One[b] came; then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom.(E)
23 This is what he said: “As for the fourth beast,
there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
that shall be different from all the other kingdoms;
it shall devour the whole earth
and trample it down and break it to pieces.(F)
24 As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them.
This one shall be different from the former ones
and shall put down three kings.(G)
25 He shall speak words against the Most High,
shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High,
and shall attempt to change the ritual calendar and the law,
and they shall be given into his power
for a time, two times,[c] and half a time.(H)
26 Then the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and totally destroyed.(I)
27 The kingship and dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High;
their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey them.”(J)
28 Here the account ends. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly terrified me, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter in my mind.(K)
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Daniel 7:15-28
Lexham English Bible
Daniel Explains and Interprets the Vision
15 “As for me, Daniel,[a] my spirit was troubled within me,[b] and the visions of my head terrified me. 16 So I approached one of the attendants and I asked him[c] about the truth concerning all this; and he told me[d] that he would make known to me the explanation of the matter. 17 ‘These great beasts which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones[e] of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will take possession of the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’[f]
19 “Then I desired to make certain concerning the fourth beast that was different from all the others[g]—exceedingly terrifying, with its iron teeth and its claws of bronze; it devoured and crushed and stamped the remainder with its feet— 20 and concerning the horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and before which three horns fell,[h] and this horn had eyes[i] and a mouth speaking boastfully,[j] and its appearance was larger than its companions. 21 I continued watching,[k] and this horn made war with the holy ones[l] and it prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and gave judgment to the holy ones[m] of the Most High; and the time arrived and the holy ones[n] took possession of the kingdom.
23 “And he said, ‘The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom that will be on the earth that will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and it will trample it and it will crush it. 24 And as for the ten horns coming from it, from this kingdom[o] ten kings will arise, and another will arise after them. And he will be different from the earlier ones, and he will subdue three kings. 25 And he will speak words against the Most High, and he will wear out the holy ones[p] of the Most High, and he will attempt to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time and two times and half a time. 26 Then the court will sit, and his dominion will be removed,[q] to be eradicated and to be destroyed totally.[r] 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the nation of the holy ones[s] of the Most High; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,[t] and all the dominions will serve and obey him.’
28 This is the end of the account.[u] As for me, Daniel[v]—my thoughts terrified me greatly and my face changed over me, but I kept the matter in my heart.”[w]
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- Daniel 7:15 Literally “I Daniel”
- Daniel 7:15 Literally “in the midst of sheath”
- Daniel 7:16 Aramaic “from him”
- Daniel 7:16 Aramaic “to me”
- Daniel 7:18 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:18 Literally “forever and to forever”
- Daniel 7:19 Literally “all of them”
- Daniel 7:20 Literally “and fell from before it three”
- Daniel 7:20 Literally “and eyes to it”
- Daniel 7:20 Literally “abundantly”
- Daniel 7:21 Literally “I was watching”
- Daniel 7:21 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:22 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:22 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:24 Or “the kingdom”
- Daniel 7:25 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:26 Or “taken away”
- Daniel 7:26 Literally “until the end”
- Daniel 7:27 Or “saints”
- Daniel 7:27 Literally “is a kingdom of eternity”
- Daniel 7:28 Literally “Up to here is the end of the account”
- Daniel 7:28 Literally “I Daniel”
- Daniel 7:28 Or “to myself”
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