Daniel 7:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

NIV: A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

NASB: A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were serving Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court convened, And the books were opened.

CSB: A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

NLT: and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.

The vision of God as Judge continues in this verse (Daniel 7:9). While dreaming of future kingdoms (Daniel 7:3–7, 17), Daniel has also seen the Lord on a fiery throne in heaven, calling Him "the Ancient of Days" (Psalm 90:2). References to fire emphasize God's judgment, because fire destroys some things and leaves others intact (1 Corinthians 3:13). The Lord's judgment is being highlighted because of the appearance of the "little horn" coming from one of the four symbolic beasts (Daniel 7:8).

The number Daniel records here is not necessarily meant as an exact count. The biblical expression "ten thousand" is sometimes used metaphorically to mean "very many," much as modern English uses the word "millions." In literal terms, a thousand thousands is one million, and ten thousand ten thousands is one hundred million. The book of Revelation will use similar terms to depict the number of angels heard by John (Revelation 5:11). Literal or not, the point is that the Lord commands an awesome, overwhelming force of spiritual beings.

The books opened here appear to be different than those used at the great white throne judgment of the end times (Revelation 20:12). Those books will be opened after the millennial reign of Christ. The books in this part of Daniel are opened in response to the boasting and blasphemy of the "little horn" (Daniel 7:11). God will have a record of all the "little horn's" sinful thoughts, words, and deeds (Isaiah 65:6–7; Hebrews 4:13). The judgment on the "little horn" will be accurate and fully deserved. Revelation 19:11–20 further describes the judgment that falls on the "little horn"—there called "the beast"—at Christ's return to earth.

Daniel 7:1–12 looks back to a time before the story contained in chapter 6. This passage describes a dream Daniel had during the rule of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1, 30). His visions contained information about various kingdoms leading up to a dreadful, strong kingdom in the end times. The images also pictured God, "the Ancient of Days," who judges the final Gentile kingdom. An angel's explanation of the dream and visions follows in the next passage.

Daniel experiences a troubling vision in the form of a dream. He sees animal-like beasts representing successive kingdoms. The last of these is uniquely powerful and led by a mysterious figure. This person, depicted as a "little horn," will be known for usurping power, blasphemy against God, and intense persecution of the saints. Yet his time will be short and it will end in God's successful judgment.

This chapter is the intersection of two different divisions in the book of Daniel. This is the last passage written in Aramaic, the common language of the world at that time. It is also the first segment focusing on prophecy, shifting from a record of events in the past to show a glimpse of the future. This passage connects to other descriptions of the end times, such as those found in Revelation chapters 13, 19, and 20.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.