Daniel 7:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

NIV: He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

NASB: And to Him was given dominion, Honor, and a kingdom, So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

CSB: He was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

NLT: He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal — it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

This part of Daniel's vision (Daniel 7:1) pictures Jesus, the "son of man" (Daniel 7:13) being honored and invested with supreme power. The previous verse associates this event with the clouds of heaven. This transaction happens through the will of the "Ancient of Days," meaning God the Father. Daniel's depiction of this crucial figure is important for understanding New Testament events. Jesus applied this imagery to Himself many times (Matthew 26:2; John 1:51). Daniel is seeing the eventual end of God's plan, where Jesus rules the world directly and in person (Matthew 25:31; Revelation 11:15).

This event is also previewed in Revelation 5:5–14. When Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is formally given rule of earth, the occupants of heaven proclaim His worthiness to receive "power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12). The kingdoms Daniel saw rise from the sea ended, and the kingdom of the beast in the end time will be destroyed, but Jesus' kingdom will never be destroyed (Revelation 20:1–6).

Daniel 7:13–14 contains words and imagery crucial to the New Testament ministry of Jesus Christ. Daniel's nighttime vision continues with the appearance of a humanlike figure: a "son of man." This title is among the most common used for Jesus Christ. In Daniel's vision, this person is granted great power by God, "the Ancient of Days." After this, Daniel will ask that his prophetic dream be explained.

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.