Daniel 7:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

NIV: He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

NASB: And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.

CSB: He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.

NLT: He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.

KJV: And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

NKJV: He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

The "little horn," (Daniel 7:7–8), a powerful leader who will seize power during the end times (Daniel 7:21–24), will be a blasphemous, vicious persecutor of the saints. He will change laws and corrupt Jewish observances. Undoubtedly, he will cancel or drastically change the Jewish festivals. Bible interpreters believe this figure will present himself as Israel's friend, at first, and formulate a peace treaty. Yet after three and a half years, he will break the treaty and put an end to sacrifice and offering (Daniel 9:27).

Despite this worldwide power, God will restrict the little horn's reign of terror to "a time, times, and half a time." This expression appears several times in Daniel's prophecies and seems to imply a period of three and a half years. Daniel 12:7 places the end of "shattering of the power of the holy people" after "a time, times, and half a time." Revelation cites the time God safeguards His tribulation saints in the wilderness as "1,260 days" or "a time, and times, and half a time" (Revelation 12:6, 14). Revelation 13:5 says the beast—presumably, the same figure symbolized by Daniel as the little horn—will be allowed to speak haughty, blasphemous words. This figure will exercise authority for forty-two months, which is three and a half years.

Daniel 7:15–28 offers a detailed interpretation of Daniel's dream and visions (Daniel 7:1–14). The interpretation deals mainly with the fourth beast with teeth of iron and claws of bronze. It ends with the prediction that God will judge this fourth beast and give an everlasting kingdom to the Messiah. The New Testament reveals that this Promised One is Jesus Christ (Acts 13:23).

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.