Daniel 7:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.

NIV: I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. 'So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:

NASB: I approached one of those who were standing by and began requesting of him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:

CSB: I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him to clarify all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things:

NLT: So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this:

KJV: I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

NKJV: I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:

Though he was given great skill (Daniel 1:17), Daniel was not omniscient. Sometimes, the meaning of God's messages were clear (Daniel 5:17). In other cases, such as this, he needed to ask for special assistance (Daniel 2:17–19; 8:15). This new vision (Daniel 7:1) made Daniel uneasy, so he asked one of the nearby angelic beings (Daniel 7:10) for an explanation. That means Daniel didn't wait until the dream was over—he took the opportunity to seek an answer immediately.

Scripture does not identify this being. Many commentators suggest this was the angel named Gabriel. Gabriel seems to have been God's appointed messenger at crucial times in the Bible. Luke 1:11–13 reports that Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to John's father Zechariah (cf. Luke 1:19). He announced to the virgin Mary that she would give birth to the Savior (Luke 1:26–33). Later in this book, Gabriel will be charged with explaining prophetic visions to Daniel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21).

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.

Accessed 5/8/2024 10:18:17 PM