Daniel 7:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.

NIV: The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.

NASB: The first was like a lion but had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and set up on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it.

CSB: "The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.

NLT: The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.

KJV: The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

NKJV: The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

In a symbolic dream (Daniel 7:1), Daniel sees a series of animal-like creatures emerging from the sea (Daniel 7:2–3). Powerful nations are often symbolized as animals, such as the bear for Russia, the eagle for the United States, or a dragon for China. The beasts seen in Daniel's vision also represent nations and the kings of those nations (Daniel 7:17).

The first animal Daniel sees is mostly like a lion, but with eagle wings. A few scholars suggest this is a reference to Egypt, but most believe it represents the nation of Babylon. Archaeologists have discovered figures of winged lions in Nineveh, Nimrod, and Persepolis; the lion with wings was a symbol of Babylon. Such figures guarded the gates of the Babylonians' royal palaces. Ezekiel uses the picture of an eagle to symbolize Babylon (Ezekiel 17:3, 12). Jeremiah depicts Babylon's conquest of Judah with images of both lions and eagles (Jeremiah 4:7, 13).

In the dream, Daniel saw the lion's wings removed. The beast was transformed into something more human. This may symbolize relatively humane advancements under Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1). In Nebuchadnezzar's dream, this nation was symbolized by the golden head of a statue (Daniel 2:32, 37–38).

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.