Daniel 7:1

¶ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters.

In the first {H2298} year {H8140} of Belshazzar {H1113} king {H4430} of Babylon {H895} Daniel {H1841} had {H2370} a dream {H2493} and visions {H2376} of his head {H7217} upon {H5922} his bed {H4903}: then {H116} he wrote {H3790} the dream {H2493}, and told {H560} the sum {H7217} of the matters {H4406}.

In the first year of Belshatzar king of Bavel, Dani'el had a dream and visions in his head, as he was lying on his bed. He wrote the dream down, and this is his account:

In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

Daniel 7:1 marks a pivotal transition in the Book of Daniel, shifting from historical narratives to a series of profound apocalyptic visions that reveal God's sovereign plan for the future. This verse introduces Daniel's first major vision, which sets the stage for the prophetic content of the latter half of the book.

Context

This vision occurs "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon." Chronologically, this places the vision before the dramatic events of Daniel chapter 5, where Belshazzar's reign comes to an abrupt end with the fall of Babylon. Daniel, now an aged and esteemed figure within the Babylonian court, receives this divine revelation while on his bed. This timing is significant as it highlights God's continuous communication with His prophet, even during the twilight years of a mighty pagan empire.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation through Dreams and Visions: God communicates His future plans directly to Daniel, emphasizing the supernatural source of the prophecies. The phrase "dream and visions of his head" underscores the vivid and immersive nature of this divine encounter, akin to a direct download of divine truth.
  • Shift to Apocalyptic Prophecy: Chapter 7 initiates the prophetic section of Daniel (chapters 7-12), moving beyond the historical accounts of Daniel's life and service (chapters 1-6). This section is foundational for understanding later prophetic books, including the Book of Revelation, due to its symbolic language and focus on end-time events.
  • Daniel as Recorder and Interpreter: The verse states Daniel "wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters." This highlights his crucial role not only as the recipient of prophecy but also as its diligent scribe and initial interpreter. His actions ensure the preservation and understanding of God's complex message for future generations, underscoring the importance of recording divine truth.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "visions of his head" (Hebrew: חֶזְוֵי רֵאשֵׁהּ, chezvei re'sheh) literally means "visions of his head," emphasizing that these were internal, divinely implanted images and scenes, not external phenomena. The term "dream" (חֵלֶם, chelem) often denotes a less structured, more symbolic form of revelation, while "visions" (חֶזְוֵי, chezvei) can imply more detailed or comprehensive prophetic scenes. Daniel's act of "writing the dream" (כָּתַב הֶחֶלְמָא, katav hechelma) underscores the permanence and authority of the revelation, similar to other biblical prophets who recorded God's word for posterity.

Practical Application

Daniel 7:1 serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all history, revealing His grand plans even amidst the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms. Just as Daniel received and meticulously recorded these profound prophecies, we are called to pay attention to God's revealed word, understanding that He has a purpose for all things. The detailed nature of Daniel's visions, which unfold in the subsequent verses, provides assurance that God is in control of human history, guiding it towards His ultimate purposes, even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 23:28

    The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

  • Daniel 1:17

    ¶ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

  • Daniel 4:5

    I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

  • Daniel 5:1

    ¶ Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

  • Amos 3:7

    Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

  • Joel 2:28

    ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

  • Daniel 2:1

    ¶ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
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