Daniel 7:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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:

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 7:1 serves as a crucial transitional verse in the Book of Daniel, marking the shift from the historical narratives of chapters 1-6 to the profound apocalyptic visions that dominate chapters 7-12. This verse establishes the setting for Daniel's first major prophetic revelation, occurring during the reign of Belshazzar, and highlights Daniel's immediate and diligent response to divine communication: recording the dream and summarizing its essential content for posterity. It underscores God's sovereign initiative in revealing His future plans to His chosen prophet, even amidst the turbulent backdrop of earthly empires.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 7:1 initiates the second major section of the Book of Daniel, moving from the historical accounts of Daniel's life and service (chapters 1-6) to a series of complex apocalyptic visions (chapters 7-12). Chronologically, this vision precedes the events of [Daniel chapter 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon"), which describes Belshazzar's final feast and the dramatic fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. Placing this vision earlier in Belshazzar's reign (his "first year") emphasizes that God's prophetic revelations were given to Daniel throughout his long career, not just during periods of political upheaval. The vision itself, detailed in [Daniel 7:2-14](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2-14 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts and the Son of Man"), introduces symbolic beasts representing successive world empires, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Babylon during the Neo-Babylonian Empire, specifically in the early years of Belshazzar's co-regency with his father, Nabonidus. Belshazzar's reign (c. 553-539 BC) was a period of decline for Babylon, with the rising power of the Medo-Persian Empire posing an increasing threat. Daniel, by this time, was an aged and respected figure, having served under multiple Babylonian kings. Dreams and visions were widely recognized in the ancient Near East as potential means of divine communication, though pagan cultures often relied on divination and omens. For Israel, however, true dreams and visions came from Yahweh, serving as legitimate channels for prophetic revelation, as seen in the experiences of figures like Joseph and Ezekiel. Daniel's immediate recording of the vision aligns with the prophetic tradition of preserving God's word.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the remainder of Daniel and resonate throughout biblical prophecy. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Revelation through Dreams and Visions**, highlighting God's chosen method of communicating His future plans directly to His prophet, emphasizing the supernatural source of the prophecies. The phrase "dream and visions of his head" signals the immersive and internal nature of this divine encounter, a direct impartation of divine truth. Secondly, it marks a significant **Shift to Apocalyptic Prophecy**, initiating the highly symbolic and future-oriented section of Daniel. This shift is foundational for understanding later prophetic books, including the [Book of Revelation](/revelation/1 "Revelation 1 - John's Vision of the Risen Christ"), due to its rich symbolism and focus on eschatological events. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Daniel's Role as Recorder and Interpreter**, stating that he "wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters." This highlights his crucial responsibility not only as the recipient of prophecy but also as its diligent scribe and initial interpreter, ensuring the preservation and understanding of God's complex message for future generations, much like other prophets were commanded to record God's words (e.g., [Jeremiah 30:2](/jeremiah/30-2 "Jeremiah 30:2 - God Commands Jeremiah to Write")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belshazzar (Aramaic, _Bêlshaʼtstsar'_):** This word refers to a Babylonian king, specifically the last ruling king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire before its fall to the Persians. His mention here precisely dates the vision and connects it to the historical context of a declining pagan empire, setting the stage for God's sovereign intervention in world affairs.
* **dream (Aramaic, _chêlem'_):** This term denotes a divinely-given nocturnal revelation, often symbolic and requiring interpretation. In Daniel's context, dreams are a primary means through which God communicates profound truths about future events and His overarching plan, distinguishing them from ordinary human dreams.
* **visions (Aramaic, _chêzêv'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to gaze upon," this word signifies a sight or prophetic revelation, often more detailed or comprehensive than a typical dream. Its pairing with "dream" emphasizes the vivid, immersive, and divinely-orchestrated nature of Daniel's experience, indicating a direct encounter with spiritual realities.
* **wrote (Aramaic, _kᵉthab'_):** This verb means "to grave" or "to write." Daniel's act of writing the dream underscores the importance, permanence, and authority of the divine revelation. It ensures the preservation of God's message for future generations, highlighting Daniel's role as a faithful scribe of prophetic truth.
* **sum (Aramaic, _rêʼsh'_):** Literally meaning "head," this term is used figuratively here to mean "the sum" or "the chief part." Daniel "told the sum of the matters," indicating that he provided a concise, essential summary or interpretation of the complex vision, making its core message accessible and understandable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon":** This clause provides the precise chronological setting for Daniel's vision, anchoring it in a specific historical moment within the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It highlights God's active involvement in human history, revealing His plans even during the twilight of a powerful pagan kingdom, before its dramatic fall.
* **"Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed:":** This phrase describes the nature and source of the divine revelation. Daniel received both a "dream" (a nocturnal, often symbolic revelation) and "visions of his head" (internal, divinely implanted prophetic scenes). The phrase "upon his bed" indicates that these were not external phenomena but internal, divinely initiated experiences while he was resting, emphasizing the direct and personal nature of God's communication to His prophet.
* **"then he wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters.":** This final clause details Daniel's immediate and faithful response to the divine revelation. He diligently "wrote the dream," ensuring its permanent record and preservation for future generations. Furthermore, he "told the sum of the matters," indicating that he not only recorded the vision but also provided an initial, concise interpretation or summary of its essential meaning, demonstrating his role as both recipient and communicator of God's truth.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 7:1 employs several key literary devices. It functions as a **Framing Device**, serving as an explicit introduction to the entire apocalyptic section of the book (chapters 7-12), signaling a shift in genre and thematic focus from historical narrative to prophetic vision. The phrase "dream and visions" exemplifies **Parallelism**, using two closely related terms to emphasize the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of Daniel's divine encounter. While the specific symbols are not yet introduced, the verse sets the stage for extensive **Symbolism** that will define the subsequent chapters, where earthly kingdoms are represented by fantastic beasts and divine judgment by heavenly courts. Finally, the verse acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the profound and complex prophecies that are about to unfold, creating anticipation for the revelations concerning future empires and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 7:1 powerfully establishes the theme of divine sovereignty over human history, demonstrating that God is not merely an observer but the active orchestrator of world events, revealing His plans to His chosen servants. This verse underscores the continuity of God's communication through dreams and visions, a method seen throughout biblical history, affirming that God speaks to His people. Daniel's immediate response to record and summarize the revelation highlights the enduring importance of preserving and transmitting God's word, ensuring that future generations can understand His purposes and find hope in His ultimate control.

* [Numbers 12:6](/numbers/12-6 "God Speaks Through Dreams and Visions")
* [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Prophecy of Dreams and Visions in the Last Days")
* [Revelation 1:1-3](/revelation/1-1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ and the Command to Write")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 7:1 invites us to consider the profound reality of God's active engagement with human history and His desire to reveal His plans to His people. Just as Daniel received and meticulously recorded these complex prophecies, we are called to approach God's revealed word with diligence and reverence. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, this verse provides a foundational assurance: God is sovereign, and He has a grand, unfolding purpose for all things, guiding history towards His ultimate ends. Daniel's faithful response reminds us of our own responsibility to receive, understand, and share the truths God reveals, trusting that His ultimate plan will prevail, regardless of the rise and fall of earthly powers. This encourages a posture of trust and anticipation, knowing that God's kingdom will ultimately triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's immediate act of writing down the dream challenge or inspire my own diligence in engaging with God's word?**
* **In what ways does the idea of God revealing His future plans to His servants offer comfort or challenge in my current circumstances?**
* **Considering the historical context of a declining empire, how does Daniel 7:1 encourage me to trust in God's sovereignty amidst political or societal instability today?**

### FAQ

**Why does Daniel 7:1 mention Belshazzar, when Daniel 5 describes his downfall?**

Answer: Daniel 7:1 specifies "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon" to provide a precise chronological marker for the vision. While [Daniel chapter 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon") describes Belshazzar's final feast and the dramatic fall of Babylon, the Book of Daniel is not strictly chronological in its arrangement. The visions in chapters 7-12 are grouped thematically as apocalyptic prophecies, and their historical dating often precedes the narrative events of chapters 5 and 6. This placement emphasizes that God's revelations were given to Daniel throughout his long life and service, even during the early years of a king whose reign would ultimately end in judgment.

**What is the significance of Daniel having both a "dream" and "visions of his head"?**

Answer: The phrasing "dream and visions of his head" emphasizes the comprehensive and divinely-orchestrated nature of Daniel's prophetic experience. While "dream" (Aramaic _chêlem_) often refers to a nocturnal, symbolic revelation, "visions" (Aramaic _chêzêv_) can imply more detailed, vivid, or comprehensive prophetic scenes that are directly implanted in the mind. The combination suggests a particularly potent and immersive encounter with divine truth, indicating that God was communicating a profound and multifaceted message that required both the symbolic understanding of a dream and the clarity of a vision. This method of revelation is consistent with how God communicated with other prophets, as seen in [Numbers 12:6](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6 - God Speaks Through Dreams and Visions").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 7:1, by introducing a profound apocalyptic vision, sets the stage for the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of God's sovereign plan for history. While Daniel receives visions of earthly kingdoms rising and falling, the subsequent verses of [Daniel chapter 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man") culminate in the appearance of "one like the Son of Man" ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Comes with the Clouds of Heaven")), who is given an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away. This figure, though seen in Daniel's vision centuries earlier, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true Son of Man, who received all authority, dominion, and glory from the Ancient of Days, establishing a kingdom that will never be destroyed ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")). Just as Daniel was commanded to write down the dream and its sum, the New Testament testifies to Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God's eternal purposes, the Word made flesh who fully reveals the Father's heart and plan ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Ever Seen God, But the Only God Has Explained Him")). The complex prophecies of Daniel, initiated by the dream in [Daniel 7:1](/daniel/7-1 "Daniel 7:1 - Daniel's Dream in Belshazzar's First Year"), find their comprehensive interpretation and ultimate realization in the person and work of Jesus, who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of God's redemptive history ([Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.