Daniel 7:17

KJV

These great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {H459} great {H7260} beasts {H2423}, which {H581} are four {H703}, are four {H703} kings {H4430}, which shall arise {H6966} out of {H4481} the earth {H772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'These four huge animals are four kingdoms that will arise on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.

American Standard Version

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, that shall arise out of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 7:17 serves as a pivotal interpretive key within Daniel's terrifying vision of four great beasts emerging from the sea, providing the immediate divine explanation for their symbolic meaning. This verse clarifies that the four distinct animals, fearsome and powerful as they appear, represent a succession of four earthly kings or kingdoms that would rise to prominence and dominate the world stage. It establishes a fundamental truth: despite their immense power and destructive potential, these empires are ultimately human in origin and temporary in their reign, setting the stage for the revelation of God's ultimate and eternal kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 7:17 is the initial divine interpretation given to Daniel after he experiences a profound and disturbing nocturnal vision in [Daniel 7:1-14](/daniel/7-1-14 "Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man"). The vision commences with four great winds stirring up the sea, from which emerge four distinct and increasingly terrifying beasts: a lion with eagle's wings, a bear raised on one side, a leopard with four wings and four heads, and a fourth, indescribably dreadful beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Daniel is deeply troubled by these apocalyptic images, particularly the fourth beast, and approaches one of the heavenly attendants for understanding ([Daniel 7:15-16](/daniel/7-15-16 "Daniel Seeks Interpretation of the Vision")). Verse 17 is the very first answer to Daniel's urgent inquiry, providing the foundational identification of the beasts as earthly kings/kingdoms before delving into more specific details about each one and, crucially, the ultimate triumph of the [Son of Man's kingdom](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Dominion").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel lived during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval, witnessing the decline of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire. The concept of successive world empires was a prominent feature of ancient Near Eastern thought, often depicted in prophetic literature. The vision's imagery of "beasts" emerging from the "sea" (often symbolizing the tumultuous nations or chaos) would have resonated with the contemporary understanding of powerful, often brutal, empires that rose and fell through conquest and conflict. The Aramaic language of this chapter reflects the lingua franca of the Persian Empire, indicating its broad applicability beyond a narrow Jewish audience. The "kings" mentioned would be understood not merely as individual monarchs but as the entire dynastic power and dominion of the empires they represented, a common prophetic convention.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as an interpretive key, highlights several major theological and narrative themes within Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Succession of World Powers**, a recurring motif in Daniel, notably paralleling Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great image in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Statue"), which also depicts a sequence of Gentile kingdoms. Secondly, the phrase "shall arise out of the earth" emphasizes the **Earthly Origin and Transient Nature** of these kingdoms, contrasting them sharply with the divine, heavenly, and eternal kingdom that will ultimately supersede them. This highlights the futility of placing ultimate hope in human power. Thirdly, the very act of God revealing the meaning of these terrifying visions to Daniel demonstrates **Divine Revelation and Sovereignty**. Despite the chaos and terror depicted, God is in complete control of human history, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His sovereign plan, a theme powerfully reiterated in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules in the Kingdom of Men").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **beasts (Aramaic, _chêyvâʼ_):** This Aramaic term (H2423) denotes an animal, specifically a wild, untamed, and often destructive creature. Its use here emphasizes the brutal, predatory, and non-human nature of the empires, highlighting their oppressive and violent characteristics rather than their human leadership. It sets them apart from the divine, humane rule of the Son of Man.
* **kings (Aramaic, _melek_):** Corresponding to the Hebrew _melek_ (H4430), this Aramaic term refers to a king or royal authority. In prophetic contexts, especially when describing a succession of powers, "kings" often functions as a synecdoche for "kingdoms" or "empires." The context of Daniel 7, describing vast, successive world powers, strongly supports interpreting "kings" as encompassing the entire dominion and reign of a particular power, not just individual monarchs.
* **arise (Aramaic, _qûwm_):** This Aramaic verb (H6966) means "to rise" or "to stand up." It signifies the emergence, establishment, or coming into being of these kingdoms. Coupled with "out of the earth" (H772, _ʼăraʻ_), it emphasizes their earthly, human, and temporal origin, contrasting them with the divine, heavenly, and eternal kingdom of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These great beasts, which are four":** This clause directly refers back to the four terrifying animals Daniel saw emerging from the sea in the preceding verses. The descriptor "great" (H7260, _rabrab_) underscores their immense power and domineering nature, while "four" (H703, _ʼarbaʻ_) establishes a definitive number, indicating a complete sequence of world powers.
* **"are four kings":** This is the crucial interpretive statement. The symbolic "beasts" are explicitly identified as "kings," understood in this prophetic context as powerful kingdoms or empires. This direct equation provides the fundamental key to unlocking the vision's meaning, linking the terrifying imagery to concrete historical realities.
* **"which shall arise out of the earth":** This phrase further defines the nature and origin of these "kings" or kingdoms. They are not heavenly or divine, but spring from the human realm ("the earth," H772, _ʼăraʻ_), signifying their earthly ambition, human governance, and ultimately, their temporal and perishable nature. Their origin from "the earth" also contrasts them with the heavenly origin of the Son of Man's kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 7:17 is a prime example of **Symbolism** and **Apocalyptic Literature**. The "great beasts" are not literal animals but symbolic representations of powerful earthly empires, a common feature of apocalyptic writing where complex theological truths are conveyed through vivid, often bizarre, imagery. The verse itself acts as a **Hermeneutical Key**, directly interpreting a preceding symbolic vision for the audience, a characteristic often found in apocalyptic texts where divine interpreters clarify obscure prophecies. The contrast between the earthly origin of these kingdoms and the implied heavenly origin of God's ultimate kingdom also employs a subtle form of **Antithesis**, highlighting the fundamental difference in their nature and destiny. The terrifying nature of the beasts and their earthly origin also serve as **Foreshadowing** for the oppressive and destructive character of these empires in human history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 7:17 encapsulates a profound theological truth: while human history is marked by the rise and fall of powerful, often tyrannical, empires, these are ultimately transient and operate within the sovereign plan of God. The revelation that these "great beasts" are merely "kings" (kingdoms) arising "out of the earth" serves as a powerful reminder of the limited and temporary nature of all human power. It asserts God's ultimate control over the course of history, even over the most fearsome earthly dominions. This divine perspective provides comfort and assurance that no earthly power can ultimately thwart God's purposes or prevent the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

* [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Will Never Be Destroyed")
* [Psalm 2:1-6](/psalms/2-1-6 "Psalm 2:1-6 - The Rage of the Nations and God's Anointed King")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 7:17 offers a timeless perspective for believers navigating a world often dominated by powerful, sometimes oppressive, human systems. It calls us to recognize that no matter how formidable or terrifying earthly powers may seem, they are ultimately temporary and derive their existence from the earth, not from God's eternal throne. This understanding liberates us from placing our ultimate hope, fear, or allegiance in human governments or ideologies. Instead, it directs our gaze toward the enduring sovereignty of God and the certainty of His coming kingdom. In times of political turmoil, global instability, or perceived injustice, this verse reminds us that God remains on the throne, orchestrating history toward His ultimate redemptive purposes. Our primary citizenship is in heaven, and our true hope rests not in the fleeting powers of this world, but in the eternal reign of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the transient nature of earthly kingdoms impact your perspective on current global events?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to place our ultimate trust or fear in human institutions rather than in God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the promise of God's ultimate kingdom, contrasted with the earthly origin of these beasts, encourage you in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the beasts "arising out of the earth"?**

Answer: The phrase "arise out of the earth" (H772, _ʼăraʻ_) is highly significant because it emphasizes the earthly, human, and therefore temporal and limited nature of these kingdoms. Unlike God's kingdom, which is heavenly and eternal, these empires are born from human ambition, power struggles, and earthly resources. This contrasts them sharply with the divine, eternal kingdom of God that will ultimately supersede them, as described in [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man"). It highlights that all human power, no matter how great, is ultimately fragile and destined to pass away.

**Do the "four kings" refer to individual rulers or entire empires?**

Answer: While the Aramaic word for "kings" (H4430, _melek_) can refer to individual monarchs, in the context of prophetic visions like Daniel 7, it is widely understood to refer to the entire empires or kingdoms that these rulers represent. The scope of the vision, describing vast, successive world powers that dominate the earth, necessitates this broader interpretation. This is consistent with other prophecies in Daniel, such as the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream"), where different parts of the statue represent successive kingdoms.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 7:17, by identifying the terrifying beasts as transient earthly kingdoms, sets the stage for the ultimate revelation of Christ's eternal kingdom. The "four kings" arising "out of the earth" represent the succession of human powers that would dominate history, each marked by its own form of oppression and impermanence. This prepares the reader for the dramatic contrast found just a few verses later in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Comes to Receive an Everlasting Dominion"). There, the "Son of Man" – a figure later identified with Jesus Christ ([Matthew 26:64](/matthew/26-64 "Matthew 26:64 - Jesus Identifies Himself as the Son of Man")) – comes not from the earth, but "with the clouds of heaven," signifying His divine origin and authority. He is given an "everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." Thus, Daniel 7:17 serves as a dark backdrop against which the glorious, unshakable, and eternal reign of Christ shines even brighter. The transient, beastly kingdoms of this world, born of human ambition, ultimately yield to the righteous, divine, and eternal kingdom established by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose dominion knows no end ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")).

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

Daniel 7:3

And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Daniel 7:4

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.

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Revelation 13:11

¶ And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Daniel 8:19

And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end [shall be].

Daniel 8:22

Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

Psalms 17:14

From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.