Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Daniel {H1841} spake {H6032} and said {H560}, I saw {H2370}{H1934} in my vision {H2376} by {H5974} night {H3916}, and, behold {H718}, the four {H703} winds {H7308} of the heaven {H8065} strove {H1519} upon the great {H7229} sea {H3221}.

"I had a vision at night; I saw there before me the four winds of the sky breaking out over the great sea,

Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of heaven brake forth upon the great sea.

Daniel 7:2 introduces the beginning of a profound prophetic vision given to the prophet Daniel during the reign of Belshazzar, king of Babylon (Daniel 7:1). This vision, unlike the previous one in Daniel 2 which was given to King Nebuchadnezzar, is granted directly to Daniel, emphasizing its significance for God's people and the world.

Context of the Vision

The book of Daniel is primarily a narrative of God's faithfulness to His people in exile and a detailed prophetic outline of world history leading up to the end times. Chapter 7 marks a significant shift in the book, moving from historical accounts to a series of complex, apocalyptic visions. Daniel's vision here parallels and expands upon the dream of the great image in Daniel 2, both foretelling the succession of world empires that would impact Israel and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation: The verse highlights that God communicates His future plans through visions, especially "by night," suggesting a profound, divinely-initiated experience that transcends human understanding.
  • Global Turmoil: The imagery of "the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea" powerfully symbolizes a period of intense global conflict, political upheaval, and the emergence of powerful, often destructive, earthly kingdoms. The "great sea" is a common biblical metaphor for the tumultuous nations and peoples of the world (see Revelation 17:15 for similar symbolism).
  • Symbolic Language: This verse sets the stage for the highly symbolic nature of the entire chapter, where various beasts will rise from the sea, representing different empires. Understanding this symbolic language is crucial for interpreting the prophecy correctly.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "four winds of the heaven" (Hebrew: 'arba' ruach hashshamayim) is significant. The word 'ruach' can mean wind, spirit, or breath. Here, it conveys a sense of powerful, universal forces, often associated with divine action or judgment (compare Jeremiah 49:36 or Zechariah 6:5). Their "striving" (a verb implying agitation, contention, or stirring up) upon the "great sea" (yam gadol) vividly portrays the chaotic and turbulent nature of the world's political landscape from which earthly powers emerge, guided by a divine hand.

Practical Application

Daniel 7:2 reminds us that even in periods of great global unrest and political turmoil, God is sovereign. He foreknows and orchestrates events, revealing His plan to His servants. For believers, this vision offers comfort that despite the world's chaos, God is ultimately in control, and His eternal kingdom will prevail. It encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances to God's larger, divine purpose and the ultimate triumph of His will, as further revealed in the coming of the Son of Man.

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.

  • Revelation 7:1

    ¶ And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

  • Revelation 17:15

    And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
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