Daniel 7:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 7:2 initiates a profound apocalyptic vision granted to the prophet Daniel, setting the stage for a detailed prophetic outline of world history. In this nocturnal revelation, Daniel observes the symbolic imagery of "the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea," vividly portraying the tumultuous geopolitical forces at play and the chaotic emergence of earthly kingdoms that would impact God's people and the course of human history. This verse immediately establishes the highly symbolic nature of the chapter, signaling a divine unveiling of future events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 7 marks a pivotal shift in the book of Daniel, transitioning from the historical narratives of chapters 1-6 to a series of complex apocalyptic visions in chapters 7-12. While [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image") presented a similar prophetic timeline of world empires from the perspective of a Gentile king (Nebuchadnezzar), [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man") offers a divine perspective, revealing the true nature of these empires as beast-like and highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This verse, therefore, serves as the foundational scene-setter for Daniel's personal encounter with God's prophetic revelation, emphasizing its direct significance to the prophet and God's covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision occurs during the reign of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, as specified in [Daniel 7:1](/daniel/7-1 "Daniel 7:1 - The Setting of Daniel's Vision"). Daniel himself was a high-ranking official in the Babylonian court, living in exile. The ancient Near East was a region characterized by the rise and fall of powerful empires—Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome—each asserting dominance through military might and often violent conquest. The imagery of "winds" and "sea" was commonly understood in ancient cosmology and biblical prophecy. The "sea" often symbolized the restless, chaotic, and often hostile nations and peoples of the world, a concept seen in various prophetic books (e.g., [Isaiah 57:20](/isaiah/57-20 "Isaiah 57:20 - The Wicked are Like the Troubled Sea")). The "winds" could represent powerful, often divine, forces that stir up or direct events, signifying God's active involvement in the unfolding of history.
* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 7:2](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2 - The Vision of the Four Winds and the Great Sea") introduces several crucial themes that permeate the chapter and the broader book. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively communicates His future plans and purposes to His chosen servants, often through profound, divinely initiated visions "by night." Secondly, it highlights **Global Turmoil and Political Upheaval**, using the vivid imagery of "four winds" striving upon a "great sea" to symbolize the intense conflict, agitation, and chaotic emergence of earthly powers. This sets the stage for the subsequent revelation of the four beasts, representing successive world empires. Finally, the verse immediately establishes the **Symbolic and Apocalyptic Language** that defines the remainder of the book, requiring careful interpretation to discern the spiritual realities behind the vivid imagery. This symbolic framework points toward God's ultimate control over the seemingly chaotic flow of human history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **strove (Aramaic, _gîyach'_):** This Aramaic verb signifies "to rush forth" or "to strive." In the context of the winds upon the sea, it conveys a sense of violent agitation, contention, or stirring up. It implies a forceful, dynamic, and disruptive action, suggesting that the forces at play are not merely passive but actively engaged in a struggle that generates chaos and upheaval. This word sets the tone for the tumultuous nature of the events and empires that will emerge.
* **winds (Aramaic, _rûwach'_):** The Aramaic term is cognate with the Hebrew _ruach_, which carries a rich semantic range including "wind," "breath," and "spirit." Here, in the plural "four winds," it denotes powerful, universal forces. These are not just natural phenomena but often, in biblical contexts, represent divine agents or powerful influences that initiate change, judgment, or the stirring of nations. Their "striving" indicates their active role in shaping the geopolitical landscape.
* **sea (Aramaic, _yâm'_):** This Aramaic word corresponds to the Hebrew _yam_, referring to a "sea" or "large body of water," often characterized by noisy surf. In prophetic literature, the "sea" is a common metaphor for the tumultuous, restless, and often chaotic mass of humanity—the nations, peoples, and tongues of the world (cf. [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - The Waters as Peoples, Multitudes, Nations, and Languages")). The "great sea" thus represents the vast, agitated realm from which earthly kingdoms and powers arise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Daniel spake and said":** This opening phrase establishes Daniel as the recipient and narrator of the vision. It emphasizes that this is a direct, personal revelation given to the prophet, distinguishing it from Nebuchadnezzar's dream in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image"). Daniel's speaking indicates his recounting of the vision, making it accessible to the reader.
* **"I saw in my vision by night":** This clause specifies the nature and timing of the revelation. It was a "vision," indicating a divinely imparted, often symbolic, revelation that transcends ordinary perception. The phrase "by night" suggests a profound, perhaps dream-like, experience, often associated with deep spiritual encounters and divine communication in biblical tradition (e.g., [Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Genesis 15:12 - Abram's Vision at Sunset")).
* **"and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea":** This is the core imagery of the verse, introducing the central symbolic scene. "Behold" draws attention to the immediate and striking nature of what Daniel witnessed. The "four winds of the heaven" (representing powerful, universal forces, perhaps even divine agents or influences from the four cardinal directions) are depicted as violently "striving" or agitating "upon the great sea." This "great sea" symbolizes the vast, turbulent, and restless nations of the world, from which the subsequent beasts (empires) will emerge. The imagery powerfully conveys the chaotic and contentious nature of human history and the geopolitical arena.

#### Literary Devices
[Daniel 7:2](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2 - The Vision of the Four Winds and the Great Sea") is rich in **Apocalyptic Imagery**, a genre characterized by symbolic language, visions, and the unveiling of divine secrets concerning the end times. The primary device employed here is **Symbolism**: the "four winds of the heaven" are not literal gusts but represent powerful, universal, and perhaps divinely directed forces that stir up the world. Likewise, the "great sea" is a potent **Metaphor** for the tumultuous, restless mass of humanity and the nations of the world, a common biblical trope (e.g., [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - The Waters as Peoples, Multitudes, Nations, and Languages")). The verb "strove" (Aramaic _gîyach_) further enhances the imagery, conveying **Personification** or active agency to the winds, depicting them as engaged in a violent struggle that churns the sea, thereby setting the stage for the emergence of the beastly empires from this chaos. This vivid, symbolic language is designed to convey profound theological truths about God's sovereignty over history in an impactful and memorable way.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 7:2 serves as a foundational theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over the seemingly chaotic flow of human history. The imagery of the "four winds" striving upon the "great sea" powerfully conveys that even the most turbulent geopolitical upheavals and the rise and fall of formidable empires are not random events but are under the ultimate direction and control of divine forces. This vision underscores that God is not merely an observer but an active orchestrator, using even the "striving" of nations to fulfill His predetermined plan. It introduces the theme of the inherent instability and beastly nature of human kingdoms when they operate apart from God's righteous rule, setting the stage for the ultimate triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all earthly powers.

* [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - The Waters as Peoples, Multitudes, Nations, and Languages")
* [Jeremiah 49:36](/jeremiah/49-36 "Jeremiah 49:36 - The Four Winds and Elam's Judgment")
* [Zechariah 6:5](/zechariah/6-5 "Zechariah 6:5 - The Four Spirits of Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 7:2, with its vivid depiction of global turmoil, offers profound comfort and challenge to believers today. In a world often characterized by political unrest, international conflicts, and societal upheaval, this verse reminds us that such chaos is not outside of God's sovereign purview. Just as the "four winds" strove upon the "great sea" under divine oversight, so too are the forces shaping our contemporary world ultimately subject to God's ultimate plan. This perspective should foster a deep sense of peace, knowing that God is actively working out His purposes, even through the rise and fall of nations. It calls us to trust in His providence, to discern the signs of the times through a biblical lens, and to anchor our hope not in fleeting earthly powers but in the eternal, unshakable kingdom that God will establish. Our response to global instability should be one of prayer, faithful witness, and active participation in God's redemptive work, confident that His kingdom will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "four winds" and "great sea" shape your understanding of current global events and political landscapes?**
* **What comfort or challenge does Daniel 7:2 offer you regarding God's sovereignty amidst chaos and conflict in the world?**
* **How does this vision encourage you to pray for nations and leaders, knowing that God is ultimately in control?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "night" in Daniel's vision?**

Answer: The phrase "by night" in [Daniel 7:2](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2 - The Vision of the Four Winds and the Great Sea") emphasizes that this was a profound, divinely initiated experience, akin to a dream or a deep spiritual encounter. In biblical tradition, night visions often signify direct communication from God, revealing truths that transcend ordinary human perception or daytime activities. It underscores the supernatural origin and authoritative nature of the revelation Daniel received.

**What do the "four winds" and "great sea" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: The "four winds of the heaven" symbolize powerful, universal forces, often interpreted as divine agents or influences from the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), indicating a global scope. Their "striving" suggests intense agitation and conflict. The "great sea" is a common biblical metaphor for the tumultuous, restless mass of humanity—the nations, peoples, and multitudes of the world. Therefore, the imagery collectively depicts the chaotic and contentious geopolitical environment from which earthly empires (symbolized by the beasts in subsequent verses) emerge, all under the sovereign hand of God. This symbolism is echoed in passages like [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - The Waters as Peoples, Multitudes, Nations, and Languages"), where "waters" are explicitly defined as "peoples and multitudes and nations and languages."

**How does Daniel 7:2 relate to Daniel 2?**

Answer: [Daniel 7:2](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2 - The Vision of the Four Winds and the Great Sea") sets the stage for a vision that parallels and expands upon the dream of the great image in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image"). Both chapters prophesy the succession of world empires. However, [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image") presents these empires from a human, kingly perspective (as a glorious statue), while [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man") reveals them from God's divine perspective (as terrifying beasts emerging from chaos). [Daniel 7:2](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2 - The Vision of the Four Winds and the Great Sea") specifically introduces the chaotic origin of these beastly kingdoms from the "great sea," emphasizing their destructive and unruly nature before God's ultimate triumph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 7:2, with its vivid depiction of global chaos and the emergence of earthly powers from the "great sea," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the "four winds" stirring the "great sea" symbolize the tumultuous rise and fall of human empires, this very chaos sets the stage for the coming of the "Son of Man" in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Comes to Receive Dominion"). This figure, who receives an everlasting dominion, glory, and kingdom, is unequivocally identified with Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Jesus Himself frequently referred to Himself as the "Son of Man," particularly in His discussions of His suffering, resurrection, and glorious return (e.g., [Matthew 24:27](/matthew/24-27 "Matthew 24:27 - The Coming of the Son of Man")). The kingdoms that "strove upon the great sea" are ultimately transient and destined to fail, but Christ's kingdom, established through His atoning death and victorious resurrection, is eternal and unshakable (e.g., [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). The chaos depicted in Daniel 7:2 highlights the desperate need for a true, righteous King, a need perfectly met by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and ultimately reigns over all things (e.g., [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ")). Thus, the turbulent scene in Daniel 7:2 foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ's peaceful and eternal reign over all earthly striving.

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

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.