Daniel 7:23

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Thus {H3652} he said {H560}, The fourth {H7244} beast {H2423} shall be {H1934} the fourth {H7244} kingdom {H4437} upon earth {H772}, which shall be diverse {H8133} from {H4481} all {H3606} kingdoms {H4437}, and shall devour {H399} the whole {H3606} earth {H772}, and shall tread it down {H1759}, and break it in pieces {H1855}.

This is what he said: 'The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from the other kingdoms; it will devour the whole earth, trample it down and crush it.

This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Context of Daniel 7:23

The Book of Daniel presents a series of prophetic visions concerning the rise and fall of world empires, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Daniel Chapter 7 records a dream Daniel had, distinct from Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2, yet conveying similar truths. In this chapter, Daniel sees four great beasts emerging from the sea, each representing a successive earthly kingdom. The first three are described as a lion with eagle's wings (Babylon), a bear (Medo-Persia), and a leopard with four heads and four wings (Greece).

Verse 23 provides the angelic interpretation of the fourth beast, which Daniel found particularly terrifying and different from the others, as described in Daniel 7:7. This verse specifically clarifies the nature and destructive power of this final, oppressive kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Succession of Earthly Kingdoms: Daniel's vision reiterates the biblical truth that God is sovereign over human history, ordaining the rise and fall of nations. This verse focuses on the final, most formidable earthly kingdom before God's ultimate reign.
  • The Uniqueness of the Fourth Kingdom: The phrase "diverse from all kingdoms" highlights its unprecedented nature. Unlike the previous empires, which had recognizable animal characteristics, this fourth beast is so terrible it defies easy categorization, symbolizing a power unmatched in its oppression and destructive capability.
  • Global Domination and Devastation: The vivid imagery of "devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces" emphasizes the comprehensive and violent nature of this kingdom's rule. It signifies a universal reach and an oppressive, crushing authority over humanity. This prefigures a final, powerful world system.

Linguistic Insights

The Aramaic word for "diverse" (שְׁנָא, shĕnā) means "to change, to be different." It underscores that this kingdom will not merely be another empire in a succession but fundamentally distinct in its character and methods, exhibiting an unparalleled level of tyranny and destruction. The verbs used – "devour" (אָכַל, ’āḵal), "tread down" (דּוּשׁ, dûš), and "break in pieces" (תְּרַע, těrā‘) – convey extreme brutality, total subjugation, and utter destruction, leaving nothing intact. This imagery strongly parallels the iron kingdom mentioned in Daniel 2:40, which also "breaks in pieces and subdues all things."

Practical Application

Daniel 7:23 serves as a powerful reminder of the transient and often oppressive nature of earthly power. While kingdoms rise and fall, often characterized by violence and a desire for global domination, this prophecy assures us that their reign is not eternal. For believers, it encourages discernment regarding world events and political powers, recognizing that human authority, left unchecked, can lead to immense suffering. Ultimately, this verse points forward to the glorious truth that all earthly kingdoms will eventually give way to the everlasting dominion of God's kingdom, as prophesied in Daniel 7:14. It reminds us to place our ultimate hope not in human governments but in the sovereign rule of God. The imagery of a powerful, oppressive beast also resonates with later prophetic visions, such as the beast from the sea described in Revelation 13:1-7, highlighting a recurring theme of oppressive global powers in biblical prophecy.

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.

  • Daniel 2:40

    And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all [things]: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

  • Daniel 7:7

    After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns.

  • Luke 2:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

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