And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
And the kingdom {H4437} and dominion {H7985}, and the greatness {H7238} of the kingdom {H4437} under {H8460} the whole {H3606} heaven {H8065}, shall be given {H3052} to the people {H5972} of the saints {H6922} of the most High {H5946}, whose kingdom {H4437} is an everlasting {H5957} kingdom {H4437}, and all {H3606} dominions {H7985} shall serve {H6399} and obey {H8086} him.
Then the kingdom, the rulership and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. Their kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey them.'"
Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
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Psalms 72:11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. -
Luke 1:33
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. -
Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. -
Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed. -
Psalms 22:27
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. -
Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. -
Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Commentary on Daniel 7:27
Daniel 7:27 concludes the prophetic vision given to Daniel in chapter 7, offering a profound message of hope and ultimate divine triumph after a series of terrifying earthly empires. This verse shifts focus from the temporary, beastly kingdoms of human history to the eternal, righteous reign of God and His people.
Context
This verse follows Daniel's vision of four great beasts, symbolizing successive world empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, or variations thereof depending on interpretation), and the rise of a "little horn" power that makes war against the saints. The scene then transitions to a heavenly court, where the Ancient of Days presides, and judgment is rendered against the oppressive powers. The vision culminates with the coming of the Son of Man, who is given everlasting dominion. Daniel 7:27 serves as a definitive summary and interpretation of the outcome of this divine judgment: the transfer of all power and authority from oppressive earthly rulers to the "people of the saints of the most High."
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "Most High" (Aramaic: 'Illayin) is a significant title for God, emphasizing His supreme sovereignty and transcendence above all earthly powers. The phrase "everlasting kingdom" uses the Aramaic term 'alam, which denotes eternity, reflecting the enduring and timeless nature of God's reign, a stark contrast to the limited lifespan of the human kingdoms depicted earlier in the chapter.
Related Scriptures
This vision of an everlasting kingdom inherited by the saints finds strong parallels throughout Scripture. It anticipates the eternal reign of Christ and the establishment of God's perfect rule on Earth. The concept of God's people inheriting the kingdom is echoed in Jesus' teachings, such as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:5). Ultimately, this prophecy points towards the glorious future described in Revelation, where God's tabernacle is with men, and He dwells with them, establishing a new heavens and new earth where God dwells with humanity.
Practical Application
Daniel 7:27 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. In times of political upheaval, injustice, or persecution, this verse reminds us that human powers are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal and will ultimately prevail. It encourages perseverance in faith, knowing that those who are faithful will share in this glorious, everlasting dominion. It also provides perspective, urging believers to align their lives with the values of God's righteous kingdom rather than the transient pursuits of this world.