Daniel 7:28

KJV

Hitherto [is] the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hitherto {H5705}{H3542} is the end {H5491} of the matter {H4406}. As for me {H576} Daniel {H1841}, my cogitations {H7476} much {H7690} troubled {H927} me, and my countenance {H2122} changed {H8133} in me {H5922}: but I kept {H5202} the matter {H4406} in my heart {H3821}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the end of the account. As for me, Dani'el, my thoughts frightened me so much that I turned pale; but I kept the matter to myself.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”

American Standard Version

Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my countenance was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 7:28 serves as the concluding personal reflection of the prophet Daniel following his profound and disturbing vision of future world empires and God's ultimate, eternal kingdom. This verse encapsulates Daniel's deep emotional and intellectual struggle to process the weighty divine revelation, revealing the intense personal impact of prophetic insight into the sweeping arc of human history and God's sovereign plan. It marks the end of the prophetic narrative concerning the rise and fall of earthly powers and the ultimate triumph of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 7:28 brings to a close Daniel's first major prophetic vision, which began in [Daniel 7:1](/daniel/7-1 "Daniel 7:1 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts"). The preceding verses detail Daniel's terrifying dream of four beasts emerging from the sea, symbolizing a succession of powerful Gentile empires ([Daniel 7:2-8](/daniel/7-2 "Daniel 7:2-8 - The Four Beasts")). The vision then shifts dramatically to a heavenly court scene, where the [Ancient of Days](/daniel/7-9 "Daniel 7:9 - The Ancient of Days on His Throne") presides over judgment, and "one like the Son of Man" is given an everlasting dominion ([Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receives Dominion")). Daniel, deeply troubled by the vision, seeks an interpretation from a heavenly being, particularly concerning the fearsome fourth beast and its destructive power ([Daniel 7:15-27](/daniel/7-15 "Daniel 7:15-27 - Interpretation of the Vision")). Verse 28 serves as Daniel's personal epilogue, highlighting the overwhelming emotional and intellectual burden of receiving such a comprehensive and unsettling glimpse into the future.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel received this vision during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense political upheaval and uncertainty for the Jewish people. They were living under foreign domination, and the visions of successive empires would have underscored their vulnerability while simultaneously pointing to God's ultimate control over history. The imagery of beasts from the sea was common in ancient Near Eastern mythology, often symbolizing chaotic, destructive forces. However, in Daniel, these forces are explicitly brought under the dominion of God. The cultural context of prophetic revelation in the ancient world often involved profound, sometimes physically debilitating, experiences for the prophet, as seen in other biblical figures. Daniel's reaction in this verse is consistent with the intense, awe-inspiring, and often terrifying nature of direct divine encounter.

* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several key themes prevalent in the book of Daniel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereignty of God** over all earthly kingdoms, even those that appear overwhelmingly powerful and destructive. Despite the terrifying nature of the beasts, the vision culminates in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom under the [Son of Man](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **weight of divine revelation**, showing that receiving God's truth is not always comforting but can be deeply unsettling, particularly when it pertains to judgment and future conflict. Daniel's troubled state reveals the human cost of bearing divine secrets. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the theme of **eschatological hope**, as the vision, despite its grim portrayal of human history, ultimately assures the triumph of God's people and His righteous rule. Daniel's decision to "keep the matter in my heart" also touches on the theme of **prudent discernment** in handling profound spiritual truths, recognizing that not all revelations are for immediate public dissemination but require deep personal processing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cogitations (Aramaic, _raʻyôwn'_):** This word refers to deep thoughts, meditations, or mental conceptions. Daniel's distress was not merely confusion but stemmed from the profound and disturbing implications of the vision he had received. It signifies a deep intellectual and spiritual wrestling with the revealed truth, rather than a superficial understanding.
* **countenance (Aramaic, _zîyv'_):** This term denotes brightness or cheerfulness, and by extension, one's facial expression. Daniel's countenance "changed" (Aramaic, _shᵉnâʼ_), indicating a visible alteration in his facial appearance, likely a loss of color, a look of distress, or shock. This physical manifestation underscores the overwhelming and deeply unsettling nature of the prophetic experience, showing that the inner turmoil had an outward, observable effect.
* **heart (Aramaic, _lêb'_):** In ancient Near Eastern thought, the heart was considered the seat of the intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. Daniel's decision to "keep the matter in my heart" signifies a profound internalization of the vision, not merely a suppression of information. It suggests a process of deep reflection, contemplation, and perhaps a recognition that the full understanding or timing of the revelation was not yet clear, requiring careful personal stewardship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hitherto [is] the end of the matter."**: This opening phrase serves as a concluding statement, indicating that the preceding vision and its interpretation (the "matter") have now concluded. The Aramaic "Hitherto" (H5705, H3542) signifies "up to this point," marking the termination of this specific prophetic revelation within the narrative.
* **"As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me,"**: This clause shifts focus to Daniel's personal, internal reaction. The phrase "my cogitations" (H7476) emphasizes his deep thoughts and reflections on the vision. The verb "troubled" (H927) conveys a sense of being terrified or hastened, indicating significant mental and emotional agitation caused by the profound and often disturbing implications of what he had seen and heard. The adverb "much" (H7690) intensifies this distress.
* **"and my countenance changed in me:"**: This part describes the visible, physical manifestation of Daniel's inner turmoil. His "countenance" (H2122), or facial expression, "changed" (H8133), suggesting a pallor, a look of shock, or general distress. This highlights the overwhelming nature of the divine encounter, which impacted him not just mentally but physically.
* **"but I kept the matter in my heart."**: Despite his profound distress, Daniel chose to internalize and retain the vision. To "keep the matter" (H5202, H4406) "in my heart" (H3821) signifies that he did not immediately disclose or fully explain everything. Instead, he pondered its meaning deeply, perhaps recognizing its immense significance and the need for careful, prayerful reflection before further action or disclosure.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 7:28 employs several literary devices to convey the profound impact of the vision on the prophet. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as Daniel's raw emotional and physical reaction ("my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me") evokes a strong sense of empathy from the reader. This personal confession humanizes the prophet, making his experience relatable despite the supernatural nature of the revelation. The phrase "Hitherto is the end of the matter" functions as a **Framing Device**, signaling the conclusion of the specific prophetic account of chapter 7 and transitioning to Daniel's personal response. The contrast between the terrifying external vision and Daniel's internal struggle, culminating in his decision to "keep the matter in my heart," demonstrates **Internal Conflict** and highlights the burden of divine knowledge. Finally, the vivid description of his changing "countenance" serves as **Imagery**, painting a clear picture of his distress and emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the prophetic experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 7:28 profoundly illustrates the weighty nature of divine revelation and the human response to it. It reminds us that encountering God's truth, especially concerning future judgments and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom, is not always a comfortable experience. Daniel's distress underscores that true spiritual understanding often involves wrestling with challenging realities, acknowledging the gravity of sin, judgment, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan. His decision to internalize the message also points to the importance of prayerful contemplation and wisdom in handling profound truths, recognizing that some revelations require time for deep personal processing and discernment before public dissemination.

* [Habakkuk 3:16](/habakkuk/3-16 "Habakkuk 3:16 - Habakkuk's Trembling Response to God's Power")
* [Luke 2:19](/luke/2-19 "Luke 2:19 - Mary Pondered These Things in Her Heart")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "Revelation 1:17 - John's Response to the Vision of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 7:28 offers a powerful model for how believers might respond to profound or unsettling truths found in Scripture or through spiritual discernment. It teaches us that it is natural, and even appropriate, to feel troubled or overwhelmed by the vastness of God's plans, the reality of sin, or the certainty of future judgment. Rather than dismissing or trivializing such truths, Daniel's example encourages deep introspection, prayerful processing, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. His act of keeping the matter "in his heart" suggests a posture of humility and patience, recognizing that full understanding may unfold over time and that not every revelation demands immediate public exposition. We are called to internalize God's Word, allowing it to shape our inner being, even when it challenges our comfort or comprehension, trusting that the God who reveals also provides the grace to bear the weight of His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What challenging or unsettling truths from Scripture have you found yourself wrestling with, similar to Daniel's experience?**
* **How do you typically respond when God's Word reveals something that causes you discomfort or deep contemplation?**
* **In what ways can we "keep the matter in our heart" today, allowing God's truth to deeply penetrate and transform us before we speak or act on it?**
* **How does the ultimate hope of God's eternal kingdom, as revealed in Daniel 7, provide comfort even when confronted with troubling prophecies or current events?**

### FAQ
**Why was Daniel so troubled by this vision, even though it ends with God's ultimate triumph?**

Answer: Daniel's distress stemmed from the terrifying nature of the earthly empires described, particularly the fourth beast, which was "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly" ([Daniel 7:7](/daniel/7-7 "Daniel 7:7 - The Fourth Beast")). The vision revealed not only God's ultimate victory but also the immense suffering, conflict, and persecution that would precede it. The prophet was grappling with the reality of future human wickedness, the rise of oppressive powers, and the tribulation faced by God's people before the establishment of the eternal kingdom. This profound insight into the dark aspects of human history and the intensity of the spiritual warfare was overwhelming, even with the assurance of God's final triumph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 7:28, while detailing Daniel's personal reaction, subtly points toward the Christ-centered fulfillment of the entire vision. The distress Daniel experiences is a human response to the unfolding of a divine plan that, while culminating in God's victory, involves immense suffering and conflict. This foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, who would bear the weight of the world's sin and overcome the very powers of darkness symbolized by the beasts. The "one like the Son of Man" ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Comes with Clouds")) who receives everlasting dominion is clearly identified in the New Testament as Jesus Himself ([Matthew 26:64](/matthew/26-64 "Matthew 26:64 - Jesus Identifies Himself as the Son of Man")). Daniel's troubled heart, grappling with the future, finds its ultimate peace and resolution in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus decisively defeated the oppressive powers of this world ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) and established the kingdom that "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Shall Never Be Destroyed")). Thus, Daniel's profound burden, while real, is ultimately absorbed and transformed by the triumphant work of Christ, who brings true and lasting peace to those who trust in Him ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives His Peace")).

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

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

Luke 2:51

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Daniel 4:19

¶ Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

Daniel 7:15

¶ I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of [my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Daniel 10:8

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Daniel 8:27

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick [certain] days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood [it].

Luke 9:44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.