Daniel 7:4

The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

The first {H6933} was like a lion {H744}, and had eagle's {H5403} wings {H1611}: I beheld {H1934}{H2370} till {H5705} the wings {H1611} thereof were plucked {H4804}, and it was lifted up {H5191} from {H4481} the earth {H772}, and made stand {H6966} upon {H5922} the feet {H7271} as a man {H606}, and a man's {H606} heart {H3825} was given {H3052} to it.

The first was like a lion, but it had eagle's wings. As I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted off the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a human heart was given to it.

The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon two feet as a man; and a man’s heart was given to it.

Understanding Daniel 7:4 – The First Beast

Daniel 7:4 introduces the first of four powerful beasts seen in Daniel's apocalyptic vision, representing successive world empires. This verse describes a creature that begins as a formidable lion with eagle's wings, then undergoes a significant transformation. This vision, along with the interpretation given later in the chapter (Daniel 7:17), provides profound insights into God's sovereignty over human history and the rise and fall of nations.

Context of the Vision

The prophet Daniel received this vision in the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon (Daniel 7:1). It parallels and expands upon King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue in Daniel 2, both outlining the sequence of Gentile empires that would dominate the world before the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This first beast is widely interpreted by scholars as representing the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was the dominant world power at Daniel's time.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Symbol of Power and Swiftness: The "lion" (Aramaic: 'aryeh) traditionally symbolizes strength, majesty, and kingship, while "eagle's wings" (Aramaic: neshar) denote swiftness, far-reaching dominion, and a predatory nature. This vividly portrays the raw power and rapid conquests of the Babylonian Empire, particularly under Nebuchadnezzar.
  • Divine Intervention and Humbling: The phrase "till the wings thereof were plucked" signifies a loss of this swift power and dominion, indicating a decline in Babylon's absolute authority. The subsequent transformation – being "lifted up from the earth," "made stand upon the feet as a man," and given "a man's heart" – is highly significant. This imagery points to a humbling or a change in the nature of the empire's rule, a departure from its initial beastly ferocity. Many commentators connect this directly to the historical account of King Nebuchadnezzar's period of madness and subsequent restoration, where he was humbled by God and recognized divine sovereignty.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms: The verse underscores the overarching theme of Daniel that God is ultimately in control of all earthly kingdoms. He allows them to rise and fall, and even their nature can be changed according to His divine purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The original text of Daniel 7 is written in Aramaic. The phrase "a man's heart was given to it" (Aramaic: levav 'enash yehiv leh) is particularly poignant. It implies a shift from a purely predatory, beastly existence to one that is more human, perhaps capable of reason or, more likely, a humbling that brought an awareness of human limitations in contrast to divine power, as exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar's experience.

Reflection and Application

Daniel 7:4 reminds us that earthly power, no matter how formidable or swift, is transient and subject to God's ultimate control. Empires rise and fall, and even the most powerful rulers can be humbled by divine intervention. This verse offers comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over human history, and it encourages humility in the face of power. It prompts us to consider the temporary nature of worldly glory and to seek the enduring kingdom of God, which will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

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.

  • Jeremiah 4:7

    The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

  • Isaiah 14:13

    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

  • Isaiah 14:17

    [That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners?

  • Habakkuk 1:6

    For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, [that] bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces [that are] not theirs.

  • Habakkuk 1:8

    Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle [that] hasteth to eat.

  • Ezekiel 17:3

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

  • Daniel 4:30

    The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
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