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.

After {H870} this {H1836} I saw {H1934}{H2370} in the night {H3916} visions {H2376}, and behold {H718} a fourth {H7244} beast {H2423}, dreadful {H1763} and terrible {H574}, and strong {H8624} exceedingly {H3493}; and it had great {H7260} iron {H6523} teeth {H8128}: it devoured {H399} and brake in pieces {H1855}, and stamped {H7512} the residue {H7606} with the feet {H7271} of it: and it {H1932} was diverse {H8133} from {H4481} all {H3606} the beasts {H2423} that were before {H6925} it; and it had ten {H6236} horns {H7162}.

After this, I looked in the night visions; and there before me was a fourth animal, dreadful, horrible, extremely strong, and with great iron teeth. It devoured, crushed and stamped its feet on what was left. It was different from all the animals that had gone before it, and it had ten horns.

After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns.

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

Daniel 7:7 introduces the fourth and most terrifying beast in Daniel’s prophetic night visions, a vivid revelation of future world empires. This verse describes a power that is "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly," distinguished by its "great iron teeth" and "ten horns," signifying its unparalleled destructive capacity and unique nature among the preceding beasts.

Context

This vision in Daniel 7 parallels and expands upon Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great image in Daniel 2. While Daniel 2 depicts successive kingdoms as parts of a statue (gold head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, iron and clay feet), Daniel 7 portrays them as four distinct beasts emerging from the sea. The first three beasts are generally identified as Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard). The fourth beast, described here, is widely understood by scholars to represent the Roman Empire, or a final, powerful global entity that embodies the characteristics of Rome's dominion and extends its influence.

Key Themes

  • Unprecedented Power and Cruelty: The description "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly" emphasizes this empire's overwhelming military might and its ruthless, oppressive nature. The "great iron teeth" directly link to the iron legs of the statue in Daniel 2, symbolizing its ability to crush and dominate with absolute power.
  • Destructive Dominion: The phrase "it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it" paints a vivid picture of total subjugation and destruction. This kingdom would not merely conquer but utterly dismantle, assimilate, and oppress its opposition.
  • Unique Character: The beast being "diverse from all the beasts that were before it" highlights its distinct governmental structure and unparalleled global reach compared to previous empires. Rome's vast administration, widespread influence, and enduring legacy were indeed unique in ancient history.
  • The Ten Horns: The "ten horns" are a significant prophetic detail, often interpreted as ten kings or kingdoms that arise from or within this empire. This detail is further elaborated upon in the interpretation of the vision later in Daniel 7 and finds striking parallels in New Testament prophetic literature like Revelation 13:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "dreadful" (dehil) and "terrible" (emetan) convey a sense of awe-inspiring fear and overwhelming, unyielding strength. The description of "iron teeth" (parezel) is a direct echo of the "iron" kingdom in Daniel 2, solidifying the interpretive link between the two visions. The term "diverse" (shanah) underscores its distinctiveness, suggesting a new and unparalleled level of imperial power and form.

Practical Application

Daniel's vision assures believers that God is sovereign over human history, even amidst the rise and fall of powerful, oppressive empires. This verse reminds us that worldly powers, no matter how formidable or destructive, operate within the boundaries of God's ultimate plan. It provides a historical framework for understanding the trajectory of human government and points toward a future where God's eternal kingdom will ultimately prevail over all earthly dominion, as seen in Daniel 7:14. This offers profound hope and perspective, encouraging trust in God's unfailing justice and ultimate victory over all earthly systems.

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.

  • Revelation 13:1

    ¶ And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

  • Revelation 12:3

    And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

  • Revelation 17:12

    And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

  • 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.

  • Daniel 7:24

    And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

  • Daniel 7:19

    Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth [were of] iron, and his nails [of] brass; [which] devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

  • Daniel 7:20

    And of the ten horns that [were] in his head, and [of] the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even [of] that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look [was] more stout than his fellows.
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