Study notes

Daniel 7

Introducing DanielWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

7:1

  • In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar: This vision happened before the events in Daniel 6.

  • Daniel recorded this vision.

7:1

The second half of the book contains visions given to Daniel. These visions assured Daniel and his people, both those in exile and those who had returned to Judea, that God controls the future. All empires will eventually fall before the kingdom of heaven. Daniel's people will be saved from their troubles (Daniel 12:1–3), and God will resurrect and judge all people (see 12:13). Daniel interpreted these visions with help from divine messengers (Daniel 7:10; 8:15; 9:22; 10:14; 12:7).

7:1–12:13 Section

These chapters record visions and messages that God gave Daniel. They are recorded as apocalyptic writing. They were mysteries that confused Daniel. Daniel had explained dreams and mysteries to Babylonian kings. In the same way, Gabriel and other angels explained these mysteries to Daniel. Even then Daniel still didn’t understand the visions and messages completely.

The animals that Daniel saw were signs for governments. Hundreds of years later animals were also signs for governments in John’s visions. John’s visions were recorded in Revelation chapters 13, 16 and 19. The animals Daniel saw were signs for Babylonia, Persia, Greece, Egypt and Syria. The animals’ horns were signs for the leaders of those governments. The actions of those leaders were described in chapter 11. Some of these leaders were like the man of sin Paul described many years later.

The visions were about events after Daniel’s time. Some events described in these visions took place during the rule of Antiochus IV. He was a Greek king in Syria. He ruled over the Jews in the land of Judah and Israel. At one point he stopped them from worshipping God in the temple. This seemed like the end of the Jews being God’s people. That is one reason these visions are about a time called the time of the end. But the Jews firmly opposed Antiochus IV and won the victory over him. Jews recorded this story in books that aren’t included in the Old Testament.

Daniel’s visions bring hope and comfort. They remind God’s people that God will stop the evil actions of human rulers. God will take care of his people even when they face suffering. The angel Michael’s work made that clear. Michael helped God’s people in spiritual fights. Daniel read Jeremiah’s prophecy about the exile lasting for 70 years. Daniel recognised that the exile was God’s judgement against the people of the southern kingdom. He prayed and asked God to take action to end the exile. He trusted that God would have mercy on them. He believed this not because the Jews were godly and obeyed God. He believed it because God loved them. Daniel wanted all people to know that God is the one true God. He believed this would happen if God allowed Jerusalem and the temple to be rebuilt.

New Testament writers understood something about the visions and messages God gave Daniel. They understood that parts of them came true through Jesus’ life and work. This was the case with the son of man and the Eternal God. It was also the case with life that will never end. Jesus had this life when God raised him from the dead. His resurrection means that all who believe in Jesus will have eternal life.

7:4

  • The lion and eagle are respected rulers in their worlds. Lions often appeared in ancient art and buildings. Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon are shown as a lion and an eagle attacking Edom (Jeremiah 49:19, 22).

  • it was … given the mind of a man: Nebuchadnezzar had the mind of a beast (Daniel 4:16, 32–33), but he was restored and learned to honor the Most High God (4:34–37).

7:6

The leopard was famous for its speed and agility (Habakkuk 1:8). Four bird wings and four heads show the range and speed of this fierce nation's military campaigns. Greece fit this symbolism well, especially under Alexander the Great. After he died in 323 BC, his kingdom was divided into four parts.

7:7

  • The fourth beast was different in kind, not only in degree. It was described as being made of nonliving metal. It was hardly like an animal at all. It was impersonal, completely violent, and without mercy. Even its iron teeth were pictured as a perfect tool for killing. Most commentators, both ancient and modern, see this fourth beast as representing the Roman Empire and its rulers.

  • ten horns: In this type of apocalyptic writing, horns can symbolize kings, power, and strength.

7:8

Many believe that the fourth kingdom was only partly represented in Rome. They think another, more brutal kingdom, similar to Rome, will emerge. This kingdom will be led by a final little horn, a powerful and arrogant human being (compare Daniel 8:9–12, 23–25; 9:25–27; 11:36–45; 12:1–7).

7:9–10

  • The kingdoms of the world are represented by fierce animals. The kingdom of God is represented by a divine-human figure (also in Daniel 7:13–14) and by holy people.

  • the Ancient One: This name refers to God, who existed before all nations and peoples.

  • White hair and clothing symbolize wisdom and purity. The river of fire represents God’s purifying presence.

7:11

God's judgment caused the fourth beast to be destroyed by fire.

7:12

a season and a time: God, the Judge of the nations, can extend the lives of nations and individuals (compare Daniel 4:27). Defeated nations that have lost their political and military dominance can continue to exist culturally and ethnically, maintaining their national identities. This occurred with the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, and the Greeks.

7:13–14

This being like a son of man, unlike the arrogant little horn, did not boast and was not violent. He did not overthrow other kings by force and received God's favor and blessing. He was led into God's presence and presented to Him. God gave him kingship and a kingdom. This figure is the Messiah, God's chosen and anointed king.

7:14

Unlike earthly rulers and kingdoms that eventually end, his rule lasts forever and will never be destroyed. His kingdom is given to the holy people of the Most High (Daniel 7:27), and it fills the earth (2:35, 44–45).

7:15–16

Daniel bravely approached the beings next to God's throne, and they helped him instead of harming him.

7:17

These four great beasts are four kings: God gave Daniel a vision of history's course, which no human could achieve. These kingdoms from the earth (see Daniel 7:2) are human, not heavenly.

7:18

  • The holy people (also in Daniel 7:21–22, 25, 27) are those who belong only to God and share his character. In Daniel’s time, this referred to the people of Israel.

  • Only the Most High God can declare how history will end. Other ancient writers spoke of the ages or eras of earthly history, but none knew how it would end.

7:19–28

Daniel requested and received more information about the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the little horn.

7:22

The Ancient of Days changed the course of the conflict when he judged in favor of his holy people. In God’s time, his people would receive the kingdom together with their King (Daniel 7:13–14).

7:24–25

  • the ten horns are ten kings: This number might refer to ten specific individuals, or it might symbolize that this kingdom lasted through the reigns of many kings (compare Revelation 13:1).

  • Then another king, who is the little horn (Daniel 7:21), will defy the Most High. He will oppress the holy people by:

    • speaking against the Lord,

    • interfering with their worship,

    • trying to force them to follow his religion, and

    • constantly threatening them.

  • a time, and times, and half a time: The text does not clearly state the length of time. However, the period of oppression for the holy people will be limited and will come to an end suddenly and unexpectedly.

7:26

God’s court has the authority to pass judgment and the power to remove and destroy this proud king.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources