Daniel 7:17

"I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things."

Key Reflection

In Daniel 7:17, after experiencing a profound vision of four great beasts rising from the sea, Daniel seeks clarification by approaching one of the individuals standing nearby. The original audience would have recognized this scene as typical of prophetic literature, where divine messages are often conveyed through visions and require interpretation. The figure who interprets the vision for Daniel serves as a mediator between the heavenly revelation and its earthly recipient, ensuring that the message is understood within the context of God’s sovereignty and purpose.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings -Four kings or four dynasties. There is no reason for supposing that they refer to individual kings, but the obvious meaning is, that they refer to four dominions or empires that would succeed one another on the earth. So the whole representation leads us to suppose, and so the passage has been always interpreted. The Latin Vulgate renders it regna; the Septuagintβασιλεῖαιbasileiai; Luther, Reiche; Lengerke, Konigreiche. This interpretation is confirmed, also, byDaniel 7:23, where it is expressly said that “the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth.” See alsoDaniel 7:24.

More from Daniel 7

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