ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Daniel 7

7:1–12:13 The Visions of Daniel. These chapters describe Daniel’s apocalyptic visions, which reassure God’s people that, in spite of exile and persecution, God is still in control of history and will make sure that his purposes are fulfilled.

Dan. 7:1–28 In the first vision, four beasts represent four mighty kings (or kingdoms); nevertheless, God’s plan to exalt his faithful will be victorious.

Dan. 7:1–2 Daniel received the vision during the first year of Belshazzar (c. 552 b.c.). He saw that four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea, a symbol for chaos and potential rebellion against God.

Dan. 7:3 This sea produced four startling creatures, one after the other, each more frightening than the preceding one. These creatures are identified in v. 17.

Dan. 7:4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings; it had the strength and majesty of a lion combined with the speed and power of an eagle. This beast had his wings plucked off and was transformed into a man, recalling the humbling and restoration of Nebuchadnezzar. Most scholars think the lion represents Babylon.

Dan. 7:5 The second beast was like a bear, raised up on one side. Many scholars think this suggests the unequal power of the two countries combined in the Medo-Persian Empire. It had a mouth full of the ribs of its previous victim(s); these may have been the people Cyrus conquered to unify his nation. However, the beast was told to arise and devour even more. The three ribs could also represent the three countries that Medo-Persia conquered (Babylon, 539 b.c.; Lydia, 546; and Egypt, 525).

Dan. 7:6 The third beast was like another composite animal, part leopard, part bird, with four wings and four heads. It combined ferocity and speed with the ability to see in all four directions at once. But the four wings emphasize even more the element of speed. Many scholars believe this corresponds well to Alexander the Great’s conquest of the known world by age 32. After his death in 323 b.c., his empire was divided among four of his generals. These four rulers are symbolized by the four heads.

Dan. 7:7 The fourth beast cannot be described in terms of earthly animals. It was terrifying and dreadful, exceedingly strong, with great iron teeth that devoured and crushed, and it trampled down whatever it did not eat. Its head had ten horns, symbolizing increased strength. This final, terrifying beast most likely represents the Roman Empire.

Dan. 7:8 Even more surprisingly, another small horn came up among the horns, uprooting three of the 10 others. This horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. The 10 horns likely signify 10 rulers or kingdoms. The little horn was significantly different than the others, for it had teeth of iron, claws of bronze, and eyes like the eyes of a man. It started “little” but grew up to overpower three of the other horns. Some scholars understand this horn to refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but many have understood it to refer to the Antichrist.

Dan. 7:9–12 At the center of Daniel’s vision was the heavenly courtroom, with thrones set up for judgment. The Ancient of Days, God himself, sat on the central throne. His clothing was white as snow, representing purity. His hair was as white as pure wool, symbolizing the wisdom that comes with great age. His chariot-throne was flaming with fire, images of the divine warrior’s power to destroy his enemies. A stream of fire flowed out from before him, and angelic attendants surrounded him.

Dan. 7:10 Ten thousand times ten thousand is an uncountable multitude, representing not one kingdom but all the kingdoms of the earth standing before God. The books that were opened represent God’s records of the deeds of those on the earth.

Dan. 7:11–12 As Daniel kept watching, the boastful little horn was finally silenced: the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. Daniel looked back at the other beasts and their dominion was taken away, but they were not destroyed like this last beast. Their kingdoms remained for a time set by God and then were incorporated into the following kingdom.

Dan. 7:13–14 The one like a son of man combines human and divine traits in one person. This son of man seems also to be greater than any mere human, for to come on the clouds is a clear symbol of divine authority. This son of man is given dominion and glory and a kingdom. He will rule over the entire world forever. Thus, he must be much more than a personified representative of Israel, and certainly more than a mere angel, for no created being would have the right to rule the entire world forever. Jesus refers to himself as “son of man” more than any other title, and this role is ultimately fulfilled in Rev. 19:11–16 when Jesus comes at the end of the age to judge and rule the nations. At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, when he claimed to be this heavenly “son of man,” his opponents said he had committed blasphemy because he was claiming God’s power as his own.

Dan. 7:15–27 Daniel’s vision returns to the four beasts (vv. 1–8). As for the “little” horn from the fourth beast (vv. 7–8), who made war with the saints and prevailed over them (v. 21) and who shall wear out the saints (v. 25), many take this to represent the Antichrist, whom they expect in the end times. Other interpreters think there is not enough precise data to identify the little horn. It is clear, however, that this king will blaspheme against God, oppress the saints, and try to abolish the calendar and the law, which govern how God’s people worship. The saints will be handed over into his power for a time, times, and half a time (v. 25)—totaling three and a half times, or half of a total period of seven times of judgment. The angel’s primary concern is the judgment to come and the triumph of the saints, rather than the identity of the little horn. The central point of the vision is that God limits the time when the beastly kingdoms of the earth will oppress the saints. In the heavenly court, the beasts will finally be destroyed.

Dan. 7:28 Daniel is stunned by the vision revealed in this chapter; he has only enough strength to think about it.