^7:7“After these things, as I was watching in the night visions¹⁹ a fourth beast appeared—one dreadful, terrible, and very strong.²⁰ It had two large rows²¹ of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.

^7:8“As I was contemplating the horns, another horn—a small one—came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it.²² This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant²³ things.

^7:9“While I was watching,

thrones were set up,

and the Ancient of Days²⁴ took his seat.

His attire was white like snow;

the hair of his head was like lamb’s²⁵ wool.

His throne was ablaze with fire

and its wheels were all aflame.²⁶

^7:10A river of fire was streaming forth

and proceeding from his presence.

Many thousands were ministering to him;

Many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him.²⁷

The court convened²⁸

and the books were opened.

^7:11“Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching²⁹ until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and thrown into³⁰ the flaming fire. ^7:12As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living³¹ for a time and a season. ^7:13I was watching in the night visions,

“And with³² the clouds of the sky³³

one like a son of man³⁴ was approaching.

He went up to the Ancient of Days

and was escorted³⁵ before him.

^7:14To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.

All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving³⁶ him.

His authority is eternal and will not pass away.³⁷

His kingdom will not be destroyed.³⁸

Read in Logos

Daniel 7:9: ...As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.

Footnotes

19 The Aramaic text has also “and behold.” So also in vv. 8, 13.
20 The fourth animal differs from the others in that it is nondescript. Apparently it was so fearsome that Daniel could find nothing with which to compare it. Attempts to identify this animal as an elephant or other known creature are conjectural.
21 The Aramaic word for “teeth” is dual rather than plural, suggesting two rows of teeth.
22 Aram “were uprooted from before it.”
23 Aram “great.” So also in vv. 11, 20.
24 Or “the Ancient One” (, , ), although the traditional expression has been retained in the present translation because it is familiar to many readers. Cf. “One who had been living for ever”; “the Eternal God.”
25 Traditionally the Aramaic word נְקֵא (néqe’) has been rendered “pure,” but here it more likely means “of a lamb.” Cf. the neqya’ (“a sheep, ewe”). On this word see further, M. Sokoloff, “’amar neqe’, ‘Lamb’s Wool’ (Dan 7:9),” 95 (1976): 277–79.
26 Aram “a flaming fire.”
27 Aram “were standing before him.”
28 Aram “judgment sat.”
29 The and Theodotion lack the words “I was watching” here. It is possible that these words in the are a dittography from the first part of the verse.
30 Aram “and given over to” (so ).
31 Aram “a prolonging of life was granted to them.”
32 The has ἐπί (epi, “upon”) here (cf. Matt 24:30; 26:64). Theodotion has μετά (meta, “with”) here (cf. Mark 14:62; Rev 1:7).
33 Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
34 This text is probably the main OT background for Jesus’ use of the term “son of man.” In both Jewish and Christian circles the reference in the book of Daniel has traditionally been understood to refer to an individual, usually in a messianic sense. Many modern scholars, however, understand the reference to have a corporate identity. In this view, the “son of man” is to be equated with the “holy ones” (vv. 18, 21, 22, 25) or the “people of the holy ones” (v. 27) and understood as a reference to the Jewish people. Others understand Daniel’s reference to be to the angel Michael.
35 Aram “they brought him near.”
36 Some take “serving” here in the sense of “worshiping.”
37 Aram “is an eternal authority which will not pass away.”
38 Aram “is one which will not be destroyed.”