Daniel 7:17
Daniel 7:17 in Multiple Translations
‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, that shall arise out of the earth.
These great beasts are four kings who will be cut off from the earth.
“These four large beasts symbolize four kingdoms that will rise to power on the earth.
These great beastes which are foure, are foure Kings, which shall arise out of the earth,
'These great beasts, that [are] four, [are] four kings, they rise up from the earth;
‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth.
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
These four great beasts are four kingdoms, which shall arise out of the earth.
He said, “The four huge beasts represent four kingdoms/empires that will exist on the earth.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 7:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Daniel 7:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִלֵּין֙
חֵיוָתָ֣/א
רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א
דִּ֥י
אִנִּ֖ין
אַרְבַּ֑ע
אַרְבְּעָ֥ה
מַלְכִ֖ין
יְקוּמ֥וּן
מִן
אַרְעָֽ/א
אִלֵּין֙
ʼillêyn
H459
these
Adj
חֵיוָתָ֣/א
chêyvâʼ
H2423
beast
Adj | Art
רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א
rabrab
H7260
great
Adj | Art
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
אִנִּ֖ין
ʼinnûwn
H581
they
Adj
אַרְבַּ֑ע
ʼarbaʻ
H703
four
Adj
אַרְבְּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H703
four
Adj
מַלְכִ֖ין
melek
H4430
king
Adj
יְקוּמ֥וּן
qûwm
H6966
to stand
Adj
מִן
min
H4481
from
Adj
אַרְעָֽ/א
ʼăraʻ
H772
earth
Adj | Art
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 7:17
אִלֵּין֙
ʼillêyn
H459
"these"
Adj
This Aramaic word means these or those, used to point out specific people or things. It is similar to the Hebrew word for these. The KJV translates it as the or these.
Definition: these, those Aramaic of el (אֵל "these" H0411)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: the, these. See also: Daniel 2:40; Daniel 6:3; Daniel 7:17.
חֵיוָתָ֣/א
chêyvâʼ
H2423
"beast"
Adj | Art
This word refers to any kind of animal, from small creatures to large beasts. It is used in the Bible to talk about animals in general, and is translated as 'beast'.
Definition: beast, animal Aramaic of chay.yah (חַיָּה "living thing" H2416C)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: beast. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 5:21; Daniel 7:23.
רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א
rabrab
H7260
"great"
Adj | Art
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone huge in size or influence, like a great king or a massive mountain. It describes things that are impressive or powerful. The KJV Bible often translates it as 'great' or 'very great'.
Definition: adj 1) great 1a) great 1b) great (fig. of power) n 2) captain, chief
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (very) great (things). See also: Daniel 2:48; Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:20.
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
"that"
Adj
This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.
Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because
Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.
אִנִּ֖ין
ʼinnûwn
H581
"they"
Adj
This Aramaic word means 'they' and is used to refer to a group of females. It's similar to the Hebrew word 'hem.mah', which means 'they'. The KJV translates it as 'them' or 'these'.
Definition: these, those, they Aramaic of hem.mah (הֵ֫מָּה "they(masc.)" H1992)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] are, them, these. See also: Ezra 5:4; Daniel 6:25; Daniel 7:17.
אַרְבַּ֑ע
ʼarbaʻ
H703
"four"
Adj
The Hebrew word for four is used to describe quantities and measurements in the Bible. It is mentioned in various biblical books and is an important number in biblical numerology. The word for four is also used in Aramaic as arba.
Definition: four Aramaic of ar.ba (אַרְבַּע "four" H0702)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Ezra 6:17; Daniel 7:3; Daniel 7:17.
אַרְבְּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H703
"four"
Adj
The Hebrew word for four is used to describe quantities and measurements in the Bible. It is mentioned in various biblical books and is an important number in biblical numerology. The word for four is also used in Aramaic as arba.
Definition: four Aramaic of ar.ba (אַרְבַּע "four" H0702)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Ezra 6:17; Daniel 7:3; Daniel 7:17.
מַלְכִ֖ין
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
יְקוּמ֥וּן
qûwm
H6966
"to stand"
Adj
Qum means to establish or confirm something, like setting up a new system or lifting someone up to a position of power, as described in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Definition: : establish/stand_firm/confirm/fulfill/fix 1) to arise, stand 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to arise from 1a2) to come on the scene (fig) 1a3) to arise (out of inaction) 1a4) to stand 1a5) to endure 1b) (Pael) to set up, establish 1c) (Aphel) 1c1) to set up 1c2) to lift up 1c3) to establish 1c4) to appoint 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: appoint, establish, make, raise up self, (a-) rise (up), (make to) stand, set (up). See also: Ezra 5:2; Daniel 4:14; Daniel 7:24.
מִן
min
H4481
"from"
Adj
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
אַרְעָֽ/א
ʼăraʻ
H772
"earth"
Adj | Art
The Hebrew word for earth or planet, referring to the world we live in, as seen in the Bible's description of creation in Genesis. It can also imply something low or earthly. In Psalm 90:2, Moses prays to God who has been the earth's home since the beginning.
Definition: : planet earth, world, ground Aramaic of e.rets (אֶ֫רֶץ ": soil" H0776H)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: earth, interior. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:17; Jeremiah 10:11.
Study Notes — Daniel 7:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 7:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 7:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 7:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 7:17
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 7:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
- Sermons on Daniel 7:17
Context — Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
15I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me.
16I approached one of those who were standing there, and I asked him the true meaning of all this. So he told me the interpretation of these things:
17‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’ 19Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others—extremely terrifying—devouring and crushing with iron teeth and bronze claws, then trampling underfoot whatever was left.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 8:19–22 | and said, “Behold, I will make known to you what will happen in the latter time of wrath, because it concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the broken one represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power. |
| 2 | Daniel 2:37–40 | You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others. |
| 3 | John 18:36 | Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” |
| 4 | Revelation 13:1 | Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. |
| 5 | Daniel 7:3–4 | Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others: The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man. |
| 6 | Psalms 17:14 | from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children. |
| 7 | Revelation 13:11 | Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. |
Daniel 7:17 Summary
[This verse, Daniel 7:17, tells us that the four great beasts in Daniel's vision represent four powerful kings who will come to power on the earth. These kings will have great authority, but their power is not ultimate, as seen in Daniel 4:17, where God is the one who sets up and removes kings. The Bible teaches that God is the one who establishes and removes kings, and that His kingdom will ultimately last forever, as promised in Daniel 7:18 and Revelation 11:15.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four great beasts in Daniel 7:17?
The four great beasts represent four kings who will arise from the earth, as stated in Daniel 7:17, symbolizing powerful kingdoms that will rise and fall, similar to the pattern seen in Daniel 2:37-45, where kingdoms are described as being established and then crumbling, as prophesied by God in Isaiah 46:10
Are the four kings in Daniel 7:17 the same as the four metals in Daniel 2?
While both passages describe four successive kingdoms, they are presented differently, with the metals in Daniel 2:37-45 representing the decreasing value and increasing weakness of each successive kingdom, as also seen in the pattern of the beasts in Daniel 7:3-7
What does it mean for the beasts to 'arise from the earth'?
The phrase 'arise from the earth' in Daniel 7:17 likely means that these kingdoms will originate from the earth, or from humanity, rather than being directly appointed by God, as seen in Psalm 75:7, where God is the one who judges and sets up kings
How do these four kings fit into the larger biblical narrative?
The four kings in Daniel 7:17 are part of a larger pattern of kingdoms rising and falling, ultimately leading to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, as described in Daniel 7:18 and Revelation 11:15, where the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of human kingdoms and their relationship to God's sovereignty?
- How does the image of the four beasts impact your understanding of the fragility and impermanence of human power?
- In what ways do you see the pattern of kingdoms rising and falling playing out in your own world and time?
- What comfort or challenge do you find in the fact that God is the one who ultimately establishes and removes kings, as seen in Daniel 2:21 and Psalm 75:7?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 7:17
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings,.... Or kingdoms, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions; and so Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Saadiah; so the fourth beast is called the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 7:17
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings i:e., kingdoms.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
Men of the earth, of earthly principles, idolatrous, ambitious, sensual, tyrannical; who, after they have acted their parts, shall be driven off the stage into the tiring rooms of death and destruction.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth. Ver. 17. These great beasts … are four kings,] i.e., A succession of kings, all of them truculent and savage towards the saints. Which shall arise out of the earth.] And as toads, strive who shall die with most earth in their mouths.
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
(17) Four kings.—Kingdoms are frequently represented by their heads or founders; hence kings and kingdoms are occasionally used synonymously. (Comp. Daniel 8:21.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
Verse 17. These great beasts - are four kings] See the preceding verses, where the following explanations are inserted and illustrated.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 7:17
17. The four beasts represent four kings, or (Daniel 7:23) four kingdoms, the ‘king’ in each case being not an individual king, but a typical king, embodying the characteristics of the empire ruled by him. The angel does not however dwell more fully on the ‘beasts,’ or interpret their symbolism; but hastens (Daniel 7:18) to explain the nature of the kingdom which is to succeed theirs.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 7:17
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings - Four kings or four dynasties.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
17, 18. The four beasts symbolize four kings (or, rather, kingdoms, Daniel 7:23), at the end of whose brutal rule the kingdom of the saints, ruled over by “one like unto a son of man,” shall take the sovereignty.
Sermons on Daniel 7:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Daniel's Night Visions and Their Meaning by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein delves into the visions of Daniel, highlighting the desire for knowledge about future events and the fate of God's people amidst upheavals. The sermon covers |
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The Vision by the River of Ulai by Sir Robert Anderson | Sir Robert Anderson delves into the era of Gentile supremacy, emphasizing how earthly rulers hold power through divine delegation, as 'the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.' |
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Daniel - the Lord in the Outworking of History by William Fitch | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Daniel and its themes of God's sovereignty and the victory of faith. The sermon begins by discussing how Daniel and his friends |
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The Rise and Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into the early history of Babylon as mentioned in the Bible, tracing its origins from the time of Nimrod to its eventual rise as a center of religious signi |
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The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the prophetic visions given to Daniel, outlining the course of the Gentile period from the last captivity to the second coming of Christ. Daniel's d |
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The Christian in This World by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of attending an old-fashioned Methodist camp meeting where they were singing and praising God. He highlights the importance of gra |
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The Kingdom of God - Part 1 by B.H. Clendennen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being born again to truly experience the kingdom of God. It highlights the need for a genuine transformation where Christ is birthed in ind |