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Daniel 7:2

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Daniel 7:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

King James Version KJV

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

American Standard Version ASV

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of heaven brake forth upon the great sea.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I had a vision by night, and saw the four winds of heaven violently moving the great sea.

Free Bible Version FBV

In my vision that I had that night I saw a tremendous storm, blowing from every direction, stirring up a great sea.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Daniel spake and saide, I sawe in my vision by night, and behold, the foure windes of the heauen stroue vpon the great sea:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Answered hath Daniel and said, 'I was seeing in my vision by night, and lo, the four winds of the heavens are coming forth to the great sea;

World English Bible WEB

Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

I saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Translation for Translators T4T

I, Daniel, had a vision last night. In the vision I saw that strong winds were blowing from all four directions, stirring up the water in the ocean.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 7:2

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 7:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB עָנֵ֤ה דָנִיֵּאל֙ וְ/אָמַ֔ר חָזֵ֥ה הֲוֵ֛ית בְּ/חֶזְוִ֖/י עִם לֵֽילְיָ֑/א וַ/אֲר֗וּ אַרְבַּע֙ רוּחֵ֣י שְׁמַיָּ֔/א מְגִיחָ֖ן לְ/יַמָּ֥/א רַבָּֽ/א
עָנֵ֤ה ʻănâh H6032 to answer Adj
דָנִיֵּאל֙ Dânîyêʼl H1841 Daniel Adj
וְ/אָמַ֔ר ʼămar H560 to say Adj | V-Qal
חָזֵ֥ה chăzâʼ H2370 to see Adj
הֲוֵ֛ית hâvâʼ H1934 to be Adj
בְּ/חֶזְוִ֖/י chêzêv H2376 vision Adj | N-ms | Suff
עִם ʻim H5974 with Adj
לֵֽילְיָ֑/א lêylᵉyâʼ H3916 night Adj | Art
וַ/אֲר֗וּ ʼărûw H718 behold! Adj | Part
אַרְבַּע֙ ʼarbaʻ H703 four Adj
רוּחֵ֣י rûwach H7308 spirit Adj
שְׁמַיָּ֔/א shâmayin H8065 heaven Adj | Art
מְגִיחָ֖ן gîyach H1519 to strive Adj
לְ/יַמָּ֥/א yâm H3221 sea Adj | N-ms | Art
רַבָּֽ/א rab H7229 great 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 7:2

עָנֵ֤ה ʻănâh H6032 "to answer" Adj
To answer or respond to something, often by speaking or singing. In the Bible, it can mean to pay attention or testify, as seen in 1 Samuel 12:3.
Definition: 1) to answer, respond 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to answer, make reply 1a2) to respond
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: answer, speak. See also: Psalms 60:7; Daniel 3:24; Daniel 7:2.
דָנִיֵּאל֙ Dânîyêʼl H1841 "Daniel" Adj
The prophet Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, lived during the Exile and Return, and his name means God is my judge.
Definition: A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.14.14; also called Belteshazzar at Dan.1.7; 2.26; 4.8,9,18,19; 5.12; 10.1; Aramaic of da.niy.yel (דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל "Daniel" H1840) § Daniel = "God is my judge" 1) the 4th of the greater prophets, taken as hostage in the first deportation to Babylon, because of the gift of God of the interpretation of dreams, he became the 2nd in command of the Babylon empire and lasted through the end of the Babylonian empire and into the Persian empire. His prophecies are the key to the understanding of end time events. Noted for his purity and holiness by contemporary prophet, Ezekiel 1a) also, 'Belteshazzar' (H01095 or H01096)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: Daniel. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 5:29; Daniel 7:28.
וְ/אָמַ֔ר ʼămar H560 "to say" Adj | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say or speak, often used when God commands or declares something, as seen in many KJV translations. It is used with great flexibility, including to command, declare, or tell. This word appears in various contexts, including Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: (P'al) to say, to speak, to command, to tell, to relate Aramaic of a.mar (אָמַר "to say" H0559)
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: command, declare, say, speak, tell. See also: Ezra 5:3; Daniel 3:28; Jeremiah 10:11.
חָזֵ֥ה chăzâʼ H2370 "to see" Adj
Chaza means to see or gaze, and can also mean to dream or seem. It is used to describe seeing something with your eyes or in a vision.
Definition: 1) to see, behold 1a)(P'al) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, behold, witness 1a3) to behold (in a dream or vision) 1a4) customary, seemly (passive)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: behold, have (a dream), see, be wont. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 4:10; Daniel 7:21.
הֲוֵ֛ית hâvâʼ H1934 "to be" Adj
Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.
Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.
בְּ/חֶזְוִ֖/י chêzêv H2376 "vision" Adj | N-ms | Suff
This word means a sight or appearance, often referring to a vision or dream. It is used in the Bible to describe what people see, either physically or spiritually.
Definition: 1) vision, appearance 1a) vision 1b) appearance
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: look, vision. See also: Daniel 2:19; Daniel 7:1; Daniel 7:20.
עִם ʻim H5974 "with" Adj
Means 'with' in the Bible, showing something is done together or at the same time, like in Genesis 1:26 where God says 'Let us make man in our image'.
Definition: 1) with 1a) together with, with 1b) with, during
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: by, from, like, to(-ward), with. See also: Ezra 5:2; Daniel 4:12; Daniel 7:21.
לֵֽילְיָ֑/א lêylᵉyâʼ H3916 "night" Adj | Art
Lael or night is also the name of an Israelite, possibly symbolizing the darkness or mystery surrounding this person's life or actions, as recorded in biblical history.
Definition: night
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: night. See also: Daniel 2:19; Daniel 7:2; Daniel 7:13.
וַ/אֲר֗וּ ʼărûw H718 "behold!" Adj | Part
This Hebrew word means to look or pay attention, like saying 'behold!' It's used to get someone's attention, similar to 'lo!' in English. It appears in various Bible verses, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: behold, lo Aramaic of al.lay (אַלְלַי "woe!" H0480)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo. See also: Daniel 7:2; Daniel 7:6; Daniel 7:13.
אַרְבַּע֙ 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.
רוּחֵ֣י rûwach H7308 "spirit" Adj
This word for spirit is used to describe the wind, a person's mind, or their emotions, and is seen in the writings of King Solomon.
Definition: 1) spirit, wind 1a) wind 1b) spirit 1b1) of man 1b2) seat of the mind
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: mind, spirit, wind. See also: Daniel 2:35; Daniel 5:12; Daniel 7:15.
שְׁמַיָּ֔/א shâmayin H8065 "heaven" Adj | Art
This Aramaic word for heaven is similar to the Hebrew word, referring to the sky and the abode of God. It is used to describe the dwelling place of God in the Bible.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible sky 1b) Heaven (as abode of God)
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: heaven. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:12; Jeremiah 10:11.
מְגִיחָ֖ן gîyach H1519 "to strive" Adj
This word means to strive or rush forth, and is used in the Aramaic language, as seen in Daniel 6:16. It is related to the Hebrew word for 'to burst forth', but has a more intense connotation, implying a strong effort or struggle. It is translated as 'strive' in the KJV.
Definition: (Aphel) to break forth Aramaic of gi.ach (גִּיחַ "to burst/come out" H1518)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: strive. See also: Daniel 7:2.
לְ/יַמָּ֥/א yâm H3221 "sea" Adj | N-ms | Art
Simply means a sea or large body of water, often referring to the Mediterranean Sea in biblical context.
Definition: sea Aramaic of yam (יָם ": sea" H3220G)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: sea. See also: Daniel 7:2; Daniel 7:3.
רַבָּֽ/א rab H7229 "great" Adj | Art
Means great or abundant, used to describe powerful leaders like captains or chiefs in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: adj 1) great 1a) great 1b) great (fig of power) n 2) captain, chief
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, great, lord, master, stout. See also: Ezra 4:10; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:20.

Study Notes — Daniel 7:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Revelation 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.
2 Revelation 17:15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

Daniel 7:2 Summary

[Daniel 7:2 describes a vision where four winds are stirring up a great sea, which represents the nations of the world. This picture shows that God is in control, even when the world seems chaotic, as seen in Psalm 107:25, where the Lord stirs up the sea with His power. The verse sets the stage for the rise of four great beasts, symbolizing world empires, and reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all human history. As we reflect on this verse, we can trust that God is working out His plan, even in the midst of turmoil, and that He will ultimately bring peace and order to the world, as promised in Isaiah 11:6-9.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the four winds of heaven in Daniel 7:2?

The four winds of heaven in Daniel 7:2 symbolize the turmoil and chaos that God allows to stir up the nations, as seen in Jeremiah 25:32, where the Lord declares that He will summon the four winds to blow against Elam.

What is the great sea in Daniel 7:2?

The great sea in Daniel 7:2 represents the nations of the world, which are often depicted as a sea in the Bible, such as in Revelation 17:15, where the waters are explained to be peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.

Is Daniel 7:2 related to end-time events?

Yes, Daniel 7:2 is part of a vision that describes end-time events, including the rise and fall of world empires, as outlined in Daniel 7:3-14, and is connected to Jesus' teachings on the end times in Matthew 24:6-8.

How does Daniel's vision relate to his dream in Daniel 7:1?

Daniel's vision in Daniel 7:2 is a continuation of the dream he had in Daniel 7:1, where he wrote down the dream and its summary, indicating that the vision is a key part of understanding the dream and its prophetic significance, as seen in Daniel 7:15-28.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the image of the four winds churning up the great sea evoke in my heart and mind, and how does it relate to my understanding of God's sovereignty over the nations?
  2. How does the turmoil in the world today reflect the prophetic picture painted in Daniel 7:2, and what does it mean for my life and witness?
  3. In what ways can I trust God to be in control, even when the world around me seems chaotic and unpredictable, like the great sea in Daniel 7:2?
  4. What does this verse teach me about the nature of God and His involvement in human history, and how can I apply this understanding to my daily life and prayers?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night,.... He declared he had had a vision by night, and this was the substance of it: and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 7:2

Because Daniel doth not expound what is meant by winds, expositors think there is room left for every one’ s conjecture; wherein this seems most likely, that by the four winds of the great sea is signified commotions of contrary nations and factions, striving together by wars, and producing these four beasts successively. That this is often signified by winds, see 51:1; in the destruction of Babylon, the first monarchy; and of Elam, i.e. the Persian monarchy. The great sea in Scripture is the Mediterranean Sea, called now the Levant, Archipelago, Straits, &c. 1. Comparatively; for the people called lakes seas, as the sea of Galilee, Gennesareth, Cinneroth, the Dead Sea, or lake of Sodom; but the Mediterranean was Jamma rabba, the great sea, for its length and breadth, above all the lakes put together, though it be itself but a lake in comparison of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 2. Great sea, because the great stage of action hath been on it, and adjoined to it; and all the four great monarchies have been masters of it. 3. Allegorically, for it is usual in Scripture to compare people to waters, and nations to seas, 17:15; called so from the confused noise of it, , and from the unstableness of them, always running and rolling with every wind as it blows, endangering those that ride upon the backs of its swelling waves.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 7:2

Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.Ver. 2. Daniel spake and said.] His writing is called his speaking, to teach us to receive the writings of the prophets and apostles with no less reverence than if we had heard them speak with their own mouths. I saw in my vision by night.] The night doth in Scripture frequently signify trouble. This "vision by night" was of troublesome businesses - viz., hurlyburlies in the world, and persecutions in the Church. And behold the four winds of the heavens strove upon the great sea,] i.e., There was a huge bustle upon the earth, by means of the four successive monarchies. See Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:11. The world is fitly called the "great sea," ever unquiet and full of commotions; which are also called "winds" for their boisterousness, contrariety of nature, and inconstance. Willet.

Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 7:2

(2) The great sea.—In general (e.g., Joshua 15:47), these words imply the Mediterranean. Such cannot be the meaning here, so that according to Daniel 7:17 we are justified in explaining the “sea” to mean the nations of the world, which are compared to the sea (Isaiah 27:1; Psalms 46:3). The raging of the winds from the four quarters of the sky points to the various political and social agitations which disturb the world’s history, and lead to the changes and revolutions which mark its progress as it tends towards the end.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 7:2

Verse 2. The four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea] The idea of strife is taken here from the effects that must be produced, were the east, the west, the north, and the south winds to rise tempestuously, and meet on the surface of the sea. By the great sea, the Mediterranean is meant; and is so called to distinguish it from those lakes called seas by the Hebrews; such as the Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Sea of Tiberias, c. but even that may refer to Asia, the scene of all these contentions. This dream is the same in meaning, under different emblems, as that of Nebuchadnezzar's metallic image; but in Daniel's dream several circumstances are added. It is supposed that Daniel had this dream about forty-eight years after Nebuchadnezzar had the vision of the great image.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 7:2

2. Daniel answered and said, I saw] properly, I was seeing (or beholding), as Daniel 4:10; Daniel 4:13 : so Daniel 7:4; Daniel 7:6-7; Daniel 7:9; Daniel 7:11 (twice), 13, 21. LXX. and Theod. rightly render by ἐθεώρουν. the four winds of the heaven] The same expression, Daniel 8:8, Daniel 11:4; Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 6:5; 2Es 13:5. strove upon] were breaking forth (see Judges 20:33 Heb.) on to, creating a great disturbance of the waters. A.V. strove is to be explained from the sense which the word has in the Targums. The root means to break or burst forth, of water (as Job 38:8); but in the Targums it is common, in the conjug. here used, in the sense of to wage war, lit. to cause war to break forth, as Deuteronomy 20:4, and even with ‘war’ omitted, Joshua 23:3 al.; hence strove. However, the prep. which here follows does not mean upon, but to. the great sea] a name of the Mediterranean Sea, Joshua 1:4; Joshua 9:1 al. However, that sense is not to be pressed here; the ‘great sea,’ tossed up by the four winds of heaven, symbolizes the agitated world of nations (cf. Daniel 7:3 with Daniel 7:17; and comp. Revelation 17:15 : also Isaiah 17:12).

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said - That is, he spake and said in the manner intimated in the previous verse. It was by a record made at the time, and thus he might be said to speak to his own generation and to all future times.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 7:2

2, 3. The four winds of the heaven [for the numerical symbolism see Introduction to Ezekiel, VIII] strove (literally, burst forth) upon the waters of the Mediterranean (Ezekiel 47:10) — the great

Sermons on Daniel 7:2

SermonDescription
A.W. Tozer (Revelation - Part 12): Who Are the 144,000 by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher discusses the imagery of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth as described in the book of Revelation. He addresses the criticism that
Milton Green (Fury of Fire) 12 - the Mark of God or the Mark of the Beast by Milton Green In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of shepherds in the church who are not fulfilling their role of feeding the flock. He emphasizes the importance of practicing the t
Willie Mullan (Revelation) Visions and Voices Part 1 by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the first five verses of Revelation chapter 7. He mentions a previous chapter, chapter 7, which describes the four angels holding back the w
Willie Mullan (Revelation) God Allowing Persecution on Earth by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation chapter 7. He explains that this chapter is meant to explain certain things to the listeners. The preacher mentions that the four
Willie Mullan (Happenings Ahead) the Resurrection of the Belivers Body by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher discusses a passage from the Bible, specifically verse one of chapter seven. The passage describes the vision of four angels standing on the four corne
Derek Prince How to Face the Last Days Without Fear - Part 3 by Derek Prince This sermon by Derek Prince delves into the symbolism of the four horses in the book of Revelation, highlighting themes of judgment, ethnic conflict, shortage, and famine. It empha
Steve Gallagher The Apocalypse - Revelation 7 by Steve Gallagher In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation 7 and discusses the different viewpoints and interpretations of the chapter. The sermon begins by explaining three belief systems
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