Daniel 7:23
Daniel 7:23 in Multiple Translations
This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
This is what he said: The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom which will come on earth, different from all the kingdoms, and it will overcome all the earth, crushing it down and smashing it.
Then he told me, “The fourth beast stands for the fourth kingdom to rule the earth. It will be different from all the rest of the kingdoms. The beast will eat up the whole world, trampling it down and crushing it.
Then he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdome in the earth, which shall be vnlike to all the kingdomes, and shall deuoure the whole earth, and shall treade it downe and breake it in pieces.
'Thus he said: The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom in the earth, that is diverse from all kingdoms, and it consumeth all the earth, and treadeth it down, and breaketh it small.
“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
And thus he said: The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be greater than all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Then the man who was standing there said to me, “The fourth beast represents an empire that will exist on the earth; that empire will be different from all other empires. The army of that empire will crush/kill people all over the world and trample on their bodies.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 7:23
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 7:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֵּן֮
אֲמַר֒
חֵֽיוְתָ/א֙
רְבִיעָ֣יְתָ֔/א
מַלְכ֤וּ
רביעי/א
רְבִיעָ/אָה֙
תֶּהֱוֵ֣א
בְ/אַרְעָ֔/א
דִּ֥י
תִשְׁנֵ֖א
מִן
כָּל
מַלְכְוָתָ֑/א
וְ/תֵאכֻל֙
כָּל
אַרְעָ֔/א
וּ/תְדוּשִׁנַּ֖/הּ
וְ/תַדְּקִנַּֽ/הּ
כֵּן֮
kên
H3652
thus
Adj
אֲמַר֒
ʼămar
H560
to say
Adj
חֵֽיוְתָ/א֙
chêyvâʼ
H2423
beast
Adj | Art
רְבִיעָ֣יְתָ֔/א
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
fourth
Adj | Art
מַלְכ֤וּ
malkûw
H4437
kingdom
Adj
רביעי/א
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
fourth
Adj | Art
רְבִיעָ/אָה֙
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
fourth
Adj | Art
תֶּהֱוֵ֣א
hâvâʼ
H1934
to be
Adj
בְ/אַרְעָ֔/א
ʼăraʻ
H772
earth
Adj | N-fs | Art
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
תִשְׁנֵ֖א
shᵉnâʼ
H8133
to change
Adj
מִן
min
H4481
from
Adj
כָּל
kôl
H3606
all
Adj
מַלְכְוָתָ֑/א
malkûw
H4437
kingdom
Adj | Art
וְ/תֵאכֻל֙
ʼăkal
H399
to devour
Adj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
כָּל
kôl
H3606
all
Adj
אַרְעָ֔/א
ʼăraʻ
H772
earth
Adj | Art
וּ/תְדוּשִׁנַּ֖/הּ
dûwsh
H1759
to tread
Adj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
וְ/תַדְּקִנַּֽ/הּ
dᵉqaq
H1855
to break up
Adj | V-a-Imperf-3fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 7:23
כֵּן֮
kên
H3652
"thus"
Adj
This Aramaic word means 'thus' or 'so', similar to its Hebrew counterpart, and is used in the Bible to show agreement or confirmation. It appears in the book of Daniel, written in Aramaic. It is often translated as 'thus' in English Bibles.
Definition: thus, so, as follows Aramaic of ken (כֵּן "so" H3651C)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: thus. See also: Ezra 5:3; Daniel 4:11; Daniel 7:23.
אֲמַר֒
ʼămar
H560
"to say"
Adj
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.
חֵֽיוְתָ/א֙
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.
רְבִיעָ֣יְתָ֔/א
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
"fourth"
Adj | Art
Similar to H7243, this word also means fourth, and is used in the Bible to describe something that is four-sided or divided into four parts.
Definition: fourth Aramaic of re.vi.i (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7243)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fourth. See also: Daniel 2:40; Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:23.
מַלְכ֤וּ
malkûw
H4437
"kingdom"
Adj
A kingdom refers to the territory or area ruled by a king, like King David's kingdom in Israel. It can also mean the reign or period of time a king is in power. The word is used in the Bible to describe royal authority and dominion.
Definition: 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, kingly, realm, reign. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 5:7; Daniel 7:27.
רביעי/א
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
"fourth"
Adj | Art
Similar to H7243, this word also means fourth, and is used in the Bible to describe something that is four-sided or divided into four parts.
Definition: fourth Aramaic of re.vi.i (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7243)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fourth. See also: Daniel 2:40; Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:23.
רְבִיעָ/אָה֙
rᵉbîyʻay
H7244
"fourth"
Adj | Art
Similar to H7243, this word also means fourth, and is used in the Bible to describe something that is four-sided or divided into four parts.
Definition: fourth Aramaic of re.vi.i (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7243)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fourth. See also: Daniel 2:40; Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:23.
תֶּהֱוֵ֣א
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.
בְ/אַרְעָ֔/א
ʼăraʻ
H772
"earth"
Adj | N-fs | 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.
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.
תִשְׁנֵ֖א
shᵉnâʼ
H8133
"to change"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to change or alter something, like when God changes a person's heart. It appears in various forms, such as altering a plan or transforming a situation. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in circumstances or a shift in perspective.
Definition: 1) to change, be altered, be changed 1a) (P'al) to change, be changed 1b) (Pael) to change, transform, frustrate 1b1) different (participle) 1c) (Ithpael) to be changed 1d) (Aphel) to change, alter
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: alter, change, (be) diverse. See also: Ezra 6:11; Daniel 5:10; Daniel 7:28.
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.
כָּל
kôl
H3606
"all"
Adj
The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.
Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where) -fore, + though, what (where, who) -soever, (the) whole. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 7:27.
מַלְכְוָתָ֑/א
malkûw
H4437
"kingdom"
Adj | Art
A kingdom refers to the territory or area ruled by a king, like King David's kingdom in Israel. It can also mean the reign or period of time a king is in power. The word is used in the Bible to describe royal authority and dominion.
Definition: 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, kingly, realm, reign. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 5:7; Daniel 7:27.
וְ/תֵאכֻל֙
ʼăkal
H399
"to devour"
Adj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to eat or devour, and can be used literally or figuratively, as seen in Genesis where animals eat their food. It can also mean to slander or accuse someone, like in Psalm 3:7 where David asks God to protect him from his enemies.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to eat (of beasts) 1a2) to devour 1a3) eat their pieces (in a phrase, that is, slander them)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accuse, devour, eat. See also: Daniel 3:8; Daniel 7:5; Daniel 7:23.
כָּל
kôl
H3606
"all"
Adj
The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.
Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where) -fore, + though, what (where, who) -soever, (the) whole. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 7:27.
אַרְעָ֔/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.
וּ/תְדוּשִׁנַּ֖/הּ
dûwsh
H1759
"to tread"
Adj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
To tread down means to walk on something or someone, overpowering them, and is used in a similar way to H1758, but in Aramaic. It is related to the idea of trampling or threshing.
Definition: (P'al) to tread down Aramaic of dush (דּוּשׁ "to tread" H1758)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: tread down. See also: Daniel 7:23.
וְ/תַדְּקִנַּֽ/הּ
dᵉqaq
H1855
"to break up"
Adj | V-a-Imperf-3fs | Suff
Means to break something into pieces, like shattering an object or crushing it into fragments, used in the Bible to describe destruction or chaos.
Definition: 1) to break into pieces, fall into pieces, be shattered 1a) (P'al) to be shattered 1b) (Aphel) to break into pieces
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: break to pieces. See also: Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:23.
Study Notes — Daniel 7:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 7:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 7:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 7:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 7:23
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 7:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
- Sermons on Daniel 7:23
Context — Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,
22until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.
23This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.
24And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. 25He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 2:40 | 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. |
| 2 | Daniel 7:7 | After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. |
| 3 | Luke 2:1 | Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. |
Daniel 7:23 Summary
The fourth beast in Daniel 7:23 represents a powerful and destructive kingdom that will have a significant impact on the earth. This kingdom will be different from all others and will seek to dominate and crush everything in its path, much like the Babylonian empire in Daniel 2:37-38. However, as believers, we can take comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and nations, as stated in Psalm 103:19 and Daniel 4:17, and that He will ultimately bring about justice and judgment, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15. By trusting in God's sovereignty and promises, we can have hope and peace, even in the face of uncertainty and chaos, as described in Isaiah 26:3 and John 16:33.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fourth beast in Daniel 7:23?
The fourth beast in Daniel 7:23 represents a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, as described in the verse, and its characteristics are further explained in Daniel 7:24-25, where it is associated with a king who will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, similar to the actions of kings in 1 Kings 21:25-26 and 2 Kings 8:3.
How will this kingdom affect the earth?
According to Daniel 7:23, this kingdom will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it, indicating a significant and far-reaching impact, reminiscent of the destruction caused by the Babylonian empire in Habakkuk 1:5-11.
Is this kingdom related to the end times?
While Daniel 7:23 does not explicitly state that this kingdom is related to the end times, the context of the chapter and the book of Daniel as a whole suggests that it may be, as it is part of a larger narrative about the rise and fall of kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, as seen in Revelation 11:15 and Revelation 20:4-6.
What can we learn from this verse about God's sovereignty?
This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and nations, as stated in Daniel 4:17 and Psalm 103:19, and that He will ultimately bring about justice and judgment, as seen in Daniel 7:22 and Revelation 20:11-15.
Reflection Questions
- How does the description of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:23 make you feel about the state of the world, and what does it lead you to pray for?
- In what ways do you see the characteristics of this kingdom, as described in Daniel 7:23, manifesting in the world today, and how can you be a light for God's kingdom in the midst of it?
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of human kingdoms and empires, and how does it compare to the kingdom of God, as described in Luke 17:21 and Revelation 21:1-4?
- How can you trust in God's sovereignty, as described in Daniel 7:23 and Psalm 103:19, when faced with the challenges and uncertainties of the world, and what scriptures can you turn to for comfort and assurance?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 7:23
Thus he said,.... The person that stood by, the angel, of whom Daniel made his inquiries, and who answered him, as follows: the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth; which shows that the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 7:23
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.Ver. 23. Thus he said.] So ready are the holy angels to further good desires.
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
(23) The fourth kingdom.—The ten are spoken of as existing simultaneously. Of the various attempts to account for them, none have proved satisfactory. (See Excursus E.) We must wait in patient humility for the fulfilment of this part of the prophecy, noting that marks by which the little horn may be identified have been graciously revealed to us by God Himself.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 7:23
15–28. The explanation of the vision.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 7:23
Thus he said ... - That is, in explanation of the fourth symbol which appeared - the fourth beast, and of the events connected with his appearing.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 7:23
23. For the proof that this fourth kingdom was not Rome or Greece, but the Syriac-Egyptian kingdom which immediately followed that of Alexander the Great, see notes Daniel 7:7 and Daniel 2:39-40.
Sermons on Daniel 7:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Discerning the Signs of the Times - Part One by Ian Paisley | Ian Paisley preaches about the concept of time as the divide between two eternities, emphasizing how time is a subtle yet insatiable plunderer that steals the world from us and us |
|
Advent Sermons on Antichrist by J.H. Newman | John Henry Newman preaches about the prophecies concerning Rome and Antichrist, highlighting the historical fulfilment and potential future events. He discusses the symbolic repres |
|
Day 255, Revelation 17 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the mysterious symbolism of the great harlot in Revelation, often associated with the city of Rome and the Roman Catholic Church, depicted as spiritually |
|
Unto Us a Son Is Given by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the love story of God as depicted in the book of Luke. He emphasizes that God, the Creator of the universe, entered time and dwelt on earth |
|
Led by a Star by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power and importance of worshiping God. He shares a personal experience of bringing his Roman Catholic roommate to church and being nervo |
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Christmas in Crisis by Ralph Sexton | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope that it brings to a hopeless world. He expresses concern about the attack on Chri |
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The Blessing of Righteousness by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on Psalm 112, which is an acrostic Psalm that praises the righteous man who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. Pastor Chuck |