Bible Strands
Daniel 7:17
‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The interpreter standing beside the Ancient of Days addresses Daniel to clarify the vision. He speaks immediately after Daniel requests the true meaning of the beasts rising from the earth.
The words — The Aramaic אִלֵּין חֵיוָתָא רַבְרְבָתָא (‘i.Lein chei.va.Ta rav.re.va.Ta’) translates literally as “these great beasts.” The pronoun אִנִּין (‘i.Nin) functions as the copula “are,” directly equating the visions with earthly rulers.
The thread — The equation of beasts with kings mirrors Daniel 2:37, where human empires are traced to divine grant. The contrast between temporary earthly power and eternal possession aligns with Psalms 17:14 and Daniel 7:3.
Why it lands — The text states that four great beasts will produce four kings who arise from the earth. The reader must accept that political authority originates in earthly rebellion and will be superseded by the saints’ permanent possession of the kingdom.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Daniel 2:37 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.
- Daniel 7:3 Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others:
- Daniel 8:19 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.