Daniel 7:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 7:15-28

Here we have, I. The deep impressions which these visions made upon the prophet. God in them put honour upon him, and gave him satisfaction, yet not without a great allay of pain and perplexity (Dan. 7:15): I Daniel was grieved in my spirit, in the midst of my body. The word here used for the body properly signifies a sheath or scabbard, for the body is no more to the soul; that is the weapon; it is that which we are principally to take care of. The visions of my head troubled me, an again... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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 fourth kingdom, Daniel 7:23 or a succession of kings in four kingdoms or monarchies, comparable to beasts for their strength, cruelty, and tyranny: these are the words of him that stood by, of one of the angels Daniel applied to, to know the meaning of his dream; and might be better rendered,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 7:17

These great beasts - are four kings - See the preceding verses, where the following explanations are inserted and illustrated. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 7:17

Verse 17 Here the angel answers Daniel concerning the four beasts which had been shewn him in the vision. He says, therefore, Four kingdoms arose, and by the name kingdom he means monarchy; for we know that the Persians had many kings until Alexander transferred to himself the empire of the East. Although Cyrus had seven or eight successors, yet the Persian empire continued through them all. And as we saw before, although whatever Alexander had acquired by his arms was divided among his four... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 7:1-28

EXPOSITION THE VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS . This chapter begins the second section of the book. All before this has been narrative; visions are introduced into the narrative, but they were not given to Daniel himself, but to others; his role was the secondary one of interpreter. These visions and the events connected with them are related more as incidents in the biography of Daniel, than as revelations of the future. With this chapter begins a series of revelations to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 7:15-18

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth, But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. The version of the Septuagint differs in some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 7:15-28

The great antagonist. "I behold, and the same horn," etc. ( Daniel 7:21 , Daniel 7:22 ). In introducing this subject, let the following interesting facts be noted. The dream occasioned Daniel great anxiety. "Even I Daniel grieved was my spirit, in the midst of [ its ] sheath. " The soul a sword in its scabbard. He solicited information from one of the myriads in attendance on the Eternal. In answer, two or three suggestions were made, leading Daniel to inquire further, which he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 7:15-28

Godly obedience the basis of permanent dominion. Wisdom and righteousness are the qualities of a real king. Daniel, though not ambitious of a material sceptre, yet, by virtue of his weighty influence, swayed the destinies of the Babylonian empire. He ruled by an unpretentious grace. I. GOOD MEN ARE MORE CONCERNED FOR GOD 'S CAUSE THAN FOR ANY SELF - EXALTATION . Daniel was grieved in spirit, not because of personal ill, nor from fear of the lions' den, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 7:17

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings - Four kings or four dynasties. There is no reason for supposing that they refer to individual kings, but the obvious meaning is, that they refer to four dominions or empires that would succeed one another on the earth. So the whole representation leads us to suppose, and so the passage has been always interpreted. The Latin Vulgate renders it regna; the Septuagint βασιλεῖαι basileiai; Luther, Reiche; Lengerke, Konigreiche. This interpretation... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 7:15-18

Daniel 7:15-18. I Daniel was grieved in my spirit Upon account of the extraordinary changes which seemed to be signified by the vision, the particulars of which troubled me, though I had not a perfect apprehension of their meaning. I came near unto one of them that stood by Namely, to one of the angels who were attending as ministering spirits. And asked him the truth, &c. Desired him to give me a clear understanding of all this. So he told me, &c. Explained to me the true and... read more

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