Book of Daniel - Chapter 7 - Verse 17

This verse from the book of Daniel is part of a vision in which the prophet Daniel sees four great beasts emerging from the sea. In this passage, the angel explains to Daniel that these beasts represent four kings that will rise to power on earth. This interpretation by the angel gives insight into the nature of the vision and the message it conveys. The four kings mentioned in the verse are believed by some scholars to represent four successive empires that will play significant roles in the history of the world. One popular interpretation is that the four kings represent the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, each characterized by its own unique characteristics and impact on the world. Understanding the symbolic meaning of these beasts as kings helps to shed light on the broader themes of power, authority, and prophecy present in the book of Daniel.

Within the theological interpretation of the verse, "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth", scholars often focus on the symbolic nature of the "beasts" and "kings" mentioned. In this verse, the four beasts represent four powerful kingdoms or rulers that will come into existence on the earth. In the context of the book of Daniel, these four beasts are commonly associated with the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Additionally, some theologians see the mention of beasts as a way to convey the fierce and destructive nature of these rulers and their kingdoms. The word study of "kings" in this verse can also provide insight into the authority and dominion these rulers will possess. By examining the original Hebrew or Aramaic words used for "kings", scholars can delve deeper into the significance and implications of these powerful figures in the prophetic narrative of Daniel.