Daniel 7:1
New International Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

New Living Translation
Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.

English Standard Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.

Berean Standard Bible
In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.

King James Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

New King James Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.

New American Standard Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and told the following summary of it.

NASB 1995
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it.

NASB 1977
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his head as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and said the following summary of the matter.

Amplified Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions appeared in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related a summary of it.

Christian Standard Bible
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account.

American Standard Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

English Revised Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In Belshazzar's first year as king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream. He saw a vision while he was asleep. He wrote down the main parts of the dream.

Good News Translation
In the first year that Belshazzar was king of Babylonia, I had a dream and saw a vision in the night. I wrote the dream down, and this is the record

International Standard Version
In the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel dreamed a dream, receiving visions in his mind while in bed, after which he recorded the dream, relating this summary of events.

Majority Standard Bible
In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.

NET Bible
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream filled with visions while he was lying on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream in summary fashion.

New Heart English Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the summary of it.

Webster's Bible Translation
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

World English Bible
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel has seen a dream, and the visions of his head on his bed, then he has written the dream, the chief of the things he has said.

Young's Literal Translation
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel hath seen a dream, and the visions of his head on his bed, then the dream he hath written, the chief of the things he hath said.

Smith's Literal Translation
In one year to Belshazzar the king of Babel, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: at that time he wrote the dream, telling the head of the words.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the first year of Baltasar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream: and the vision of his head was upon his bed: and writing the dream, he comprehended it in few words: and relating the sum of it in short, he said:

Catholic Public Domain Version
In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and a vision in his head on his bed. And, writing down the dream, he understood it in a concise manner, and so, summarizing it tersely, he said:

New American Bible
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, as Daniel lay in bed he had a dream, visions in his head. Then he wrote down the dream; the account began:

New Revised Standard Version
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
IN the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and the visions of his head as he lay upon his bed; then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the first year of Beltshatsar, King of Babel, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head that were upon his bed. Then he wrote the dream and he spoke the sum of its words
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed; then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In the first year of Baltasar, king of the Chaldeans Daniel had a dream, and visions of his head upon his bed: and he wrote his dream.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts
1In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account. 2Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.…

Cross References
Revelation 13:1-2
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. / The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

Revelation 17:3
And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 1:1
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Revelation 12:3
Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.

Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Revelation 11:7
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.

Revelation 20:4
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Ezekiel 1:1
In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 7:1-2
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: ‘The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.

Ezekiel 40:1
In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month—in the fourteenth year after Jerusalem had been struck down—on that very day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He took me there.

Isaiah 13:1
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:

Jeremiah 1:1-2
These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. / The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,


Treasury of Scripture

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

Cir.

Daniel 5:1,22,30
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand…

Daniel 8:1
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

Jeremiah 27:7
And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.

Daniel.

Daniel 2:1,28,29
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him…

Daniel 4:5
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

had.

Daniel 7:7,13,15
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns…

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 46:2
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

he wrote.

Isaiah 8:1
Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

Isaiah 30:8
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

Habakkuk 2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

matters.

Jump to Previous
Babylon Bed Belshazzar Belshaz'zar Chief Daniel Dream First Following Head Lay Matter Matters Mind Passed Related Sum Summary Visions Written Wrote
Jump to Next
Babylon Bed Belshazzar Belshaz'zar Chief Daniel Dream First Following Head Lay Matter Matters Mind Passed Related Sum Summary Visions Written Wrote
Daniel 7
1. Daniel's vision of the four beasts,
9. and of God's kingdom.
15. The interpretation thereof.














In the first year
This phrase sets the historical context for the vision. The "first year" refers to the initial year of Belshazzar's reign as king of Babylon. Historically, this period is significant as it marks the decline of the Babylonian Empire, which would soon fall to the Medo-Persian Empire. The phrase underscores the divine timing of the vision, as God reveals His plans during a pivotal moment in history.

of Belshazzar king of Babylon
Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus and served as co-regent in Babylon. His reign is marked by the infamous "writing on the wall" incident, which foretold the fall of Babylon. The mention of Belshazzar situates Daniel's vision within a specific political and historical framework, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly kingdoms in contrast to God's eternal dominion.

Daniel had a dream
Dreams in the biblical context often serve as a medium for divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "dream" (חֲלוֹם, chalom) suggests a supernatural communication from God. Daniel, known for his ability to interpret dreams, receives a direct revelation, highlighting his role as a prophet and God's chosen instrument to convey His messages.

and visions passed through his mind
The phrase "visions passed through his mind" indicates a series of divine revelations. The Hebrew term for "visions" (חֲזוֹן, chazon) implies a prophetic insight or foresight. This suggests that Daniel's experience was not a mere dream but a profound spiritual encounter, providing him with a glimpse into God's sovereign plans for the future.

as he was lying in bed
This detail adds a personal and intimate dimension to the narrative. It suggests that God communicates with His servants in their most private and vulnerable moments. The setting of "lying in bed" implies a state of rest and receptivity, where Daniel is open to receiving divine revelation.

He wrote down
The act of writing signifies the importance and permanence of the revelation. By recording the vision, Daniel ensures that the message is preserved for future generations. This action underscores the prophetic responsibility to faithfully document and communicate God's revelations.

the substance of his dream
The "substance" refers to the core message or essence of the dream. The Hebrew word used here (רֵאשִׁית, reshith) can also mean "beginning" or "chief part," indicating that Daniel captured the most significant elements of the vision. This highlights the importance of discerning and conveying the central truths of God's revelations.

VII.

(1) The date of this and of the following chapter comes in chronological order after the fourth chapter. As St. Jerome has observed, "In superioribus ordo sequitur histori? quid sub Nebuchadonosor et Balthasar, et Dario sive Cyro mirabilium signorum acciderit. In kis vero narrantur somnia qu? singulis sint visa ternporibus: quorum solus propheta conscius est, et nullam habent apud barbaras nationes signi vel revelationis magnitudinem, sed tantum scribuntur, ut apud posteros eorum qu? visa sunt memoria perseveret."

Visions.--From this, and from the phrase "sum of the matters," it appears that Daniel had other visions at this time. By "sum" is meant the principal parts of the vision.

Verses 1-28. - 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 Daniel personally. This chapter is the last chapter of the Aramaic portion of Daniel. Though thus linguistically joined to what has preceded, logically it is related to what follows. Verse 1. - In the first year of Belshazzar King of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. The language of the Septuagint is suggestive of the actual state of matters, "While Baltasar was reigning - acting as king - for the first year, Daniel saw a vision beside (παρὰ) his head upon his bed. Then Daniel wrote the vision which he had seen in heads (chapters, κεφάλαια) of narration (λόγων)." While these words do not necessarily imply that Belshazzar was not king, but only acting as king, they yet may mean this. We know now that for five years during the nominal reign of his father Nabunahid, Belshazzar really reigned. Theodotion does not absolutely agree with the Massoretic reading here, "In the first year of Belshazzar King of the Chaldeans, Daniel saw a dream (ἐνύπνιον) and the visions of his head upon his bed, and he wrote the dream." The omission of the final clause will be observed. The Peshitta is closer to the Massoretic; it differs, in fact, only by the insertion of malcootha, "the reign of," before "Belshazzar." This is, in all probability, the original heading of the tract in which Daniel first published his prophecy. What were the circumstances, so far as we can attain a knowledge of them, when thus the future was revealed to Daniel? The Scythian forces under Astyages had conquered all the countries intermediate between the steppes whence they had come and Babylonia. Above all, they had overthrown the Median Empire, that was closely associated with that of Babylon. They had pressed in upon Babylonia, and were besieging its cities when Cyrus, the King of Ansan, rebelled against Astyages. We may imagine that, from the extent of their empire, the Manda would have to be somewhat scattered. Cyrus then might easily gain advantage over the small division of Manda that held the canton of Ansan. As usually, the attacks of Elam and Media on Babylonia and Assyria had been made across the canton of Ansan; the rebellion of Ansan would thus separate the Manda in Elam and Media from those in Babylonia - the latter being the main portion. Cyrus succeeded in rousing the Medes, Elamites, and Persians against this invading horde, and wrested the power from them. Nabunahid, in a pious inscription, regards Cyrus as the instrument in the hand of Marduk to overthrow these oppressive Manda. Shortly after this uprising of Cyrus, Nabunahid is to appearance stricken with illness, and for several years takes no part in the business of the empire. In the seventh year of Nabunahid, we learn from the annals that the king was in Tema, and did not come to Babylon, but that the king's son conducted the affairs of the monarchy. It was probably, then, in this year, when Cyrus had defeated the Scythians, and had driven them out of Elam, Media, and Babylonia, that Daniel had the vision recounted in this chapter. Keen political insight might easily foresee the events in the comparatively immediate future. The rise of a vigorous new power like that of Persia meant menace to the neighbeuring powers. Babylonia, filled with treachery and discontent, was in no condition to resist. The fall of Babylon seemed imminent - its place was to be taken by Persia. But Babylon had succeeded Assyria, and before Assyria had been the empires of Egypt and the Hittites. He remembered the dream of his old master Nebuchadnezzar. Now a dream is vouchsafed to himself, which repeats the vision of Nebuchadnezzar with some differences. He is reminded that the changes that come over the affairs of men are not unending. The rise and fall of empires is not the confused whirl of uncontrolled atoms, but all tending towards an end - the establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the first
חֲדָ֗ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

year
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת (biš·naṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140: A year

of the reign
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4430: A king

of Belshazzar
לְבֵלְאשַׁצַּר֙ (lə·ḇê·lə·šaṣ·ṣar)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1113: Belshazzar -- a Babylonian king

over Babylon,
בָּבֶ֔ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 895: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

Daniel
דָּנִיֵּאל֙ (dā·nî·yêl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1841: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon

had
חֲזָ֔ה (ḥă·zāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

a dream,
חֵ֣לֶם (ḥê·lem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2493: A dream

and visions
וְחֶזְוֵ֥י (wə·ḥez·wê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2376: Vision, appearance

passed through his mind
רֵאשֵׁ֖הּ (rê·šêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7217: The head, the sum

as he lay
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

on his bed.
מִשְׁכְּבֵ֑הּ (miš·kə·ḇêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4903: Couch, bed

He wrote down
כְתַ֔ב (ḵə·ṯaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3790: To grave, to write

the dream,
חֶלְמָ֣א (ḥel·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2493: A dream

and this is the summary
רֵ֥אשׁ (rêš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7217: The head, the sum

of his account.
מִלִּ֖ין (mil·lîn)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4406: A word, command, discourse, subject


Links
Daniel 7:1 NIV
Daniel 7:1 NLT
Daniel 7:1 ESV
Daniel 7:1 NASB
Daniel 7:1 KJV

Daniel 7:1 BibleApps.com
Daniel 7:1 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 7:1 Chinese Bible
Daniel 7:1 French Bible
Daniel 7:1 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 6:28
Top of Page
Top of Page