Daniel 7:6 Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

◄ Daniel 7:6 ►

New International Version
“After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

New Living Translation
Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.

English Standard Version
After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

Berean Standard Bible
Next, as I watched, suddenly another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

King James Bible
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

New King James Version
“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

New American Standard Bible
After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

NASB 1995
“After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

NASB 1977
“After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

Legacy Standard Bible
After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

Amplified Bible
After this I kept looking, and behold, another one (the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great), like a leopard, which had on its back four wings like those of a bird; the beast also had four heads (Alexander’s generals, his successors), and power to rule was given to it.

Christian Standard Bible
“After this, while I was watching, suddenly another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads, and it was given dominion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.”

American Standard Version
After this I beheld, and, lo, another, like a leopard, which had upon its back four wings of a bird; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Contemporary English Version
The third beast was like a leopard--except that it had four wings and four heads. It was given authority to rule.

English Revised Version
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After this, I saw another animal. It looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings, like the wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads. It was given power to rule.

Good News Translation
While I was watching, another beast appeared. It looked like a leopard, but on its back there were four wings, like the wings of a bird, and it had four heads. It had a look of authority about it.

International Standard Version
"After this, I continued to watch—and look!—there was another one, resembling a leopard with four birds' wings on its back. The animal also had four heads, and authority was imparted to it.

Majority Standard Bible
Next, as I watched, suddenly another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

NET Bible
"After these things, as I was watching, another beast like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back. This beast had four heads, and ruling authority was given to it.

New Heart English Bible
After this I saw, and look, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Webster's Bible Translation
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

World English Bible
“After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
After this I was seeing, and behold, another like a leopard, and it has four wings of a bird on its back, and the beast has four heads, and dominion is given to it.

Young's Literal Translation
'After this I was seeing, and lo, another like a leopard, and it hath four wings of a fowl on its back, and four heads hath the beast, and dominion is given to it.

Smith's Literal Translation
After this I was seeing, and lo, another, as a panther, and to it four wings of a bird upon its back, and four heads to the beast; and dominion was given to it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
After this I beheld, and lo, another like a leopard, and it had upon it four wings as of a fowl, and the beast had four heads, and power was given to it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After this, I watched, and behold, another like a leopard, and it had wings like a bird, four upon it, and four heads were on the beast, and power was given to it.

New American Bible
After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given.

New Revised Standard Version
After this, as I watched, another appeared, like a leopard. The beast had four wings of a bird on its back and four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
After these things I beheld, and lo, another beast, like a leopard, which had upon its sides four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads, and dominion was given to it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Kingdom of the Persians: After these I was seeing another beast like a leopard, and it had four wings of a bird on its sides, and this beast had four heads, and authority was given to it

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the sides of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
After this one I looked, and behold another wild beast as a leopard, and it had four wings of a bird upon it: and the wild beast had four heads, and power was given to it.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts
…5Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’ 6Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7After 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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Revelation 13:2
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 17:12
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast.

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 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 17:10
There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.

Revelation 17:11
The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

Revelation 17:16
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Revelation 17:17
For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Revelation 17:18
And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

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.

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.

Revelation 20:10
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

Revelation 20:15
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Treasury of Scripture

After this I beheld, and see another, like a leopard, which had on the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

lo.

Daniel 2:39
And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Daniel 8:5-7,20,21
And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes…

Daniel 10:20
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

another.

four wings.

Daniel 7:4
The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

Ezekiel 17:3
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

four heads.

Daniel 8:8,22
Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven…

Daniel 11:4
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

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Animal Authority Beast Beheld Bird Dominion Four Fowl Heads Kept Leopard Power Ruler Sides Wings

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Animal Authority Beast Beheld Bird Dominion Four Fowl Heads Kept Leopard Power Ruler Sides Wings

Daniel 7

1. Daniel's vision of the four beasts,
9. and of God's kingdom.
15. The interpretation thereof.

Berean Study Bible

Next, as I looked
This phrase indicates a continuation of Daniel's vision, suggesting a sequence of divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "looked" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies not just seeing with the eyes but perceiving with understanding. Daniel is not merely a passive observer; he is actively engaged in comprehending the vision's significance. This highlights the importance of spiritual discernment and attentiveness in receiving divine insights.

there was another beast
The term "beast" (חֵיוָה, chevah) in the context of Daniel's visions often symbolizes kingdoms or empires. This particular beast is distinct from the previous ones, indicating a new phase or power in the unfolding prophetic narrative. The use of "another" suggests a succession of empires, each with its unique characteristics and role in God's sovereign plan.

like a leopard
The leopard is known for its speed and agility, characteristics that are emblematic of the swift conquests of the empire this beast represents. Historically, this is often associated with the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, whose rapid expansion across the known world was unprecedented. The leopard's attributes remind us of the transient and often aggressive nature of earthly powers.

On its back it had four wings like those of a bird
Wings symbolize swiftness and the ability to cover great distances quickly. The presence of four wings amplifies the idea of rapid movement and expansion. This detail aligns with the historical division of Alexander's empire into four parts after his death, as his generals took control. The imagery of wings also serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human achievements compared to the eternal kingdom of God.

The beast also had four heads
The four heads further emphasize the division of the Greek Empire into four distinct regions, each ruled by one of Alexander's generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy. In a broader sense, the heads represent the multiplicity of leadership and the complexity of governance in human empires. This division underscores the theme of fragmentation and the inherent instability of worldly kingdoms.

and it was given authority to rule
The phrase "given authority" indicates that the power and dominion of this beast are not self-derived but granted by a higher authority, ultimately God. This reflects the biblical principle that all earthly authority is subordinate to divine sovereignty. Despite the apparent might and autonomy of empires, they operate within the parameters set by God, who orchestrates history according to His purposes.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) A leopard.--More correctly, a panther. On the great vigilance and swiftness of the panther, comp. Jeremiah 5:6; Hosea 13:7; Habakkuk 1:8. The third beast corresponds to the copper belly and thighs of the image (Daniel 2). It should be noticed that as unity characterises the first beast, and duality the second, so quadruplicity marks the third. It has four wings--wings as of a bird, not of an eagle--by which a degree of swiftness is implied inferior to that of the first beast. It has four heads, indicating four kingdoms, into which the third kingdom should develop itself. (Comp. Daniel 8:8, where the same predominance of the number "four" is to be observed.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. The LXX. rendering is shorter, "And after these things I saw another beast, like a leopard, and four wings stretched over it (ἐπέτεινον), and there were four heads to the beast." The grammar of this is difficult to understand. As it stands, it must be translated as above; if, however, we might read ἐπὶτεινον, we should avoid the solecism of uniting a neuter plural to a plural verb, rendering, "and it stretched," etc. Paulus Tellensis renders as above, and adds a clause, "and a tongue was given to it" - a reading to all appearance due to the transposal of ל and שׁ. It is difficult, on the present text, to explain how the LXX. rendered "wings of a fowl," "stretched over it." If, however, the original word were that used in the Peshitta, (paehatha), it is explicable that this should have been read פְרַשׁוּ. Theodotion and the Peshitta do not differ from the Massoretic text. The majority of critical commentators maintain this to be the Persian Empire. A leopard is a less animal than a bear, and therefore, according to the argument these critics used with regard to the second empire, it ought to mean that it symbolized a still smaller empire. That, however, is impossible. No Jew of the age of the Maccabees could have been under that impression. Moreover, we have the four wings declared to mean that the Persian power extended to all quarters of the world, and attention is directed to the fact that the statement is made concerning it, "dominion was given to it." This assumes, what would be admitted by everybody to be contrary to fact, had the critics not a further conclusion in view. The traditional interpretation is that the Hellenic Empire - that of Alexander the Great and his successors - is intended here. In defence of this we have the fact that four, as we have just said, is the numerical sign of the Greek power. In the following chapter we have the goat, with its one notable horn, which, on being broken off, is replaced by four. In the eleventh chapter we are told that Alexander's empire is to be divided to the four winds of heaven. But "wings" are not prophetically so much the symbol of extensive dominion, as of rapidity of movement. If Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 17:3) is a great eagle with long wings, it is because of the rapidity of his conquests. Jeremiah says of his horses, they are "swifter than eagles." Again in Lamentations, "Our persecutors are swifter than eagles." Wings, then, symbolize swiftness of motion. If we turn to the next chapter, the swiftness of Alexander's conquests is the point that most impresses the seer. Swiftness, compared either with the conquests of Nebuchadnezzar or of Alexander, was not the characteristic of the Persian conquests. Cyrus, in the course of thirty years, had subdued Asia Minor, probably Armenia; had relieved Media, Elam, and Persia from the alien yoke of the Manda; and had conquered Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, after the battle of Carehemish, had advanced to the river of Egypt. We do not know the extent and direction of his many campaigns, but rapidity of movement characterized some of them we do know, and Alexander's conquests were made with extreme rapidity. Altogether the figure seems much more suitable for the empire of Alexander than for that of the Persians.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Next,
בָּאתַ֨ר (bā·ṯar)
Preposition
Strong's 870: A place, after

as I
הֲוֵ֗ית (hă·wêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

watched,
חָזֵ֣ה (ḥā·zêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

another beast
אָֽחֳרִי֙ (’ā·ḥo·rî)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 317: Another

appeared.
וַאֲר֤וּ (wa·’ă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 718: Lo!

It was like a leopard,
כִּנְמַ֔ר (kin·mar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5245: A leopard

and on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

its back
גַּבַּ֑הּ (gab·bah)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1355: The back, the top, rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks

it had
וְלַ֨הּ (wə·lah)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

four
אַרְבַּ֛ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 703: Four

wings
גַּפִּ֥ין (gap·pîn)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 1611: Wing (of a bird)

like those of
דִּי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

a bird.
ע֖וֹף (‘ō·wp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5776: A bird

The beast also
לְחֵ֣יוְתָ֔א (lə·ḥê·wə·ṯā)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 2423: An animal

had four
וְאַרְבְּעָ֤ה (wə·’ar·bə·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 703: Four

heads,
רֵאשִׁין֙ (rê·šîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7217: The head, the sum

and it was given
יְהִ֥יב (yə·hîḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

authority to rule.
וְשָׁלְטָ֖ן (wə·šā·lə·ṭān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7985: Dominion

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OT Prophets: Daniel 7:6 After this I saw and behold another (Dan. Da Dn)