Topical Bible: Sea: Symbolical in Daniel's Vision

◄ Sea: Symbolical in Daniel's Vision ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the "sea" often symbolizes chaos, disorder, and the unknown. This symbolism is vividly illustrated in the Book of Daniel, particularly in Daniel's vision recorded in Daniel 7. In this vision, the sea serves as a backdrop for the emergence of four great beasts, each representing a kingdom that will rise on the earth.

Daniel 7:2-3 : "Daniel declared: 'In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the Great Sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, were rising out of the sea.'"

The "Great Sea" in Daniel's vision is often interpreted as the Mediterranean Sea, a significant body of water known to the ancient Near Eastern world. However, symbolically, it represents the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of the world from which these empires arise. The churning of the sea by the "four winds of heaven" suggests divine activity or judgment, indicating that these events are under God's sovereign control.

The four beasts that emerge from the sea are symbolic representations of successive empires that will dominate the known world. Traditionally, these beasts are identified as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Each beast's unique characteristics reflect the nature and attributes of the corresponding empire.

1. The First Beast: Described as a lion with eagle's wings, this beast is often associated with the Babylonian Empire. The imagery of a lion, a symbol of strength and majesty, combined with eagle's wings, suggests swiftness and power. The transformation of this beast, as its wings are plucked and it is made to stand like a man, may symbolize the humbling of Babylon under God's hand.

2. The Second Beast: Resembling a bear, this beast is typically linked to the Medo-Persian Empire. The bear is raised up on one side, possibly indicating the dominance of Persia over Media. The three ribs in its mouth may symbolize its conquests, such as Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

3. The Third Beast: This beast, like a leopard with four wings and four heads, is associated with the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The leopard's speed and the additional wings suggest the rapid expansion of Alexander's conquests. The four heads may represent the division of the empire into four parts after Alexander's death.

4. The Fourth Beast: Unlike any known animal, this beast is described as terrifying and exceedingly strong, with iron teeth and ten horns. It is often identified with the Roman Empire. The ten horns are interpreted as ten kings or kingdoms that arise from this empire, and the little horn that emerges later is seen as a future ruler or power.

The sea, as the origin of these beasts, underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over the chaotic and often hostile forces of history. In Daniel's vision, the sea is not merely a geographical feature but a symbol of the tumultuous world stage upon which God's redemptive plan unfolds. The vision ultimately points to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, which will triumph over all earthly powers.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 7:2,3
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove on the great sea.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... interpretation is that the Elders are symbolical of the ... the throne, like [135] a
glassy sea, like crystal ... end." The details of a former vision Daniel was told ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... takes possession by planting his feet on the sea and on ... Some are half symbolical
and half literal. ... Sunteleia (ending with the seven years of Daniel's last week ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The Apocalypse.
... 6. The "beast" coming out of the sea and having ... as many world-monarchies, including
those of Daniel, before Christ ... (c) The number is symbolical of Antichrist ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm

Daniel
... beasts, which emerge from the ungodly sea and symbolize ... numbers are, in any case,
partly symbolical, and ought ... and popular folk-stories about Daniel and his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... it sends out its boughs to the sea, and its ... One of the most certain examples is Daniel's
prophecy of ... Compare Ezekiel 4:4-8, in which symbolical transaction a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... To quote now from Daniel 8:"And out of one of ... to the ground and stamped upon them
(probably a symbolical reference to ... I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... under the enigmatical name of "the desert of the sea," Edom, and ... It is rather a
symbolical representation of the coming deliverance and enlargement of ... DANIEL. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in ...
... are seen emptying themselves in the sea of historical ... are" almost always (in the
symbolical sections) signify ... in the End-time " ie Daniel's seventieth week. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the last chapter we.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... patriarchs to the domain of legend, or of symbolical cycle ... So in the passage of the
Red Sea, the description may ... In the case of Daniel, he may doubt whether all ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm