# **Daniel 7:1-4 Reinterpreted**
## **Introduction**
The traditional interpretation of Daniel 7:1-4 often aligns the first beast, the lion with eagle’s wings, with the Babylonian Empire. However, a closer examination of the text, particularly Daniel 7:17—"These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth"—suggests that the beasts should be identified with kingdoms that emerged after the fall of Babylon. This study reinterprets the first beast as representing the Medo-Persian Empire rather than Babylon.
## **Daniel 7:1 – The Context of the Vision**
*"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 vision of Daniel 7 was received in the first year of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon. This timing is significant because it indicates that the fall of Babylon was near. The seventy-year period prophesied by Jeremiah for Babylon’s dominion (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10) was coming to an end, and the Persian conquest was imminent. The visions given to Daniel in this chapter pertain to the future beyond the Babylonian kingdom, aligning with Daniel 7:17’s declaration that the four beasts are kingdoms that would arise after Babylon.
## **Daniel 7:2 – The Symbolism of the Winds and the Sea**
*"Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea."*
The "vision by night" represents the period of Gentile domination, often characterized as spiritual darkness (John 9:4-5). The "four winds of heaven" symbolize divine intervention in world affairs, often through military conquests (Jeremiah 4:11-13). The "great sea" represents the nations of the world, especially the tumultuous history of Gentile kingdoms (Isaiah 17:12-13). The imagery of winds stirring the sea suggests political and military upheavals that lead to the emergence of successive world empires.
## **Daniel 7:3 – The Four Great Beasts**
*"And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another."*
The four beasts symbolize four kingdoms, as confirmed in Daniel 7:17. These kingdoms are not necessarily identical to those in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2), but they parallel the concept of successive world empires. Each beast emerges as a dominant power, differing in nature and governance. Gentile kingdoms are often depicted as beasts in Scripture (Proverbs 28:15; Jeremiah 12:9), portraying their ruthless and oppressive characteristics in contrast to Israel, which is often represented as sheep.
## **Daniel 7:4 – The First Beast: The Lion with Eagle’s Wings**
*"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."*
### **Identifying the First Beast**
Traditional interpretations equate this beast with Babylon, but Daniel 7:17 suggests that the beasts must arise after Babylon's fall. Since Belshazzar was already ruling Babylon at the time of the vision, the lion must represent the empire that succeeded Babylon—the Medo-Persian Empire.
Archaeological evidence supports this reinterpretation. Winged lion statues have been discovered not only in Babylon but also throughout the Persian Empire, dating from 600 to 300 B.C. This suggests that the lion imagery could also apply to Medo-Persia. The Medo-Persian Empire aligns with the chest and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2), further reinforcing this identification.
### **The Meaning of the Eagle’s Wings**
Wings in biblical symbolism represent speed, power, and military conquest. If the lion represents Medo-Persia, its eagle’s wings suggest the empire’s rapid expansion under Cyrus the Great and his successors. However, the phrase "the wings thereof were plucked" indicates a decline in aggressive conquest. Historically, the Persian Empire, after an initial phase of expansion, transitioned into a more administrative and structured rule rather than constant military aggression.
### **"It Was Lifted Up from the Earth"**
This phrase implies an elevation in status or a transformation in the nature of the empire. The Medo-Persian Empire was distinct from Babylon in its governance. Unlike Babylon, which often sought to subjugate and assimilate conquered peoples, Persia, under Cyrus, allowed exiles such as the Jews to return to their homeland (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1).
### **"Made to Stand upon the Feet as a Man"**
A lion standing on two feet instead of four suggests a shift from predatory conquest to a more rational and orderly governance. This corresponds to the policies of Cyrus the Great, who was known for his humane approach to ruling. His empire was built not only on military strength but also on law, administration, and diplomacy.
### **"A Man’s Heart Was Given to It"**
The transition from a beast’s heart to a man’s heart suggests a change from brute force to wisdom and morality. This aligns with historical records of Cyrus, who was known for his relatively just policies and respect for different cultures and religions. Unlike the ruthless oppression of previous empires, Persia was characterized by its tolerance and structured governance.
## **Conclusion**
A careful reading of Daniel 7:1-4 in light of Daniel 7:17 suggests that the first beast should be identified with the Medo-Persian Empire rather than Babylon. The lion with eagle’s wings symbolizes the empire’s initial military might and rapid expansion. The plucking of its wings signifies the end of its aggressive conquests, while being lifted up and given a human heart represents the shift to a more structured and humane rule, particularly under Cyrus the Great.
This reinterpretation aligns with the historical context and provides a more consistent understanding of Daniel’s prophecy. Recognizing the Medo-Persian Empire as the first beast allows for a more accurate framework for understanding the remaining beasts in Daniel 7, paving the way for a reevaluation of traditional eschatological interpretations.
**Daniel 7:4 Reinterpreted**
### **Introduction**
Daniel 7:4 describes the first of four beasts seen in a prophetic vision:
*"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."* (Daniel 7:4, KJV)
Traditional interpretations often associate this lion with Babylon, citing the empire's use of lion imagery. However, a closer examination of Daniel 7:17 suggests that the four beasts represent kingdoms that "shall arise out of the earth," meaning they appear *after* Babylon. Since Daniel received this vision in the first year of Belshazzar (Daniel 7:1), and Belshazzar was the last king of Babylon (Daniel 5), the lion must symbolize a kingdom that succeeds Babylon, aligning it more closely with the Medo-Persian Empire.
### **Chronological Context and the Order of Kingdoms**
Daniel 7 was revealed during the reign of Belshazzar, indicating that Babylon was already in decline. The text states:
*"These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."* (Daniel 7:17, KJV)
This phrase confirms that these kingdoms emerge *after* the time of the vision. Since Belshazzar was already ruling Babylon when Daniel received this prophecy, the lion must represent a kingdom that arose after Babylon’s fall. The logical successor to Babylon was the Medo-Persian Empire.
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream featured a great image with four sections, representing four successive kingdoms. The **head of gold** symbolized Babylon, but the **chest and arms of silver** represented Medo-Persia. If the prophecy in Daniel 7 follows the same pattern as Daniel 2, then the lion with eagle’s wings should align with Medo-Persia, not Babylon.
### **Archaeological Evidence and Symbolism**
The lion with eagle’s wings has been widely identified in archaeological findings from both Babylonian and Persian art. While Babylon used the lion as a royal symbol, winged lion carvings were also present in the Medo-Persian Empire. Notably, sculptures and carvings of winged lions have been found in locations associated with Medo-Persia from 600 to 300 B.C., reinforcing the connection between the lion of Daniel 7:4 and the Medo-Persian Empire.
### **Breaking Down the Imagery in Daniel 7:4**
#### **"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings."**
- A lion is traditionally a symbol of power, dominance, and kingship.
- Eagles' wings symbolize speed and swiftness of conquest (Habakkuk 1:8).
- Medo-Persia, under Cyrus the Great, conquered vast territories rapidly, aligning with the swiftness implied by the wings.
#### **"I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked."**
- Wings being plucked indicates a loss of rapid expansion or conquest.
- Medo-Persia was initially an aggressive empire, rapidly defeating Babylon and other nations, but over time, its expansion slowed.
- The loss of wings could represent the transition from rapid conquests to a more administrative and governing role.
#### **"And it was lifted up from the earth."**
- Being "lifted up" suggests a transition in status, possibly from a purely military power to an established empire with structured governance.
- Medo-Persia, particularly under Cyrus the Great, established policies that differed from Babylon’s absolute control. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus allowed conquered peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1).
#### **"And made stand upon the feet as a man."**
- A lion standing on two feet like a man indicates a transformation in nature.
- Instead of behaving as a purely predatory force, Medo-Persia became an empire focused on governance and stability.
- This could represent Cyrus’s policies of tolerance and structured rule, which contrasted with Babylon’s absolute autocracy.
#### **"And a man’s heart was given to it."**
- A man's heart, in contrast to a beast's heart, suggests intelligence, morality, or compassion.
- Cyrus the Great is recognized for his humane policies, including his fair treatment of conquered peoples and his decree allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem.
- This shift from brute force to governance through law and tolerance aligns with the imagery of the beast being given a "man’s heart."
### **The Broader Implications of This Reinterpretation**
If the lion represents Medo-Persia instead of Babylon, then the sequence of beasts in Daniel 7 aligns more clearly with the historical succession of empires as described in Daniel 2:
1. **Lion with eagle’s wings (Medo-Persia)** → Aligns with the chest and arms of silver in Daniel 2.
2. **Bear with three ribs (Greece)** → Aligns with the belly and thighs of bronze.
3. **Leopard with four wings (Rome)** → Aligns with the legs of iron.
4. **Fourth beast with ten horns (Final kingdom)** → Aligns with the feet of iron and clay.
This reinterpretation removes inconsistencies in the traditional view and provides a historically accurate framework for understanding the prophecy.
### **Conclusion**
Daniel 7:4 has long been associated with Babylon, but a closer reading of Daniel 7:17, along with historical and archaeological evidence, suggests that the lion with eagle’s wings more accurately represents the Medo-Persian Empire. The details of the vision—the plucking of wings, standing on two feet, and receiving a man's heart—align well with the transformation of Medo-Persia from a conquering force into an administrative empire under Cyrus the Great.
By reinterpreting Daniel 7:4 within its historical and prophetic context, we gain a clearer understanding of how Daniel’s visions align with world history and how God’s prophetic word unfolds in time.
