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◄ Daniel 7:2►

New International Version
Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.

New Living Translation
In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction.

English Standard Version
Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

Berean Standard Bible
Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

King James Bible
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

New King James Version
Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.

New American Standard Bible
Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

NASB 1995
Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

NASB 1977
Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

Legacy Standard Bible
Daniel answered and said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

Amplified Bible
Daniel said, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea (the nations).

Christian Standard Bible
Daniel said, “In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Daniel said, “In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.

American Standard Version
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of heaven brake forth upon the great sea.

English Revised Version
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven brake forth upon the great sea.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In my visions at night I, Daniel, saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the Mediterranean Sea.

Good News Translation
of what I saw that night: Winds were blowing from all directions and lashing the surface of the ocean.

International Standard Version
Daniel said, "I observed the vision during the night. Look! The four winds of the skies were stirring up the Mediterranean Sea.

NET Bible
Daniel explained: "I was watching in my vision during the night as the four winds of the sky were stirring up the great sea.

New Heart English Bible
Daniel spoke and said, "I saw in my vision by night, and, look, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea.

Webster's Bible Translation
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

World English Bible
Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Daniel has answered and said, “I was seeing in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens are coming forth to the Great Sea;

Young's Literal Translation
Answered hath Daniel and said, 'I was seeing in my vision by night, and lo, the four winds of the heavens are coming forth to the great sea;

Smith's Literal Translation
Daniel answered and said, I was seeing in my vision by night, and lo, the four winds of the heavens rushing forth to the great sea.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
I saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I saw in my vision at night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens fought upon the great sea.

New American Bible
In the vision I saw during the night, suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea,

New Revised Standard Version
I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Daniel answered and said: “I was seeing in a vision of the night, and, behold, the four Spirits of Heaven stirred up the Great Sea

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Daniel spoke and said: I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven broke forth upon the great sea.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I Daniel beheld, and, lo, the four winds of heaven blew violently upon the great sea.

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.3Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others:…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Revelation 13:1
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.

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 17:15
Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

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 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 12:17
And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.

Revelation 19:19-21
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. / 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. / And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Revelation 20:8
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.

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),

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:25
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.

Isaiah 17:12-13
Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. / The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale.

Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.

Jeremiah 46:7-8
Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters churn? / Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers, boasting, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the cities and their people.’

Jeremiah 51:42
The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.

Treasury of Scripture

Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove on the great sea.

the four.

Revelation 7:1
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

the great.

Revelation 17:15
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

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Daniel 7

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

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Daniel declared:
Daniel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, is the author of the book bearing his name. His declarations are considered authoritative and divinely inspired. This phrase introduces a vision, a common method through which God communicated with His prophets. Daniel's role as a prophet is significant, as he serves as a mouthpiece for God's revelations during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.

In my vision in the night I looked,
Visions in the night often indicate divine revelation, as seen in other biblical accounts such as those of Joseph and Jacob. Night visions suggest a supernatural encounter, distinct from dreams, and are often used to convey messages of future events. Daniel's visions are apocalyptic, revealing God's sovereignty over history and future kingdoms.

and suddenly the four winds of heaven
The four winds symbolize God's sovereign power over the entire earth, as they come from all directions. This imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as inJeremiah 49:36 andRevelation 7:1, to denote God's control over nations and events. The suddenness emphasizes the unexpected and divine nature of the events about to unfold.

were churning up the great sea.
The great sea often represents chaos and the nations of the world in biblical literature. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sea was seen as a symbol of disorder and danger. The churning indicates turmoil and upheaval, setting the stage for the emergence of the four beasts, which represent successive empires. This imagery connects to other prophetic literature, such asRevelation 13, where the sea also symbolizes the origin of worldly powers opposed to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Daniel
A prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions.

2.Four Winds of Heaven
Symbolic of divine forces or powers that influence the earth. In biblical literature, winds often represent God's sovereign control over the world.

3.The Great Sea
Typically understood as the Mediterranean Sea, but symbolically it can represent the chaotic and tumultuous nations of the world.

4.Vision in the Night
A divine revelation given to Daniel, often associated with dreams that convey God's messages.

5.Churning
Represents turmoil and upheaval, often used to describe the stirring of nations or significant changes in the world order.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The vision of the four winds churning the Great Sea illustrates God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations. Believers can find comfort in knowing that world events are under divine authority.

The Unpredictability of World Events
Just as the sea is unpredictable and tumultuous, so are the affairs of nations. Christians are called to trust in God's plan amidst global uncertainties.

The Role of Prophetic Visions
Daniel's vision serves as a reminder of the importance of prophecy in understanding God's plans. Believers should study and seek wisdom from prophetic scriptures to gain insight into God's workings.

Faithfulness in Uncertain Times
Daniel's example encourages believers to remain faithful and steadfast in their faith, even when faced with visions of chaos and upheaval.

Preparation for Spiritual Battles
The churning sea can symbolize spiritual battles. Christians are called to be spiritually prepared, putting on the full armor of God to stand firm against the forces of chaos.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Daniel 7:2?

2.How does Daniel 7:2's vision of "four winds" relate to God's sovereignty today?

3.What can we learn about spiritual warfare from "the four winds of heaven"?

4.How does Daniel 7:2 connect with Revelation's visions of end times?

5.How should Daniel's vision in 7:2 influence our prayer life and vigilance?

6.What does Daniel 7:2 teach about God's control over earthly kingdoms?

7.What is the significance of the four winds in Daniel 7:2?

8.How do the four beasts in Daniel 7:2 relate to historical empires?

9.What does Daniel 7:2 reveal about God's sovereignty over nations?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 7?

11.In Daniel 7:2–7, each beast represents a different kingdom—how can we verify these symbolic empires through reliable archaeological or historical records?

12.What defines apocalyptic literature?

13.What are the Four Winds in the Bible?

14.Who is the author of the Book of Daniel?

What Does Daniel 7:2 Mean

Daniel declared

Daniel opens with a simple statement that he himself is the eyewitness reporter of what follows. This underlines both the authenticity and reliability of the prophecy (cf.Daniel 7:1; 12:5). Just asDaniel 2:45 records Nebuchadnezzar’s dream “made known” by God, Daniel now shares what God showed him, establishing a pattern: the Lord reveals, Daniel records, believers receive.

In my vision in the night I looked

Night-time visions highlight the supernatural origin of the message, contrasting the darkness around Daniel with the light God supplies (Daniel 2:19;Acts 16:9).

• Daniel is passive—he “looked”—while God actively discloses truth (Genesis 46:2;Joel 2:28).

• Repetition of night visions throughout Scripture assures us the Lord communicates clearly, even when circumstances seem bleak (Job 33:15;Matthew 2:13).

and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up

The “four winds” represent God’s sovereign forces operating in every direction of creation (Jeremiah 49:36;Zechariah 6:1-5;Revelation 7:1).

• “Suddenly” signals an unexpected, uncontrollable stirring of world affairs.

• Like a divine hurricane, these winds agitate the status quo, preparing the stage for the rise and fall of empires described in the verses that follow (Daniel 7:3-7).

• Though turbulent, the winds obey heaven’s command, reminding us that history is never random but guided by God’s hand (Psalm 135:6).

the great sea

Throughout Scripture the sea pictures restless humanity and Gentile nations (Isaiah 57:20;Revelation 13:1; 17:15).

• Historically, the “great sea” often refers to the Mediterranean, the geographic arena of the coming empires (Daniel 8:8-9).

• Spiritually, it conveys the chaos and instability of a world detached from God—yet even this commotion is under His control (Psalm 93:3-4;Mark 4:39).

• From this churning sea emerge the four beasts ofDaniel 7, literal kingdoms that rise in succession, fulfilling God’s prophetic timetable (Daniel 7:3; 2:37-44).

summary

Daniel 7:2 portrays God unsettling the nations so His prophetic purposes unfold. Daniel faithfully records a night vision in which the four winds—divine forces—whip the great sea of humanity into turmoil, setting the stage for the rise of four world empires. The verse reminds us that no matter how chaotic international events appear, the Lord of heaven directs every current and gust, fulfilling His plan for history and ultimately for Christ’s eternal kingdom.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2)The great sea.--In general (e.g.,Joshua 15:47), these words imply the Mediterranean. Such cannot be the meaning here, so that according toDaniel 7:17 we are justified in explaining the "sea" to mean the nations of the world, which are compared to the sea (Isaiah 27:1;Psalm 46:3). The raging of the winds from the four quarters of the sky points to the various political and social agitations which disturb the world's history, and lead to the changes and revolutions which mark its progress as it tends towards the end.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. -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 Septuagint omits the introductory clause, and renders, "On my couch I saw in my night-sleep, and, behold, the four winds of heaven fell upon the great sea." Theodotion, like the LXX., omits the introductory clause, and renders, "I Daniel beheld, and, lo, the four winds of the heaven rushed upon (προσέβαλον) the great sea." The Peshitta seems as if transferred from the Massoretic text, the resemblance is so close. The variations in the Greek Version may be due to condensation of a fuller narrative. The verb translated "strove" in our Authorized Version is better rendered, as in the Revised, "brake forth upon." Luther's version is, "sturmeten wider einander." This, like the Authorized Version, seems to be the result of the Vulgatepugnabant. The only objection to this is that it ought to be followed by a preposition (Bevan). The translation suggested by Levy, "stirred up," appears still better. The sea referred to is naturally to be taken as the Mediterranean; it is "the great sea" of the prophets (Ezekiel 47:10). Jerusalem is not so far from the sea but that Daniel might have seen it in his boyhood. The symbolic meaning of the sea is the mass of heathen nations (Psalm 65:7). The "four winds of heaven" usually stand for the points of the compass (Jeremiah 49:34). Here, however, the winds are pictured as actual forces dashing down upon the sea, and stirring it up to its depths. It may be objected that this is an impossible picture. It might be replied that Virgil, in the first book of the 'AEneid,' 84-86, and Milton, in 'Paradise Regained,' has the same thing. Daniel has more freedom, for he narrates a vision, and, further, to him the winds (rucheen) were under the guidance of angels. Hitzig denies that the winds can beangelicae potestates, as Jerome maintains; and, when Jerome supports his position by a quotation from the Septuagint Version ofDeuteronomy 32:8, gives as answer a mark of exclamation. The passage, "He set the nations according to the number of the angels of God," represents a phase of thought in regard to angelology, which Daniel elsewhere obviously has. The double meaning of the wordruach made the transition easy. We see the same double meaning inZechariah 6:5. The sea, then, is to be regarded as the great mass of Gentile nations, and the winds are, therefore, the spiritual agencies by which God carries on the history of the world. As there are four winds, there are also four empires. There are angelic princes of at least two of these empires referred to later. May we not argue that these empires had, according to the thought of Daniel, each an angelic head? It may be doubted whether the most advanced critics know more of angelology than Daniel, or can be certain that his view was a mistaken one. Moreover, the Mediterranean Sea was the centre round which the epic of history, as revealed to Daniel, unfolded itself. Nebuchadnezzar marched along the eastern shores of that midland sea; the Persian monarchs essayed to command it by their fleets; across a branch of that sea came Alexander; and from yet further across its blue waters came the Romans. The Mediterranean saw most of the history transacted that took place between the time of Daniel and that of our Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

declared:
עָנֵ֤ה(‘ā·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6032:To answer

“In my vision
בְּחֶזְוִ֖י(bə·ḥez·wî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2376:Vision, appearance

in
עִם־(‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5974:With, equally with

the night
לֵֽילְיָ֑א(lê·lə·yā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3916:Night

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

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

and suddenly
וַאֲר֗וּ(wa·’ă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 718:Lo!

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

winds
רוּחֵ֣י(rū·ḥê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 7308:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of heaven
שְׁמַיָּ֔א(šə·may·yā)
Noun - mdd
Strong's 8065:The sky

were churning up
מְגִיחָ֖ן(mə·ḡî·ḥān)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 1519:To break forth

the Great
רַבָּֽא׃(rab·bā)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7229:Abundant

Sea.
לְיַמָּ֥א(lə·yam·mā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3221:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

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OT Prophets: Daniel 7:2 Daniel spoke and said I saw (Dan. Da Dn)