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Selected Verse: Daniel 7:4 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Da 7:4 |
Strong Concordance |
The first [06933] was like a lion [0744], and had eagle's [05403] wings [01611]: I beheld [01934] [02370] till [05705] the wings [01611] thereof were plucked [04804], and it was lifted up [05191] from [04481] the earth [0772], and made stand [06966] upon [05922] the feet [07271] as a man [0606], and a man's [0606] heart [03825] was given [03052] to it. |
|
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
lion--the symbol of strength and courage; chief among the kingdoms, as the lion among the beasts. Nebuchadnezzar is called "the lion" (Jer 4:7).
eagle's wings--denoting a widespread and rapidly acquired (Isa 46:11; Jer 4:13; Lam 4:19; Hab 1:6) empire (Jer 48:40).
plucked--Its ability for widespread conquests passed away under Evil-merodach, &c. [GROTIUS]; rather, during Nebuchadnezzar's privation of his throne, while deranged.
it was lifted up from the earth--that is, from its grovelling bestiality.
made stand . . . as a man--So long as Nebuchadnezzar, in haughty pride, relied on his own strength, he forfeited the true dignity of man, and was therefore degraded to be with the beasts. Dan 4:16 : "Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him." But after he learned by this sore discipline that "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" (Dan 4:35-36), the change took place in him, "a man's heart is given to him; instead of his former beast's heart, he attains man's true position, namely, to be consciously dependent on God." Compare Psa 9:20. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The first was like a lion - It is to be assumed, in explaining and applying these symbols, that they are significant - that is, that there was some adaptedness or propriety in using these symbols to denote the kingdoms referred to; or that in each case there was a reason why the particular animal was selected for a symbol rather than one of the others; that is, there was something in the lion that was better fitted to symbolize the kingdom referred to than there was in the bear or the leopard, and this was the reason why this particular symbol was chosen in the case. It is to be further assumed that all the characteristics in the symbol were significant, and we are to expect to find them all in the kingdom which they were designed to represent; nor can the symbol be fairly applied to any kingdom, unless something shall be found in its character or history that shall correspond alike to the particular circumstances referred to in the symbol, and to the grouping or succession. In regard to the first beast, there were five things that entered into the symbol, all of which it is to be presumed were significant: the lion, the eagle's wings - the fact that the wings were plucked - the fact that the beast was lifted up so as to stand up as a man - and the fact that the heart of a man was given to it. It is proper to consider these in their order, and then to inquire whether they found a fulfillment in any known state of things.
(a) The animal that was seen: "the lion." The lion, "the king of beasts," is the symbol of strength and courage, and becomes the proper emblem of a king - as when the Mussulmans call Ali, Mahomet's son-in-law, "The Lion of God, always victorious." Thus it is often used in the Scriptures. Gen 49:9, "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?" The warlike character, the conquest, the supremacy of that tribe are here undoubtedly denoted. So in Eze 19:2-3. "What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions." Here is an allusion, says Grotius, to Gen 49:9. Judea was among the nations like a lioness among the beasts of the forest; she had strength and sovereignty. The lion is an emblem of a hero: Sa2 23:20, "He slew two lion-like men of Moab." Compare Gesenius zu Isa. i. 851. So Hercules and Achilles are called by Homer θυμολέοντα thumoleonta, or λεοντόθυμον leontothumon - lion-hearted - Iliad e 639, ee 228, Odyssey l 766. See the character, the intrepidity, and the habits of the lion fully illustrated in Bochart, Hieroz. lib. iii. c. 2, pp. 723-745 - Credner, der prophet Joel, s. 100. f. Compare also the following places in Scripture: Psa 7:2; Psa 22:21; Psa 57:4; Psa 58:6; Psa 74:4; Sa1 17:37; Job 4:10; Jer 4:7; Jer 49:19; Joe 1:6; Isa 29:1-2. The proper notion here, so far as the emblem of a lion is concerned, is that of a king or kingdom that would be distinguished for power, conquest, dominion; that would be in relation to other kings and kingdoms as the lion is among the beasts of the forest - keeping them in awe, and maintaining dominion over them - marching where he pleases, with none to cope with him or to resist him.
(b) The eagle's wings: "and had eagle's wings." Here appears one peculiarity of the emblem - the union of things which are not found joined together in nature - the representation of things or qualities which no one animal would represent. The lion would denote one thing, or one quality in the kingdom referred to - power, dominion, sovereignty - but there would be some characteristic in that king or kingdom which nothing in the lion would properly represent, and which could be symbolized only by attaching to him qualities to be found in some other animal. The lion, distinguished for his power, his dominion, his keeping other animals in awe - his spring, and the severity of his blow - is not remarkable for his speed, nor for going forth to conquest. He does not range far to accomplish his purpose, nor are his movements eminent for fleetness. Hence, there were attached to the lion the wings of an eagle. The proper notion, therefore, of this symbol, would be that of a dominion or conquest rapidly secured, as if a lion, the king of beasts, should move, not as he commonly does, with a spring or bound, confining himself to a certain space or range, but should move as the eagle does, with rapid and prolonged flight, extending his conquests afar. The meaning of the symbol may be seen by comparing this passage with Isa 46:11, where Cyrus is compared to "a ravenous bird" - "calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsels from a far country." The eagle is an emblem of swiftness: Jer 4:13, "His horses are swifter than eagles;" Jer 48:40, "Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab." See also Jer 49:22; Lam 4:19; Hab 1:8.
(c) The clipping of the wings: "I beheld until the wings thereof were plucked" The word used (מרט meraṭ) means, to pluck or pull, as to pull out the beard (compare Neh 13:25; Isa 50:6), and would here be properly applied to some process of pulling out the feathers or quills from the wings of the eagle. The obvious and proper meaning of this symbol is, that there was some check put to the progress of the conqueror - as there would be to an eagle by plucking off the feathers from his wings; that is, the rapidity of his conquests would cease. The prophet says, that he looked on until this was done, implying that it was not accomplished at once, but leaving the impression that these conquests were extended far. They were, however, checked, and we see the lion again without the wings; the sovereign who has ceased to spread his triumphs over the earth.
(d) The lifting up from the earth: "and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the feet as a man." That is, the lion, with the wings thus plucked off, was made to stand upright on his hind feet - an unusual position, but the meaning of the symbol is not difficult. It was still the lion - the monarch - but changed as if the lion was changed to a man; that is, as if the ferocity, and the power, and the energy of the lion had given place to the comparative weakness of a man. There would be as much difference in the case referred to as there would be if a lion so fierce and powerful should be made so far to change his nature as to stand upright, and to walk as a man. This would evidently denote some remarkable change - something that would be unusual - something where there would be a diminution of ferocity, and yet perhaps a change to comparative weakness - as a man is feebler than a lion.
(e) The giving to it of a man's heart: "and a man heart was given to it." The word heart in the Scriptures often has a closer relation to the intellect or the understanding than it new has commonly with us; and here perhaps it is a general term to denote something like human nature - that is, there would be as great a change in the case as if the nature of the lion should be transformed to that of a man; or, the meaning may be, that this mighty empire, carrying its arms with the rapidity of an eagle, and the fierceness of a lion, through the world, would be checked in its career; its ferocity would be tamed, and it would be characterized by comparative moderation and humanity. In Dan 4:16, it is said of Nebuchadnezzar, "Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him;" here, if the symbol refers to him, it does not refer to that scene of humiliation when he was compelled to eat grass like a beast, but to the fact that he was brought to look at things as a man should do; he ceased to act like a ravenous beast, and was led to calm reflection, and to think and speak like a man - a rational being. Or, if it refers to the empire of Babylon, instead of the monarch, it would mean that a change had come over the nation under the succession of princes, so that the fierceness and ferocity of the first princes of the empire had ceased, and the nation had not only closed its conquests, but had actually become, to some extent, moderate and rational.
Now, in regard to the application of this symbol, there can be but little difficulty, and there is almost no difference of opinion among expositors. All, or nearly all, agree that it refers to the kingdom of Babylon, of which Nebuchadnezzar was the head, and to the gradual diminution of the ferocity of conquest under a succession of comparatively weak princes. Whatever view may be taken of the book of Daniel whether it be regarded as inspired prophecy composed by Daniel himself, and written at the time when it professes to have been, or whether it be supposed to have been written long after his time by some one who forged it in his name, there can be no doubt that it relates to the head of the Babylonian empire, or to that which the "head of gold," in the image referred to in Dan. 2, represents. The circumstances all so well agree with that application, that, although in the explication of the dream Dan 7:16-27 this part of it is not explained - for the perplexity of Daniel related particularly to the fourth beast Dan 7:19, yet there can be no reasonable doubt as to what was intended. For
(a) the lion - the king of beasts - would accurately symbolize that kingdom in the days of Nebuchadnezzar - a kingdom occupying the same position among other kingdoms which the lion does among other beasts, and well represented in its power and ferocity by the lion. See the character and position of this kingdom fully illustrated in the notes at Dan 2:37-38.
(b) The eagle's wings would accurately denote the rapid conquests of that kingdom - its leaving, as it were, its own native domain, and flying abroad. The lion alone would have represented the character of the kingdom considered as already having spread itself, or as being at the head of other kingdoms; the wings of the eagle, the rapidity with which the arms of the Babylonians were carried into Palestine, Egypt, Assyria, etc. It is true that this symbol alone would not designate Babylon anymore than it would the conquests of Cyrus, or Alexander, or Caesar, but it is to be taken in the connection in which it is here found, and no one can doubt that it has a striking applicability to Babylon.
(c) The clipping or plucking of these wings would denote the cessation of conquest - as if it would extend no farther; that is, we see a nation once distinguished for the invasion of other nations now ceasing its conquests; and remarkable, not for its victories, but as standing at the head of all other nations, as the lion stands among the beasts of the forest. All who are acquainted with history know that, after the conquests of that kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar, it ceased characteristically to be a kingdom distinguished for conquest, but that, though under his successors, it held a pre-eminence or headship among the nations, yet its victories were extended no further. The successors of Nebuchadnezzar were comparatively weak and indolent princes - as if the wings of the monster had been plucked.
(d) The rising up of the lion on the feet, and standing on the feet as a man, would denote, not inappropriately, the change of the kingdom under the successors of Nebuchadnezzar. See above in the explanation of the symbol.
(e) The giving of a man's heart to it would not be inapplicable to the change produced in the empire after the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and under a succession of comparatively weak and inefficient princes. Instead of the heart of the lion - of being "lion-hearted" - it had the heart of a man; that is, the character of wildness and fierceness denoted by an untamed beast was succeeded by what would be better represented by a human being. It is not the character of the lion changed to that of the bear, or the panther, or the leopard; nor is it man considered as a warrior or conqueror, but man as he is distinguished from the wild and ferocious beast of the desert. The change in the character of the empire, until it ceased under the feeble reign of Belshazzar; would be well denoted by this symbol. |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
In these verses there is a description of the four beasts. - Dan 7:4. The first beasts resembled a lion with eagle's wings. At the entrance to a temple at Birs Nimrud there has been found (Layard, Bab. and Nin.) such a symbolical figure, viz., a winged eagle with the head of a man. There have been found also images of winged beasts at Babylon (Mnter, Relig. der Bab.). These discoveries may be referred to as evidence that this book was composed in Babylon, and also as explaining the Babylonian colouring of the dream. But the representation of nations and kingdoms by the images of beasts is much more widely spread, and affords the prophetic symbolism the necessary analogues and substrata for the vision. Lions and eagles are not taken into consideration here on account of their strength, rapacity, and swiftness, but simply because they are kings among beasts and birds: "The beast rules royally like the lion, and wings its conquering royal flight high over the οἰκουμένη like the eagle" (Kliefoth). This emblem corresponds with the representation of the first kingdom with the golden head (Daniel 2). What the gold is among metals and the head among the members of the body, that the lion is among beasts and the eagle among birds.
After a time Daniel sees a change take place with this beast. The wings, i.e., the feathers by which it flies, are plucked off: it is deprived of its power of flight, so that it can no more fly conquering over the earth, or hover as a ruler over it; i.e., the kingdom will be deprived of the power of conquering, for it will be lifted up from the earth (הקימת is Hoph., cf. Dan 4:33), and be placed on its feet as a man. The lifting up from the earth does not represent, accordingly, being taken away or blown away from the earth, not the destruction of the Chaldean kingdom (Theodrt., Hieron., Raschi, Hitzig, and others), but the raising of it up when lying prostrate on the ground to the right attitude of a human being. This change is further described by the words, "a man's heart was given to it," denoting that the beast-nature was transformed to that of a man. The three expressions thus convey the idea, that the lion, after it was deprived of its power of flight, was not only in external appearance raised from the form of a beast to that of a man, but also that inwardly the nature of the beast was ennobled into that of a man. In this description of the change that occurred to the lion there is without doubt a reference to what is said of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4: it cannot, however, be thence concluded, with Hofmann and others, that the words refer directly to Nebuchadnezzar's insanity; for here it is not the king, but the kingdom, that is the subject with reference to whose fate that event in the life of its founder was significant. Forasmuch as it was on account of his haughtiness that madness came upon him, so that he sank down to the level of the beasts of the field, so also for the same reason was his kingdom hindered in its flight over the earth. "Nebuchadnezzar's madness was for his kingdom the plucking off of its wings;" and as when he gave glory to the Most High his reason returned to him, and then for the first time he attained to the true dignity of man, so also was his world-kingdom ennobled in him, although the continued influence of this ennobling may not be perceived from the events in the reign of his son, recorded in Daniel 5. Besides, there lies herein not only the idea of the superiority of the first world-kingdom over the others, as is represented in Daniel 2 by the golden head of the metallic image, but also manifestly the typical thought that the world-kingdom will first be raised to the dignity of manhood when its beast-like nature is taken away. Where this transformation does not take place, or where it is not permanent, there must the kingdom perish. This is the prophetic meaning, for the sake of which that occurrence in the life of the founder of the world-monarchy is here transferred to his kingdom.
Dan 7:5
The second beast. - וארו signifies that this beast came first into sight after the lion, which also the predicates תנינה אחרי prove.אחרי expresses the difference from the first beast, תנינה the order in which it appears. The beast was like a bear. Next to the lion it is the strongest among animals; and on account of its voracity it was called by Aristotle ζῶον παμφάγον. The words לשׁטר־חד הקימת present some difficulty. They have been differently explained. The explanation of Rabbi Nathan, "and it established a dominion," with which Kranichfeld also agrees, is not only in opposition to the חד, but is also irreconcilable with the line of thought. חד is not the indefinite article, but the numeral; and the thought that the beast established one dominion, or a united dominion, is in the highest degree strange, for the character of a united or compact dominion belongs to the second world-kingdom in no case in a greater degree than to the Babylonian kingdom, and in general the establishing of a dominion cannot properly be predicated of a beast = a kingdom. The old translators (lxx, Theod., Peshito, Saad.) and the rabbis have interpreted the word שׁטר in the sense of side, a meaning which is supported by the Targ. סטר, and is greatly strengthened by the Arabic s'thar, without our needing to adopt the reading שׂטר, found in several Codd. The object to the verb הקימת is easily supplied by the context: it raised up, i.e., its body, on one side. This means neither that it leaned on one side (Ebrard), nor that it stood on its fore feet (Hvernick), for the sides of a bear are not its fore and hinder part; but we are to conceive that the beast, resting on its feet, raised up the feet of the one side for the purpose of going forward, and so raised the shoulder or the whole body on that side. But with such a motion of the beast the geographical situation of the kingdom (Geier, Mich., Ros.) cannot naturally be represented, much less can the near approach of the destruction of the kingdom (Hitzig) be signified. Hofmann, Delitzsch, and Kliefoth have found the right interpretation by a reference to Daniel 2 and 8. As in Daniel 2 the arms on each side of the breast signify that the second kingdom will consist of two parts, and this is more distinctly indicated in Daniel 8 by the two horns, one of which rose up after the other, and higher, so also in this verse the double-sidedness of this world-kingdom is represented by the beast lifting itself up on the one side. The Medo-Persian bear, as such, has, as Kliefoth well remarks, two sides: the one, the Median side, is at rest after the efforts made for the erection of the world-kingdom; but the other, the Persian side, raises itself up, and then becomes not only higher than the first, but also is prepared for new rapine.
The further expression, it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth, has also been variously interpreted. That עלעין means ribs, not sides, is as certain as that the ribs in the mouth between the teeth do not denote side-teeth, tusks, or fangs (Saad., Hv.). The עלעין in the mouth between the teeth are the booty which the bear has seized, according to the undoubted use of the word; cf. Amo 3:12; Psa 124:6; Job 29:17; Jer 51:44. Accordingly, by the ribs we cannot understand either the Persians, Medians, and Babylonians, as the nations that constituted the strength of the kingdom (Ephr. Syr., Hieron., Ros.), or the three Median kings (Ewald), because neither the Medes nor the three Median kings can be regarded as a prey of the Median or Medo-Persian world. The "ribs" which the beast is grinding between its teeth cannot be the peoples who constitute the kingdom, or the kings ruling over it, but only peoples who constitute the kingdom, or the kings ruling over it, but only peoples or countries which it has conquered and annexed to itself. The determining of these peoples and countries depends on which kingdom is represented by the bear. Of the interpreters who understand by the bear the Median kingdom, Maurer and Delitzsch refer to the three chief satrapies (Daniel 6:3 [Dan 6:2]). Not these, however, but only the lands divided between them, could be regarded as the prey between the teeth of the beast, and then Media also must be excluded; so that the reference of the words to the three satrapies is altogether inadmissible. Hitzig thinks that the reference is to three towns that were destroyed by the Medians, viz., Nineveh, Larissa, and a third which he cannot specify; v. Leng. regards the number three as a round number, by which the voracity of the beast is shown; Kranichfeld understands by the three ribs constituent parts of a whole of an older national confederation already dissolved and broken asunder, of which, however, he has no proof. We see, then, that if the bear is taken as representing the Median kingdom, the three ribs in its mouth cannot be explained. If, on the other hand, the Medo-Persian world-kingdom is intended by the bear, then the three ribs in its mouth are the three kingdoms Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, which were conquered by the Medo-Persians. This is the view of Hofm., Ebr., Znd., and Klief. The latter, however, thinks that the number "Three" ought not to be regarded as symbolical, but as forming only the contrast to the number four in Dan 7:6, and intimating that the second beast will not devour in all the regions of the world, but only on three sides, and will make a threefold and not a fourfold plunder, and therefore will not reach absolute universality. But since the symbolical value of each number is formed from its arithmetical signification, there is no reason here, any more than there is in the analogous passages, Dan 8:4, Dan 8:22, to depart wholly from the exact signification.
The last expression of the verse, Arise, devour much flesh, most interpreters regard as a summons to go forth conquering. But this exposition is neither necessary, nor does it correspond to the relative position of the words. The eating much flesh does not form such a contrast to the three ribs in the mouth between the teeth, that it must be interpreted of other flesh than that already held by the teeth with the ribs. It may be very well understood, with Ebrard and Kliefoth, of the consuming of the flesh of the ribs; so that the command to eat much flesh is only an explication of the figure of the ribs held between the teeth, and contains only the thought that the beast must wholly consume the plunder it has seized with its teeth. The plur. אמרין (they spoke) is impersonal, and is therefore not to be attributed to the angel as speaking.
Dan 7:6
The third beast, which Daniel saw after the second, was like a panther (leopard), which is neither so kingly as the lion nor so strong as the bear, but is like to both in rapacity, and superior to them in the springing agility with which it catches its prey; so that one may say, with Kliefoth, that in the subordination of the panther to the lion and the bear, the same gradation is repeated as that this is found (of the third kingdom) in Daniel 2 of the copper (brass). Of the panther it is said, that it had four wings of a fowl and four heads. The representation of the beast with four wings increases the agility of its movements to the speed of the flight of a bird, and expresses the thought that the kingdom represented by that beast would extend itself in flight over the earth; not so royally as Nebuchadnezzar, - for the panther has not eagle's wings, but only the wings of a fowl, - but extending to all the regions of the earth, for it has four wings. At the same time the beast has four heads, not two only, as one might have expected with four wings. The number four thus shows that the heads have an independent signification, and do not stand in relation to the four wings, symbolizing the spreading out of the kingdom into the four quarters of the heavens (Bertholdt, Hv., Kran.). As little do the four wings correspond with the four heads in such a way that by both there is represented only the dividing of the kingdom into four other kingdoms (Hv.. Comment., Auberl.). Wings are everywhere an emblem of rapid motion; heads, on the contrary, where the beast signifies a kingdom, are the heads of the kingdom, i.e., the kings or rulers: hence it follows that the four heads of the panther are the four successive Persian kings whom alone Daniel knows (Dan 11:2). Without regard to the false interpretations of Dan 11:2 on which this opinion rests, it is to be noticed that the four heads do not rise up one after another, but that they all exist contemporaneously on the body of the beast, and therefore can only represent four contemporary kings, or signify that this kingdom is divided into four kingdoms. That the four wings are mentioned before the four heads, signifies that the kingdom spreads itself over the earth with the speed of a bird's flight, and then becomes a fourfold-kingdom, or divides itself into four kingdoms, as is distinctly shown in Dan 8:5. - The last statement, and dominion was given to it, corresponds with that in Dan 2:39, it shall bear rule over all the earth, i.e., shall found an actual and strong world-empire.
Dan 7:7-8
The fourth beast. - Introduced by a more detailed description, the fourth beast is presented more distinctly before our notice than those which preceded it. Its terribleness and its strength, breaking in pieces and destroying all things, and the fact that no beast is named to which it can be likened, represent it as different from all the beasts that went before. This description corresponds with that of the fourth kingdom denoted by the legs and the feet of the metallic image of the monarchies (Daniel 2). The iron breaking in pieces all things (Dan 2:40) is here represented by the great iron teeth with which this monster devoured and brake in pieces. In addition to that, there are also feet, or, as Dan 7:19 by way of supplement adds, "claws of brass," with which in the mere fury of its rage it destroyed all that remained, i.e., all that it did not devour and destroy with its teeth. וגו משׁניה היא (it was made different) denotes not complete diversity of being, from which Hitz. and Del. conclude that the expression suits only the Macedonian world-kingdom, which as occidental was different in its nature from the three preceding monarchies, which shared among themselves an oriental home and a different form of civilisation and despotic government. For although משׁניה expresses more than אחרי (Dan 7:5), yet the דּא מן דּא שׁנין (diverse one from another), spoken (Dan 7:3) of all the beasts, shows that משׁניה cannot be regarded as expressing perfect diversity of being, but only diversity in appearance. The beast was of such terrible strength and destructive rage, that the whole animal world could furnish no representative by whose name it might be characterized. It had ten horns, by which its terrible strength is denoted, because a horn is in Scripture always the universal symbol of armed strength. With this the interpretation (Dan 7:24), that these horns are so many kings or kingdoms, fully corresponds. In the ten horns the ten toes of the image (Daniel 2) are again repeated. The number ten comes into consideration only according to its symbolical meaning of comprehensive and definite totality. That the horns are on the head of the one beast, signifies that the unfolding of its power in the ten kingdoms is not a weakening of its power, but only its full display.
Dan 7:8
Here a new event is brought under our notice. While continuing to contemplate the horns (the idea of continuance lies in the particip. with the verb. fin.), Daniel sees another little horn rise up among them, which uproots, i.e., destroys, three of the other horns that were already there. He observes that this horn had the eyes of a man, and a mouth which spake great things. The eye and the mouth suggest a human being as represented by the horn. Eyes and seeing with eyes are the symbols of insight, circumspection, prudence. This king will thus excel the others in point of wisdom and circumspection. But why the eyes of a man? Certainly this is not merely to indicate to the reader that the horn signified a man. This is already distinctly enough shown by the fact that eyes, a mouth, and speech were attributed to it. The eyes of a man were not attributed to it in opposition to a beast, but in opposition to a higher celestial being, for whom the ruler denoted by the horn might be mistaken on account of the terribleness of his rule and government; "ne eum putemus juxta quorundam opinionem vel diabolum esse vel daemonem, sed unum de hominibus, in quo totus Satanas habitaturus sit corporaliter," as Jerome well remarks; cf. Hofmann and Kliefoth. - A mouth which speaketh great things is a vainglorious mouth. רברבן are presumptuous things, not directly blasphemies (Hv.). In the Apocalypse, Rev 13:5, μεγάλα and βλασφημίαι are distinguished. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
The first - This was the Chaldean, or Assyrian; whose seat was first at Babylon, afterwards at Nineveh, and then at Babylon again. Eagle's wings - They were swift, over - running many countries, and brought their monarchy to a prodigious height in a short time. The wings were plucked - Which was first done in stopping the career of their victories, and afterwards in casting them out of their kingdom. A man's heart - They lost their lion - like courage, and became faint and cowardly like other men. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings - Bp. Newton well remarks, that these great beasts, as explained by the angel, Dan 7:17, are kingdoms. They arise out of a stormy and tempestuous sea; that is, out of the wars and commotions of the world; and they are called great in comparison of other states and kingdoms, and are denominated beasts for their tyrannical and cruel oppression.
These four beasts are indeed monstrous productions; a lion with eagle's wings; a bear with three ribs in its mouth; a leopard with four wings, and four heads; and a beast with ten horns. But such emblems and hieroglyphics were usual among the eastern nations, as may be seen in the monuments of antiquity. A winged lion, and such like fictitious animals, may be seen in many parts of the ruins of Persepolis. Horns are attributed to beasts which naturally have none, being used in hieroglyphic writings for symbols of strength and power. And such figures are supposed to be the symbols of different nations; and are not more strange than many that are still used in heraldry. I believe the science of heraldry arose out of the knowledge gained from the symbols used in the Sacred Writings, and the little acquaintance anciently obtained of the meaning of some of the Egyptian hieroglyphics. Hence our wiverons, griffins, unicorns, with a congeries of natural and unnatural things, split eagles, two-headed swans, etc., etc., etc.
The beast like a lion is the kingdom of the Babylonians; and the king of Babylon is compared to a lion, Jer 4:7; Isa 5:29; and is said to fly as an eagle, Jer 48:40; Eze 17:3, Eze 17:7. The lion is considered the king of the beasts, and the eagle the king of the birds; and therefore the kingdom of Babylon, which was signified by the golden head of the great image, was the first and noblest of all the kingdoms; and was the greatest then in being. The wings of the eagle denote the rapidity with which the lion - Nebuchadnezzar, made his conquests; for in a few years, by his own arms, he brought his empire to such an extent, and raised it to such a degree of eminence, as was truly surprising; and all tended to show with what propriety this eagle-winged lion is here made his emblem.
The wings thereof were plucked - Lydia, Media, and Persia, which had been provinces of the Babylonish empire, cast off the yoke, and put themselves under kings of their own. Besides, the rapidity of its conquests was stopped by its wars with the Medes and Persians; by whom it was at last conquered, and divided between Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian.
And it was lifted up from the earth - That is, the wings were plucked, rendered unfit for farther flight, by which it had before been lifted up from the earth; making its conquests almost with the rapidity of an eagle's flight. In what a short time did Nebuchadnezzar, who is here chiefly intended, conquer Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Egypt, Arabia, etc.! But on his death the wings were plucked; and no farther extension of the empire took place under Evil-merodach or Belshazzar, till it was lost by the latter, and became divided as we have seen above.
And made stand upon the feet as a man - This I think refers to the taming of Nebuchadnezzar's pride. He had acted like a fierce and ravening lion. God struck him with insanity; he then lived the life of a beast, and had a beast's heart-disposition, and habits. At last God restored him.
And a man's heart was given to it - He became humane, humble, and pious; and in this state he appears to have died. |
20 Put [07896] them in fear [04172] [04172], O LORD [03068]: that the nations [01471] may know [03045] themselves to be but men [0582]. Selah [05542].
35 And all [03606] the inhabitants [01753] of the earth [0772] are reputed [02804] as nothing [03809]: and he doeth [05648] according to his will [06634] in the army [02429] of heaven [08065], and among the inhabitants [01753] of the earth [0772]: and none [03809] can [0383] stay [04223] his hand [03028], or say [0560] unto him, What [04101] doest [05648] thou?
36 At the same time [02166] my reason [04486] returned [08421] unto me [05922]; and for the glory [03367] of my kingdom [04437], mine honour [01923] and brightness [02122] returned [08421] unto me [05922]; and my counsellors [01907] and my lords [07261] sought [01156] unto me [05922]; and I was established [08627] in my kingdom [04437], and excellent [03493] majesty [07238] was added [03255] unto me.
16 Let his heart [03825] be changed [08133] from [04481] man's [0606], and let a beast's [02423] heart [03825] be given [03052] unto him; and let seven [07655] times [05732] pass [02499] over [05922] him.
40 For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; Behold, he shall fly [01675] as an eagle [05404], and shall spread [06566] his wings [03671] over Moab [04124].
6 For, lo, I raise up [06965] the Chaldeans [03778], that bitter [04751] and hasty [04116] nation [01471], which shall march [01980] through the breadth [04800] of the land [0776], to possess [03423] the dwellingplaces [04908] that are not theirs.
19 Our persecutors [07291] are swifter [07031] than the eagles [05404] of the heaven [08064]: they pursued [01814] us upon the mountains [02022], they laid wait [0693] for us in the wilderness [04057].
13 Behold, he shall come up [05927] as clouds [06051], and his chariots [04818] shall be as a whirlwind [05492]: his horses [05483] are swifter [07043] than eagles [05404]. Woe [0188] unto us! for we are spoiled [07703].
11 Calling [07121] a ravenous bird [05861] from the east [04217], the man [0376] that executeth my counsel [06098] from a far [04801] country [0776]: yea, I have spoken [01696] it, I will also bring [0935] it to pass; I have purposed [03335] it, I will also do [06213] it.
7 The lion [0738] is come up [05927] from his thicket [05441], and the destroyer [07843] of the Gentiles [01471] is on his way [05265]; he is gone forth [03318] from his place [04725] to make [07760] thy land [0776] desolate [08047]; and thy cities [05892] shall be laid waste [05327], without an inhabitant [03427].
37 Thou [0607], O king [04430], art a king [04430] of kings [04430]: for the God [0426] of heaven [08065] hath given [03052] thee a kingdom [04437], power [02632], and strength [08632], and glory [03367].
38 And wheresoever [03606] the children [01123] of men [0606] dwell [01753], the beasts [02423] of the field [01251] and the fowls [05776] of the heaven [08065] hath he given [03052] into thine hand [03028], and hath made thee ruler [07981] over them all [03606]. Thou [0607] art this head [07217] of gold [01722].
19 Then [0116] I would [06634] know the truth [03321] of [05922] the fourth [07244] beast [02423], which was [01934] diverse [08133] from [04481] all [03606] the others, exceeding [03493] dreadful [01763], whose teeth [08128] were of iron [06523], and his nails [02953] of brass [05174]; which devoured [0399], brake in pieces [01855], and stamped [07512] the residue [07606] with his feet [07271];
16 I came near [07127] unto [05922] one [02298] of [04481] them that stood by [06966], and asked [01156] him [04481] the truth [03330] of all [03606] this [01836]. So he told [0560] me, and made me know [03046] the interpretation [06591] of the things [04406].
17 These [0459] great [07260] beasts [02423], which [0581] are four [0703], are four [0703] kings [04430], which shall arise [06966] out of [04481] the earth [0772].
18 But the saints [06922] of the most High [05946] shall take [06902] the kingdom [04437], and possess [02631] the kingdom [04437] for [05705] ever [05957], even for [05705] ever [05957] and ever [05957].
19 Then [0116] I would [06634] know the truth [03321] of [05922] the fourth [07244] beast [02423], which was [01934] diverse [08133] from [04481] all [03606] the others, exceeding [03493] dreadful [01763], whose teeth [08128] were of iron [06523], and his nails [02953] of brass [05174]; which devoured [0399], brake in pieces [01855], and stamped [07512] the residue [07606] with his feet [07271];
20 And of [05922] the ten [06236] horns [07162] that were in his head [07217], and of the other [0317] which came up [05559], and before [04481] [06925] whom three [08532] fell [05308]; even of that horn [07162] that [01797] had eyes [05870], and a mouth [06433] that spake [04449] very great things [07260], whose look [02376] was more [04481] stout [07229] than [04481] his fellows [02273].
21 I beheld [01934] [02370], and the same [01797] horn [07162] made [05648] war [07129] with [05974] the saints [06922], and prevailed [03202] against them;
22 Until [05705] the Ancient [06268] of days [03118] came [0858] [01768], and judgment [01780] was given [03052] to the saints [06922] of the most High [05946]; and the time [02166] came [04291] that the saints [06922] possessed [02631] the kingdom [04437].
23 Thus [03652] he said [0560], The fourth [07244] beast [02423] shall be [01934] the fourth [07244] kingdom [04437] upon earth [0772], which shall be diverse [08133] from [04481] all [03606] kingdoms [04437], and shall devour [0399] the whole [03606] earth [0772], and shall tread it down [01759], and break it in pieces [01855].
24 And the ten [06236] horns [07162] out of [04481] this kingdom [04437] are ten [06236] kings [04430] that shall arise [06966]: and another [0321] shall rise [06966] after [0311] them; and he shall be diverse [08133] from [04481] the first [06933], and he shall subdue [08214] three [08532] kings [04430].
25 And he shall speak [04449] great words [04406] against [06655] the most High [05943], and shall wear out [01080] the saints [06922] of the most High [05946], and think [05452] to change [08133] times [02166] and laws [01882]: and they shall be given [03052] into his hand [03028] until [05705] a time [05732] and times [05732] and the dividing [06387] of time [05732].
26 But the judgment [01780] shall sit [03488], and they shall take away [05709] his dominion [07985], to consume [08046] and to destroy [07] it unto [05705] the end [05491].
27 And the kingdom [04437] and dominion [07985], and the greatness [07238] of the kingdom [04437] under [08460] the whole [03606] heaven [08065], shall be given [03052] to the people [05972] of the saints [06922] of the most High [05946], whose kingdom [04437] is an everlasting [05957] kingdom [04437], and all [03606] dominions [07985] shall serve [06399] and obey [08086] him.
16 Let his heart [03825] be changed [08133] from [04481] man's [0606], and let a beast's [02423] heart [03825] be given [03052] unto him; and let seven [07655] times [05732] pass [02499] over [05922] him.
6 I gave [05414] my back [01460] to the smiters [05221], and my cheeks [03895] to them that plucked off [04803] the hair: I hid [05641] not my face [06440] from shame [03639] and spitting [07536].
25 And I contended [07378] with them, and cursed [07043] them, and smote [05221] certain [0582] of them, and plucked off their hair [04803], and made them swear [07650] by God [0430], saying, Ye shall not give [05414] your daughters [01323] unto their sons [01121], nor take [05375] their daughters [01323] unto your sons [01121], or for yourselves.
8 Their horses [05483] also are swifter [07043] than the leopards [05246], and are more fierce [02300] than the evening [06153] wolves [02061]: and their horsemen [06571] shall spread [06335] themselves, and their horsemen [06571] shall come [0935] from far [07350]; they shall fly [05774] as the eagle [05404] that hasteth [02363] to eat [0398].
19 Our persecutors [07291] are swifter [07031] than the eagles [05404] of the heaven [08064]: they pursued [01814] us upon the mountains [02022], they laid wait [0693] for us in the wilderness [04057].
22 Behold, he shall come up [05927] and fly [01675] as the eagle [05404], and spread [06566] his wings [03671] over Bozrah [01224]: and at that day [03117] shall the heart [03820] of the mighty men [01368] of Edom [0123] be as the heart [03820] of a woman [0802] in her pangs [06887].
40 For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; Behold, he shall fly [01675] as an eagle [05404], and shall spread [06566] his wings [03671] over Moab [04124].
13 Behold, he shall come up [05927] as clouds [06051], and his chariots [04818] shall be as a whirlwind [05492]: his horses [05483] are swifter [07043] than eagles [05404]. Woe [0188] unto us! for we are spoiled [07703].
11 Calling [07121] a ravenous bird [05861] from the east [04217], the man [0376] that executeth my counsel [06098] from a far [04801] country [0776]: yea, I have spoken [01696] it, I will also bring [0935] it to pass; I have purposed [03335] it, I will also do [06213] it.
1 Woe [01945] to Ariel [0740], to Ariel [0740], the city [07151] where David [01732] dwelt [02583] ! add [05595] ye year [08141] to year [08141]; let them kill [05362] sacrifices [02282].
2 Yet I will distress [06693] Ariel [0740], and there shall be heaviness [08386] and sorrow [0592]: and it shall be unto me as Ariel [0740].
6 For a nation [01471] is come up [05927] upon my land [0776], strong [06099], and without number [04557], whose teeth [08127] are the teeth [08127] of a lion [0738], and he hath the cheek teeth [04973] of a great lion [03833].
19 Behold, he shall come up [05927] like a lion [0738] from the swelling [01347] of Jordan [03383] against the habitation [05116] of the strong [0386]: but I will suddenly [07280] make him run away [07323] from her: and who is a chosen [0977] man, that I may appoint [06485] over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time [03259]? and who is that shepherd [07462] that will stand [05975] before [06440] me?
7 The lion [0738] is come up [05927] from his thicket [05441], and the destroyer [07843] of the Gentiles [01471] is on his way [05265]; he is gone forth [03318] from his place [04725] to make [07760] thy land [0776] desolate [08047]; and thy cities [05892] shall be laid waste [05327], without an inhabitant [03427].
10 The roaring [07581] of the lion [0738], and the voice [06963] of the fierce lion [07826], and the teeth [08127] of the young lions [03715], are broken [05421].
37 David [01732] said [0559] moreover, The LORD [03068] that delivered [05337] me out of the paw [03027] of the lion [0738], and out of the paw [03027] of the bear [01677], he will deliver [05337] me out of the hand [03027] of this Philistine [06430]. And Saul [07586] said [0559] unto David [01732], Go [03212], and the LORD [03068] be with thee.
4 Thine enemies [06887] roar [07580] in the midst [07130] of thy congregations [04150]; they set up [07760] their ensigns [0226] for signs [0226].
6 Break [02040] their teeth [08127], O God [0430], in their mouth [06310]: break out [05422] the great teeth [04459] of the young lions [03715], O LORD [03068].
4 My soul [05315] is among [08432] lions [03833]: and I lie [07901] even among them that are set on fire [03857], even the sons [01121] of men [0120], whose teeth [08127] are spears [02595] and arrows [02671], and their tongue [03956] a sharp [02299] sword [02719].
21 Save [03467] me from the lion's [0738] mouth [06310]: for thou hast heard [06030] me from the horns [07161] of the unicorns [07214].
2 Lest he tear [02963] my soul [05315] like a lion [0738], rending it in pieces [06561], while there is none to deliver [05337].
20 And Benaiah [01141] the son [01121] of Jehoiada [03077], the son [01121] of a valiant [02428] man [0376] [0381], of Kabzeel [06909], who had done many [07227] acts [06467], he slew [05221] two [08147] lionlike men [0739] of Moab [04124]: he went down [03381] also and slew [05221] a lion [0738] in the midst [08432] of a pit [0953] in time [03117] of snow [07950]:
9 Judah [03063] is a lion's [0738] whelp [01482]: from the prey [02964], my son [01121], thou art gone up [05927]: he stooped down [03766], he couched [07257] as a lion [0738], and as an old lion [03833]; who shall rouse him up [06965]?
2 And say [0559], What is thy mother [0517]? A lioness [03833]: she lay down [07257] among lions [0738], she nourished [07235] her whelps [01482] among [08432] young lions [03715].
3 And she brought up [05927] one [0259] of her whelps [01482]: it became a young lion [03715], and it learned [03925] to catch [02963] the prey [02964]; it devoured [0398] men [0120].
9 Judah [03063] is a lion's [0738] whelp [01482]: from the prey [02964], my son [01121], thou art gone up [05927]: he stooped down [03766], he couched [07257] as a lion [0738], and as an old lion [03833]; who shall rouse him up [06965]?
5 And [2532] there was given [1325] unto him [846] a mouth [4750] speaking [2980] great things [3173] and [2532] blasphemies [988]; and [2532] power [1849] was given [1325] unto him [846] to continue [4160] forty [5062] and two [1417] months [3376].
8 I considered [01934] [07920] the horns [07162], and, behold [0431], there came up [05559] among [0997] them another [0317] little [02192] horn [07162], before [06925] [04481] whom there were three [08532] of [04481] the first [06933] horns [07162] plucked up by the roots [06132]: and, behold [0431], in this [01668] horn [07162] were eyes [05870] like the eyes [05870] of man [0606], and a mouth [06433] speaking [04449] great things [07260].
24 And the ten [06236] horns [07162] out of [04481] this kingdom [04437] are ten [06236] kings [04430] that shall arise [06966]: and another [0321] shall rise [06966] after [0311] them; and he shall be diverse [08133] from [04481] the first [06933], and he shall subdue [08214] three [08532] kings [04430].
3 And four [0703] great [07260] beasts [02423] came up [05559] from [04481] the sea [03221], diverse [08133] one [01668] from [04481] another [01668].
5 And behold [0718] another [0317] beast [02423], a second [08578], like [01821] to a bear [01678], and it raised up [06966] itself on one [02298] side [07859], and it had three [08532] ribs [05967] in the mouth [06433] of it between [0997] the teeth [08128] of it: and they said [0560] thus [03652] unto it, Arise [06966], devour [0399] much [07690] flesh [01321].
19 Then [0116] I would [06634] know the truth [03321] of [05922] the fourth [07244] beast [02423], which was [01934] diverse [08133] from [04481] all [03606] the others, exceeding [03493] dreadful [01763], whose teeth [08128] were of iron [06523], and his nails [02953] of brass [05174]; which devoured [0399], brake in pieces [01855], and stamped [07512] the residue [07606] with his feet [07271];
40 And the fourth [07244] kingdom [04437] shall be [01934] strong [08624] as iron [06523]: forasmuch as iron [06523] breaketh in pieces [01855] and subdueth [02827] all [03606] things: and as [06903] iron [06523] that breaketh [07490] all [03606] these [0459], shall it break in pieces [01855] and bruise [07490].
7 After [0870] this [01836] I saw [01934] [02370] in the night [03916] visions [02376], and behold [0718] a fourth [07244] beast [02423], dreadful [01763] and terrible [0574], and strong [08624] exceedingly [03493]; and it had great [07260] iron [06523] teeth [08128]: it devoured [0399] and brake in pieces [01855], and stamped [07512] the residue [07606] with the feet [07271] of it: and it [01932] was diverse [08133] from [04481] all [03606] the beasts [02423] that were before [06925] it; and it had ten [06236] horns [07162].
8 I considered [01934] [07920] the horns [07162], and, behold [0431], there came up [05559] among [0997] them another [0317] little [02192] horn [07162], before [06925] [04481] whom there were three [08532] of [04481] the first [06933] horns [07162] plucked up by the roots [06132]: and, behold [0431], in this [01668] horn [07162] were eyes [05870] like the eyes [05870] of man [0606], and a mouth [06433] speaking [04449] great things [07260].
39 And after [0870] thee shall arise [06966] another [0317] kingdom [04437] inferior [0772] to thee [04481], and another [0317] third [08523] kingdom [04437] of brass [05174], which shall bear rule [07981] over all [03606] the earth [0772].
5 And as I was considering [0995], behold, an he [05795] goat [06842] came [0935] from the west [04628] on the face [06440] of the whole earth [0776], and touched [05060] not the ground [0776]: and the goat [06842] had a notable [02380] horn [07161] between his eyes [05869].
2 And now will I shew [05046] thee the truth [0571]. Behold, there shall stand up [05975] yet three [07969] kings [04428] in Persia [06539]; and the fourth [07243] shall be far [06239] richer [06238] than they all [01419]: and by his strength [02393] through his riches [06239] he shall stir up [05782] all against the realm [04438] of Grecia [03120].
2 And now will I shew [05046] thee the truth [0571]. Behold, there shall stand up [05975] yet three [07969] kings [04428] in Persia [06539]; and the fourth [07243] shall be far [06239] richer [06238] than they all [01419]: and by his strength [02393] through his riches [06239] he shall stir up [05782] all against the realm [04438] of Grecia [03120].
6 After [0870] this [01836] I beheld [01934] [02370], and lo [0718] another [0317], like a leopard [05245], which had upon [05922] the back [01355] of it four [0703] wings [01611] of a fowl [05776]; the beast [02423] had also four [0703] heads [07217]; and dominion [07985] was given [03052] to it.
22 Now that being broken [07665], whereas four [0702] stood up [05975] for it, four [0702] kingdoms [04438] shall stand up [05975] out of the nation [01471], but not in his power [03581].
4 I saw [07200] the ram [0352] pushing [05055] westward [03220], and northward [06828], and southward [05045]; so that no beasts [02416] might stand [05975] before [06440] him, neither was there any that could deliver [05337] out of his hand [03027]; but he did [06213] according to his will [07522], and became great [01431].
6 After [0870] this [01836] I beheld [01934] [02370], and lo [0718] another [0317], like a leopard [05245], which had upon [05922] the back [01355] of it four [0703] wings [01611] of a fowl [05776]; the beast [02423] had also four [0703] heads [07217]; and dominion [07985] was given [03052] to it.
2 And over [05924] these [04481] three [08532] presidents [05632]; of whom [04481] Daniel [01841] was first [02298]: that [0459] the princes [0324] might [01934] give [03052] accounts [02941] unto them, and the king [04430] should have [01934] no [03809] damage [05142].
44 And I will punish [06485] Bel [01078] in Babylon [0894], and I will bring forth [03318] out of his mouth [06310] that which he hath swallowed up [01105]: and the nations [01471] shall not flow together [05102] any more unto him: yea, the wall [02346] of Babylon [0894] shall fall [05307].
17 And I brake [07665] the jaws [04973] of the wicked [05767], and plucked [07993] the spoil [02964] out of his teeth [08127].
6 Blessed [01288] be the LORD [03068], who hath not given [05414] us as a prey [02964] to their teeth [08127].
12 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; As the shepherd [07462] taketh out [05337] of the mouth [06310] of the lion [0738] two [08147] legs [03767], or a piece [0915] of an ear [0241]; so shall the children [01121] of Israel [03478] be taken out [05337] that dwell [03427] in Samaria [08111] in the corner [06285] of a bed [04296], and in Damascus [01833] in a couch [06210].
5 And behold [0718] another [0317] beast [02423], a second [08578], like [01821] to a bear [01678], and it raised up [06966] itself on one [02298] side [07859], and it had three [08532] ribs [05967] in the mouth [06433] of it between [0997] the teeth [08128] of it: and they said [0560] thus [03652] unto it, Arise [06966], devour [0399] much [07690] flesh [01321].
33 The same hour [08160] was the thing [04406] fulfilled [05487] upon [05922] Nebuchadnezzar [05020]: and he was driven [02957] from [04481] men [0606], and did eat [0399] grass [06211] as oxen [08450], and his body [01655] was wet [06647] with the dew [02920] of heaven [08065], till [05705] his hairs [08177] were grown [07236] like eagles [05403]' feathers, and his nails [02953] like birds [06853]' claws.
4 The first [06933] was like a lion [0744], and had eagle's [05403] wings [01611]: I beheld [01934] [02370] till [05705] the wings [01611] thereof were plucked [04804], and it was lifted up [05191] from [04481] the earth [0772], and made stand [06966] upon [05922] the feet [07271] as a man [0606], and a man's [0606] heart [03825] was given [03052] to it.
7 There was also another [0259] great [01419] eagle [05404] with great [01419] wings [03671] and many [07227] feathers [05133]: and, behold, this vine [01612] did bend [03719] her roots [08328] toward him, and shot forth [07971] her branches [01808] toward him, that he might water [08248] it by the furrows [06170] of her plantation [04302].
3 And say [0559], Thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; A great [01419] eagle [05404] with great [01419] wings [03671], longwinged [083] [0750], full [04392] of feathers [05133], which had divers colours [07553], came [0935] unto Lebanon [03844], and took [03947] the highest branch [06788] of the cedar [0730]:
40 For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068]; Behold, he shall fly [01675] as an eagle [05404], and shall spread [06566] his wings [03671] over Moab [04124].
29 Their roaring [07581] shall be like a lion [03833], they shall roar [07580] [07580] like young lions [03715]: yea, they shall roar [05098], and lay hold [0270] of the prey [02964], and shall carry it away safe [06403], and none shall deliver [05337] it.
7 The lion [0738] is come up [05927] from his thicket [05441], and the destroyer [07843] of the Gentiles [01471] is on his way [05265]; he is gone forth [03318] from his place [04725] to make [07760] thy land [0776] desolate [08047]; and thy cities [05892] shall be laid waste [05327], without an inhabitant [03427].
17 These [0459] great [07260] beasts [02423], which [0581] are four [0703], are four [0703] kings [04430], which shall arise [06966] out of [04481] the earth [0772].