Daniel 7:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The first beast, a winged lion, is humbled: its wings are plucked and it is given a man's heart.
What Does Daniel 7:4 Mean?
Daniel describes the beasts one by one. The first is like a lion with eagle's wings -- the lion king of beasts, the eagle king of birds, an emblem of swift and majestic power that fits the glory of Babylon itself. Then Daniel watches as the wings are torn off and the creature is made to stand upright like a man, and a human heart is given to it.
The proud predator is brought low and made humble. Readers of this book remember Nebuchadnezzar, who was humbled until he lifted his eyes to heaven and his reason returned. The image whispers a lesson that runs through all Scripture: the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men, and even the greatest power is softened only when a merely human heart, dependent and chastened, is placed within it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 7:4
What does Daniel 7:4 mean?
The first beast, a winged lion, is humbled: its wings are plucked and it is given a man's heart.