7:14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.
All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving 5 him.
His authority is eternal and will not pass away. 6
His kingdom will not be destroyed. 7
1 sn The identity of the first kingdom is clearly Babylon. The identification of the following three kingdoms is disputed. The common view is that they represent Media, Persia, and Greece. Most conservative scholars identify them as Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
2 tc Theodotion and the Vulgate lack the phrase “and as iron breaks in pieces.”
3 tn The Aramaic text does not have this word, but it has been added in the translation for clarity.
4 tn The words “the others” are supplied from the context.
3 tn Some take “serving” here in the sense of “worshiping.”
4 tn Aram “is an eternal authority which will not pass away.”
5 tn Aram “is one which will not be destroyed.”