7:7 “After these things, as I was watching in the night visions 21 a fourth beast appeared – one dreadful, terrible, and very strong. 22 It had two large rows 23 of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.
7:8 “As I was contemplating the horns, another horn – a small one – came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. 24 This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant 25 things.
7:19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning 26 of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It was very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet. 7:20 I also wanted to know 27 the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and of that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes 28 and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others. 29
7:23 “This is what he told me: 30
‘The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on earth
that will differ from all the other kingdoms.
It will devour all the earth
and will trample and crush it.
7:24 The ten horns
mean that ten kings will arise from that kingdom.
Another king will arise after them,
but he will be different from the earlier ones.
He will humiliate 31 three kings.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
2 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadhma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s invitation to witness the fate of the prostitute.
4 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
5 tn Or “desert.”
6 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied for stylistic reasons.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
8 tn Grk “I will tell you,” but since what follows is the angel’s interpretation of the vision, “interpret for you” is the preferred translation here.
9 tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
10 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
11 tn Some translations take the ὅτι (Joti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so NIV, NRSV), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was…” = “when they see that the beast was” (so BDAG 732 s.v. ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).
12 tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”
13 tn It is important to note that the height of “mountains” versus “hills” or other topographical terms is somewhat relative. In terms of Palestinian topography, Mount Tabor (traditionally regarded as the mount of transfiguration) is some 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level, while the Mount of Olives is only some 100 ft (30 m) higher than Jerusalem.
14 tn That is, one currently reigns.
15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
17 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
18 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
19 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
20 tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”
21 tn The Aramaic text has also “and behold.” So also in vv. 8, 13.
22 sn The fourth animal differs from the others in that it is nondescript. Apparently it was so fearsome that Daniel could find nothing with which to compare it. Attempts to identify this animal as an elephant or other known creature are conjectural.
23 tn The Aramaic word for “teeth” is dual rather than plural, suggesting two rows of teeth.
24 tn Aram “were uprooted from before it.”
25 tn Aram “great.” So also in vv. 11, 20.
26 tn Aram “to make certain.”
27 tn The words “I also wanted to know” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons.
28 tc The conjunction in the MT before “eyes” is odd. The ancient versions do not seem to presuppose it.
29 tn Aram “greater than its companions.”
30 tn Aram “thus he said.”
31 tn Or “subjugate”; KJV, NASB, NIV “subdue”; ASV, NRSV “put down.”