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Daniel 7:18

KJV

But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Read it in context Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
Start reading at Daniel 7:15 (Daniel 7:15 to Daniel 7:28). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The visions present kingdoms and conflict with explanations supplied within the text, preparing the later revelations.

  1. 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
  2. 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
  3. 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
  4. 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
  5. 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
  6. 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
  7. 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
  8. 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
  9. 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
  10. 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
  11. 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
  12. 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
  13. 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
  14. 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Daniel 7:15, Daniel 7:28, Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 26:64

Who wrote it, and how we know

Daniel Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysLarge sections are written in the first person by Daniel, and Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet. Daniel 7:2Daniel 8:1Matthew 24:15
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Daniel in the sixth century B.C.
What is debatedMany critical scholars date the book to the second century B.C. because of its detailed prophecy of that period. Jesus naming Daniel as a prophet is a significant argument for the traditional view.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of Daniel

Daniel places its narratives and visions in the setting of foreign empires and exile. The book itself supplies some interpretations of symbols; further timetables and modern identifications require separate argument and should be labeled accordingly.

Daniel 1:1 Daniel 2:37 Daniel 7:17

The Judean youths in Babylon
Daniel 1:1–21

FocusFaithfulness in exile

Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes the youths' displacement, training, and resolve before the court narratives and visions develop.
interpretation
Kings, kingdoms, and faithful witnesses
Daniel 2:1–6:28

FocusGod's rule over earthly power

Connection to the wholeDreams, deliverances, and judgments confront royal pride and show faithful witnesses living under successive rulers.
interpretation
Visions of kingdoms
Daniel 7:1–8:27 You are here · 7:18

FocusConflict and divine judgment

Connection to the wholeThe visions present kingdoms and conflict with explanations supplied within the text, preparing the later revelations.
interpretation
Confession and the answer concerning the people
Daniel 9:1–27

FocusPrayer and announced purposes

Connection to the wholeDaniel's attention to Jeremiah leads to confession and an answer concerning his people and the holy city.
interpretation
The final revelation
Daniel 10:1–12:13

FocusConflict, endurance, and resurrection

Connection to the wholeThe final vision extends the conflict and hope, closing with instructions about the words and Daniel's own appointed end.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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