Daniel 7:1

Authorized King James Version

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת
year
year
#2
חֲדָ֗ה
In the first
as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once
#3
לְבֵלְאשַׁצַּר֙
of Belshazzar
belshatstsar, a babylonian king
#4
מֶ֣לֶךְ
king
a king
#5
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#6
דָּנִיֵּאל֙
Daniel
danijel, the hebrew prophet
#7
חֶלְמָ֣א
a dream
a dream
#8
חֲזָ֔ה
had
to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)
#9
וְחֶזְוֵ֥י
and visions
a sight
#10
רֵ֥אשׁ
of his head
the head; figuratively, the sum
#11
עַֽל
upon
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
מִשְׁכְּבֵ֑הּ
his bed
a bed
#13
בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙
then
then (of time)
#14
חֶלְמָ֣א
a dream
a dream
#15
כְתַ֔ב
he wrote
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#16
רֵ֥אשׁ
of his head
the head; figuratively, the sum
#17
מִלִּ֖ין
of the matters
a word, command, discourse, or subject
#18
אֲמַֽר׃
and told
to speak, to command

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People