Daniel Chapter 7 · Verse 4
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.
Original Language Analysis
דִּֽי
H1768
דִּֽי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
4 of 23
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
חָזֵ֣ה
H2370
הֲוֵ֡ית
I beheld
H1934
הֲוֵ֡ית
I beheld
Strong's:
H1934
Word #:
8 of 23
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
דִּי
H1768
דִּי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
10 of 23
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
מִן
from
H4481
מִן
from
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
וְעַל
upon
H5922
וְעַל
upon
Strong's:
H5922
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלַ֙יִן֙
the feet
H7271
רַגְלַ֙יִן֙
the feet
Strong's:
H7271
Word #:
17 of 23
a foot, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
הֳקִימַ֔ת
and made stand
H6966
הֳקִימַ֔ת
and made stand
Strong's:
H6966
Word #:
19 of 23
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:7The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.Ezekiel 17:3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
Historical Context
Babylon (626-539 BC) dominated the ancient Near East under Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC), conquering Egypt, Judah, and surrounding nations with remarkable speed. The lion-eagle combination appeared in Babylonian art and architecture, making the symbol immediately recognizable to Daniel's contemporaries. Babylon's decline under Nebuchadnezzar's successors (Evil-Merodach, Neriglissar, Nabonidus) fulfilled the vision of diminished power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Nebuchadnezzar's transformation from beast to man illustrate the redemptive possibility when proud rulers acknowledge God's sovereignty?
- What does Babylon's rise and decline teach about earthly empires' temporary nature compared to God's eternal kingdom?
- How does this vision encourage believers living under powerful secular authorities that seem invincible?
Analysis & Commentary
The first beast "like a lion, and had eagle's wings" combines royal authority (lion, king of beasts) with swift dominance (eagle, king of birds). This represents Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, matching Daniel 2's golden head. The lion symbolized Babylon in ancient Near Eastern iconography, and the eagle's wings emphasize rapid conquest. The transformation—"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"—depicts humiliation followed by humanization.
This imagery parallels Nebuchadnezzar's personal experience (Daniel 4) when pride led to beast-like madness, followed by restoration when he acknowledged God's sovereignty. The "plucking" of wings represents loss of imperial power and mobility, while receiving "a man's heart" indicates restored reason and humility. Historically, Babylon's power peaked under Nebuchadnezzar but declined under successors, fulfilling this vision of initial strength diminished.
Theologically, this demonstrates that human empires, however magnificent, remain subject to divine sovereignty. God elevates and humbles kingdoms according to His purposes. The transformation from beast to human also illustrates redemptive possibility—even proud empires can be humbled to acknowledge truth. This points to Christ who humbles the proud and exalts the humble (Luke 1:52), and whose kingdom will outlast all earthly empires (Daniel 2:44).