Daniel 7:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
קַדְמָיְתָ֣א
The first
first
#2
כְאַרְיֵ֔ה
was like a lion
a lion
#3
גַפַּ֜יהּ
the wings
a wing
#4
דִּֽי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#5
נְשַׁ֖ר
and had eagle's
an eagle
#6
לַ֑הּ
H0
#7
חָזֵ֣ה
to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)
#8
הֲוֵ֡ית
I beheld
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
#9
עַד֩
till
until
#10
דִּי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#11
מְּרִ֨יטוּ
thereof were plucked
to pull off
#12
גַפַּ֜יהּ
the wings
a wing
#13
וּנְטִ֣ילַת
and it was lifted up
to raise
#14
מִן
from
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#15
אַרְעָ֗א
the earth
the earth; by implication (figuratively) low
#16
וְעַל
upon
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
רַגְלַ֙יִן֙
the feet
a foot, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#18
אֱנָ֖שׁ
and a man's
a man
#19
הֳקִימַ֔ת
and made stand
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#20
וּלְבַ֥ב
heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#21
אֱנָ֖שׁ
and a man's
a man
#22
יְהִ֥יב
was given
to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
#23
לַֽהּ׃
H0

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

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