Daniel 7:6
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Original Language Analysis
חָזֵ֣ה
H2370
הֲוֵ֗ית
I beheld
H1934
הֲוֵ֗ית
I beheld
Strong's:
H1934
Word #:
4 of 20
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
דִּי
H1768
דִּי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
11 of 20
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
ע֖וֹף
of a fowl
H5776
ע֖וֹף
of a fowl
Strong's:
H5776
Word #:
12 of 20
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
עַל
which had upon
H5922
עַל
which had upon
Strong's:
H5922
Word #:
13 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גַּבַּ֑יהּ
the back
H1355
גַּבַּ֑יהּ
the back
Strong's:
H1355
Word #:
14 of 20
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc
Historical Context
Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) conquered Persia, Egypt, and territories to India with remarkable speed, establishing Greek (Hellenistic) culture across the ancient Near East. His death at 33 led to empire division among four generals (the Diadochi), exactly fulfilling the "four heads" prophecy. This Greek cultural dominance prepared the world for Christianity by establishing common language (Koine Greek) and infrastructure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Alexander's rapid conquest, though serving his ambition, demonstrate God's sovereignty in using even unconscious instruments for redemptive purposes?
- What does Greece's cultural sophistication yet beastly nature teach about human achievement apart from divine revelation?
- How did God providentially use Greek culture and language to prepare the world for the gospel's spread?
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Analysis & Commentary
The third beast "like a leopard" with "four wings of a fowl" and "four heads" represents Greece under Alexander the Great. The leopard symbolizes swiftness and agility, while four wings (double the first beast's two) emphasize unprecedented speed of conquest. Alexander conquered the known world from Greece to India in merely twelve years (334-323 BC), fulfilling this imagery of extraordinary rapid expansion. The "four heads" prophesy the empire's division after Alexander's death among his four generals (Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, Ptolemy).
The phrase "dominion was given to it" emphasizes divine sovereignty—Alexander's brilliant military success didn't result from mere human genius but from God's providential grant of power. Though Alexander likely never acknowledged the true God, he unknowingly served divine purposes by spreading Greek culture and language, preparing the world for the gospel. God's sovereignty operates through even unconscious instruments to accomplish redemptive purposes.
The leopard's beauty and agility contrast with the previous beasts' raw power, matching Greek culture's aesthetic sophistication. Yet Greece, too, remains a beast in God's sight—its philosophy and culture, though refined, couldn't produce salvation. This demonstrates that human culture's highest achievements, lacking divine revelation, remain beastly from God's perspective. Christ's wisdom surpasses Greek philosophy (1 Corinthians 1:20-25), and His kingdom outlasts cultural brilliance.