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.

DANIEL 7:24KJV
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Daniel 7:24 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:24 mean?

Daniel 7:24 describes how, from the fourth kingdom in Daniel’s vision, ten kings will arise, symbolized by ten horns, and then another different king will come after them who will overpower three of the original ten. This verse is part of an angel’s explanation to Daniel about future kingdoms and rulers, using symbolic language.

In the context of Daniel’s vision, Daniel is being shown a sequence of kingdoms represented by beasts and horns, with the “horns” standing for kings or rulers. The angel explains that after the ten kings, a new and unique ruler will appear, and he will defeat three of the ten. This sets up the next part of the vision, which focuses on the actions and character of this eleventh king.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:24

  • “horns” (קַרְנַ֤ין, qarnayin): In Aramaic, this word often represents power or authority, and here it is a symbol for kings or rulers, not literal animal horns.
  • “diverse” (שְׁנָא, shena’): This word means “different” or “distinct,” highlighting that the new king is not just another in the same line, but stands out in some significant way.
  • “subdue” (הַשְׁפֵּל, hashpel): This verb means to humble, bring low, or defeat, making it clear that the new king will overpower or remove three of the existing kings.

Why Daniel 7:24 matters

  • Daniel 7:24 helps clarify that the vision’s “horns” are not random symbols but specifically represent kings or rulers, grounding the imagery in real-world leadership and succession.
  • The verse emphasizes a break in the pattern: the “another” king is not just one more, but is notably different, which sets up the reader to pay attention to his actions in the following verses.
  • This explanation ties the vision to a sequence of events, showing that the rise and fall of rulers is part of a larger plan, and prepares the reader for the more detailed description of the eleventh king’s actions and character.

Where else these words appear

“after” Hebrew H311 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
  • Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

“first” Hebrew H6933 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 7:4 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.
  • Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

“subdue” Hebrew H8214 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
  • Daniel 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
  • Daniel 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

“ten” Hebrew H6236 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 6:17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
  • Daniel 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
  • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.