But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

DANIEL 7:26KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 7:26 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:26 mean?

Daniel 7:26 describes a court’s decision against a powerful ruler. His authority will be taken from him and brought to a complete end. The verse answers the threat posed by that ruler with a scene of judgment, rather than a contest between equal powers.

An interpreter is explaining Daniel’s vision to him. After the ruler’s actions against God’s people in verse 25, the words “the judgment shall sit” picture a court taking its place to decide the case. The phrase “they shall take away” describes the removal of the ruler’s authority.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:26

  • “judgment” — דִּין (din): The word can refer to judgment or to a court. Here, alongside “shall sit,” the word brings a court scene to mind.
  • “dominion” — שָׁלְטָן (sholtan): The word means ruling power or authority. The focus is on the ruler’s power to govern, not simply on land he occupies.

Why Daniel 7:26 matters

  • The ruler’s power has a limit. “Unto the end” gives the removal of his dominion a final outcome, rather than suggesting a temporary setback.
  • The court scene connects Daniel 7:26 to an earlier part of the vision. In Daniel 7:9–10, the court sits and books are opened; verse 26 shows what that judgment means for the ruler.
  • The wider passage contrasts the ruler’s lost authority with the authority given to “the people of the saints of the most High” in verse 27. That contrast helps explain why the loss of his dominion matters within Daniel’s vision.

Where else these words appear

“judgment” Hebrew H1780 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
  • 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 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

“sit” Hebrew H3488 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Ezra 4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
  • Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

“end” Hebrew H5491 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
  • Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
  • Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

“destroy” Hebrew H7 · used in 6 verses

  • Jeremiah 10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
  • Daniel 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
  • Daniel 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.