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 7:4KJV
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Daniel 7:4 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:4 mean?

Daniel 7:4 describes Daniel’s vision of a creature like a lion with eagle’s wings, which loses its wings, is lifted from the ground, made to stand like a man, and given a human heart. This image is part of a symbolic dream, showing a powerful beast transformed in a dramatic way.

In the book of Daniel, the prophet Daniel is recounting a vision he received at night. He sees four great beasts, each different from the others, rising from the sea. The first beast, described in this verse, combines features of a lion (strength and majesty) and an eagle (swiftness), but then undergoes a change: its wings are removed, it stands upright like a human, and is given a human heart, suggesting a shift from animal fierceness to something more human or vulnerable.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:4

  • "lion" (אַרְיֵה, ’aryēh): This word means lion, a symbol of strength and royalty in the ancient world. Its use here highlights the beast’s initial power and dominance.
  • "eagle's" (נְשַׁר, nĕshar) and "wings" (גַּפִּין, gappīn): The combination of eagle’s wings with a lion suggests a creature that is not only strong but also swift and far-reaching. The removal of the wings ("plucked," מְנַדְּלוּן, mĕnaddĕlûn) signals a loss of that speed or freedom.
  • "man" (אֱנָשׁ, ’ĕnāsh) and "heart" (לֵבַב, lēvav): The beast is made to stand like a man and given a man’s heart, which often points to a change in nature—from animal-like instincts to human qualities, possibly including reason or even weakness.

Why Daniel 7:4 matters

  • Daniel 7:4 sets the tone for the rest of Daniel’s vision, introducing the idea that these beasts represent more than just animals—they symbolize kingdoms or powers that can change dramatically.
  • The transformation from beast to something more human hints at the possibility of change or even mercy, rather than just destruction, in the unfolding vision.
  • Understanding the details of this verse helps clarify the symbolic language Daniel uses throughout the chapter, which is crucial for following the meaning of the entire vision.

Where else these words appear

“eagle's” Hebrew H5403 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

“wings” Hebrew H1611 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“up” Hebrew H5191 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

“first” Hebrew H6933 · used in 3 verses

  • 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.
  • Daniel 7:24 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.