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.

DANIEL 7:6KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 7:6 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:6 mean?

Daniel 7:6 describes Daniel’s vision of a third beast, which looked like a leopard with four wings and four heads, and was given authority to rule. This image is part of a series of symbolic beasts representing different kingdoms or empires that would rise to power.

In the setting, Daniel is recounting a dream he had during the reign of King Belshazzar in Babylon. The vision uses vivid animal imagery to communicate the nature and characteristics of future kingdoms. The leopard’s speed, the extra wings, and the four heads all suggest a swift, far-reaching, and divided rule, with the “dominion” emphasizing that this power was granted rather than seized.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:6

  • "Leopard" (נָמֵר, nâmēr): The use of a leopard highlights qualities like speed and agility, suggesting a kingdom known for rapid conquest.
  • "Four wings" (אַרְבַּע גַּפִּין, 'arbaʿ gappîn): Wings often symbolize swiftness or the ability to move quickly; four wings intensify this idea, pointing to exceptional speed or reach.
  • "Four heads" (אַרְבַּע רֵאשִׁין, 'arbaʿ rêshîn): Multiple heads can imply division or multiple centers of authority, hinting that the kingdom would be split or have several rulers.
  • "Dominion" (שָׁלְטָן, sholtân): This word means authority or rule, and its use here shows that the power of this beast was given, not self-made, underlining the idea that these kingdoms operate under higher permission.

Why Daniel 7:6 matters

  • Daniel 7:6 helps readers see that the vision is about more than just animals; each detail (leopard, wings, heads) is chosen to communicate something about the nature of the kingdom it represents.
  • The verse emphasizes that the dominion of this beast is granted, not taken, which fits the larger theme in Daniel that all earthly power is ultimately allowed by God.
  • Understanding this verse in context helps connect the vision’s sequence of beasts to the historical empires that followed Babylon, making sense of the symbolism in the rest of Daniel’s prophecy.

Where else these words appear

“wings” Hebrew H1611 · used in 2 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.

“fowl” Hebrew H5776 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

“lo” Hebrew H718 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • 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.

“another” Hebrew H317 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • 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.