Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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 broke 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.
7. dreadful and terrible ] The same two words occur in combination in the Targ. of Hab 1:7, ‘terrible and dreadful are they.’ The rendering of the second word in R.V., powerful, follows a slightly different reading ( ’emtn for ’mtn), found in some editions, but less well attested and less probable (it would be a in Aram., and explicable only from the Arabic).
and stamped the residue with the feet of it ] in wanton destructiveness and ferocity.
and it was diverse, &c.] Each of the beasts was ‘diverse’ from the others ( Dan 7:3); but the terrible appearance of this differentiated it materially from the other three, and placed it in a class by itself. The fourth beast has, moreover, no name; for no one creature, or even combination of creatures (as the lion with vulture’s wings in Dan 7:4), could adequately represent it; only words expressive of terribleness, ferocity, and might are accumulated for the purpose of characterizing it. The empire meant (if the two preceding ones are explained correctly) will be that of Alexander the Great: comp. Dan 8:5; Dan 8:21, Dan 11:3. Cf. the description of the fourth kingdom in Dan 2:40, as ‘strong as iron,’ and ‘breaking in pieces and bruising.’
and it had ten horns ] A horn is commonly in the O.T. the figure of strength to attack and repel (e.g. Deu 33:17; Mic 4:13); but in the imagery of Daniel’s visions it represents either a king (see Dan 7:24; and cp. Dan 8:5; Dan 8:8 a, 9, 21), or a dynasty of kings (Dan 8:3; Dan 8:6-8 b, 20, 22), rising up in, or out of, the empire symbolized by the creature to which the horn belongs. Here the reference is apparently to the ten successors of Alexander on the throne of Antioch (see more fully the Additional Note, p. 101). Cf. the ‘ten toes of the feet’ in the corresponding part of ch. 2 ( Dan 2:41-42).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
7, 8. The fourth beast.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
After this I saw in the night visions – The other beasts were seen also in a dream Dan 7:1, and this probably in the same night, though as a subsequent part of the dream, for the whole vision evidently passed before the prophet in a single dream. The succession, or the fact that he saw one after the other, indicates a sucession in the kingdoms. They were not to be at the same time upon the earth, but one was to arise after another in the order here indicated, though they were in some respects to occupy the same territory. The singular character of the beast that now appears; the number of the horns; the springing up of a new horn; the might and terror of the beast, and the long duration of its dominion upon the earth, attracted and fixed the attention of Daniel, led him into a more minute description of the appearance of the animal, and induced him particularly to ask an explanation of the angel of the meaning of this part of the vision, Dan 7:19.
And, behold, a fourth beast – This beast had peculiar characteristics, all of which were regarded as symbolic, and all of which demand explanation in order that we may have a just view of the nature and design of the symbol.
As in reference to the three former beasts, so also in regard to this, it will be proper to explain first the significance of the different parts of the symbol, and then in the exposition (Dan 7:19, following) to inquire into the application. The particulars of this symbol are more numerous, more striking, and more important than in either of the previous ones. These particulars are the following Dan 7:7-11 :
(a) The animal itself Dan 5:7 : a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly. The form or nature of the beast is not given as in the preceding cases – the lion, the bear, and the leopard – but it is left for the imagination to fill up. It was a beast more terrific in its appearance than either of the others, and was evidently a monster such as could not be designated by a single name. The terms which are used here in describing the beast – dreadful, terrible, exceedingly strong, are nearly synonymous, and are heaped together in order to give an impressive view of the terror inspired by the beast. There can be no doubt as to the general meaning of this, for it is explained Dan 7:23 as denoting a kingdom that should devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces. As a symbol, it would denote some power much more fearful and much more to be dreaded; having a wider dominion; and more stern, more oppressive in its character, more severe in its exactions, and more entirely destroying the liberty of others; advancing more by power and terror, and less by art and cunning, than either. This characteristic is manifest throughout the symbol.
(b) The teeth Dan 7:7 : and it had great iron teeth. Not only teeth or tusks, such as other animals may have, but teeth made of iron. This is characteristic of a monster, and shows that there was to be something very peculiar in the dominion that was here symbolized. The teeth are of use to eat or devour; and the symbol here is that of devouring or rending – as a fierce monster with such teeth might be supposed to rend or devour all that was before it. This, too, would denote a nation exceedingly fierce; a nation of savage ferocity; a nation that would be signally formidable to all others. For illustration, compare Jer 15:12; Mic 4:13. As explained in Dan 7:23, it is said that the kingdom denoted by this would devour the whole earth. Teeth – great teeth, are often used as the symbols of cruelty, or of a devouring enemy. Thus in Pro 30:14 : There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth are as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. So David uses the word to denote the cruelty of tyrants: Psa 3:7, Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly; Psa 57:4, whose teeth are spears and arrows; Psa 58:6, break their teeth in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lions.
(c) The stamping with the feet Dan 7:7 : it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it. That is, like a fierce monster, whatever it could not devour it stamped down and crushed in the earth. This indicates a disposition or purpose to destroy, for the sake of destroying, or where no other purpose could be gained. It denotes rage, wrath, a determination to crush all in its way, to have universal dominion; and would be applicable to a nation that subdued and crushed others for the mere sake of doing it, or because it was unwilling that any other should exist and enjoy liberty – even where itself could not hope for any advantage.
(d) The fact that it was different from all that went before it Dan 7:7 : and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it. The prophet does not specify particularly in what respects it was different, for he does not attempt to give its appearance. It was not a lion, a bear, or a leopard, but he does not say precisely what it was. Probably it was such a monster that there were no animals with which it could be compared. He states some circumstances, however, in which it was different – as in regard to the ten horns, the little horn, the iron teeth, etc., but still the imagination is left to fill up the picture in general. The meaning of this must be, that the fourth kingdom, represented by this beast, would be materially different from those which preceded it, and we must look for the fulfillment in some features that would characterize it by which it would be unlike the others. There must be something marked in the difference – something that would be more than the common difference between nations.
(e) The ten horns Dan 7:7 : and it had ten horns. That is, the prophet saw on it ten horns as characterizing the beast. The horn is a symbol of power, and is frequently so used as an emblem or symbol in Daniel Dan 7:7-8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24; Dan 8:3-9, Dan 8:20-22 and Revelation Rev 5:6; Rev 13:1, Rev 13:11; Rev 17:3, Rev 17:12, Rev 17:16. It is used as a symbol because the great strength of horned animals is found there. Thus in Amo 6:13, it is said:
Ye that rejoice in a thing of nought,
That say, Have we not taken dominion to ourselves By our own strength?
(Heb. horns.)
So in Deu 33:17 :
His beauty shall be that of a young bull,
And his horns shall be the horns of a rhinoceros:
With these he shall push the people to the extremities of the land:
Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim,
Such the thousands of Manasseh.
– Wemyss.
So in 1Ki 22:11, we find horns used in a symbolic action on the part of the false prophet Zedekiah. He made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. In Zec 1:18, the four horns that are seen by the prophet are said to be the four great powers which had scattered and wasted the Jews. Compare Wemyss on the Symbolic Language of Scripture, art. Horns. There can be no doubt as to the meaning of the symbol here, for it is explained in a subsequent part of the chapter Dan 7:24, the ten horns are the ten kings that shall arise. It would seem also, from that explanation, that they were to be ten kings that would arise or spring out of that kingdom at some period of its history. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise; that is, not that the kingdom itself would spring out of ten others that would be amalgamated or consolidated into one, but that out of that one kingdom there would spring up ten that would exercise dominion, or in which the power of the one kingdom would be ultimately lodged. Though Daniel appears to have seen these horns as pertaining to the beast when he first saw him, yet the subsequent explanation is, that these horns were emblems of the manner in which the power of that one kingdom would be finally exerted; or that ten kings or dynasties would spring out of it. We are, then, naturally to look for the fulfillment of this in some one great kingdom of huge power that would crush the nations, and from which, while the same general characteristic would remain, there would spring up ten kings, or dynasties, or kingdoms, in which the power would be concentrated.
(f) The springing up of the little horn Dan 7:8 : I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn. There are several points to be noticed in regard to this:
(1) The fact that he considered the horns; that is, he looked on them until another sprang up among them. This implies that when he first saw the monster, it had no such horn, and that the horn sprang up a considerable time after he first saw it – intimating that it would occur, perhaps, far on in the history of the kingdom that was symbolized. It is implied that it was not an event which would soon occur.
(2) It sprang up among the others ( beyneyhen) – starting from the same source, and pertaining to the same animal, and therefore a development or putting forth of the same power. The language used here does not designate, with any degree of certainty, the precise place which it occupied, but it would seem that the others stood close together, and that this sprang out of the center, or from the very midst of them – implying that the new dominion symbolized would not be a foreign dominion, but one that would spring out of the kingdom itself, or that would seem to grow up in the kingdom.
(3) It was a little horn; that is, it was small at first, though subsequently it grew so as to be emblematic of great power. This would denote that the power symbolized would be small at first – springing up gradually. The fulfillment of this would be found, neither in conquest nor in revolution, nor in a change of dynasty, nor in a sudden change of a constitution, but in some power that had an obscure origin, and that was feeble and small at the beginning, yet gradually increasing, until, by its own growth, it put aside a portion of the power before exercised and occupied its place. We should naturally look for the fulfillment of this in the increase of some power within the state that had a humble origin, and that slowly developed itself until it absorbed a considerable portion of the authority that essentially resided in the kingdom represented by the monster.
(4) In the growth of that horn, three of the others were plucked up by the roots. The proper meaning of the word used to express this ( ‘etheaqarav) is, that they were rooted out – as a tree is overturned by the roots, or the roots are turned out from the earth. The process by which this was done seems to have been by growth. The gradual increase of the horn so crowded on the others that a portion of them was forced out, and fell. What is fairly indicated by this was not any act of violence, or any sudden convulsion or revolution, but such a gradual growth of power that a portion of the original power was removed, and this new power occupied its place. There was no revolution, properly so-called; no change of the whole dynasty, for a large portion of the horns remained, but the gradual rise of a new power that would wield a portion of that formerly wielded by others, and that would now wield the power in its place. The number three would either indicate that three parts out of the ten were absorbed in this way, or that a considerable, though an indefinite portion, was thus absorbed.
(5) The eyes: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man. Eyes denote intelligence, as we see objects by their aid. The rims of the wheels in Ezekiels vision were full of eyes Eze 1:18, as symbolic of intelligence. This would denote that the power here referred to would be remarkably sagacious. We should naturally look for the fulfillment of this in a power that laid its plans wisely and intelligently; that had large and clear views of policy; that was shrewd and far-seeing in its counsels and purposes; that was skilled in diplomacy; or, that was eminent for statesman-like plans. This part of the symbol, if it stood alone, would find its fulfillment in any wise and shrewd administration; as it stands here, surrounded by others, it would seem that this, as contrasted with them, was characteristically shrewd and far-seeing in its policy. Lengerke, following Jerome, supposes that this means that the object referred to would be a man, as the eyes of men are keener and sharper than those of other animals. But the more correct interpretation is that above referred to – that it denotes intelligence, shrewdness, sagacity.
(6) The mouth: and a mouth speaking great things. A mouth indicating pride and arrogance. This is explained in Dan 7:25, as meaning that he to whom it refers would speak great words against the Most High; that is, would be guilty of blasphemy. There would be such arrogance, and such claims set up, and such a spirit evinced, that it would be in fact a speaking against God. We naturally look for the fulfillment of this to some haughty and blaspheming power; some power that would really blaspheme religion, and that would be opposed to its progress and prosperity in the world. The Septuagint, in the Codex Chisianus, adds here, and shall make war against the saints; but these words are not found in the original Chaldee. They accord, however, well with the explanation in Dan 7:25. What has been here considered embraces all that pertains properly to this symbol – the symbol of the fourth beast – except the fact stated in Dan 7:11, that the beast was slain, and that his body was given to the burning flame. The inquiry as to the fulfillment will be appropriate when we come to consider the explanation given at the request of Daniel, by the angel, in Dan 7:19-25.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. I saw – a fourth beast – it had great iron teeth] This is allowed, on all hands, to be the Roman empire. It was dreadful, terrible, and exceeding strong: it devoured, and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue, that is, the remains of the former kingdoms, with its feet. It reduced Macedon into a Roman province about one hundred and sixty-eight years before Christ; the kingdom of Perpamos about one hundred and thirty-three years; Syria about sixty-five; and Egypt about thirty years before Christ. And, besides the remains of the Macedonian empire, it subdued many other provinces and kingdoms; so that it might, by a very usual figure, be said to devour the whole earth, to tread it down, and break it to pieces; and became in effect, what the Roman writers delight to call it, the empire of the whole world.
It (the fourth beast) was diverse from all the beasts that were before it] Not only in its republican form of government, but also in power and greatness, extent of dominion, and length of duration.
It had ten horns] The ten kingdoms into which the Roman empire was afterwards divided. Calmet says, ten Syrian kings: and he finds them thus: –
1. Seleucus Nicator.
2. Antiochus Soter.
3. Antiochus Theos.
4. Antiochus Callinicus.
5. Seleucus Ceraunus.
6. Antiochus the Great.
7. Seleucus, surnamed Philopater, brother of Antiochus Epiphanes.
8. Laomedon of Mitylene, to whom Syria and Phoenicia had been intrusted.
9. Antigone. And,
10. His son Demetrius, who possessed those provinces, with the title of kings.
This is too much like forced work. There are different opinions concerning these ten kings; or rather which they were that constituted this division of the Roman empire. They are reckoned thus: –
1. The Roman senate.
2. The Greeks, in Ravenna.
3. The Lombards in Lombardy.
4. The Huns in Hungary.
5. The Alemans, in Germany.
6. The Franks in France.
7. The Burgundians in Burgundy..
8. The Saracens in Africa, and a part of Spain.
9. The Goths, in other parts of Spain.
10. And the Saxons, in Britain.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A fourth beast: this was the Roman empire; for that followed the Grecian, and was monstrous as to his rise and progress.
Stamped the residue with the feet of it. As to the variety and cruelty of the government, it made use not only of Italians, but Spaniards, Gauls, Germans, Britons, which made their armies hardy and hard as iron, which broke in pieces the gold, silver, and brass. But it is plain this is the last kingdom of the Four, that was to be destroyed by Christs kingdom, and this work was to be doing till the last age, Dan 7:13.
Ten horns, i.e. kings, Dan 7:24; Rev 17:12, called
horns. i.e. of iron, as the teeth were, i.e. cruel and persecuting; as beasts push and gore with their horns.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. As Daniel lived under thekingdom of the first beast, and therefore needed not to describe it,and as the second and third are described fully in the second part ofthe book, the chief emphasis falls on the fourth. Also prophecy mostdwells on the end, which is the consummation of the precedingseries of events. It is in the fourth that the world power manifestsfully its God-opposing nature. Whereas the three former kingdoms weredesignated respectively, as a lion, bear, and leopard, no particularbeast is specified as the image of the fourth; for Rome is soterrible as to be not describable by any one, but combines in itselfall that we can imagine inexpressibly fierce in all beasts. Hencethrice (Dan 7:7; Dan 7:19;Dan 7:23) it is repeated, thatthe fourth was “diverse from all” the others. The formulaof introduction, “I saw in the night visions,” occurs here,as at Da 7:2, and again at Da7:13, thus dividing the whole vision into three partsthe firstembracing the three kingdoms, the second the fourth and itsoverthrow, the third Messiah’s kingdom. The first three together takeup a few centuries; the fourth, thousands of years. The whole lowerhalf of the image in the second chapter is given to it. And whereasthe other kingdoms consist of only one material, this consists oftwo, iron and clay (on which much stress is laid, Da2:41-43); the “iron teeth” here allude to onematerial in the fourth kingdom of the image.
ten hornsIt is withthe crisis, rather than the course, of the fourthkingdom that this seventh chapter is mainly concerned. The ten kings(Da 7:24, the “horns”representing power), that is, kingdoms, into which Romewas divided on its incorporation with the Germanic and Slavonictribes, and again at the Reformation, are thought by many to be hereintended. But the variation of the list of the ten, and theirignoring the eastern half of the empire altogether, and the existenceof the Papacy before the breaking up of even the Westernempire, instead of being the “little horn” springing upafter the other ten, are against this view. The Western Romanempire continued till A.D.731, and the Eastern, till A.D.1453. The ten kingdoms, therefore, prefigured by the ten “toes”(Da 2:41; compare Rev 13:1;Rev 17:12), are the ten kingdomsinto which Rome shall be found finally divided when Antichrist shallappear [TREGELLES]. These,probably, are prefigured by the number ten being the prevalentone at the chief turning points of Roman history.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast,…. Not in another night, as Jarchi; but in the same night, and in the same visions of it; only after he had seen the other three successively, then last of all he saw this fourth beast; and more being said of this than of the rest, shows that this was the principal thing in the vision to be observed, as being to endure until, and having a close connection with, the kingdom of the Messiah; which, arising, shall destroy it, and take place of it: this is not the Turkish empire, as Aben Ezra, and others: nor the kingdom of the Seleucidae, as Grotius, and others; to which neither the characters, nor the duration of it, agree; but the Roman empire, which succeeded the Grecian, so Gorionides g:
dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; exceeding powerful, as the Roman empire was, and terrible to all the kingdoms of the earth; its armies, wherever they came, struck terror among the nations, and threw them into a panic, killing, wasting, robbing all they met with h; and especially it was terrible to Christians, by their persecutions of them, as both Rome Pagan and Rome Papal have been. Rome has its name from strength with the Greeks, and from height with the Hebrews, as Jerom i observes:
it had great iron teeth; which may design its generals and emperors, such as Scipio, Pompey, Julius Caesar, and others; which crushed and devoured all that came in their way: this monarchy answers to the legs and feet of iron in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream:
it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it; it devoured nations, broke kingdoms in pieces, and brought them in subjection to them; reducing them to the greatest servitude, and obliging them to pay heavy taxes and tribute:
it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it: in its original, language, laws, customs, and forms of government; it was such a monster, that no name could be given it; there was no one beast in nature to which it could be compared; it had all the ill properties of the other beasts, for craft, cruelty oppression, and tyranny; and therefore John describes this same beast as being like a leopard, having the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. Re 13:2:
and it had ten horns; which are explained of ten kings or kingdoms, Da 7:24, the same with the ten toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and with the ten kings that received power as kings with the beast or ten kingdoms, into which the Roman empire was divided about the time of the rise of antichrist, [See comments on Re 17:12].
g (Curt. Hist.) l. 3. c. 15. p. 221. h Raptores Orbis, &c. Taciti Vita Agricolae, c. 30. i Adv. Jovinian. l. 2. fol. 32. L.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
THE FOURTH-ONE WORLD EMPIRE
Verse 7 states that “after this,” after Daniel had viewed three living animals (beasts), representing three successive Gentile world wide empires, he saw a fourth in his vision. This fourth beast was a dreadful, terrible, and exceeding strong-looking animal It had great iron teeth in its mouth to devour, and ten horns upon its head. Each horn represented a Gentile king, Rev 17:12. It devoured and broke in pieces and stamped, trampled with its heavy feet, all that was in its path. As a living, destroying beast, it was far different from all other beasts before it, meaning all Gentile governments and kingdoms that preceded it, v. 23, 24; Dan 2:40-43.
Though “horns” were symbolically used to represent reigning or dominating kingly powers; Let it be observed that the number “ten” represents “Gentile governments” in disarray. One should perhaps not look for the Gentile or heathen world to have exactly ten entire geographical bounded territories to turn to the antichrist at his coming. Instead the number “ten” seems to embrace the entire Gentile or heathen world that shall come to follow the antichrist, Rev 12:13; Rev 13:1; Rev 17:12; Dan 2:41-42.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
There is greater difficulty in this Fourth Monarchy. Those who are endued with moderate judgment, confess this vision to be fulfilled in the Roman Empire; but they afterwards disagree, since what is here said of the fourth beast many transfer to the Pope, when it is added a Little Horn sprang up; but. others think the Turkish kingdom is comprehended under the Roman. The Jews for the most part incline this way, and they are necessarily compelled to do so, since Daniel will afterwards add — I saw the throne of the Son of Man; since it is clear, from this prediction, that Christ’s kingdom was erected by the overthrow of the Roman dominion, the Jews turn round, and, as I have said, join the Turkish monarchy with the Roman, since they do, not find their Christ according to their imagination. And there are some of our writers who think this image ought not to be restricted to the Roman Empire, but ought to include the Turkish. In nay view, there is nothing probable in that opinion; I have no doubt that in this vision the Prophet was shown the figure of the Roman Empire, and this will be more apparent as we go on.
He says a fourth beast appeared. He gives it no fixed name, because nothing ever existed like it in the world. The Prophet, by adding no similitude, signifies how horrible the monster was, for he formerly compared the Chaldean Empire to a lion, the Persian to a bear, and the Macedonian to a leopard. In these comparisons there was something natural; but when he descends to the fourth beast, he says, it was formidable in its aspect, and terrible, and very brave or strong, and without; any addition calls it “a beast.” We see then his wish to express something prodigious by this fourth beast, as there is no animal so fierce or cruel in the world which can in any way represent with sufficient strength the nature of this beast. Behold, therefore, the fourth beast which was formidable, and fearful, and very strong. We know of no such Monarchy before this. Although Alexander subdued the whole of the East, his victory, we are sure, was not stable. He was content with fame alone; he, granted liberty to all people; and as long as they flattered him, he sought nothing else. But we know the Romans. to have been masters even as far as Babylon:; we know the following countries to have been subdued by them: Asia Minor, Syria, Cilicia, Greece, and Macedon, both the Spains, Gaul, Illyricum, and part of Germany. At length Britain was subjugated by Julius Caesar. No wonder this beast is called formidable and very strong! For before Julius Caesar became master of the Empire, the whole Mediterranean Sea was in all its parts under subjection to the Roman Empire. Its amazing extent is well known. Egypt had indeed its own kings, but they were tributary; whatever edicts the Romans decreed, they were executed immediately in Egypt. Mirror sovereigns existed in Asia Minor as a kind of spies, but this state of things we shall treat presently. It is also well known that they possessed supreme power throughout the Mediterranean Sea, and that by the conquest of Mithridates. Pompey reduced Pontus under his dominion. In the East affairs were all at peace. The Medes and Persians gave them some trouble, but they never moved unless they were provoked. The Spains were not yet accustomed to the yoke, but we know that there were always two praetors there. Julius Caesar was the first who entered Britain after subduing Gaul. Hence we see how far and wide the Romans extended their power, and with what immense cruelty. Hence Daniel calls this beast, formidable and very strong
He afterwards adds, It had large iron teeth. This ought to be referred to its audacity and insatiable greediness. We see how completely free their nation was from the fear of death, for they were so hardened that if any one deserted his rank for the sake of avoiding danger, he was afterwards branded with such marks of infamy, that he was compelled either to strangle himself or to incur a voluntary death! There was, then, a certain brutal cruelty in that nation, and we also know how insatiable they were. For this reason Daniel says they had large iron teeth. He adds, it consumed, and broke to pieces, and trod the remnant under foot. These things are spoken allegorically, not only because this vision was offered to the holy Prophet, but also because God wished to paint a kind of living image, in which he might show the peculiar characters of each government. For we know how many lands the Romans had consumed, and how they transferred to themselves the luxuries of the whole world, and whatever was valuable and precious in Asia Minor, and Greece, and Macedonia, as well as in all islands and in Asia Major — all was swept away — and even this was insufficient to satisfy them! This, then, is the ravenousness of which the Prophet now speaks, since they consumed, says he, and rubbed to pieces with their teeth. He adds, they trod the remnant under their feet — a metaphor worthy of notice, as we know they were accustomed to distribute the prey which they could not carry with them. They devoured and tore with their teeth the treasures and costly furniture and everything else; for their supplies were provided by tributes which produced large sums of money. If there was any portion of the Mediterranean which they could not defend without keeping a permanent garrison there, we know how they engaged the services of tributary kings. Thus the kingdom of Eumenes increased to a great extent till the time of his grandson Attalus, but they bestowed it partly on the Rhodians, and partly on the Cyprians and others. They never remunerated those Allies who almost exhausted their own possessions in aiding them, out of their own resources, but enriched them with the spoils of others; and they not only seized upon the property of one city and bestowed it on another, but they set up their lands for sale. Thus, the liberty of the Lacedaemonians was betrayed to the tyrant Nabis. They also enriched Masinissa with so much wealth, that they acquired Africa for themselves by his means. In fine, they so sported with kingdoms in seizing and giving them away, that they rendered provinces tranquil by the wealth and at the expense of others. This was remarkably conspicuous in the case of Judea, where they created out of nothing Ethnarchs and Tetrarchs and kings, who were nothing but their satellites — and that too but for a moment. For as soon as any change occurred, they retracted what they had given as easily as they bestowed it. Hence, this their cunning liberality is called treading under foot; for that remnant which they could not devour and consume with their teeth they trod under foot, as they kept all those whom they had either enriched or increased subject to themselves. Thus we see with what servility they were flattered by those who had obtained anything through their generosity. And how degrading was the slavery of Greece from the time the Romans entered the country! for as each state acquired any new territory, it erected a temple to the Romans. They also sent their ambassadors there to act as spies, who, under the pretense of punishing the neighboring people for ‘plotting against them, enriched themselves by plunder. Thus the Romans held under their feet whatever they had given. to others. We see then how suitably and properly the Prophet speaks, when he says, the Romans trod down the remnant; for whatever they could not consume, and what their voraciousness could not devour, they trod under their feet.
He adds afterwards, And this beast different from all the former ones, and had ten horns. When he says, this beast was different from the rest, he confirms what we formerly said, namely, this was a horrible prodigy, and nothing could be compared to it in the nature of things. And surely if any one attentively and prudently considers the origin of the Romans, he would be astonished at their remarkable progress to such great power; for it was an unusual monster, and nothing like it had ever appeared. Interpreters treat in various ways what the Prophet subjoins respecting the ten horns. I follow simple and genuine opinion, namely, the Prophet means this Empire to belong to more persons them one For the angel will afterwards assert the ten horns to be kings; not that so many kings ruled at Rome, according to the foolish dream of the Jews, who are ignorant of all things; but the Prophet here distinguishes the Fourth Monarchy from the rest, as if he had said it should be a popular government, not presided over by one king, but divided into really heads. For they even divided provinces among themselves, and made treaties with each other, so that one was governor of Macedonia, another of Cilicia, and another of Syria. Thus we see how numerous the kingdoms were. And with regard to the number ten, we know this to be a frequent and usual form of speech in Scripture, where ten signifies many. When plurality is denoted, the number ten is used. Thus when the Prophet states the fourth beast to have ten horns, he means, there were many provinces so divided, that each ruler, whether proconsul or praetor, was like a king. For the supreme power was given to them, while the city and Italy were given up to the consuls. The consul could indeed write to the provinces and command whatever he pleased; then he could elevate to honor whom he pleased for the sake of favor and friendship; but each of the praetors and proconsuls when he obtained a province, became a kind of king, since he exercised the supreme power of life and death over all his subjects. We need not be too anxious about the number, as we have already explained it. Those who reckon the Roman provinces make great mistakes; they omit the principal one; they make only one of Spain, and. yet we know there were two. They do not divide Gaul, yet there were always two proconsuls there, except under Julius Caesar, who obtained the control of both Gauls. So also they speak of Greece, and yet, neither a proconsul nor s praetor was ever sent into Greece. Finally, the prophet simply means that the Roman Empire was complex, being divided into many provinces, and these provinces were governed by leaders of great weight at Rome, whose authority and rank were superior to others. Proconsuls and proctors obtained the provinces by lot, but favor frequently prevailed, as the histories of those times sufficiently assure us. Let us proceed, —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) A fourth beast.This is so different from the preceding three, and so terrible in appearance, that Daniel can hardly find words to describe it. The distinguishing feature of it is the power which it possesses of breaking and stamping out all that it meets. In this way it corresponds to iron that breaketh in pieces, and subdueth all things. (Comp. Dan. 2:40.) The description of the destructive might of this beast is heightened by the mention of iron teeth and brazen claws. It should be noticed that the horns imply strength, while the ten horns correspond to the ten toes of the image.
The residuei.e., what it did not destroy with its teeth it trampled upon and annihilated with its feet.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Modern expositors are almost unanimous in explaining this as referring either to the Syriac-Egyptian kingdom, which filled the political horizon around the Mediterranean after the death of Alexander and his immediate successors (see Dan 2:39; Dan 8:20), or to these two successive dominions of Alexander and the Syrian kings regarded as a unity. We have already explained why we adhere to the former view and why the older opinion, that this fourth empire was the Roman, can no longer be maintained (Dan 2:39). These verses, as Prince acknowledges, do not fitly describe the civilizing conquests of Alexander, but, as even Bevan sees, are “singularly inappropriate” when applied to his victories. They do, however, express precisely the Hebrew idea of the Seleucidae; and it is very suggestive that even the scholars who make Alexander the head of this empire, as Nebuchadnezzar was of the Babylonian, do not attempt to interpret these verses as actually referring to Alexander and his immediate successors, but acknowledge that the author of Daniel was really thinking of those Syrian kings who reigned several centuries after Alexander.
Since secular historians without theological bias have seen that the empire founded by Alexander came to an end with the death of Perdiccas (321 B.C.), there is no reason, historically, why the author of Daniel may not be allowed to be consistent with himself when he describes the chief activity of this fourth beast as occurring not in Alexander’s era (fourth century B.C.) but in the era of Seleucus and Antiochus Epiphanes. (See particularly chap. 11.) The argument which is made so much of by opponents of this view, that the Seleucid beast-empire was not “diverse” from all that had preceded it, is easily answered by the simple statement of the acknowledged fact that from the Jewish standpoint it was exceedingly different from all that had preceded. To the Jews no rulers since the Pharaohs had seemed so “exceeding dreadful” (Dan 7:19); whose iron teeth and brazen nails were so “exceedingly strong” to devour the Hebrew patriots, and its mighty brutish feet to stamp them into the dust. (See Daniel 11) To seek this “diversity” from all other kingdoms in some difference in its origin, or its form of government, or its constitution, or in the conquering kings’ unwillingness “to leave the subjugated people in their former barbarism,” is to strangely miss the point. Gentile history was important to the Hebrew prophet only as it touched the Hebrew nation, and the fourth Gentile kingdom was “diverse” from the others because it was more cruel and brutal in its persecution of the “saints of the Most High” (Dan 7:25). The ten horns do not symbolize that this empire was stronger than any which had preceded it. The horns represent ten kings (Dan 7:24).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, terrible and powerful, and exceedingly strong. And it had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. And it was different from all the creatures which were before it. And it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.’
The terribleness of this beast is emphasised. It is worse than all. It was not ‘like’ anything that Daniel knew. It was a monster like no known beast. The great iron teeth remind us of the fourth empire in chapter 2. Its devouring and breaking in pieces, and stamping of what remains with the feet, makes it more terrible than the bear (Dan 7:5). It is different from all the creatures that were before it. It is indescribably brutal.
Moreover it will eventually produce ‘ten’ kings, for horns represent strength and power (Deu 33:17; 1Sa 2:1 ; 1Sa 2:10; Psa 18:2), and therefore kings. They ‘arise out of this kingdom’ (Dan 7:24). It becomes a diverse empire (Dan 2:41). It was emphasised that the bear had one rulership. Then the leopard developed into four rulerships. Here the empire develops into ten rulerships, ‘a number of’ rulerships. It does not remain a united empire. It is a second phase of the empire and illustrates that it is divided up. (In Scripture ‘ten’ is regularly used to mean ‘a number of’).
We have noted before the succession presented, two arms, three ribs, four heads, and now ten horns. This suggests that we might also see ‘ten’ as twice times five, an intensification of five. Five is the number of covenant. Thus the beast imitates the covenant community. It is Anti-God, setting itself over against God.
This intensifies in the final description. There is a later, final phase, the arising of another horn, a small one. The emphasis on the smallness is derogatory. It will think it is large but really it is ‘a small one’. ‘And behold in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.’ Having the eyes of a man indicates that it is but human in spite of its great claims. But there is there also the idea of imitation and pretence. It seeks to give the impression of being truly human (rational and godly), and of submitting to God (compare Dan 7:4) but it is all a pretence, it is all outward show, for it is given away by what comes from its mouth. It is still a beast and yet it boasts about itself and makes great claims for itself and for its future. It speaks ‘great things’. ‘Great things’ indicates above all the activity of God (1Sa 12:24; 2Sa 7:21; 2Sa 7:23 ; 1Ch 17:19; Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Job 37:5; Psa 71:9; Psa 106:21; Psa 126:2-3; Joe 2:21. Contrast Joe 2:20). Thus it is setting itself up against God as an anti-God..
And it is a beast which finally begins to destroy itself. The horn, ‘the small one’, attacks ‘three’ of the horns (three represents a group complete in itself, an alliance, but not the whole). From the beginning the empire loves war, and now it is a divided up empire out of control and indulging in ‘civil war, with kings attacking each other (compare Mar 3:24-26). And this horn, this small one, will mercilessly attack, not only its fellow rulers, but also especially the people of God (Dan 7:21). But in the end he will be dealt with at the judgment.
The picture is of a world continually at war, continually destructive, pursuing its way without thought of true obedience to God, continually dividing up and yet partially coming together in its later phase, first in an alliance and then under the arrogant horn, ‘the small one’.
As with the fourth empire of chapter 2 this represents the eschatological empire which grows out of the others, which is initially powerful and destructive, and becomes weak and divided. It is the final empire of ‘the last days’, (as long as we remember that in New Testament terms ‘the last days’, ‘the end of the ages’ began when Jesus was crucified). Its beginnings may be seen as Rome, but it does not just represent Rome, for it divides up into a number of smaller ‘empires’ under a number of rulers. It represents the idea of ‘empire’, in opposition to God, the future unidentifiable ‘empires’ going on to the end of time which take the place of Rome.
It is the ‘fourth’ empire, the summation of empire, the multiple empire to end all empires, the empire with many rulers, encompassing the world. It is the world divided and apart from God. And in its final phase will come ‘the horn, the small one’, with the eyes of a man and the words of a god, speaking ‘great things’ (see above), in defiance of God. Opposition to the people of God will have now reached its ultimate.
This final figure is depicted in 2Th 2:3-10, the ultimate of the antichrists that are always among us (1Jn 2:18-19). It is expanded on in Revelation. And behind it lies the power of the Evil One.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 7:7. Behold, a fourth beast, &c. The fourth kingdom is represented by a fourth beast, dreaded, terrible, and exceeding strong. Daniel was curious to know particularly what this might mean, Dan 7:19 and the angel answers him, Dan 7:23. This kingdom can be no other than the Roman empire, which answers this emphatical description better than any of the former kingdoms. The beast devoured, and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue, that is, the remains of the former kingdoms, with its feet. It reduced Macedon into a Roman province about 168 years, the kingdom of Pergamus about 133 years, Syria about 65 years, and Egypt about 30 years before Christ. And besides the remains of the Macedonian empire, it subdued many other provinces and kingdoms; so that it might, by a very usual figure, be said to devour the whole earth, to tread it down, and break it in pieces; and become in a manner what the Roman writers delighted to call it, “The empire of the whole world.” The words of Dionysius Halicarnassus are very apposite to this subject: “The city of Rome (says he) ruleth over all the earth, as far as it is inhabited; and commands all the sea, not only that within the Pillars of Hercules, but also the ocean, as far as it is navigable; having first and alone, of all the celebrated kingdoms, made the east and west the bounds of its empire: and its dominion hath continued longer than that of any other city or kingdom.” This fourth was diverse from all the beasts; and thus Rome was different from all the kingdoms, not only in its republican form of government, but also in power and greatness, length of duration, and extent of dominion. See Bishop Newton, Dr. Chandler’s Vindication of Daniel, and the note on Dan 7:24.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 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.
Ver. 7. Behold a fourth beast. ] Not likened to any certain beast, because none can be named so cruel which can express the cruelty of this fourth monarchy – viz., that of the Romans, no, although it were
” P , , .” – Hom.
It is a nameless monster, made up of all the properties of the former beasts. Rev 13:1-2 The Rabbis, with their “wild boar out of the wood,” Psa 80:13 fall far short of it. Luther a not unfitly compareth the Church of God to a silly poor maid, sitting in a wood or wilderness, and beset with hungry lions, wolves, boars, bears, and with all manner of hurtful and cruel creatures.
Dreadful and terrible.
And strong exceedingly.
And it had great iron teeth,
“ Si fas caedendo coelestia scaudere cuiquam,
Mi soli coeli maxima porta patet. ”
Pompey, who by his great acts and achievements merited the name of Magnus;
And stamped the residue with the feet of it,
And it was diverse from all the beasts.
And it had ten horns.
a Loc. Com.
b Heyl., Geog.
a fourth beast. Not Rome, for it has the “ten horns” when it is first seen. Moreover, these ten horns are not seen till the time of the end. This fourth beast therefore belongs to the time of the end. The beast of Rev 13:1-10 combines in himself all these resemblances. See note on Dan 7:23.
great iron teeth. Literally two (or two rows of) teeth, great ones.
the residue = the rest: i.e. the other three beasts which will be co-existent. They do not destroy or succeed one another, like the kingdoms in Dan 2; but are trampled on by the fourth beast. See Dan 7:12.
before = in front of, as in verses: Dan 7:10, Dan 7:13, Dan 7:20, and Dan 6:10, Dan 6:11, Dan 6:12, Dan 6:13, Dan 6:18, Dan 6:22, Dan 6:26, &c. Chaldee. kedam, as in Ezr 4:18, Ezr 4:23; Ezr 7:14, Ezr 7:19; and frequently in Dan. Ch. Dan 2:3, Dan 2:4, Dan 2:5. This shows that the three will be co-existent, for this could not be spoken of those who had long passed away.
ten horns. These are the same as in Rev 17:12, and represent the ten contemporaneous kings at the time of the end. See notes on verses: Dan 7:8, Dan 7:24.
Dan 7:7
Dan 7:7 AfterH870 thisH1836 I sawH1934 H2370 in the nightH3916 visions,H2376 and beholdH718 a fourthH7244 beast,H2423 dreadfulH1763 and terrible,H574 and strongH8624 exceedingly;H3493 and it had greatH7260 ironH1768 H6523 teeth:H8128 it devouredH399 and brake in pieces,H1855 and stampedH7512 the residueH7606 with the feetH7271 of it: and itH1932 was diverseH8133 fromH4481 allH3606 the beastsH2423 thatH1768 were beforeH6925 it; and it had tenH6236 horns.H7162
Dan 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.
This dreadful world empire which was exceedingly powerful and represented as the feet of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was the Roman Empire. The Romans were noted for their iron works which produced weapons of war among other things. The imagery of the stamping feet correspond with the imagery of the feet of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
This ferocious description fits the military fury and zeal of the Roman Empire, which crushed and devoured everything that sought to resist in its paths of conquest. Its landmass of domain would be far greater and its duration of existence would be longer than any of the preceding three empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia or Greece.
Horns symbolize power or authority. The common figurative use of “horn” is taken from the image of battling animals as seen in Dan 8:7 to denote aggressive strength. In Zec 1:18-21 “horns” stand for power in general. In Hab 3:4 the “horns coming out of his [God’s] hand” represent His power. Here in Dan 7:7, many horns are given to the same figure where they symbolize successive rulers or figures of power. The horns here would then represent the succession of emperors or rulers of the Roman empire. Dan 7:24 supports this succession of kings as the horns in the vision.
horns
A horn symbolizes a king. Cf. Rev 17:12.
I saw: Dan 7:2, Dan 7:13
a fourth: The Roman empire, which destroyed the Grecian, and became mistress of the world. Dan 7:19, Dan 7:23, Dan 2:40, Dan 8:10, 2Sa 22:43
and it had ten: Dan 7:24, Dan 2:41, Dan 2:42, Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:7, Rev 17:12
Reciprocal: Deu 28:50 – of fierce countenance Job 9:24 – earth Job 41:14 – his teeth Isa 29:20 – the terrible Jer 5:15 – a mighty Eze 28:7 – the terrible Eze 40:2 – the visions Dan 2:19 – in Dan 2:33 – General Dan 2:39 – another third Dan 8:7 – but Rev 13:2 – was like Rev 19:20 – the beast
Dan 7:7. The fourth beast (Roman) is described as dreadful and terrible. The first word is from an original that means to look dangerous; the second is defined in the lexicon as mighty, and both of these characteristics were true of the Roman Empire as history abundantly shows, iron, teeth is explained by the comments and history quoted at chapter 2: 40, and also are devoured and brake. I trust the reader will see that place before going further with the study of this verse. The ten harm corresponds to the ten toes in the 2nd chapter that belonged to the’ giant man in Nebuchadnezzars dream. They refer to ten European governments that Were within the Roman Empire and whose kings or other heads ruled their dominions in subjection to the great head in the city of Rome. It does not mean that just that number was all of such governments that existed, but they were representative of the group of local powers that made up the fourth and last world empire. The reason for selecting the number of ten is that the initial symbol for the subject was a human form which would call for ten since that is the proper number for the toes. The ten governments are, England, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium. Austria. Switzerland, Portugal, and Spain,
Dan 7:7. Behold a fourth beast This fourth kingdom can be no other than the Roman empire, which answers this emphatical description better than any of the former kingdoms. Dreadful, and terrible, and strong exceedingly And therefore compared to iron, Dan 2:40. It devoured and brake in pieces It spread its arms and its terrors to a much greater extent than any of the preceding powers, and entirely subdued all the remains of the former kingdoms, and all the nations that had been subject to them. It reduced Macedon into a Roman province about one hundred and sixty-eight years, the kingdom of Pergamus about one hundred and thirty-three years, Syria about sixty-five years, and Egypt about thirty years, before Christ. And besides the remains of the Macedonian empire, it subdued many other provinces and kingdoms; so that it might, by a very usual figure, be said to devour the whole earth, to tread it down and break it in pieces; and become, in a manner, what the Roman writers delighted to call it, The empire of the whole world. The words of Dionysius Halicarnassus are very apposite to this subject. The city of Rome, says he, ruleth over all the earth as far as it is inhabited, and commands all the sea, not only that within the Pillars of Hercules, but also the ocean, as far as it is navigable; having first and alone, of all the celebrated kingdoms, made the east and west the bounds of its empire, and its dominion hath continued longer than that of any other city or kingdom. And it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it This is intimated by its having no name, being more cruel and horrid than any sort of beast whatever; and the Roman power was so multiform, that it could not be pointed out by any one species of resemblance. And it was different from all kingdoms in its republican form of government, its greatness, length of duration, and extent of dominion. But its chief distinction consisted in its having ten horns, which we find at Dan 7:24 are ten kings or kingdoms: see also Rev 17:12. And these answer to the ten toes of the image, Dan 2:42. The empire continued in its greatness fill the reign of Theodosius the Great, and soon afterward the partition happened, and the broken form remained, for the ten kingdoms were to be no more united, till the Ancient of days should come.
7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a {l} fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great {m} iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped {n} the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had {o} ten horns.
(l) That is, the Roman empire which was a monster, and could not be compared to any beast, because there was no beast that was even comparable.
(m) Signifying the tyranny and greediness of the Romans.
(n) That which the Romans could not quietly enjoy in other countries, they would give it to other kings and rulers, so that whenever they wanted to, they might take it again: which liberality is here called the stamping of the rest under the feet.
(o) That is, various and different provinces which were governed by the deputies and proconsuls: and each one of these might be compared to a king.
Most conservative scholars believe that the fourth beast represents the Roman Empire, but critical scholars interpret it as referring to Greece. Walvoord called the identification of the fourth beast in chapter 7 "the crucial issue in the interpretation of the entire book of Daniel." [Note: Ibid., p. 159.]
In contrast to Greece, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire was slow. It began in 241 B.C. with the occupation of Sicily. Gradually it expanded throughout the whole Mediterranean world: western Europe including Britain, Gaul, and Spain; and western Asia as far east as the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. It formally ended in the Western Roman Empire in A.D. 410 when the Visigoths sacked Rome. However, its governmental influence persisted as late as A.D. 1453, when the last Roman ruler died in battle in Constantinople. [Note: For a brief history of Rome, see idem, The Nations . . ., pp. 83-87. For a longer one, see C. E. Van Sickle, A Political and Cultural History of the Ancient World, vol. 2. The standard and most exhaustive ancient history is the 12-volume Cambridge Ancient History, edited by Bury, Cook, and Adcock.]
Daniel did not compare the fourth beast that he saw to any known animal. It was unique. It was dreadful, terrifying, and extremely strong. Its large iron teeth chewed up what it attacked, and its feet crushed and trampled everything left by the former beasts.
". . . the Roman empire was ruthless in its destruction of civilizations and peoples, killing captives by the thousands and selling them into slavery by the hundreds of thousands." [Note: Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 161.]
"Rome had no interest in raising the conquered nations to any high level of development. All her designs were imperial; let the nations be crushed and stamped underfoot." [Note: Leupold, pp. 297-98.]
The identification of the 10 horns of this beast is more difficult. There is some obvious similarity between these 10 horns and the (10, by inference) toes of the image in chapter 2. They apparently represent 10 contemporaneous rulers (Dan 7:17). Horns pictured strength and rulers in ancient Near Eastern iconography, yet scholars have not been able to agree on the identification of 10 outstanding rulers of the Roman Empire who ruled simultaneously.
There are two basic views about the identity of the 10 horns. First, some scholars spiritualize the number 10 as well as the number three (Dan 7:8). That is, they do not take them literally. Almost all interpreters in this camp are amillennial. "Amillennial" refers to the belief that Jesus Christ will not reign on the earth for one thousand years in any literal sense. Of these interpreters, some believe these Numbers , 10 and three, refer to past rulers even though we cannot identify them. Young took the number 10 as figuratively indicating completeness. [Note: Young, pp. 148-50.] Others believe these 10 refer to future rulers who will appear at the second coming of Jesus Christ. [Note: Leupold, p. 308.] Still others believe the number refers generally to those who will reign with Christ in the future in heaven.
Second, some scholars believe we should take the Numbers 10 and three literally, since that is how we take most other numbers in the book. [Note: E.g., Walvoord, Archer, Pentecost, Wood, Feinberg, Campbell, Ironside, and Culver.] There is no clue in the text that we should interpret these numbers non-literally. This more consistent method of interpretation is what characterizes premillennialism. Premillennialists believe that prophecy, if interpreted literally, teaches that Jesus Christ will rule on the earth for 1,000 years following his Second Coming. Even amillennialists acknowledge that if one interprets prophecy consistently literally he or she will come out a premillennialist. They do not do so, however, because they believe that such a literal interpretation yields fanciful results. Consequently, they argue, we should adopt a different hermeneutic (method of interpretation) when reading prophecy, namely, a less literal one.
Most premillenarians believe that the 10 horns describe 10 rulers who will arise in the future and reign simultaneously. This obviously seems unlikely, since the Roman Empire is no longer in existence. However, there seem to be indications in Daniel and elsewhere in the Bible, which I will point out later, that God will revive or reestablish the Roman Empire in the future.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)