King James Version

What Does Daniel 7:1 Mean?

Daniel 7:1 in the King James Version says “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote t...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. had: Cald. saw matters: or, words”

Daniel 7:1 · King James Version

Context

1

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. had: Cald. saw matters: or, words

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.

3

And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Read Daniel 7 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Chapter 7 shifts from historical narrative to apocalyptic vision: 'In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.' The chronology returns to earlier period (Belshazzar's first year, circa 553 BC), before chapter 5's events. The phrase 'visions of his head upon his bed' indicates divinely sent revelation during sleep. 'Wrote the dream' shows prophetic responsibility to preserve revelation for future generations. This chapter provides heavenly perspective on earthly kingdoms, complementing chapter 2's vision from pagan king's viewpoint.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Belshazzar ruled as co-regent with his father Nabonidus from approximately 553 BC. Daniel's vision came during relatively peaceful period before Babylon's fall. The apocalyptic genre—symbolic visions requiring interpretation—became prominent in this period and influenced later biblical literature (Ezekiel, Zechariah, Revelation). The vision's preservation in writing ensured transmission to later generations. Ancient Near Eastern culture valued dreams as divine communication but typically sought interpretation through divination; biblical prophecy emphasized divine initiative in sending and interpreting visions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does receiving revelation from God's perspective (chapter 7) complement seeing history from human perspective (chapters 1-6)?
  2. What does the command to write the vision teach about Scripture's role preserving divine revelation for future generations?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת1 of 18

“year”

H8140

year

חֲדָ֗ה2 of 18

“In the first”

H2298

as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once

לְבֵלְאשַׁצַּר֙3 of 18

“of Belshazzar”

H1113

belshatstsar, a babylonian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ4 of 18

“king”

H4430

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל5 of 18

“of Babylon”

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

דָּנִיֵּאל֙6 of 18

“Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

חֶלְמָ֣א7 of 18

“a dream”

H2493

a dream

חֲזָ֔ה8 of 18

“had”

H2370

to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)

וְחֶזְוֵ֥י9 of 18

“and visions”

H2376

a sight

רֵ֥אשׁ10 of 18

“of his head”

H7217

the head; figuratively, the sum

עַֽל11 of 18

“upon”

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁכְּבֵ֑הּ12 of 18

“his bed”

H4903

a bed

בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙13 of 18

“then”

H116

then (of time)

חֶלְמָ֣א14 of 18

“a dream”

H2493

a dream

כְתַ֔ב15 of 18

“he wrote”

H3790

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

רֵ֥אשׁ16 of 18

“of his head”

H7217

the head; figuratively, the sum

מִלִּ֖ין17 of 18

“of the matters”

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

אֲמַֽר׃18 of 18

“and told”

H560

to speak, to command

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 7:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 2:28Daniel 4:5Daniel 1:17Jeremiah 23:28Amos 3:7Daniel 5:1

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Daniel 7 →

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