King James Version

What Does Daniel 7:5 Mean?

Daniel 7:5 in the King James Version says “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 mo...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. it raised: or, it raised up one dominion”

Daniel 7:5 · King James Version

Context

3

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

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. and it: or, wherewith it

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. it raised: or, it raised up one dominion

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.

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.

Read Daniel 7 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The second beast "like a bear" represents Media-Persia, matching Daniel 2's silver chest and arms. The bear, powerful but less majestic than the lion, indicates inferior dignity despite greater extent. The asymmetry—"raised up itself on one side"—reflects Persia's dominance over the Medes in the dual kingdom. The "three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth" symbolizes conquered territories: likely Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, the three major powers defeated by Persia.

The command "Arise, devour much flesh" indicates divinely permitted conquest. God sovereignly uses pagan empires to accomplish His purposes, including judgment on other nations. Persia's appetite for conquest, though representing imperial ambition, operates within divine permission and purpose. This illustrates the doctrine of divine providence—God's sovereign control extends even over actions flowing from creaturely will and sin.

The bear's methodical, powerful approach contrasts with the lion's swift majesty, matching historical reality: Persia conquered through sustained military campaigns and administrative consolidation rather than Babylon's rapid expansion. Yet both empires remain mere beasts in God's sight—powerful animals serving divine purposes but lacking eternal significance. This points to Christ's eternal kingdom that will crush all beastly empires (Daniel 2:34-35) and establish everlasting righteousness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Medo-Persian Empire (539-331 BC) conquered Babylon under Cyrus (539 BC) and expanded through Cambyses (Egypt, 525 BC) and Darius I (northwestern India to Greece). The empire's vastness exceeded Babylon's, stretching from India to Ethiopia, but lacked Babylon's cultural prestige and centralized power, matching the vision's imagery of greater extent but lesser glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the "three ribs" imagery illustrate God's sovereignty in permitting and limiting imperial conquest?
  2. What does the command to "devour much flesh" teach about God using pagan empires to accomplish His purposes, including judgment?
  3. How does the beast imagery for powerful empires challenge modern idolization of political and military power?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַאֲר֣וּ1 of 21

“And behold”

H718

lo!

חֵיוָה֩2 of 21

“beast”

H2423

an animal

אָחֳרִ֨י3 of 21

“another”

H317

other

תִנְיָנָ֜ה4 of 21

“a second”

H8578

second

דָּמְיָ֣ה5 of 21

“like”

H1821

to resemble

לְדֹ֗ב6 of 21

“to a bear”

H1678

the bear (as slow)

וְלִשְׂטַר7 of 21

“side”

H7859

a side

חַד֙8 of 21

“itself on one”

H2298

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

ק֥וּמִֽי9 of 21

“and it raised up”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וּתְלָ֥ת10 of 21

“and it had three”

H8532

three or third

עִלְעִ֛ין11 of 21

“ribs”

H5967

a rib

בְּפֻמַּ֖הּ12 of 21

“in the mouth”

H6433

the mouth (literally or figuratively)

בֵּ֣ין13 of 21

“of it between”

H997

between

שִׁנַּ֑יהּ14 of 21

“the teeth”

H8128

a tooth

וְכֵן֙15 of 21

“thus”

H3652

so

אָמְרִ֣ין16 of 21

“of it and they said”

H560

to speak, to command

לַ֔הּ17 of 21
H0
ק֥וּמִֽי18 of 21

“and it raised up”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֲכֻ֖לִי19 of 21

“devour”

H399

to eat

בְּשַׂ֥ר20 of 21

“flesh”

H1321

flesh

שַׂגִּֽיא׃21 of 21

“much”

H7690

large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)

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 7:5 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 7:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 2:39Isaiah 13:17-182 Kings 2:24Proverbs 17:12Hosea 13:8Jeremiah 50:21-32

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