Daniel 7:16-18 Meaning: Why God Sent an Angel with the Answer
16I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, that shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
16I have drawn near unto one of those standing, and the certainty I seek from him of all this; and he hath said to me, yea, the interpretation of the things he hath caused me to know:
17`These great beasts, that are four, are four kings, they rise up from the earth;
18and receive the kingdom do the saints of the Most High, and they strengthen the kingdom unto the age, even unto the age of the ages.
16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the certainty of all this. And he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things:
17These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, [that] shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the most high [places] shall receive the kingdom, and they shall possess the kingdom for ever, even to the ages of ages.
Meaning in one sentence
In Daniel 7, the prophet asks an angel for the meaning of his vision. The answer reveals something surprising about who gets the kingdom in the end.
Context
Daniel has seen things that trouble him deeply. Four beasts rise from the sea, a lion with eagle's wings, a bear, a leopard with four heads, and a terrifying beast with iron teeth. Then he watches the Ancient of Days take His throne, and one like a son of man approach Him. But Daniel does not understand what any of it means. So he does something wise: he asks. He steps closer to one of the angels standing near the throne and asks for the truth of what he has seen. The answer begins with the beasts, they are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth, but it ends with something far better. The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever.
Key Words
Two Aramaic words carry the weight of this scene. The first is qerev, the verb behind 'I came near.' Daniel does not wait at a distance, troubled and confused. He moves forward deliberately and asks. The word pictures someone stepping toward help rather than staying in fear.
The second is yats.tsiv, 'the truth' or 'the certainty.' Daniel does not ask for a guess or an opinion. He wants something firm and reliable, the real meaning underneath the terrifying images. God honours that kind of asking.
And then there is the title for the people who receive the kingdom: qadish, 'holy ones.' They belong to the Most High, el-yon. Their holiness is not their own achievement. It comes from belonging to the Highest One.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this promise in different ways, though they agree on its hope. Many Reformed and Protestant interpreters see the saints as God's faithful people in every age, who will share Christ's reign. Wesleyan and Methodist readers have emphasised that this kingdom comes through the redemption accomplished by Jesus and received by His disciples. Some traditions connect the 'holy ones' specifically to the Church, while others see a broader reference to all God's people, including Israel. Catholic readers have understood the 'Most High' in light of the full revelation of the Trinity. What unites these readings is the conviction that the beasts do not get the last word. God's people do.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take the four kings in verse 17 as individual rulers they can identify by name. In fact, the word 'kings' in this context means 'kingdoms' or dynasties, a common usage in Daniel. The beasts represent successive empires, not single figures. The point is not to give us a puzzle to solve, but to show that every human empire, no matter how terrifying, will give way to God's lasting kingdom.
Living This Out
Daniel could have stayed in his fear. The vision was disturbing enough to leave anyone shaken. But he did something we can do this week: he turned to someone who could help him understand. You might not have an angel standing by. But you have Scripture, you have trusted friends in your church, you have the Spirit who Jesus promised would guide you into truth. When a situation in your life leaves you confused or afraid, you can ask for understanding.
And here is what the angel finally says: the kingdom belongs to God's holy ones. Not to the powerful or the ruthless who devour and crush. To the ones who belong to the Most High. That is where history is heading. That truth can steady you today.
Main takeaway: The beasts rise and fall, but the holy ones of the Most High receive a kingdom that never ends.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
In Daniel's dream, he saw four big, scary animals. But an angel told him that God's people would get the kingdom in the end. God's people win.
For ages 9, 12
Daniel saw a vision of four beasts that scared him. He asked an angel what it meant. The angel said the beasts were kingdoms that would rise and fall. But then came the good part: the people who belong to God would receive a kingdom that lasts forever. That means even when things look scary, God's people have a future that nothing can take away.
Questions People Ask
Who are 'those who stood by' in Daniel 7:16?
These are angels standing near God's throne. In Daniel 7:10, we read that 'ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.' Daniel approaches one of these angelic attendants for help understanding his vision. This pattern, an angel interpreting a vision, is common in apocalyptic books like Daniel and Revelation.
Are the four beasts in Daniel 7 individual kings or entire kingdoms?
Most commentators see the four beasts as representing four kingdoms or dynasties, not individual kings. The word 'kings' in verse 17 is used broadly to mean kingdoms or empires, as the parallel in verse 23 makes clear when it calls the fourth beast 'the fourth kingdom.' The beasts represent successive world powers that arise from the earth.
Who are 'the saints of the Most High' in Daniel 7:18?
The term 'saints' (qadish in Aramaic) means 'holy ones', people set apart for God. Across Christian traditions, this is understood as God's faithful people. Some connect it specifically to the Church, others include Israel, and many see it as all who belong to God through faith. The key point is that this kingdom is given not to powerful empires but to those who belong to the Most High.
Is the kingdom in Daniel 7:18 a future earthly kingdom or a spiritual one?
Christians have understood this differently. Some see it as a future earthly reign of Christ and His people. Others emphasise that Christ currently reigns in heaven and that His people already share in that spiritual kingdom, with its full realisation still to come. Both views agree that this kingdom is everlasting, 'forever, even forever and ever', unlike the temporary kingdoms of the beasts.
Why does Daniel ask an angel for interpretation instead of God telling him directly?
In earlier prophetic books, God often spoke directly to prophets. But in the apocalyptic visions of Daniel, an angel mediates the revelation. This shift is characteristic of later Old Testament prophecy. It highlights that God works through messengers, and it draws attention to the distance between heaven and earth. Yet Daniel is still encouraged to draw near and ask, God does not leave him in confusion.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study