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Verse Takeaways
1
"Kings" Means "Kingdoms"
Commentators unanimously clarify that the "four kings" in this verse do not refer to four individual rulers, but to four successive empires or dynasties. Scholars point out that the Bible often uses the term "king" as a synonym for "kingdom," representing the entire dominion through its head. This interpretation is confirmed later in the chapter (v. 23), where the fourth beast is explicitly called the "fourth kingdom."
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Daniel
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Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Daniel 7:17
18th Century
Theologian
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings - Four kings or four dynasties. There is no reason for supposing that they refer…
Charles Ellicott
On Daniel 7:17
19th Century
Bishop
Four kings.— Kingdoms are frequently represented by their heads or founders; hence kings and kingdoms are occasionally used synony…
John Calvin
On Daniel 7:17–18
16th Century
Theologian
Here the angel answers Daniel concerning the four beasts which had been shown him in the vision. He says, therefore, Four kingdoms arose, …
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John Gill
On Daniel 7:17
17th Century
Pastor
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings
Or kingdoms, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic version…
Matthew Henry
On Daniel 7:15–28
17th Century
Minister
It is desirable to obtain the correct and complete sense of what we see and hear from God; and those who would know must ask through faithful and f…