OET interlinear DAN 7:4

7:4a

The first beast was like a lion: The phrase The first beast was like a lion indicates that this first beast to emerge from the ocean looked something like a lion. It was not a lion, but its body resembled that of a lion.Many scholars think that this is a reference to the kingdom of Babylon. See also Revelation 4:7, where a similar phrase occurs, describing a heavenly being. Here are some other ways to translate this:

The first was like a lion (NIV)

The first one looked like a lion (GNT)

The first animal/creature appeared to be a lion

a lion: The lion is a large and dangerous animal in the cat family. See how you translated this in Genesis 4:9, 1 Samuel 17:34, Hebrews 11:33, or 1 Peter 5:8.

7:4b

and it had the wings of an eagle: The lion-like beast had wings that looked like eagle’s wings. Here are some other ways to translate this:

and had eagles’ wings (RSV)

with eagle’s wings (NJB)

and: The Aramaic conjunction that the BSB translates as and here introduces an exception to the statement in the previous clause. The first beast had the general appearance of a lion but with wings like those of an eagle. Since this is against expectation, in some languages it may be natural to translate the conjunction with a word indicating contrast. For example:

but (GNT)

an eagle: The eagle is a very large bird that attacks and eats small mammals. See how you translated eagle in Exodus 19:4, Psalm 103:5, and Revelation 4:7 and 8:13.

7:4c

I watched until its wings were torn off: While Daniel was watching, someone removed the wings of the beast. The phrase were torn off is passive and so who did this is not stated. There are two ways to translate this:

• Using a passive verb. For example:

  as I looked, its wings were torn off (NJB)

• Using an active verb with a general subject. For example:

  someone/they tore off its wings

7:4d

and it was lifted up from the ground: The Aramaic clause that the BSB translates as it was lifted up from the ground here probably indicates that someone forced or caused the creature to rise up on its hind legs. The phrase it was lifted up is also passive and so the subject is not indicated. There are again two ways to translate this:

• Using a passive verb. For example:

  it was lifted to an upright position (CEV)

  it was raised from the ground

• Using an active verb with a general subject. For example

  they lifted/raised it from the ground

  someone caused it to rise

7:4e

and made to stand on two feet like a man: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as and made to stand here introduces what happened when the beast was lifted from the earth. It was forced to stand upright, on its two back legs. Here are some other ways to translate this:

so that it stood on two feet like a human being (NIV)

and made to stand up straight (GNT)

and set standing on its feet like a human (NJB)

and given the mind of a man: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as mind is literally “heart.” In Hebrew thinking the heart was the center of thinking and reasoning as well as feeling. So this verse part indicates that the beast began to think like a human being. It is a passive clause, and there are at least two ways to translate it:

• Using a passive verb. For example:

  and was given a human mind (GW)

  and it was made able to think like a human

• Using an active verb. For example:

  it received the mind of a human

  it received the ability to think like a human being

Many scholars think that this refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his acceptance of God’s rule in his life. In your translation, try to allow for this possibility but do not make it explicit.

7:4f