4:16 Let his mind 1 be altered from that of a human being,
and let an animal’s mind be given to him,
and let seven periods of time 2 go by for 3 him.
7:6 “After these things, 4 as I was watching, another beast 5 like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back. 6 This beast had four heads, 7 and ruling authority was given to it.
7:14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.
All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving 8 him.
His authority is eternal and will not pass away. 9
His kingdom will not be destroyed. 10
1 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.
2 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.
3 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
4 tn Aram “this.” So also in v. 7.
5 tn Aram “and behold, another one.”
6 tn Or “sides.”
7 sn If the third animal is Greece, the most likely identification of these four heads is the four-fold division of the empire of Alexander the Great following his death. See note on Dan 8:8.
8 tn Some take “serving” here in the sense of “worshiping.”
9 tn Aram “is an eternal authority which will not pass away.”
10 tn Aram “is one which will not be destroyed.”