◄ Daniel 7:15 ►
I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me.
Study Bible
I, Daniel
This phrase establishes the personal nature of the narrative. Daniel, whose name means "God is my judge" in Hebrew, is a central figure in the book that bears his name. His personal involvement underscores the authenticity and gravity of the visions he receives. Daniel's role as a prophet and a statesman in Babylonian and Persian courts highlights his unique position to receive and interpret divine revelations.

was grieved in my spirit
The Hebrew word for "grieved" here conveys a deep emotional disturbance. Daniel's spirit, the innermost part of his being, is troubled by the visions he has seen. This reflects the profound impact of divine revelations on human emotions. The phrase suggests a spiritual and emotional burden, emphasizing the seriousness of the visions and their implications for the future.

and the visions in my mind
The term "visions" refers to supernatural revelations given by God. In the context of the Book of Daniel, these visions often contain symbolic imagery that requires interpretation. The "mind" here indicates the seat of understanding and perception. Daniel's experience of receiving visions in his mind suggests a divine communication that transcends ordinary human experience, requiring spiritual insight to comprehend.

alarmed me
The word "alarmed" indicates a state of fear or anxiety. Daniel's reaction to the visions is one of alarm, highlighting the unsettling nature of the revelations. This response is consistent with other biblical accounts where encounters with the divine or the supernatural evoke fear and awe. The alarm Daniel feels underscores the gravity of the prophetic message and the potential consequences for the people of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his unwavering faith and ability to interpret dreams and visions. In this chapter, Daniel receives a vision that deeply troubles him.

2. Visions
Daniel experiences a series of symbolic visions that reveal future events and kingdoms. These visions are complex and filled with imagery that requires interpretation.

3. Spirit
Refers to Daniel's inner being or soul, indicating the depth of his emotional and spiritual response to the visions he received.

4. Mind
The seat of Daniel's thoughts and understanding, where the visions were processed and understood, causing him alarm.

5. Alarm
The emotional response Daniel has to the visions, indicating a sense of fear or concern about their meaning and implications.
Teaching Points
Understanding Prophetic Visions
Prophetic visions often contain symbolic language that requires careful interpretation. Seek wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit and trusted biblical resources.

Emotional Responses to God's Revelations
It's natural to feel alarmed or grieved when confronted with challenging revelations. Use these emotions as a prompt to seek God more earnestly in prayer and study.

The Role of Faith in Uncertainty
Like Daniel, we may not always understand God's plans fully. Trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when the future seems uncertain.

The Importance of Community in Interpretation
Engage with a community of believers to discuss and interpret challenging scriptures. God often uses the collective wisdom of the church to bring clarity.

Prayer as a Response to Fear
When faced with fear or anxiety, turn to prayer as a means of finding peace and understanding, trusting that God will provide insight and comfort.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's reaction to his visions in Daniel 7:15 reflect our own responses to difficult or confusing situations in life?

2. In what ways can we seek understanding and peace when confronted with alarming or troubling revelations, as seen in Daniel's experience?

3. How do the visions in Daniel 7 connect with other prophetic scriptures, such as those in Revelation, and what does this teach us about God's overarching plan?

4. What role does community play in interpreting and understanding challenging biblical passages, and how can we apply this in our own Bible study practices?

5. How can Philippians 4:6-7 guide us in responding to fear and anxiety, and what practical steps can we take to apply this teaching in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 2
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which also involves symbolic imagery of future kingdoms, showing a pattern of God revealing future events through Daniel.

Revelation 13
The imagery of beasts and kingdoms in Daniel 7 parallels the visions in Revelation, suggesting a connection between Daniel's visions and end-time prophecies.

Philippians 4:6-7
Offers a New Testament perspective on dealing with anxiety and fear, providing a contrast to Daniel's initial alarm with the peace that comes through prayer and trust in God.
Sermons
Daniel's First VisionE. B. Pusey, D.D.Daniel 7:4-28
The First Two Visions of the Book of DanielT. R. Birks, M.A.Daniel 7:4-28
The Four BeastsOutlines by London MinisterDaniel 7:4-28
The Symbolical BeastsW. White.Daniel 7:4-28
The Vision of the Four BeastsWilliam M. Taylor, D.D.Daniel 7:4-28
Vision, of Four Wild BeastsT.Kirk.Daniel 7:4-28
Godly Obedience the Basis of Permanent DominionJ.D. Davies Daniel 7:15-28
The Great AntagonistH.T. Robjohns Daniel 7:15-28
People
Belshazzar, Daniel
Places
Babylon
Topics
Affrighted, Alarmed, Alarming, Anxious, Body, Daniel, Distressed, Disturbed, Grieved, Kept, Midst, Mind, Pained, Passed, Pierced, Sheath, Spirit, Trouble, Troubled, Troubling, Visions, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 7:15

     5063   spirit, nature of

Daniel 7:1-18

     1469   visions

Daniel 7:7-25

     4654   horn

Daniel 7:15-16

     4111   angels, servants

Daniel 7:15-18

     7730   explanation

Library
Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
THERE is but one rational explanation, of this sublime mystery; and this is found in Christ's own testimony concerning his superhuman and divine origin and character.[49]49 This testimony challenges at once our highest regard and belief from the absolute veracity which no one ever denied him, or could deny, without destroying at once the very foundation of his universally conceded moral purity and greatness. Christ strongly asserts his humanity, and calls himself; about eighty times in the Gospels, …
Philip Schaff—The Person of Christ

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
THE life and character of Jesus Christ is truly the Holy of Holies in the history of the world. Eighteen hundred years have passed away since he, in the fullness of time, appeared on this earth to redeem a fallen race from sin and death, and to open a never-ceasing fountain of righteousness and life. The ages before him anxiously awaited his coming as "the Desire of all nations;" the ages after him proclaim his glory, and ever extend his dominion. The noblest and best of men under every clime hold …
Philip Schaff—The Romance of M. Renan, and the Christ of the Gospels

The Apocalypse.
1. The word Apocalypse (Greek Apokalupsis) signifies Revelation, the title given to the book in our English version as well from its opening word as from its contents. Of all the writings of the New Testament that are classed by Eusebius among the disputed books (Antilegomena, chap. 5. 6), the apostolic authorship of this is sustained by the greatest amount of external evidence; so much so that Eusebius acknowledges it as doubtful whether it should be classed among the acknowledged or …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Captivity of Judah.
Eze., Dan., Lam. The Ten Tribes Lost. After the fall of Samaria we hear but little of the ten tribes. They were carried off into the regions of Ninevah by the Assyrians. All effort to locate them has failed and no doubt will fail. Sargon, in an inscription found at Ninevah, said that he carried away into captivity 27,290. These were perhaps leaders of Israel whom he thought might lead a revolt. He sent others back to take their place and the Israelites seemed to have mingled with the races about …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Communion Again Broken --Restoration
Cant. v. 2-vi.10. The fourth section commences with an address of the bride to the daughters of Jerusalem, in which she narrates her recent sad experience, and entreats their help in her trouble. The presence and comfort of her Bridegroom are again lost to her; not this time by relapse into worldliness, but by slothful self-indulgence. We are not told of the steps that led to her failure; of how self again found place in her heart. Perhaps spiritual pride in the achievements which grace enabled her …
J. Hudson Taylor—Union and Communion

The Ecclesiastical Trial
Over the Kedron, up the slope to the city, through the gates, along the silent streets, the procession passed, with Jesus in the midst; midnight stragglers, perhaps, hurrying forward from point to point to ask what was ado, and peering towards the Prisoner's face, before they diverged again towards their own homes.[1] He was conducted to the residence of the high priest, where His trial ensued. Jesus had to undergo two trials--the one ecclesiastical, the other civil; the one before Caiaphas the …
James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

Jesus at Capernaum.
Beset by an idea, gradually becoming more and more imperious and exclusive, Jesus proceeds henceforth with a kind of fatal impassibility in the path marked out by his astonishing genius and the extraordinary circumstances in which he lived. Hitherto he had only communicated his thoughts to a few persons secretly attracted to him; henceforward his teaching was sought after by the public. He was about thirty years of age.[1] The little group of hearers who had accompanied him to John the Baptist had, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." St. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles. The care of the churches gathered among them devolved particularly on him. At the writing of this epistle he had no personal acquaintance with the church to which it is addressed.* Epaphras, a bishop of the Colossians, then his fellow prisoner at Rome, had made him acquainted with their state, and the danger …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Jesus Stills the Storm.
(Sea of Galilee; Same Day as Last Section) ^A Matt. VIII. 18-27; ^B Mark IV. 35-41; ^C Luke VIII. 22-25. ^b 35 And that day, { ^c one of those days,} ^b when the even was come [about sunset], ^a when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. { ^b he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.} [Wearied with a day of strenuous toil, Jesus sought rest from the multitude by passing to the thinly settled on the east side of Galilee.] ^a 19 And there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

A vision of the King.
ONE of the most blessed occupations for the believer is the prayerful searching of God's holy Word to discover there new glories and fresh beauties of Him, who is altogether lovely. Shall we ever find out all which the written Word reveals of Himself and His worthiness? This wonderful theme can never be exhausted. The heart which is devoted to Him and longs through the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be closer to the Lord, to hear and know more of Himself, will always find something …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Situation after the Council of Nicæa.
The council (a) had testified, by its horrified and spontaneous rejection of it, that Arianism was a novelty subversive of the Christian faith as they had received it from their fathers. They had (b) banished it from the Church by an inexorable test, which even the leading supporters of Arius had been induced to subscribe. In the years immediately following, we find (c) a large majority of the Eastern bishops, especially of Syria and Asia Minor, the very regions whence the numerical strength of the …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
(Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 57-80. ^c 57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] ; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day [See Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Phil. iii. 5. Male children were named at their circumcision, probably …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
It almost seems, as if the departure of Jesus from Capernaum marked a crisis in the history of that town. From henceforth it ceases to be the center of His activity, and is only occasionally, and in passing, visited. Indeed, the concentration and growing power of Pharisaic opposition, and the proximity of Herod's residence at Tiberias [3013] would have rendered a permanent stay there impossible at this stage in our Lord's history. Henceforth, His Life is, indeed, not purely missionary, but He has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

History of the Interpretation.
1. AMONG THE JEWS. This History, as to its essential features, might, a priori, be sketched with tolerable certainty. From the nature of the case, we could scarcely expect that the Jews should have adopted views altogether erroneous as to the subject of the prophecy in question; for the Messiah appears in it, not in His humiliation, but in His glory--rich in gifts and blessings, and Pelagian self-delusion will, a priori, return an affirmative answer to the question as to whether one is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

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