Daniel 7:4

“The first was like a lion, etc.] That which rose up first, the kingdom of the Babylonians, as the Syriac version expresses it; or the Assyrian monarchy, founded by Nimrod, increased by the Assyrians, and brought to its height under Nebuchadnezzar by the Babylonians and Chaldeans; this is said to be like a “lion” for its strength and power, for its greatness, dignity, and majesty; the same with the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; (see <240407>Jeremiah 4:7 50:17): and had eagles’ wings; denoting the celerity and swiftness with which Nebuchadnezzar ran, or rather flew, over several kingdoms and countries, and added them to his empire; (see <240413>Jeremiah 4:13 48:40 49:22): and I…”

“lion--the symbol of strength and courage; chief among the kingdoms, as the lion among the beasts. Nebuchadnezzar is called "the lion" (Jer 4:7). eagle's wings--denoting a widespread and rapidly acquired (Isa 46:11; Jer 4:13; Lam 4:19; Hab 1:6) empire (Jer 48:40). plucked--Its ability for widespread conquests passed away under Evil-merodach, &c. [GROTIUS]; rather, during Nebuchadnezzar's privation of his throne, while deranged. it was lifted up from the earth--that is, from its grovelling bestiality. made stand . . . as a man--So long as Nebuchadnezzar, in haughty pride, relied on his own strength, he forfeited the true dignity of man, and was therefore degraded to be with the beasts. Dan…”

“The first was like a lion - It is to be assumed, in explaining and applying these symbols, that they are significant - that is, that there was some adaptedness or propriety in using these symbols to denote the kingdoms referred to; or that in each case there was a reason why the particular animal was selected for a symbol rather than one of the others; that is, there was something in the lion that was better fitted to symbolize the kingdom referred to than there was in the bear or the leopard, and this was the reason why this particular symbol was chosen in the case. It is to be further assumed that all the characteristics in the symbol were significant, and we are to expect to find them all…”

“The first - This was the Chaldean, or Assyrian; whose seat was first at Babylon, afterwards at Nineveh, and then at Babylon again. Eagle's wings - They were swift, over - running many countries, and brought their monarchy to a prodigious height in a short time. The wings were plucked - Which was first done in stopping the career of their victories, and afterwards in casting them out of their kingdom. A man's heart - They lost their lion - like courage, and became faint and cowardly like other men. Daniel 7:5”

“7:4 The lion and eagle are dignified rulers in their realms. Lions featured prominently in ancient art and architecture. Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon are represented as a lion and an eagle attacking Edom (Jer 49:19, 22). • This beast became like a human being and was given a human mind: Nebuchadnezzar had taken on the mind of a beast (Dan 4:16, 32-33), but then he was restored and learned to acknowledge the Most High God (4:34-37).”

“like: Deu 28:49; Sa2 1:23; Isa 5:28, Isa 5:29; Jer 4:7, Jer 4:13, Jer 25:38, Jer 48:40; Lam 4:19; Eze 17:3; Hab 1:6-8; Mat 24:28 the wings: Dan 4:31-33; Jer 50:30-32 and it: or, wherewith it, etc lifted: Dan 4:30, Dan 5:18-23; Isa 14:13-17; Jer. 25:9-26; Hab 2:5-10 and a: Dan 4:32, Dan 4:36; Job 25:6; Psa 9:20; Eze 28:2, Eze 28:9 Daniel 7:5”

“In these verses there is a description of the four beasts. - Dan 7:4. The first beasts resembled a lion with eagle's wings. At the entrance to a temple at Birs Nimrud there has been found (Layard, Bab. and Nin.) such a symbolical figure, viz., a winged eagle with the head of a man. There have been found also images of winged beasts at Babylon (Mnter, Relig. der Bab.). These discoveries may be referred to as evidence that this book was composed in Babylon, and also as explaining the Babylonian colouring of the dream. But the representation of nations and kingdoms by the images of beasts is much more widely spread, and affords the prophetic symbolism the necessary analogues and substrata for…”