until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as simply "justice for the good guys." But notice the wording: "judgment was given to the saints." This doesn't mean judgment was pronounced in their favor, but that the authority to execute judgment, and thus rule, was entrusted to them. This highlights that God’s kingdom isn't just about vindication, but about the redeemed actively participating in His reign.
until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks a dramatic shift in Daniel's vision, moving from the destructive power of the little horn that wages war against God's people to a divine intervention. God himself, depicted as the "Ancient of Days," arrives to deliver judgment, ultimately vindicating the saints and ushering in their possession of an everlasting kingdom.
Imagine a cosmic courtroom where divine justice is about to be served. Who is this 'Ancient of Days,' and what does His arrival signify?
The phrase 'Ancient of Days' (a title found in Daniel 7:9, 13) points to God the Father, the eternal, self-existent One. His coming here isn't about physical movement, but about divine intervention. It marks the decisive moment when God steps into the historical narrative to bring an end to oppression and establish His ultimate justice. This isn't a distant, abstract concept; it's the powerful assurance that God's intervention is inevitable, bringing a definitive end to evil.
This arrival signals the climax of the conflict described earlier in Daniel 7, where a 'little horn' persecutes the saints. The 'Ancient of Days' coming signifies the end of that reign of terror and the beginning of God's sovereign reign being fully realized on earth.
The verse speaks of 'judgment was given for the saints.' What does this mean for those who have suffered?
This isn't about the saints being judges themselves, but rather that a favorable verdict, a righteous judgment, is pronounced in their favor. After enduring persecution and suffering, their vindication is officially declared. It's the divine declaration that their cause is just and their oppressors will be held accountable.
This judgment signifies several things:
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The ultimate outcome is that 'the saints possessed the kingdom.' What kind of kingdom is this, and what does possession look like?
This is the glorious culmination: the saints, through God's decisive action and judgment, inherit the kingdom. This kingdom is not merely a political or earthly domain, but the eternal reign of God established in its fullness. It represents a reality where righteousness, peace, and holiness reign supreme, free from the corruption and oppression that characterized previous ages.
'Possessing the kingdom' means:
This inheritance is a gift from God, secured by His judgment and finally realized when His divine timeline is complete.
Understand the original words
attiyq yowmiyn · Aramaic Proper Noun Phrase
A title for God highlighting His eternal nature, existence before creation, and supreme authority as the final Judge of all history.
diyn · Aramaic Noun
The act of God issuing a verdict or settling a case. Biblically, it signifies the vindication of the righteous and the condemnation of the wicked at the end of the age.
‘illaya’ · Aramaic Adjective/Noun
A title for the God of Israel, emphasizing His superiority over all other powers, idols, or worldly entities.
malkuw · Aramaic Noun
The sovereign rule or reign of God, which is established permanently and extends over all peoples, nations, and languages.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of Israelites, including Daniel and his friends, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, with a final wave of exiles sent to Babylon. This event deeply impacted Jewish identity and hope for future restoration.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in a new empire. This event paved the way for the eventual return of the exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. Many return, but the prophecy in Daniel speaks of a future, ultimate restoration.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire, led by the Maccabees, fights against oppression and desecration of the Temple. This period of struggle highlights themes of faithfulness amidst persecution.
c. 1st Century AD - 1st Century AD
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea comes under Roman control, a period marked by political tension, Roman governors, and the expectation of a divine kingdom. This context fuels the longing for God's ultimate judgment and vindication.
c. 1st Century AD - 1st Century AD— this verse
Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man
Daniel receives a vision of four beasts representing world empires, followed by the coming of the 'Ancient of Days' and a 'Son of Man' figure who receives an everlasting kingdom. This vision is central to understanding God's ultimate triumph over oppressive powers and the vindication of His people.
This passage echoes Daniel's vision by stating that the saints will judge the world and rule with Christ, directly linking the concept of judgment given to the saints with their future reign.
Revelation 20:4This verse describes the martyrs reigning with Christ for a thousand years after experiencing judgment, offering a New Testament parallel to the Old Testament prophecy of the saints possessing the kingdom.
Daniel 7:27This verse immediately follows Daniel 7:22 and serves as its own explanation, explicitly stating that the kingdom and dominion and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.
Psalm 149:5-9This psalm speaks of the saints exulting in glory and executing judgment on nations, mirroring the theme of divine judgment and the saints' possession of authority described in Daniel.
clarkeDaniel 7:22: "Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."
Saints of the Most High - To the supereminent saints; see the note on Daniel 7:18 (note).
barnesDaniel 7:22: "Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."
Until the Ancient of days came - Notes, Daniel 7:9 . That is, this was to occur after the horn grew to its full size, and after the war was made with the saints, and they had been overcome. It does not affirm that this would occur immediately, but that at some subsequent period the Ancient of days would come, and would set up a kingdom on…
It's easy to read this as simply "justice for the good guys." But notice the wording: "judgment was given to the saints." This doesn't mean judgment was pronounced in their favor, but that the authority to execute judgment, and thus rule, was entrusted to them. This highlights that God’s kingdom isn't just about vindication, but about the redeemed actively participating in His reign.
This verse marks a dramatic shift in Daniel's vision, moving from the destructive power of the little horn that wages war against God's people to a divine intervention. God himself, depicted as the "Ancient of Days," arrives to deliver judgment, ultimately vindicating the saints and ushering in their possession of an everlasting kingdom.
This verse marks a dramatic shift in Daniel's vision, moving from the destructive power of the little horn that wages war against God's people to a divine intervention. God himself, depicted as the "Ancient of Days," arrives to deliver judgment, ultimately vindicating the saints and ushering in their possession of an everlasting kingdom.
"until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom." — It's easy to read this as simply "justice for the good guys." But notice the wording: "judgment was given to the saints." This doesn't mean judgment was pronounced in their favor, but that the au…
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Last reviewed October 2026