Daniel 7:5
And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The detail of the bear being "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it signifies that the Medo-Persian kingdom, represented by the bear, was composed of two dominant elements, with one (Persia) eventually rising to surpass the other (Media). Furthermore, the "three ribs in its mouth" are not merely a trophy of past battles but represent significant kingdoms that had been forcefully subdued and were being "ground" and oppressed by this rising power.
Daniel is witnessing a series of symbolic beasts, each representing a powerful empire that will follow Babylon. This second vision is of a bear-like creature, depicted as fierce and powerful, with three ribs clutched in its mouth and a command to "devour much flesh." This imagery signifies a conquering kingdom that has already subdued others and is poised for further destruction and expansion.
Why a bear? This fearsome animal isn't just for show in Daniel's vision. It speaks volumes about the nature of the kingdom it represents.
The second beast in Daniel's vision is compared to a bear. This isn't random! Bears were known for their cruelty, ferocity, and a rough, unpolished nature.
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The bear doesn't just stand there; it 'raised itself up on one side.' What does this peculiar posture signify for this emerging empire?
The vision shows the bear 'raised up on one side.' This detail points to the origin and development of the Medo-Persian Empire:
Three ribs in its mouth... between its teeth. This image is graphic. What does it reveal about the kingdom's past victories and future appetite?
The most striking image is the 'three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth.' This isn't just about being a predator; it's about what the predator has already consumed:
Understand the original words
dob · Aramaic Noun
A symbol of predatory power, relentless strength, and danger, often used to depict an empire that crushes and consumes its subjects or enemies.
The imagery of the bear with three ribs in its mouth points to the Medo-Persian Empire's aggressive expansion, particularly its subjugation of Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt, marking a brutal shift in regional power following the Babylonian era.
c. 612 BC
Fall of Nineveh
The Neo-Assyrian Empire falls as its capital, Nineveh, is conquered by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes. This event marks the ascendancy of the Babylonian Empire and the rising prominence of the Medes.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus II, ruler of Anshan in Persia, revolts against his Median overlord, Astyages. He establishes the Achaemenid Persian Empire, uniting the Persians and Medes under his rule.
c. 547 BC— this verse
Conquest of Lydia
Cyrus the Great decisively defeats Croesus of Lydia, a major kingdom in Asia Minor. This victory secures Persian control over a significant region and demonstrates the empire's growing power.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, a pivotal moment that centralizes control of Mesopotamia under Persian rule and effectively ends the Babylonian dominion.
c. 525 BC
Conquest of Egypt
Cambyses II, son of Cyrus, conquers Egypt, bringing the ancient land into the Persian Achaemenid Empire. This further expands the empire's vast territory.
This passage in Daniel describes a statue with a chest and arms of silver, which directly corresponds to the Medo-Persian Empire, mirroring the symbol of the bear in Daniel 7.
This prophetic passage calls on the 'kings of the Medes' to destroy Babylon, aligning with the aggressive, devouring nature of the bear symbol and the command given to it.
Isaiah 13:17Isaiah prophesies that the Medes will be the destroyers of Babylon, a powerful and fierce action that echoes the 'devour much flesh' command given to the bear.
Daniel 8:3-4This vision of a ram with two horns, which pushes and tramples, provides another symbolic representation of the Medo-Persian Empire, emphasizing its dual nature and aggressive expansion.
ellicottDaniel 7:5: "And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh."
(5) And behold another beast.— We are not told what became of the first beast. (Comp. Daniel 7:12 .) The word “behold” implies that this was the next object which arrested the seer’s attention. The second beast corresponds to the silver portion of the Colossus (Daniel 2). One…
clarkeDaniel 7:5: "And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh."
Another beast - like to a bear - This was the Medo-Persian empire, represented here under the symbol of the bear, as the largest species of these animals was found in Media, a mountainous, cold, and rough country, covered with woods. The Medes and Persians are compared to a b…
The detail of the bear being "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it signifies that the Medo-Persian kingdom, represented by the bear, was composed of two dominant elements, with one (Persia) eventually rising to surpass the other (Media). Furthermore, the "three ribs in its mouth" are not merely a trophy of past battles but represent significant kingdoms that had been forcefully subdued and were being "ground" and oppressed by this rising power.
Daniel is witnessing a series of symbolic beasts, each representing a powerful empire that will follow Babylon. This second vision is of a bear-like creature, depicted as fierce and powerful, with three ribs clutched in its mouth and a command to "devour much flesh." This imagery signifies a conquering kingdom that has already subdued others and is poised for further destruction and expansion.
Daniel is witnessing a series of symbolic beasts, each representing a powerful empire that will follow Babylon. This second vision is of a bear-like creature, depicted as fierce and powerful, with three ribs clutched in its mouth and a command to "devour much flesh." This imagery signifies a conquering kingdom that has already subdued others and is poised for further destruction and expansion.
"And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’" — The detail of the bear being "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it signifies that the Medo-Persian kingdom, represented by the bear, was composed of two dominant elements, with one…
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