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)
The subtle detail of the bear "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it highlights the dual nature of the empire that follows, emphasizing how one element (Persia) would ultimately overshadow the other (Media), becoming the dominant force. The three ribs in its mouth, rather than just signifying past conquests, symbolize the brutal way this rising power consumed and oppressed nations, integrating them into its strength.
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)
Daniel is seeing a series of visions depicting future empires after Babylon. This second vision presents a ferocious bear, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, which was known for its cruelty and vast conquests, particularly the subjugation of Lydia and Egypt, represented by the three ribs it clutches. The beast is then commanded to continue its relentless expansion, consuming more nations.
Why is this powerful empire compared to a bear, an animal known for its raw strength and sometimes unpredictable nature? What does this tell us about its character and how it operated?
The bear in Daniel's vision represents the Medo-Persian Empire. This choice of imagery isn't random. Bears are known for their ferocity, their immense strength, and a certain cunning. This aligns with historical accounts of the Medo-Persian Empire's rise and its methods of conquest. They were a formidable power, often characterized by harshness and a relentless pursuit of dominance.
The vision shows the bear 'raised up on one side' with 'three ribs in its mouth.' What do these striking details signify about the empire's origins and its early conquests?
The imagery of the bear rising on one side and holding three ribs suggests both the internal dynamics of the Medo-Persian Empire and its early territorial gains.
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The vision culminates in a command: 'Arise, devour much flesh.' Who speaks this command, and what does it reveal about God's sovereignty over even fierce, destructive empires?
The command given to the bear – 'Arise, devour much flesh' – is a profound declaration of divine authority. While the bear represents a powerful and potentially brutal empire, the command originates from a higher power, indicating that even its conquests are permitted and directed by God's overarching plan.
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.
This vision of the bear likely represents the Medo-Persian Empire. The way it is depicted – raised on one side with three ribs in its mouth – points to the empire's dual nature (Median and Persian) and its rapid conquests of key regions like Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, which formed the foundation of its power.
c. 620 BC
Rise of the Median Empire
The Median Empire, a powerful force in ancient Near East, began to expand its influence, eventually challenging Assyria.
612 BC
Fall of Nineveh
The combined forces of the Babylonians and Medes conquered the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, marking the end of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of Babylon and Media as dominant powers.
c. 559 BC
Cyrus the Great Ascends the Persian Throne
Cyrus, ruler of the small Persian kingdom, became king, beginning a period of rapid expansion that would soon engulf the Median Empire.
c. 550 BC— this verse
Cyrus Overthrows the Median Empire
Cyrus united the Medes and Persians under his rule, effectively establishing the Medo-Persian Empire, which would become a vast power.
547-546 BC
Conquest of Lydia
Cyrus conquered the wealthy Kingdom of Lydia, significantly expanding the Medo-Persian Empire's territory and resources.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great captured Babylon, adding its vast empire and influence to the Medo-Persian dominion. This event is often seen as the culmination of the empire's initial rapid growth.
This passage describes the second kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, symbolized by silver, which is directly parallel to the bear in Daniel 7, highlighting its inferiority to the first kingdom but its vast dominion.
Jeremiah 51:11Jeremiah prophesies against Babylon, mentioning the 'kings of the Medes,' which connects to the interpretation of the bear as the Medo-Persian empire and its aggressive nature.
Isaiah 13:17This prophecy describes the Medes as instruments of God's wrath against Babylon, foreshadowing the rise of the Medo-Persian empire to conquer and 'devour' other nations.
Daniel 8:3This chapter describes a ram with two horns, which is widely interpreted as the Medo-Persian empire, further reinforcing the imagery of a dual or 'one-sided' power similar to the bear.
Daniel 7:17This verse explains that the beasts represent kingdoms, directly supporting the interpretation that the bear symbolizes a specific empire with a voracious appetite for conquest.
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 subtle detail of the bear "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it highlights the dual nature of the empire that follows, emphasizing how one element (Persia) would ultimately overshadow the other (Media), becoming the dominant force. The three ribs in its mouth, rather than just signifying past conquests, symbolize the brutal way this rising power consumed and oppressed nations, integrating them into its strength.
Daniel is seeing a series of visions depicting future empires after Babylon. This second vision presents a ferocious bear, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, which was known for its cruelty and vast conquests, particularly the subjugation of Lydia and Egypt, represented by the three ribs it clutches. The beast is then commanded to continue its relentless expansion, consuming more nations.
Daniel is seeing a series of visions depicting future empires after Babylon. This second vision presents a ferocious bear, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, which was known for its cruelty and vast conquests, particularly the subjugation of Lydia and Egypt, represented by the three ribs it clutches. The beast is then commanded to continue its relentless expansion, consuming more nations.
"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 subtle detail of the bear "raised up on one side" isn't just about its posture; it highlights the dual nature of the empire that follows, emphasizing how one element (Persia) would ultimately ove…
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Last reviewed October 2026