Definition: In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 7:1. It’s a really significant passage that sets up a dramatic story about impending doom. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a dream Daniel had and the way he recorded it. It’s essentially saying that Daniel saw something incredibly important and began to write down everything he saw. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon..." – This is where we get to the context. Belshazzar was a powerful, wealthy ruler in Babylon, known for his opulent displays and sometimes questionable dealings. Daniel was a Jewish prophet who lived in Jerusalem during this time. "...Daniel had a dream..." – Daniel had a vision, a series of images and events that he saw. It's important to remember dreams are often symbolic; they don’t always mean literal things. "and visions of his head upon his bed:" - This is where the story gets really interesting! Daniel experienced a vivid dream where he was depicted as being on his bed . This is a key symbol – it suggests something momentous and significant is about to happen. "...then he wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters." - This is the core of the verse. Daniel didn't just keep the dream in his head. He meticulously recorded everything he saw in detail. He essentially created a detailed account of what was happening in this dream. What does it all mean? This is often interpreted as a prophecy about the downfall of Babylon and its king, Belshazzar. The "sum of the matters" could represent: A political crisis: It suggests that the kingdom of Babylon was on the verge of collapse due to its own hubris or corruption. Divine judgment: It's often seen as a sign that God is about to punish those who are unjust and greedy. Important Note: It’s crucial to understand this verse within the context of Daniel's whole book. Daniel was writing a narrative, so his dreams were likely symbolic and meant to be interpreted carefully. --- Resources for Further Exploration (Optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Daniel/71](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Daniel/71) – This website has detailed explanations and translations of the verse. Wikipedia - Daniel 7: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_7) – Provides a good overview of the story’s context and significance. Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Discuss the symbolism behind the dream? Talk about how this verse is used in different traditions or interpretations?