Lexical Summary nemar: leopard Original Word: נְמַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance leopard (Aramaic) corresponding to namer -- leopard. see HEBREW namer NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to namer Definition a leopard NASB Translation leopard (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְמַר noun [masculine] leopard (see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute Daniel 7:6. Topical Lexicon Symbolism of the Leopard in ScriptureThroughout the Bible the leopard represents swiftness, stealth, and formidable power. It appears among other predators used by the prophets to portray impending judgment (Jeremiah 5:6; Hosea 13:7) and the terrifying speed of invading forces (Habakkuk 1:8). In Isaiah’s vision of the Messianic age, the leopard’s reconciliation with the young goat (Isaiah 11:6) symbolizes the sweeping peace that will characterize the future reign of the Messiah. This consistent imagery lays the foundation for understanding the singular Aramaic reference in Daniel. Context in Daniel 7 Daniel 7:6: “After this, as I watched, another beast appeared, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads, and dominion was given to it.” The verse forms part of Daniel’s night visions, where four beasts rise from the Great Sea, each representing successive Gentile empires. The leopard is the third beast, following the lion-like and the bear-like kingdoms. Its four wings stress extraordinary speed, while the four heads indicate a fourfold division of authority under a single imperial identity. The passive statement “dominion was given to it” underscores that the rise and reach of every empire operate under the sovereign grant of God (Daniel 2:21). Historical Fulfillment Conservative interpreters historically identify the leopard with the Hellenistic empire formed by Alexander the Great: 1. Swiftness: In slightly more than a decade Alexander conquered territories from Greece to India, an unprecedented advance that aptly matches the imagery of a winged leopard. Prophetic Parallels and Eschatology The leopard imagery reappears in Revelation 13:2, where the composite beast has “the body of a leopard,” linking Daniel’s vision with John’s. Revelation gathers features from all four Danielic beasts, signaling that the final antichrist system will embody characteristics of previous empires in concentrated form. By tracing the symbol from Daniel to Revelation, Scripture reveals an integrated prophetic timeline culminating in the unassailable kingdom of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 11:15). Ministry Applications 1. Confidence in Prophetic Scripture: The precise fulfillment of Daniel 7:6 in the rise and partition of the Greek empire strengthens trust in the reliability of biblical prophecy and encourages believers to study and proclaim the whole counsel of God. Christological Reflections The leopard in Daniel highlights the contrast between transient human dominion and the everlasting kingdom of the Son of Man. While the leopard receives power for a time, Daniel 7:14 affirms that “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.” This juxtaposition magnifies the glory of Christ, whose reign supersedes every earthly empire. In ministry, proclaiming this hope anchors the church’s mission and sustains perseverance amid persecution. Related Passages for Further Study Forms and Transliterations כִּנְמַ֔ר כנמר kin·mar kinmarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 7:6 HEB: וַאֲר֤וּ אָֽחֳרִי֙ כִּנְמַ֔ר וְלַ֨הּ גַּפִּ֥ין NAS: another one, like a leopard, which KJV: another, like a leopard, which had upon INT: and behold another A leopard wings four 1 Occurrence |
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