King Nebuchadnezzar recounts a terrifying dream of a great tree that was cut down by divine decree, leaving only its stump, and its heart changed for 'seven times'. Daniel interprets this dream as a judgment upon the king's pride, foretelling his expulsion from human society to live as a beast until he acknowledges God's supreme sovereignty. The prophecy is fulfilled, and after his restoration, Nebuchadnezzar praises the Most High, recognizing His everlasting dominion.
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
¶ Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Study Notes for Daniel 4
Verse 1
Chapter 4, written in Aramaic, is presented as an official decree from Nebuchadnezzar to all the peoples of his vast empire. This structure emphasizes the universal scope of the lesson learned.
Verse 3
This opening doxology establishes the theological framework of the entire chapter: the Most High God rules over all earthly kingdoms, possessing eternal dominion.
Verse 4
The description of the king being 'at rest' and 'flourishing' contrasts sharply with the sudden, terrifying vision, highlighting the immediate threat to his stability and pride.
Verse 7
As in Chapter 2, the failure of the Babylonian wise men underscores the inability of pagan wisdom and divination to discern divine truth, setting the stage for Daniel’s intervention.
Verse 8
Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that Daniel possesses the 'spirit of the holy gods' (plural), indicating a partial, yet significant, recognition of the divine power guiding Daniel.
Verse 12
The massive tree is a common ancient Near Eastern motif symbolizing a powerful king or kingdom whose dominion extends far and wide, providing shelter and sustenance to many nations.
Verse 13
A 'watcher' (Aram. *‘ir*) refers to an angelic figure, a member of God's heavenly council, who executes divine decrees on earth. This highlights the heavenly origin of the judgment.
Verse 15
The remaining stump, bound by iron and brass, symbolizes that the kingdom is preserved by divine decree, awaiting the king's eventual restoration after his humility.
Verse 16
The change of heart signifies a descent into animalistic madness (likely *boanthropy*). 'Seven times' likely refers to seven years, a fixed period necessary for the king's humbling lesson.
Verse 17
This verse contains the core theological message: God exercises absolute sovereignty over human affairs, humbling the proud and setting up whomever he chooses, even 'the basest of men.'
Verse 19
Daniel’s deep distress reflects the gravity of the judgment against the powerful king who was also his patron, demonstrating compassion even for his oppressor.
Verse 22
Daniel directly applies the symbol of the great tree to Nebuchadnezzar, whose immense power and dominion had reached its pinnacle, thus making him ripe for divine judgment due to pride.
Verse 25
The judgment is not merely punitive but pedagogical. The goal is the king's recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty and rule over the kingdoms of men.
Verse 27
Daniel provides the king with an opportunity for repentance and mitigation of judgment. This emphasizes that divine judgment can be delayed or averted through sincere humility and practical righteousness (mercy to the poor).
Verse 29
The delay of a year demonstrates God’s patience, giving Nebuchadnezzar time to heed the warning, which he failed to do.
Verse 30
This boastful statement reveals the root of the king's sin: self-glorification and pride over his own achievements, directly contradicting the sovereignty of God.
Verse 31
The immediate execution of the judgment emphasizes the swiftness and certainty of God's decree against human arrogance.
Verse 33
The description suggests a profound mental illness, likely *boanthropy* (the delusion of being an ox), which resulted in severe neglect and physical deterioration.
Verse 34
Restoration began when the king acknowledged God's rule. The lifting of the eyes signifies repentance and a shift from self-focus to heavenly focus, indicating his sanity had returned.
Verse 35
This declaration affirms God's absolute transcendence and omnipotence. No earthly authority, whether human or angelic, can question or resist God's sovereign will.
Verse 36
The restoration of his reason led immediately to the restoration of his royal glory, confirming that his loss of power was temporary and conditional upon his recognition of God’s authority.
Verse 37
The chapter concludes with a final, unambiguous declaration of faith by the world's most powerful monarch, summarizing the key lesson: God judges human pride and is able to abase those who walk in it.
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