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 enchanters, the Kasdim, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
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 I told the dream before him, saying,
Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
The leaves of it were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all: the animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
He cried aloud, and said thus, Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.
Nevertheless leave the stump of its 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 the sky: and let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth:
The sentence 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 rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.
This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation:
Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its 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 the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;
that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.
The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?
While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you.
You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.”
This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stay his hand, or ask him, What are you doing?
At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who 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.
Use ←→ arrow keys to navigate
Settings
Reading Style
Typeface
Font Size px
The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Options
Choose a Book
Study Note
Bible Version
Recent History
Get the App
Add TrulyRandomVerse to your home screen for instant access
TRV