Daniel 4:1

¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430}, unto all {H3606} people {H5972}, nations {H524}, and languages {H3961}, that dwell {H1753} in all {H3606} the earth {H772}; Peace {H8001} be multiplied {H7680} unto you.

[The following letter was sent out:] "From: N'vukhadnetzar the king "To: All the peoples, nations and languages living throughout the earth: "Shalom rav! [Abundant peace!]

King Nebuchadnezzar, To the people of every nation and language who dwell in all the earth: May your prosperity be multiplied.

Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.

Daniel 4:1 marks the powerful opening of King Nebuchadnezzar’s personal testimony, a royal decree addressed to the entire known world. This verse introduces one of the most compelling narratives in the Book of Daniel, detailing the Babylonian king's humbling experience and his ultimate acknowledgment of the Most High God's supreme sovereignty.

Historical and Cultural Context

This chapter is unique as it is written from the perspective of King Nebuchadnezzar himself, detailing his dream, subsequent madness, and restoration. It follows earlier dramatic encounters between the king and the God of Israel, notably the interpretation of his dream of a great statue (Daniel 2) and the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Coming from the most powerful monarch of his time, this opening declaration serves as a global proclamation of divine truth, underscoring the universal reach of God's authority beyond any single nation or religion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Universal Sovereignty: Nebuchadnezzar's address "unto all people, nations, and languages" emphasizes that God's rule extends over all humanity, not just Israel. This theme of God's dominion over all kingdoms is central to Daniel.
  • Divine Humbling: The subsequent narrative in Daniel 4 illustrates how God humbles the proud, even powerful rulers, to bring them to a recognition of His glory. This sets the stage for the dramatic events that force Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge a power greater than his own.
  • The Nature of True Peace: The greeting, "Peace be multiplied unto you," while a common ancient Near Eastern salutation, takes on deeper significance here. It hints at the spiritual peace and well-being that results from aligning oneself with the true God, a stark contrast to the fleeting peace offered by worldly power.

Linguistic Insights

The Book of Daniel is notable for being written in two languages: Hebrew and Aramaic. Daniel 4, along with chapters 2:4b through 7:28, is written in Aramaic. The phrase "Peace be multiplied unto you" (Aramaic: šĕlāmāʾ yisgê lakōwn) is a standard greeting, but its inclusion in a decree that will detail God's humbling of a powerful pagan king adds layers of irony and divine purpose. It's an invitation to the world to experience the true peace that comes from submission to God.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:1 reminds us that God's message and His authority are not confined by cultural or geographical boundaries. Even today, the truth of God's sovereignty is proclaimed to "all people, nations, and languages." This verse encourages us to recognize that true authority and lasting peace come from acknowledging the Most High God. It also foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel message, which is intended for every corner of the earth, inviting all to find peace through Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 6:25

    ¶ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

  • 1 Peter 1:2

    Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

  • Daniel 3:4

    Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

  • Ezra 4:17

    ¶ [Then] sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and [to] Shimshai the scribe, and [to] the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and [unto] the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.

  • Ephesians 1:2

    Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:18

    Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

  • Daniel 3:29

    Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

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