Daniel 4:2

KJV

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

KJV (with Strong's)

I thought {H6925} it good {H8232} to shew {H2324} the signs {H852} and wonders {H8540} that the high {H5943} God {H426} hath wrought {H5648} toward {H5974} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I am pleased to recount the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me.

Berean Standard Bible

I am pleased to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

American Standard Version

It hath seemed good unto me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 4:2 functions as King Nebuchadnezzar's personal and public introduction to a profound decree, articulating his heartfelt desire to openly declare the extraordinary "signs and wonders" that the Most High God, the sovereign ruler of all creation, had powerfully and personally performed in his life. This verse establishes the unique narrative voice of Daniel 4, setting the stage for a dramatic account of divine intervention that ultimately leads a powerful pagan monarch to a humble acknowledgment of God's supreme authority over all earthly kingdoms and human pride.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 4:2 is presented as the opening statement of King Nebuchadnezzar's personal edict, addressed to "all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth" ([Daniel 4:1](/daniel/4-1 "Daniel 4:1 - Nebuchadnezzar's Universal Proclamation")). This unusual literary device—a chapter written from the perspective of a pagan king—lends immense weight and authenticity to his subsequent testimony of divine encounter and transformation. The chapter immediately follows [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace and God's Deliverance"), where Nebuchadnezzar witnessed God's miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, leading him to a preliminary acknowledgment of God's power. Chapter 4 then details a further, even more intimate and humbling encounter with divine sovereignty, specifically through a prophetic dream, its terrifying interpretation, and its dramatic fulfillment, culminating in the king's restoration and profound confession of God's ultimate dominion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605-562 BC), which was the dominant world power of its time. Babylon itself was a sprawling metropolis and a center of polytheistic worship, with Marduk as its chief deity. Babylonian kings typically viewed themselves as divinely appointed or even semi-divine, wielding absolute power over their subjects and vast territories. Within this context, Nebuchadnezzar's public declaration of "the high God" (a clear reference to Yahweh, the God of Israel) is nothing short of revolutionary. It signifies a radical departure from the prevailing cultural and religious norms, posing a direct challenge to the supremacy of Babylonian gods and acknowledging a transcendent, singular deity who exercises ultimate authority over even the mightiest earthly rulers and their empires.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate Daniel 4 and the broader book. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, highlighting God's absolute rule over all earthly kingdoms and human affairs, as explicitly stated later in the chapter: "the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will" ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")). Closely related is the theme of **Humility versus Pride**, as the chapter vividly portrays God's ability to humble the proud, even a king as powerful as Nebuchadnezzar, bringing him to a place of brokenness and recognition of divine power. The king's transformation serves as a stark warning against human arrogance and self-exaltation. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Personal Testimony and Revelation**, as Nebuchadnezzar is compelled to "shew" or declare the "signs and wonders" God wrought, demonstrating that God reveals Himself through extraordinary acts to bring about profound, personal transformation and public confession of His glory, echoing the earlier declarations in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and God's Interpretation") and [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shew (Aramaic, _chăvâʼ'_):** This Aramaic verb (H2324) means "to show" or "to make known." In this specific context, it implies a public declaration, a deliberate act of revealing or proclaiming. Nebuchadnezzar is not merely reflecting privately but is driven by an inner compulsion to openly display and communicate the divine acts he has witnessed. This indicates a profound internal conviction that demands external, widespread expression, emphasizing the transformative power of his experience.
* **high (Aramaic, _ʻillay'_):** This term (H5943), directly corresponding to the Hebrew `ʻillî`, signifies "supreme," "Most High," or "exalted." When applied to God, as it is here, it emphasizes His transcendent nature, His absolute authority, and His position above all other gods, rulers, or powers. For Nebuchadnezzar, a king who considered himself the apex of earthly power, this acknowledgment of God as "the high God" represents a radical shift in his worldview and an admission of a power infinitely greater than his own, challenging his own self-perception of divinity.
* **wrought (Aramaic, _ʻăbad'_):** This Aramaic verb (H5648) means "to do," "to make," or "to perform." In this context, it refers to the active, powerful, and effective work of God. It highlights God's direct agency and intentionality in bringing about the "signs and wonders." It's not a passive observation but a direct, divine intervention that has tangible, life-altering results for the king, underscoring God's active involvement in human history and individual lives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I thought it good to shew":** This opening clause reveals Nebuchadnezzar's personal initiative and profound conviction. The Aramaic `qŏdâm shᵉphar` (H6925 H8232), literally "before me it was good," conveys that it was pleasing, acceptable, or seemed right to him to make this declaration. This is not a reluctant or coerced statement but a voluntary, heartfelt decision, underscoring the deep impact of God's work on his heart and mind. He feels an inner compulsion to bear witness to the divine acts he has experienced.
* **"the signs and wonders":** These terms (H852 H8540) refer to extraordinary, miraculous events that serve as irrefutable evidence of divine power and intervention. "Signs" (`ʼâth`) often point to a deeper truth or a divine message, while "wonders" (`tᵉmahh`) evoke awe and astonishment due to their supernatural nature. For Nebuchadnezzar, these were not abstract concepts but concrete, undeniable experiences—particularly his prophetic dream, his period of madness, and his miraculous restoration—that unequivocally demonstrated God's hand and His sovereign control.
* **"that the high God hath wrought toward me":** This climactic clause identifies the singular source and the specific recipient of these miraculous acts. "The high God" (`ʼĕlâhh ʻillay`, H426 H5943) is the sovereign, supreme deity, distinct from the pagan gods of Babylon and acknowledged by Nebuchadnezzar as superior to himself. The phrase "hath wrought toward me" (`ʻăbad ʻim`, H5648 H5974) emphasizes the personal, direct, and transformative nature of God's work in Nebuchadnezzar's life. It signifies God's active engagement and specific dealings with the king, leading to his profound transformation and public confession.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 4:2 employs several potent literary devices that enhance its impact. The entire chapter functions as a **Proclamation** or **Edict**, giving the king's words a formal, authoritative, and public weight, intended for a wide audience across his vast empire. This public declaration itself is a form of **Testimony**, where Nebuchadnezzar recounts his personal experience of divine intervention, serving as a powerful witness to God's power and sovereignty. The use of "signs and wonders" is a classic example of **Merism**, where two distinct but related terms are used to encompass the full spectrum of God's miraculous deeds, emphasizing their extraordinary, undeniable, and awe-inspiring nature. Furthermore, the phrase "the high God" represents a significant **Theological Shift** and introduces a profound **Irony**, as the most powerful earthly king, who once saw himself as supreme, now humbly acknowledges a deity infinitely above himself, setting a stark contrast between human pride and divine majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:2 introduces the profound theological truth that God is sovereign over all earthly rulers and kingdoms, capable of humbling the proudest hearts and transforming them into instruments of His praise. Nebuchadnezzar's compelled desire to "shew the signs and wonders" reflects a universal impulse to declare God's mighty acts, a theme echoed throughout Scripture where God's people are called to bear witness to His faithfulness and power. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic narrative of divine humbling and restoration, demonstrating that God's redemptive purposes extend even to those seemingly most resistant to His truth, ultimately for the display of His glory and the recognition of His unparalleled dominion over all creation.

* [Psalm 66:5](/psalms/66-5 "Psalm 66:5 - Come and See the Works of God")
* [Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Let Them Thank the Lord for His Steadfast Love")
* [Isaiah 45:23](/isaiah/45-23 "Isaiah 45:23 - Every Knee Shall Bow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nebuchadnezzar's declaration in Daniel 4:2 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to intersect with human lives, even those seemingly far from Him, and to bring about profound, undeniable transformation. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing that all authority and power ultimately reside with the Most High God. Just as Nebuchadnezzar felt compelled to proclaim God's "signs and wonders," we too are called to bear witness to the ways God has worked in our own lives, whether through dramatic interventions or subtle providences. Our personal testimonies, shared with sincerity and conviction, can be potent tools for revealing God's character and drawing others to acknowledge His supremacy. This verse encourages us to look for God's hand in our circumstances, to acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and the world, and to be ready to declare His goodness and power to those around us, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from Him and that His purposes will prevail regardless of human will or pride.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "signs and wonders" has the "high God" wrought in your own life that you feel compelled to "shew" or declare to others?**
* **How does Nebuchadnezzar's transformation challenge your understanding of God's reach and His ability to humble even the proudest hearts, regardless of their position or power?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own strength, wisdom, or accomplishments, rather than acknowledging the ultimate sovereignty of God in your daily life and in the broader world?**

### FAQ
**Why is King Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, making such a declaration about "the high God"?**

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar's declaration is the culmination of a series of profound, transformative encounters with the God of Israel, detailed throughout the Book of Daniel. He had previously witnessed God's power in interpreting his dreams ([Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and God's Interpretation")) and miraculously delivering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace ([Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace")). However, Daniel 4 describes an even more personal and humbling experience: a prophetic dream about a great tree being cut down, which Daniel interpreted as a prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's own impending madness and loss of kingdom due to his excessive pride. After a period of seven years living like a wild animal, his sanity was miraculously restored, and he finally acknowledged the supreme sovereignty of God. This declaration in Daniel 4:2, followed by his profound confession in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise to God"), is his public, heartfelt testimony and edict, born out of a deeply personal and transformative encounter with the living God, demonstrating God's power to humble the proudest of rulers and bring them to repentance and worship.

**What do "signs and wonders" refer to in this context?**

Answer: In Daniel 4:2, "signs and wonders" refer to the extraordinary, supernatural acts of God that Nebuchadnezzar experienced directly and which served as undeniable proof of God's power and authority. Primarily, these include the prophetic dream he received, which foreshadowed his humbling ([Daniel 4:10-17](/daniel/4-10-17 "Daniel 4:10-17 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Tree")), and its dramatic fulfillment, where he was stripped of his sanity and kingdom for a period of seven years, living like a wild animal ([Daniel 4:31-33](/daniel/4-31-33 "Daniel 4:31-33 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling")). The "wonder" was the astonishing and awe-inspiring nature of this divine judgment and his subsequent miraculous restoration of sanity and kingship. The "sign" was that these events served as irrefutable proof of the Most High God's absolute dominion over earthly rulers and His ability to humble the proud. These acts were not random occurrences but purposeful demonstrations of divine power designed to bring the king to a place of humility, repentance, and worship of the one true God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nebuchadnezzar's compelled desire to "shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me" powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's power and glory in Jesus Christ. While Nebuchadnezzar experienced God's sovereignty through humbling judgments and restorative grace, the New Testament reveals that God's greatest "sign and wonder" is the incarnation, life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of His Son. Jesus Himself performed countless "signs and wonders" ([Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus, a Man Attested by God"))—miracles, healings, and authoritative teachings—all pointing to His divine identity and the arrival of God's kingdom. The ultimate "wonder" is the cross, where God's justice and love converged to redeem humanity, and the supreme "sign" is the empty tomb, demonstrating Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the grave. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was transformed by God's direct intervention, all who encounter the risen Christ are called to confess Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess Jesus as Lord")) and to "shew" His "unsearchable riches" ([Ephesians 3:8](/ephesians/3-8 "Ephesians 3:8 - Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles")) through their transformed lives and testimonies. The sovereignty Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged finds its perfect and eternal expression in Christ, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")), and whose reign will have no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - The Kingdom of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 3:26

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

Psalms 66:16

Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Joshua 7:19

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

Psalms 51:14

¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Psalms 92:1

¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day. [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 92:2

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Acts 22:3

¶ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.