Daniel 4:21

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:

Whose leaves {H6074} were fair {H8209}, and the fruit {H4} thereof much {H7690}, and in it was meat {H4203} for all {H3606}; under {H8460} which the beasts {H2423} of the field {H1251} dwelt {H1753}, and upon whose branches {H6056} the fowls {H6853} of the heaven {H8065} had their habitation {H7932}:

that had beautiful foliage and abundant fruit, enough to feed everyone, under which the wild animals lived, and on whose branches the birds in the air built their nests -

whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—

whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation:

Commentary

Daniel 4:21 KJV is part of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, interpreted by the prophet Daniel. This verse vividly describes the magnificent tree from the dream before its felling, emphasizing its grandeur, abundance, and widespread provision.

Context of Daniel 4:21

This verse is found within the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon recounting his second major dream, a divine revelation intended to humble the proud monarch. The dream features a colossal tree reaching to heaven, visible to the ends of the earth. The description in Daniel 4:21 highlights the tree's beauty ("whose leaves were fair"), its immense productivity ("fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all"), and its universal shelter ("under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation"). This imagery is crucial for understanding the subsequent interpretation, where Daniel reveals that the tree symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar himself and his vast Babylonian empire.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Grandeur and Universal Dominion: The tree's towering height and expansive branches represent Nebuchadnezzar's immense power and the wide reach of his empire, which extended over many nations and peoples, providing a form of sustenance or stability. This imagery is often used in ancient Near Eastern literature to depict powerful kingdoms, such as in Ezekiel's description of Assyria as a mighty cedar.
  • Divine Provision and Responsibility: The phrase "meat for all" (meaning food or sustenance for all) underscores that Nebuchadnezzar's power and resources, though vast, were ultimately a gift from God, intended to provide for his subjects. It subtly hints at the responsibility that comes with such widespread influence.
  • Setting the Stage for Humbling: By detailing the tree's magnificence, the verse starkly contrasts with its eventual destruction, foreshadowing the king's dramatic fall from power and subsequent humbling, as described later in Daniel 4:33. This contrast emphasizes the central theme of God's sovereignty over all earthly rulers.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "meat for all" uses "meat" in its older sense, meaning "food" or "sustenance," not exclusively animal flesh. The Hebrew word for "fair" is shapir, conveying beauty, splendor, and goodness, highlighting the majestic appearance of the tree. The imagery of a tree providing shelter for both "beasts of the field" and "fowls of the heaven" is a powerful metaphor for a ruler whose dominion encompasses all aspects of life and provides protection or resources to a diverse population.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:21 serves as a timeless reminder that all power, influence, and resources ultimately come from God. For those in positions of leadership, whether in government, business, or community, this verse highlights the responsibility to use their influence for the good of others, providing sustenance and stability, rather than for personal glory. It also underscores the importance of humility, as God has the power to exalt and to humble, a truth central to the entire narrative of Daniel chapter 4.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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