Daniel 4:22

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.

It is thou {H607}, O king {H4430}, that art grown {H7236} and become strong {H8631}: for thy greatness {H7238} is grown {H7236}, and reacheth {H4291} unto heaven {H8065}, and thy dominion {H7985} to the end {H5491} of the earth {H772}.

it's you, your majesty! You have grown and become strong - your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your rule extends to the end of the earth.

you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.

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.

Daniel 4:22 KJV is a pivotal verse in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream narrative, where the prophet Daniel directly interprets the dream's meaning to the Babylonian monarch. It identifies Nebuchadnezzar as the magnificent tree he saw in his vision, highlighting his immense power, growth, and dominion over the known world.

Context

This verse is part of Daniel's divinely inspired interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's second significant dream, recorded in Daniel chapter 4. The king had seen a towering tree, reaching to heaven and visible to the ends of the earth, providing shelter and sustenance to all creatures. After the king's wise men failed to interpret it, Daniel, known for his spiritual insight, was called upon. In this verse, Daniel unequivocally tells Nebuchadnezzar, "It is thou, O king," confirming that the dream symbolizes the king's own unparalleled greatness and the vastness of the Babylonian Empire.

Key Themes

  • Immense Power and Dominion: The verse powerfully describes the immense power and widespread dominion of King Nebuchadnezzar, whose empire stretched across the ancient Near East. His "greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth" vividly illustrates his unprecedented stature and influence.
  • Human Greatness vs. Divine Sovereignty: While celebrating Nebuchadnezzar's earthly achievements, the verse subtly sets the stage for the chapter's overarching theme: the contrast between human power and God's ultimate sovereignty over all kingdoms. The tree's immense height, reaching "unto heaven," can be seen as a metaphor for human ambition that, without humility, can border on hubris, foreshadowing the divine judgment that follows.

Linguistic Insights

The book of Daniel is unique in that parts of it are written in Aramaic (chapters 2-7), including this section. The phrase "reacheth unto heaven" (Aramaic: m'ta` `ad sh'mayya`) is a powerful hyperbolic expression emphasizing the extreme height and influence of the tree, and by extension, Nebuchadnezzar's empire. It conveys not just physical reach but also the extraordinary scope and impact of his rule, making it a fitting description for one of history's most powerful monarchs.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:22 serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly power, no matter how vast or impressive, is ultimately under God's sovereign control (Daniel 2:21). For contemporary readers, it highlights the importance of recognizing the source of one's strength and success. It cautions against pride that can accompany great power, a theme explored further in Proverbs 16:18. True wisdom involves acknowledging God's hand in our accomplishments and maintaining a humble spirit, understanding that our dominion is temporary and subject to divine will, as Nebuchadnezzar himself eventually learned (Daniel 4:37).

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 2:37

    Thou, O king, [art] a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.

  • Daniel 2:38

    And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

  • Jeremiah 27:6

    And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

  • Jeremiah 27:8

    And it shall come to pass, [that] the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

  • Matthew 14:4

    For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

  • Daniel 5:18

    O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

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