TRV
Translation
King James Version
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
Complete Jewish Bible
"'This is the interpretation, your majesty; and it is the decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king:
Berean Standard Bible
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
American Standard Version
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
World English Bible Messianic
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:
Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore, O King, let my counsell be acceptable vnto thee, and breake off thy sinnes by righteousnes, and thine iniquities by mercy toward the poore: lo, let there be an healing of thine errour.
Young's Literal Translation
`This is the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High it is that hath come against my lord the king:
Study This Verse
Commentary on Daniel 4 verses 19–27
19 ¶ Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
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:
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.
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
We have here the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream; and when once it is applied to himself, and it is declared that he is the tree in the dream (Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur - Change but the name, the fable speaks of thee), when once it is said, Thou art the man, there needs little more to be said for the explication of the dream. Out of his own mouth he is judged; so shall his doom be, he himself has decided it. The thing was so plain that Daniel, upon hearing the dream, was astonished for one hour, Dan 4:19. He was struck with amazement and terror at so great a judgment coming upon so great a prince. His flesh trembled for fear of God. He was likewise struck with confusion when he found himself under a necessity of being the man that must bring to the king these heavy tidings, which, having received so many favours from the king, he had rather he should have heard from any one else; so far is he from desiring the woeful day that he dreads it, and the thoughts of it trouble him. Those that come after the ruined sinner are said to be astonished at his day, as those that went before, and saw it coming (as Daniel here), were affrighted, Job 18:20.
I. The preface to the interpretation is a civil compliment which, as a courtier, he passes upon the king. The king observed him to stand as one astonished, and, thinking he was loth to speak out for fear of offending him, he encouraged him to deal plainly and faithfully with him; Let not the dream, nor the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. This he speaks either, 1. As one that sincerely desired to know this truth. Note, Those that consult the oracles of God must be ready to receive them as they are, whether they be for them or against them, and must accordingly give their ministers leave to be free with them. Or, 2. As one that despised the truth, and set it at defiance. When we see how regardless he was of this warning afterwards we are tempted to think that this was his meaning; "Let it not trouble thee, for I am resolved it shall not trouble me; nor will I lay it to heart." But, whether he have any concern for himself or no, Daniel is concerned for him, and therefore wishes, "The dream be to those that hate thee. Let the ill it bodes light on the head of thy enemies, not on thy head." Though Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater, a persecutor, and an oppressor of the people of God, yet he was, at present, Daniel's prince; and therefore, though Daniel foresees, and is now going to foretell, ill concerning him, he dares not wish ill to him.
II. The interpretation itself is only a repetition of the dream, with application to the king. "As for the tree which thou sawest flourishing (Dan 4:20, Dan 4:21), it is thou, O king!" Dan 4:22. And willing enough would the king be to hear this (as, before, to hear, Thou art the head of gold), but for that which follows. He shows the king his present prosperous state in the glass of his own dream; "Thy greatness has grown and reaches as near to heaven as human greatness can do, and thy dominion is to the end of the earth," Dan 2:37, Dan 2:38. "As for the doom passed upon the tree (Dan 4:23), it is the decree of the Most High, which comes upon my lord the king," Dan 4:24. He must not only be deposed from his throne, but driven from men, and being deprived of his reason, and having a beast's heart given him, his dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and with them he shall be a fellow-commoner: he shall eat grass as oxen, and, like them, lie out all weathers, and be wet with the dew of heaven, and this till seven times pass over him, that is, seven years; and then he shall know that the Most High rules, and when he is brought to know and own this he shall be restored to his dominion again (Dan 4:26): "Thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, shall remain as firm as the stump of the tree in the ground, and thou shalt have it, after thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule." God is here called the heavens, because it is in heaven that he has prepared his throne (Psa 103:19), thence he beholds all the sons of men, Psa 33:13. The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord's; and the influence which the visible heavens have upon this earth is intended as a faint representation of the dominion the God of heaven has over this lower world; we are said to sin against heaven, Luk 15:18. Note, Then only we may expect comfortably to enjoy our right in, and government of, both ourselves and others, when we dutifully acknowledge God's title to, and dominion over, us and all we have.
III. The close of the interpretation is the pious counsel which Daniel, as a prophet, gave the king, Dan 4:27. Whether he appeared concerned or not at the interpretation of the dream, a word of advice would be very seasonable - if careless, to awaken him, if troubled, to comfort him; and it is not inconsistent with the dream and the interpretation of it, for Daniel knew not but it might be conditional, like the prediction of Nineveh's destruction. Observe, 1. How humbly he gives his advice, and with what tenderness and respect: "O king! let my counsel be acceptable unto thee; take it in good part, as coming from love, and well-meant, and let it not be misinterpreted." Note, Sinners need to be courted to their own good, and respectfully entreated to do well for themselves. The apostle beseeches men to suffer the word of exhortation, Heb 13:22. We think it a good point gained if people will be persuaded to take good counsel kindly; nay, if they will take it patiently. 2. What his advice is. He does not counsel him to enter into a course of physic, for the preventing of the distemper in his head, but to break off a course of sin that he was in, to reform his life. He wronged his own subjects, and dealt unfairly with his allies; and he must break off this by righteousness, by rendering to all their due, making amends for wrong done, and not triumphing over right with might. He had been cruel to the poor, to God's poor, to the poor Jews; and he must break off this iniquity by showing mercy to those poor, pitying those oppressed ones, setting them at liberty or making their captivity easy to them. Note, It is necessary, in repentance, that we not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well, not only do no wrong to any, but do good to all. 3. What the motive is with which he backs this advice: If it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility. Though it should not wholly prevent the judgment, yet by this means a reprieve may be obtained, as by Ahab's humbling himself, Kg1 21:29. Either the trouble may be the longer before it comes or the shorter when it does come; yet he cannot assure him of this, but it may be, it may prove so. Note, The mere probability of preventing a temporal judgment is inducement enough to a work so good in itself as the leaving off of our sins and reforming of our lives, much more the certainty of preventing our eternal ruin. "That will be a healing of thy error" (so some read it); "thus the quarrel will be taken up, and all will be well again."
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 19–27. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER FOUR
Verses 24, 25. "'This is the interpretation of the sentence of the Most High which has come upon my lord the king. They shall cast thee forth from among men and thy habitation shall be with cattle and wild beasts...'" Daniel moderates the severity of the sentence by complimentary language, so that (variant: and) after he has first set forth the harsher aspects, he may moderate the king's alarm by assurances of the kindlier treatment to follow. He draws the final inference:
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 4:23-24
At this point it is possible to learn the value of the apostolic teaching, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities”; blessed Daniel, note, calls the impious king “lord” and, influenced by the norm of authority, he adopts the appropriate titles, and he gives a glimpse of the truth of the dream, distressing though it is.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
PASTORAL RULE 1:4
Often, when resources are abundant and many things can be done for subordinates to admire, the mind prides itself in thought and fully provokes the anger of the judge, though no overt acts of iniquity take place. For the judge lies within; that which is judged lies within. When, then, in heart we transgress, what we are doing within ourselves is hidden from others. but yet in the eyes of the judge we sin. For the king of Babylon did not first stand guilty of pride when he came to utter proud words, inasmuch as even before, when he had given no utterance to his pride, he heard the sentence of reprobation from the prophet’s mouth. For he had already wiped clean the fault of the pride he had been guilty of, when he proclaimed to all the nations under him the omnipotent God whom he found himself to have offended.… For the strict judge first sees invisibly what he afterward reproves by public chastisement. Therefore the Judge turned him into an irrational animal.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Daniel 4:24 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Daniel 4:24 serves as the critical turning point in Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, directly unveiling the divine judgment poised to descend upon the proud Babylonian monarch. This verse meticulously transitions from the enigmatic symbolic imagery of the dream to its explicit, inescapable meaning, asserting that the interpretation is not merely human insight but a sovereign "decree of the most High" that is certain to befall the king himself. It powerfully underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable authority over all earthly rulers and kingdoms, meticulously setting the stage for Nebuchadnezzar's profound and humbling experience.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Daniel 4:24 is strategically positioned at the climax of Daniel chapter 4, immediately following Nebuchadnezzar's detailed recounting of his disturbing dream (from Daniel 4:4 to Daniel 4:18) and the subsequent failure of his own wise men to provide an interpretation. Daniel, having listened with initial distress and profound compassion for the king (as noted in Daniel 4:19), now commences the delivery of the divinely revealed meaning. This verse specifically marks the commencement of the direct, unambiguous explanation of the dream's symbolism, unequivocally linking the magnificent tree to Nebuchadnezzar himself and the tree's felling to an impending period of severe humiliation. It directly precedes the detailed prophecy of the king's madness and eventual restoration, thereby firmly establishing the divine origin and absolute certainty of these unfolding events.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting is the zenith of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC). Babylon, during this era, was the undisputed dominant world power, and Nebuchadnezzar was celebrated for his unparalleled military conquests and monumental building projects, including the legendary Hanging Gardens and the colossal city walls. This historical backdrop vividly highlights the immense pride, self-sufficiency, and perceived invincibility that characterized the king, who attributed his extraordinary achievements solely to his own might and strategic genius. In such a context, a message of impending divine judgment and profound humiliation, delivered by a Jewish exile to such an omnipotent monarch, would have been profoundly counter-cultural and audacious. It served to emphasize the stark and undeniable contrast between human arrogance and divine sovereignty, challenging the very foundation of Babylonian imperial ideology.
Key Themes: Daniel 4:24 is intrinsically linked to several overarching themes that permeate the Book of Daniel and resonate throughout the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully asserts Divine Sovereignty, explicitly declaring that the interpretation is "the decree of the most High." This reinforces the recurring biblical message that God, and not human rulers or earthly powers, ultimately holds dominion over all earthly kingdoms and human affairs, a truth previously articulated in Daniel 2:21 and reiterated in Daniel 4:17. Secondly, the verse introduces the profound theme of Judgment on Pride, foreshadowing the severe humiliation that will inevitably befall Nebuchadnezzar due to his overweening arrogance and his failure to acknowledge God as the true source of his power and prosperity. This aligns perfectly with biblical wisdom that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Lastly, it emphatically underscores Prophetic Clarity and Certainty, as Daniel courageously delivers God's unvarnished truth directly to the king, emphasizing the absolute inevitability of the divine word's fulfillment, regardless of human resistance or disbelief.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 4:24 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and impactful message. The most prominent is Direct Address, as Daniel speaks plainly, personally, and without equivocation to "O king," ensuring the message's immediacy, undeniable relevance, and inescapable impact upon Nebuchadnezzar. This directness significantly enhances the gravity and force of the prophecy. There is also a subtle yet effective use of Repetition in the parallel structure "This is... and this is...," which serves to emphasize the dual nature of Daniel's declaration: it is simultaneously an accurate interpretation of a dream and a divinely ordained "decree." This parallelism powerfully reinforces both the certainty and the authoritative, supernatural source of the message. Furthermore, the phrase "decree of the most High" functions as a powerful Declaration of Divine Authority, serving as a theological anchor that firmly grounds the entire interpretation in God's supreme power and ultimate sovereignty. This declaration starkly contrasts with Nebuchadnezzar's earthly might, highlighting the ultimate source of all dominion. Finally, the verse acts as a dramatic Foreshadowing, meticulously setting the stage for the detailed description of Nebuchadnezzar's impending humiliation and subsequent restoration, thereby building suspense and anticipation for the inevitable fulfillment of God's sovereign word.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:24 profoundly underscores the foundational biblical truth of God's absolute and active sovereignty over all human affairs, particularly concerning the rise and fall of nations and their rulers. It asserts unequivocally that no earthly power, however mighty or proud, can ultimately withstand or circumvent the "decree of the Most High." This concept radically challenges any humanistic worldview that posits self-sufficiency, denies divine intervention, or claims ultimate autonomy, revealing instead that even the most formidable empires and their leaders operate entirely under the permissive or directive will of God. The verse also highlights the crucial biblical principle that divine judgment is often a direct and righteous response to human pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation—a recurring theme woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture where God consistently opposes the proud but graciously extends favor to the humble. It serves as a stark and timeless reminder that true authority, enduring power, and genuine wisdom reside not in human achievement, military might, or material wealth, but solely in humble submission to the Creator and Sovereign of the universe.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 4:24 offers profound and timeless truths for both personal introspection and societal reflection. It compels us to critically confront our own understanding of power, authority, and the very nature of success in a world that frequently celebrates self-made individuals and human achievement as the ultimate benchmarks. This verse serves as a potent and necessary reminder that all true authority, every genuine blessing, and indeed every breath we take ultimately derive from the Most High God. It issues a compelling call to cultivate a spirit of profound humility, recognizing that any gifts, talents, positions of influence, or material possessions we may possess are merely entrusted to us by the divine Sovereign. When we fail to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty and succumb to the insidious temptation of pride, we inevitably invite divine correction, which, though often painful and humbling, is ultimately designed for our redemption and spiritual growth. This passage encourages us to heed God's warnings with seriousness, to speak truth courageously and compassionately when called upon, and to live in constant, reverent awareness that our lives, like the transient kingdoms of this world, are entirely subject to the ultimate "decree of the Most High." It prompts us to honestly consider where we might be building our own "Babylon" of self-reliance and to instead build our lives upon the unshakeable and eternal foundation of God's righteous will.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of Daniel calling God "the Most High" in this context?
Answer: The title "the Most High" (‘Illay in Aramaic) is profoundly significant because it emphasizes God's supreme, ultimate authority and transcendence over all earthly powers, including the mightiest king, Nebuchadnezzar. In a polytheistic culture where kings often claimed divine status or were seen as direct representatives of their national deities, Daniel's repeated use of "the Most High" throughout the book (e.g., Daniel 4:17) serves to unequivocally declare that the God of Israel is the one true, sovereign ruler of the universe. This title underscores that the "decree" against Nebuchadnezzar originates from the highest possible authority, making it irresistible, unavoidable, and perfectly just, thereby highlighting the stark contrast between fleeting human arrogance and eternal divine omnipotence, as eloquently proclaimed in Psalm 97:9.
Why did Daniel deliver such a harsh message to the king, rather than softening it?
Answer: Daniel, functioning as God's faithful prophet, was under divine obligation to deliver the message accurately, completely, and without compromise, regardless of its severity or the exalted status of the recipient. While Daniel initially expressed genuine distress and deep compassion for Nebuchadnezzar (as evidenced in Daniel 4:19), his primary duty was unwavering faithfulness to God's revealed word. The message was indeed harsh because it constituted a direct divine judgment against the king's profound and unrepentant pride and his egregious failure to acknowledge God as the source of his power. However, it was simultaneously a divine warning and a gracious opportunity for repentance, as Daniel later urged the king to break off his sins by righteousness and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Daniel's remarkable courage in speaking this unwelcome truth to the most powerful man on earth serves as an enduring model for all who are called to proclaim God's unvarnished word, even when it is challenging, unpopular, or personally risky.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "decree of the Most High" announced in Daniel 4:24 finds its ultimate, most profound, and redemptive fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Nebuchadnezzar's temporary humiliation and subsequent restoration powerfully demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and His divine power to humble the proud, Christ embodies the perfect humility and ultimate exaltation that truly reflects the Most High's eternal decree. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who was humbled for his pride, Jesus, though being in the very form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but willingly emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. This profound act of self-humiliation, culminating in His obedient death on the cross, was the ultimate "decree" of the Most High for the redemption of fallen humanity. Through Christ, the righteous judgment due to humanity's pervasive pride and sin, which the decree against Nebuchadnezzar vividly foreshadowed, was fully and perfectly borne. Consequently, God's decree for all who humbly repent and place their faith in Christ is not one of condemnation, but of abounding grace, complete forgiveness, and eternal life. The kingdom of the Most High, which Nebuchadnezzar briefly experienced in his restoration, is fully and eternally established in Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and through whom all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Thus, Daniel 4:24 points beyond a historical event to the eternal, redemptive decree of God, perfectly fulfilled in His Son, Jesus Christ, who flawlessly exemplifies both divine sovereignty and ultimate redemptive purpose.