Daniel 4:28

KJV

¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

KJV (with Strong's)

All {H3606} this came {H4291} upon {H5922} the king {H4430} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All this happened to King N'vukhadnetzar.

Berean Standard Bible

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

American Standard Version

All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 4:28 serves as the stark and pivotal declaration of the immediate fulfillment of God's prophetic word to King Nebuchadnezzar. Following Daniel's interpretation of the king's terrifying dream—a dream foretelling a period of divine judgment due to Nebuchadnezzar's immense pride—this verse concisely confirms that "all this came upon" the mighty Babylonian monarch, initiating the dramatic and humbling season of his life as prophesied. It underscores the absolute certainty of God's decrees and the inescapable consequences of human arrogance in the face of divine sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 4:28 stands as the climactic pivot point in the autobiographical account of King Nebuchadnezzar, as recorded in Daniel 4. The chapter begins with Nebuchadnezzar's own testimony, recounting a disturbing dream involving a majestic tree that was cut down, leaving only its stump. After all the Babylonian wise men failed, Daniel was called upon to interpret the dream, revealing that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar himself, and his downfall was imminent unless he repented (see [Daniel 4:19-27](/daniel/4-19 "Daniel 4:19-27 - Daniel's Interpretation and Warning")). Daniel's interpretation included a specific warning that the king would be driven from human society for "seven times" until he acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High. This verse, [Daniel 4:28](/daniel/4-28 "Daniel 4:28 - The Fulfillment of Prophecy"), immediately precedes the detailed description of Nebuchadnezzar's descent into madness and subsequent restoration (see [Daniel 4:29-37](/daniel/4-29 "Daniel 4:29-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation and Restoration")), thus serving as the precise moment of the prophecy's commencement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned c. 605–562 BC) was the most powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, responsible for its greatest territorial expansion, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian exile of the Jews. His reign was marked by immense building projects in Babylon, including the famed Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens, which fueled his sense of self-importance and divine favor. In the ancient Near East, kings were often seen as divine representatives or even gods themselves, and their power was considered absolute. Therefore, a king like Nebuchadnezzar, who had conquered vast territories and built an awe-inspiring capital, would have been particularly susceptible to hubris. The narrative of his humbling, as presented in Daniel, directly challenges this prevailing worldview, asserting that even the most formidable earthly ruler is ultimately subservient to the one true God, the "Most High" (as referenced in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes within Daniel 4 and the broader book. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over all earthly rulers and kingdoms, even the mighty Babylonian Empire. Nebuchadnezzar's downfall is a direct consequence of his **Consequences of Pride**, a central motif illustrating that arrogance and self-exaltation inevitably lead to humiliation before God (compare [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before a Fall")). The verse also highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, showcasing the reliability and faithfulness of God's word; what He declares will certainly come to pass. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Humility**, as Nebuchadnezzar's restoration only occurs after he acknowledges the Most High's supreme authority and gives Him glory, illustrating that true wisdom and lasting stability come from a posture of submission to God (as seen in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-34 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise to God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **All (Aramaic, _kôl'_):** This Aramaic term, corresponding to the Hebrew "kōl," signifies "the whole," "every," or "whatsoever." In Daniel 4:28, its use emphasizes the comprehensive and complete nature of the judgment. It wasn't just a part of the prophecy that came to pass, but "all" of it—every detail of Daniel's interpretation, from the king being driven from men to living like a beast, was fully realized. This highlights the precision and certainty of God's word.
* **came (Aramaic, _mᵉṭâʼ'_):** This verb, meaning "to arrive," "extend," or "happen," conveys the idea of an event reaching its appointed destination or taking effect. It's not a passive occurrence but an active fulfillment. The prophecy didn't just hover; it "came upon" Nebuchadnezzar, indicating a direct, personal, and inescapable impact. It underscores the immediate and tangible manifestation of God's decree.
* **king (Aramaic, _melek'_):** This Aramaic word for "king" is significant here because it specifies the target of God's judgment. Nebuchadnezzar was not just any man; he was the most powerful monarch of his time. The fact that "all this came upon the *king*" emphasizes that no earthly power, no matter how great, is exempt from God's sovereign will or His righteous judgment. It underscores the contrast between human authority and divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ All this":** This phrase refers directly and comprehensively to the entire prophecy delivered by Daniel in [Daniel 4:24-27](/daniel/4-24 "Daniel 4:24-27 - Daniel's Prophecy to Nebuchadnezzar"). It encompasses the king's expulsion from human society, his living among wild animals, eating grass like an ox, being drenched with the dew of heaven, and the passage of "seven times" until he acknowledged God's supreme dominion. The use of "all" underscores the complete and precise fulfillment of every detail of the divine decree.
* **"came upon":** This powerful verb indicates the direct, personal, and inescapable impact of the prophecy. It wasn't a general misfortune or a gradual decline, but a specific, divinely orchestrated event that descended upon Nebuchadnezzar. This phrase emphasizes the active hand of God in bringing about the predicted judgment, highlighting His sovereignty and the certainty of His word.
* **"the king Nebuchadnezzar":** This identifies the specific individual upon whom the judgment fell. By naming "the king Nebuchadnezzar," the text highlights the dramatic irony and the profound nature of the humbling. The most powerful ruler of the known world, whose pride had soared to such heights, was the very one brought low. This specificity reinforces that God's judgment is personal and precise, targeting the one who defied His authority.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 4:28, though brief, functions as a powerful moment of **Dramatic Culmination** and **Fulfillment**. It serves as the narrative's turning point, confirming that the preceding prophecy is not merely a warning but a divinely ordained reality that has now begun to unfold. The verse employs **Irony**, as the "king Nebuchadnezzar," a figure of immense power and pride, is now the subject of divine judgment, signaling the reversal of his fortunes. It also acts as a declarative **Divine Decree**, emphasizing the absolute certainty and inevitability of God's word. The conciseness of the statement, following the detailed recounting of the dream and interpretation, adds to its impact, creating a sense of immediate and unavoidable consequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:28 stands as a profound theological statement on the absolute sovereignty of God over all earthly powers and the inevitable consequences of human pride. It teaches that no king, no empire, and no individual is beyond the reach of God's righteous judgment or His providential control. The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling serves as a timeless warning against self-exaltation and a powerful testament to the truth that true authority and lasting dominion belong only to the Most High. This verse sets the stage for Nebuchadnezzar's eventual acknowledgment of God's supremacy, demonstrating that divine judgment, while severe, can also be redemptive, leading to humility and true worship.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God exalts and brings low")
* [Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God brings princes to nothing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 4:28 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful reflection for every individual, regardless of their station in life. It reminds us that our achievements, power, or influence are ultimately gifts from God, and to claim them as solely our own, or to use them in defiance of His will, is an act of profound pride that invites divine correction. Just as Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man of his era, was brought to his knees, so too are we called to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty over our lives, our plans, and our perceived successes. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and that lasting peace comes from aligning our will with His. It encourages us to examine our hearts for any lingering arrogance or self-sufficiency, trusting that God's hand, though sometimes corrective, is always for our ultimate good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to pride or self-reliance, rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty?**
* **How does Nebuchadnezzar's experience challenge my understanding of power, success, and control?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God?**

### FAQ

**What was Nebuchadnezzar's specific sin that led to this judgment?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's primary sin was profound pride and self-exaltation. Despite being warned by Daniel, he continued to boast about his own power and achievements, attributing the glory of his vast kingdom to himself rather than to God. This is explicitly seen in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast"), where he exclaims, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" This self-glorification directly challenged God's supreme authority, leading to the prophesied judgment.

**How long did Nebuchadnezzar's madness or humbling last?**

Answer: The prophecy stated that Nebuchadnezzar would endure "seven times" (see [Daniel 4:16](/daniel/4-16 "Daniel 4:16 - Seven Times Shall Pass Over Him") and [Daniel 4:25](/daniel/4-25 "Daniel 4:25 - Seven Times Pass Over You")). While the exact duration of these "times" is debated among scholars (some interpret them as years, others as seasons), the narrative clearly indicates a significant period during which Nebuchadnezzar lived like a beast, until his reason returned and he acknowledged God's sovereignty. His restoration is described in [Daniel 4:34-36](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-36 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration").

**What happened to Nebuchadnezzar after his humbling?**

Answer: After the "seven times" passed, Nebuchadnezzar's reason returned to him. He lifted his eyes to heaven, blessed the Most High, and acknowledged God's eternal dominion. Following this profound act of humility and worship, his kingdom, glory, and former majesty were restored to him, and he became even greater than before. He then offered a powerful testimony to God's greatness, declaring that "those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (see [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise and Restoration")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling and restoration, culminating in [Daniel 4:28](/daniel/4-28 "Daniel 4:28 - The Fulfillment of Prophecy"), finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar, an earthly king, was brought low because of his pride, only to be restored after acknowledging the Most High. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, though "in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humiliation")). While Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to his downfall, Christ's humility led to His exaltation, for "being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Nebuchadnezzar's experience points to the truth that all earthly dominion is temporary and subject to God's will, foreshadowing the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of God established through Christ. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled a temporal empire, Jesus is the true King who humbly entered His creation, suffered for His people, and now reigns eternally as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings")). His kingdom is not built on human might or pride, but on divine love, sacrifice, and perfect humility, offering true restoration and eternal life to all who acknowledge Him as the Most High.

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

Numbers 23:19

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Proverbs 10:24

¶ The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.