TRV
Translation
King James Version
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
Complete Jewish Bible
No sooner had the king spoken these words when a voice came down from heaven: 'King N'vukhadnetzar! These words are for you: '"The kingdom has left you.
Berean Standard Bible
While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you.
American Standard Version
While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee:
World English Bible Messianic
While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And at the ende of these dayes I Nebuchad-nezzar lift vp mine eyes vnto heauen, and mine vnderstanding was restored vnto me, and I gaue thankes vnto the most High, and I praysed and honoured him that liueth for euer, whose power is an euerlasting power, and his kingdome is from generation to generation.
Young's Literal Translation
`While the word is in the king's mouth a voice from the heavens hath fallen: To thee they are saying: O Nebuchadnezzar the king, the kingdom hath passed from thee,
Study This Verse
Commentary on Daniel 4 verses 28–33
28 ¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, 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?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
We have here Nebuchadnezzar's dream accomplished, and Daniel's application of it to him justified and confirmed. How he took it we are not told, whether he was pleased with Daniel or displeased; but here we have,
I. God's patience with him: All this came upon him, but not till twelve months after (Dan 4:29), so long there was a lengthening of his tranquility, though it does not appear that he broke off his sins, or showed any mercy to the poor captives, for this was still God's quarrel with him, that he opened not the house of his prisoners, Isa 14:17. Daniel having counselled him to repent, God so far confirmed his word that he gave him space to repent; he let him alone this year also, this one year more, before he brought this judgment upon him. Note, God is long-suffering with provoking sinners, because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, Pe2 3:9.
II. His pride, and haughtiness, and abuse of that patience. He walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon, in pomp and pride, pleasing himself with the view of that vast city, which, with all the territories thereunto belonging, was under his command, and he said, either to himself or to those about him, perhaps some foreigners to whom he was showing his kingdom and the glory of it, Is not this great Babylon? Yes, it is great, of vast extent, no less that forty-five miles compass within the walls. It is full of inhabitants, and they are full of wealth. It is a golden city, and that is enough to proclaim it great, Isa 14:4. See the grandeur of the houses, walls, towers, and public edifices. Every thing in Babylon he thinks looks great; "and this great Babylon I have built." Babylon was built many ages before he was born, but because he fortified and beautified it, and we may suppose much of it was rebuilt during his long and prosperous reign, he boasts that he has built it, as Augustus Caesar boasted concerning Rome, Lateritiam inveni, marmoream reliqui - I found it brick, but I left it marble. He boasts that he built it for the house of the kingdom, that is, the metropolis of his empire. This vast city, compared with the countries that belonged to his dominions, was but as one house. He built it with the assistance of his subjects, yet boasts that he did it by the might of his power; he built it for his security and convenience, yet, as if he had no occasion for it, boasts that he built it purely for the honour of his majesty. Note, Pride and self-conceitedness are sins that most easily beset great men, who have great things in the world. They are apt to take the glory to themselves which is due to God only.
III. His punishment for his pride. When he was thus strutting, and vaunting himself, and adoring his own shadow, while the proud word was in the king's mouth the powerful word came from heaven, by which he was immediately deprived, 1. Of his honour as a king: The kingdom has departed from thee. When he thought he had erected impregnable bulwarks for the preserving of his kingdom, now, in an instant, it has departed from him; when he thought it so well guarded that none could take it from him, behold, it departs of itself. As soon as he becomes utterly incapable to manage it, it is of course taken out of his hands. 2. He is deprived of his honour as a man. He loses his reason, and by that means loses his dominion: They shall drive thee from men, Dan 4:32. And it was fulfilled (Dan 4:33): he was driven from men the same hour. On a sudden he fell stark mad, distracted in the highest degree that ever any man was. His understanding and memory were gone, and all the faculties of a rational soul broken, so that he became a perfect brute in the shape of a man. He went naked, and on all four, like a brute, did himself shun the society of reasonable creatures and run wild into the fields and woods, and was driven out by his own servants, who, after some time of trial, despairing of his return to his right mind, abandoned him, and looked after him no more. He had not the spirit of a beast of prey (that of the royal lion), but of the abject and less honourable species, for he was made to eat grass as oxen; and, probably, he did not speak with human voice, but lowed like an ox. Some think that his body was all covered with hair; however, the hair of his head and beard, being never cut nor combed, grew like eagles feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. Let us pause a little, and view this miserable spectacle; and let us receive instruction from it. (1.) Let us see here what a mercy it is to have the use of our reason, how thankful we ought to be for it, and how careful we ought to be not to do any thing which may either provoke God or may have a natural tendency to put us out of the possession of our own souls. Let us learn how to value our own reason, and to pity the case of those that are under the prevailing power of melancholy or distraction, or are delirious, and to be very tender in our censures of them and conduct towards them, for it is a trial common to men, and a case which, some time or other, may be our own. (2.) Let us see here the vanity of human glory and greatness. Is this Nebuchadnezzar the Great? What this despicable animal that is meaner than the poorest beggar? Is this he that looked so glorious on the throne, so formidable in the camp, that had politics enough to subdue and govern kingdoms, and now has not so much sense as to keep his own clothes on his back? Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms? Isa 14:16. Never let the wise man then glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his strength. (3.) Let us see here how God resists the proud, and delights to abase them and put contempt upon them. Nebuchadnezzar would be more than a man, and therefore God justly makes him less than a man, and puts him upon a level with the beasts who set up for a rival with his Maker. See Job 40:11-13.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 28–33. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER FOUR
Verses 31, 32. "While the saying was yet in the king's mouth, a voice from heaven assailed him: 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, thy kingdom shall pass away (variant reading: is passing away) from thee and they shall cast thee forth from among mankind.'" His arrogant boasting is immediately punished by the Lord. For this reason the execution of the sentence is not delayed, lest mercy towards the poor seem to have profited him not at all. But as soon as he has spoken in pride, he straightway loses the kingdom which had been reserved for him on account of his works of charity.
"...until thou dost recognize that the Most High reigns in the kingdom of men." In misery it comes as a great consolation to know, when one is in a painful situation, that a more favorable future will ensue. Yet Nebuchadnezzar's fury and madness were so pronounced that in time of affliction he would not have remembered the blessings which God had promised him.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 4:31
Since he dreamed of going up to heaven, he received the verdict from there; and since he was not satisfied with the palace here below, and instead at the same time he insanely hankered after one on high, he was deprived of the one here below; in his wish to snatch heaven he was driven also from earth.
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.
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SUMMARY
Daniel 4:31 records the dramatic and instantaneous fulfillment of God's judgment upon King Nebuchadnezzar, occurring precisely as the proud monarch boasted of his own accomplishments and the grandeur of Babylon. A divine voice from heaven abruptly interrupted his self-exaltation, declaring that his kingdom was immediately removed from him. This pivotal moment serves as a profound demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers and kingdoms, powerfully illustrating that human authority is entirely subordinate to the Most High's will and that pride inevitably precedes a fall.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 4:31 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological message. Dramatic Irony is powerfully present, as the audience is privy to the prophecy from Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 4:24-27, while Nebuchadnezzar remains oblivious to his impending doom until the very moment of its fulfillment. This creates palpable tension leading up to the divine pronouncement. The phrase "While the word [was] in the king's mouth" employs Suspense and Immediacy, emphasizing the suddenness and direct correlation between the king's prideful boast and the divine judgment. The "voice from heaven" is a clear example of Divine Intervention, portraying God as an active, sovereign agent who directly intervenes in human affairs, asserting His ultimate authority over earthly rulers. The entire narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's downfall and subsequent restoration functions as a Parable or Allegory, illustrating the dangers of pride and the necessity of profound humility before God, serving as a timeless warning for all who hold power.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:31 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, particularly over human governments and rulers. It refutes any notion of inherent human autonomy or ultimate self-determination, especially for those in positions of power. The immediate and public humbling of the world's most powerful monarch at the zenith of his pride serves as an undeniable declaration that "the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (Daniel 4:17). This divine act underscores that all authority is delegated by God, and those who forget this truth face divine reckoning. The narrative also highlights the pervasive biblical theme of pride leading to a fall, contrasting human arrogance with the divine demand for humility and recognition of God's supreme authority.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic account of Nebuchadnezzar's instantaneous humbling in Daniel 4:31 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, regardless of their station in life. It serves as a potent reminder that all power, influence, accomplishments, and success ultimately derive from God. In a world that often celebrates self-made individuals and encourages relentless self-reliance, this verse calls us to cultivate a posture of profound and continuous humility. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any subtle seeds of pride, any tendency to attribute our achievements solely to our own efforts, intellect, or strength, or to take credit for blessings that are clearly divine gifts. True wisdom, true peace, and true security begin with acknowledging God's supreme authority over every aspect of our lives and the entire cosmos. When we genuinely recognize that our very breath, our talents, our resources, our relationships, and our positions are all gracious gifts from His hand, we are liberated from the burdensome and ultimately destructive pursuit of self-exaltation. Instead, we are empowered to live in grateful dependence, using all we have for His glory, understanding that our lives are held securely in the hands of the One who rules over all kingdoms, both earthly and heavenly.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was Nebuchadnezzar's specific sin that led to this immediate judgment?
Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's specific sin was profound pride and self-exaltation, a direct affront to God's supreme sovereignty. Just before the voice from heaven, he was audaciously boasting about his own power and majesty, declaring, "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?" (Daniel 4:30). He attributed the vast empire and its magnificent capital solely to himself, completely disregarding God as the ultimate source of his authority and success. This occurred despite Daniel's earlier, clear warnings to humble himself and acknowledge the Most High as the true ruler of all kingdoms (Daniel 4:27). This hubris directly defied the fundamental biblical truth that God "removes kings and sets up kings" (Daniel 2:21).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 4:31, with its dramatic portrayal of an earthly king's kingdom being "departed from thee" by divine decree, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar's pride led directly to his humiliating downfall, but Christ, though "in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7). Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who grasped for earthly glory and self-aggrandizement, Jesus willingly humbled Himself, demonstrating perfect obedience even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Because of this unparalleled humility and sacrificial obedience, God has "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-10). While Nebuchadnezzar's earthly kingdom was temporary and swiftly taken from him, Christ's kingdom is "an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him" (Daniel 7:27). He is the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given (Matthew 28:18). Thus, Daniel 4:31 serves as a stark contrast, highlighting the transient and conditional nature of human power, while pointing forward to the unshakeable, eternal, and perfectly righteous reign of the humble and exalted Messiah.