Daniel 4:34

¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

And at the end {H7118} of the days {H3118} I {H576} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} lifted up {H5191} mine eyes {H5870} unto heaven {H8065}, and mine understanding {H4486} returned {H8421} unto me {H5922}, and I blessed {H1289} the most High {H5943}, and I praised {H7624} and honoured {H1922} him that liveth {H2417} for ever {H5957}, whose dominion {H7985} is an everlasting {H5957} dominion {H7985}, and his kingdom {H4437} is from {H5974} generation {H1859} to generation {H1859}:

"When this period was over, I, N'vukhadnetzar, lifted my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding came back to me. I blessed the Most High, I praised and gave honor to him who lives forever. "'For his rulership is everlasting, his kingdom endures through all generations.

But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation;

Daniel 4:34 marks a pivotal moment in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This verse describes his restoration after a period of divinely ordained madness, highlighting a profound shift in his understanding of power and sovereignty.

Context of Daniel 4:34

Prior to this verse, King Nebuchadnezzar had experienced a prophetic dream, interpreted by the prophet Daniel, which foretold a period of seven "times" during which he would be driven from human society and live like a beast, until he acknowledged that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:25). This judgment came upon him due to his immense pride and self-exaltation, believing his vast kingdom was solely the product of his own strength and wisdom. Verse 34 describes the dramatic culmination of this period, where Nebuchadnezzar's sanity is restored as he humbly looks to heaven, recognizing God's supreme authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The primary message is that God alone possesses everlasting dominion and an eternal kingdom. Even the mightiest earthly rulers are subject to His will and judgment. Nebuchadnezzar's testimony serves as a powerful declaration that human power is temporary and subservient to divine authority.
  • Humiliation and Restoration: The king's transformation from a proud monarch to an animalistic state, and then to a restored, humbled worshiper, illustrates God's ability to humble the proud (Proverbs 16:18) and restore those who acknowledge Him. His "understanding returned" only after he "lifted up mine eyes unto heaven," signifying a spiritual turning point.
  • Divine Justice and Grace: God's judgment against Nebuchadnezzar's pride was just, yet His grace is evident in the king's restoration upon his genuine repentance and acknowledgment of God's supremacy.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "the most High" (Aramaic: 'Illaya) is a recurring title for God in the Book of Daniel, emphasizing His supreme position above all earthly powers and false gods. It underscores the ultimate authority that Nebuchadnezzar finally recognizes.
  • "Dominion" (Aramaic: sholtan) signifies absolute power and authority. The declaration that God's dominion is "an everlasting dominion" highlights its timeless and unchallengeable nature, contrasting sharply with the fleeting power of human empires.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:34 offers timeless lessons for believers and all people:

  • Humility is Essential: True wisdom and lasting peace come from acknowledging God's supreme authority over our lives and circumstances. Pride often precedes a fall, as Nebuchadnezzar's experience vividly demonstrates.
  • God is in Control: Regardless of the chaos or powerful forces at play in the world, this verse reminds us that God's kingdom is eternal and His dominion is absolute. This provides comfort and assurance.
  • Transformation is Possible: Even those who have lived in extreme arrogance or defiance can experience profound change and restoration when they humbly turn to God and acknowledge His sovereignty.
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.

  • Revelation 4:10

    The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

  • Psalms 145:13

    Thy kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion [endureth] throughout all generations.

  • Daniel 2:44

    And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

  • Daniel 12:7

    And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

  • Daniel 4:32

    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.

  • Daniel 6:26

    I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.

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