Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

And all {H3606} the inhabitants {H1753} of the earth {H772} are reputed {H2804} as nothing {H3809}: and he doeth {H5648} according to his will {H6634} in the army {H2429} of heaven {H8065}, and among the inhabitants {H1753} of the earth {H772}: and none {H3809} can {H383} stay {H4223} his hand {H3028}, or say {H560} unto him, What {H4101} doest {H5648} thou?

All who live on earth are counted as nothing. He does what he wishes with the army of heaven and with those living on earth. No one can hold back his hand or ask him, "What are you doing?"'

All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Daniel 4:35 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, spoken by King Nebuchadnezzar himself after a profound period of divine discipline and restoration. This verse encapsulates the core message of the entire chapter: that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men.

Context

This verse comes at the climax of Daniel chapter 4, where King Nebuchadnezzar recounts a dream he had, its interpretation by Daniel, and its eventual fulfillment. The proud Babylonian king was humbled by God, driven from his throne and sanity for seven years, living like a beast of the field. Upon his restoration and the return of his understanding, Nebuchadnezzar recognized and confessed the supreme authority of God. His confession, particularly in this verse, stands as a testament to the fact that even the most powerful earthly rulers are utterly subordinate to the King of Heaven. It's a dramatic reversal from his earlier pride, acknowledging that all earthly power is temporary and subject to divine will, as also highlighted in Daniel 4:17 and Daniel 4:25.

Key Themes

  • Absolute Divine Sovereignty: The verse emphatically states that God "doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." This underscores God's complete and unchallenged control over all creation, both celestial beings (the "army of heaven," likely referring to angels or heavenly bodies) and humanity. Nothing occurs outside of His ultimate purpose.
  • Human Insignificance: "And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing." In comparison to God's infinite power and majesty, human beings, with all their achievements and pretensions, are deemed utterly insignificant. This serves as a stark reminder against human pride and self-sufficiency.
  • Unchallengeable Authority: The phrase "none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" powerfully conveys God's irresistible power. No one, whether angel or human, has the ability or the right to hinder His plans or question His actions. His will is supreme and cannot be thwarted. This echoes sentiments found in Isaiah 46:10, where God declares the end from the beginning.

Linguistic Insights

The book of Daniel, including this chapter, is written in Aramaic. The phrase "reputed as nothing" translates from the Aramaic la' chashiv (לָא חֲשִׁיב), which literally means "not accounted," "not esteemed," or "worthless." It powerfully conveys the idea of utter insignificance. The "army of heaven" (tzeva' shamaya' - צְבָא שְׁמַיָּא) can refer to celestial bodies (stars, planets) or, more commonly in this context, to the angelic host, all of whom are under God's command. "None can stay his hand" (wela' 'it'iy dī-yimche' - וְלָא אִיתַי דִּי-יִמְחֵא) emphasizes the impossibility of resisting or striking back against God's actions, highlighting His irresistible might.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:35 offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls for deep humility, reminding us that all our blessings, power, and achievements are ultimately derived from and subject to God (1 Corinthians 4:7). Secondly, it provides immense comfort and security in knowing that an all-powerful, sovereign God is in control of all circumstances, even when things seem chaotic or unjust. We can trust in His divine plan, knowing that He works all things according to His good pleasure (Romans 8:28). Finally, it serves as a warning against pride and self-exaltation, echoing the downfall of King Nebuchadnezzar, and encouraging us to always give glory to the One who truly reigns.

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.

  • Job 42:2

    I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

  • Psalms 135:6

    Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

  • Psalms 115:3

    But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

  • Romans 11:33

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Romans 11:36

    For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

  • Isaiah 40:15

    Behold, the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

  • Isaiah 40:17

    All nations before him [are] as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
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