Daniel 4:36

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

At the same time {H2166} my reason {H4486} returned {H8421} unto me {H5922}; and for the glory {H3367} of my kingdom {H4437}, mine honour {H1923} and brightness {H2122} returned {H8421} unto me {H5922}; and my counsellors {H1907} and my lords {H7261} sought {H1156} unto me {H5922}; and I was established {H8627} in my kingdom {H4437}, and excellent {H3493} majesty {H7238} was added {H3255} unto me.

"It was at that moment that my understanding came back to me; and for the sake of the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor also came back to me. My advisers and lords sought me out, I was re-established in my kingdom, and to my previous greatness even more was added.

At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.

At the same time mine understanding returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added unto me.

Daniel 4:36 marks the powerful culmination of King Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience and subsequent divine restoration. After a period of severe judgment, his sanity, dignity, and royal authority are fully returned, affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms.

Context

This verse follows Nebuchadnezzar's seven-year period of madness, during which he was humbled to live like an animal in the fields, as foretold by the dream of the great tree (Daniel 4:10-17). Daniel had interpreted this dream as a divine judgment upon the king's pride, declaring that he would be restored once he acknowledged that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:25). The preceding verses (Daniel 4:34-35) describe Nebuchadnezzar's lifting of his eyes to heaven, his reason returning, and his subsequent praise and honor given to the King of Heaven, immediately preceding this full restoration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Restoration: The verse powerfully illustrates God's ultimate control over all human affairs. He has the power to humble the proudest rulers and to restore them to glory when they acknowledge His dominion. The return of "reason," "honour," and "brightness" signifies a complete, divinely orchestrated restoration.
  • Humility and Recognition of God: Nebuchadnezzar's transformation from arrogant pride to humble praise is central. His restoration is directly linked to his confession of God's eternal dominion and unchallengeable power, as seen in Daniel 4:34-35.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse confirms the precise and undeniable fulfillment of the prophecy given through Daniel, demonstrating the reliability and truthfulness of God's word. The king's advisors and lords seeking him out further validates his legitimate and divinely sanctioned return to power.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "my reason returned unto me" (KJV) translates the Aramaic word maddā (מַדַּע), which means "knowledge," "understanding," or "reason." Its return signifies not just mental sanity but a restored capacity for wise governance and the full exercise of his royal duties, which had been stripped from him during his period of judgment.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:36 offers profound lessons for all generations:

  • It serves as a timeless reminder that pride precedes destruction, and true humility is the path to exaltation in God's eyes. As James 4:6 states, "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
  • Even after periods of severe testing or judgment, God offers restoration and a second chance when there is genuine repentance and recognition of His supreme authority.
  • It reassures believers that God is ultimately in control, even over the most powerful earthly rulers and seemingly chaotic circumstances. His purposes will always prevail, and He works all things for His glory and the good of those who acknowledge Him.
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.

  • Proverbs 22:4

    ¶ By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

  • 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:

  • Daniel 4:15

    Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots 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 in the grass of the earth:

  • Daniel 4:16

    Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:12

    And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

  • 2 Chronicles 33:13

    And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
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