Daniel 4:37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Now {H3705} I {H576} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} praise {H7624} and extol {H7313} and honour {H1922} the King {H4430} of heaven {H8065}, all {H3606} whose works {H4567} are truth {H7187}, and his ways {H735} judgment {H1780}: and those that walk {H1981} in pride {H1467} he is able {H3202} to abase {H8214}.

So now I, N'vukhadnetzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven: "'For all his works are truth, and his ways are just; and he can humble those who walk in pride.'"

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Daniel 4:37 marks the powerful conclusion to King Nebuchadnezzar’s dramatic personal testimony, where he publicly acknowledges the absolute sovereignty of God. This verse encapsulates the profound transformation of the once-proud Babylonian monarch, who, after a period of divine humbling, offers a heartfelt declaration of praise, extolling the God of Israel above all others.

Context

This verse is the climax of Daniel Chapter 4, which details Nebuchadnezzar's second great dream and its fulfillment. The dream depicted a magnificent tree that was cut down, leaving only a stump. Daniel interpreted this dream as a warning to the king, prophesying that Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from human society, live like an animal, and lose his sanity for "seven times" until he recognized that the "Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:25). After a year, the prophecy came true, and Nebuchadnezzar experienced a period of severe mental illness, living in the fields until his reason returned. Upon his restoration, he lifted his eyes to heaven and blessed the Most High, culminating in this powerful confession of faith.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The primary message is God's absolute and unquestionable rule over all earthly kingdoms and rulers. Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man of his time, humbly bows before the "King of heaven," acknowledging that all power and authority ultimately reside with God.
  • The Humbling of Pride: The verse explicitly states, "those that walk in pride he is able to abase." This serves as a stark warning against arrogance and self-exaltation. Nebuchadnezzar's experience is a vivid demonstration that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
  • God's Truth and Justice: Nebuchadnezzar proclaims that God's "works are truth, and his ways judgment." This highlights God's unwavering character. His actions are always righteous, and His governance is perfectly just, even when it involves severe discipline.
  • Transformation and Recognition: The king's journey from arrogant self-sufficiency to profound reverence for God showcases the transformative power of divine intervention. It demonstrates that true wisdom begins with acknowledging God's supremacy.

Linguistic Insights

  • The title "King of heaven" (Aramaic: Melek Shamayya) is significant. It reflects Nebuchadnezzar's profound shift from worshipping pagan deities to recognizing the one true God as the supreme ruler, not just of the earth, but of the celestial realm.
  • The word "abase" (Aramaic: shāfal) means to bring low, humble, or degrade. It perfectly describes God's action in bringing Nebuchadnezzar to his knees, stripping him of his pride and power until he acknowledged divine authority.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:37 offers timeless lessons for all. It reminds us that no matter our position or influence, true power and authority belong to God. For leaders, it's a call to humility, recognizing that their authority is delegated and accountable to a higher power. For individuals, it underscores the dangers of pride, which can lead to a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and the blessings of humility, which God exalts. Ultimately, the verse encourages us to live lives that praise and honor the "King of heaven," whose ways are always just and true.

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.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • James 4:7

    Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • Psalms 33:4

    For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth.

  • Psalms 33:5

    He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  • 1 Peter 5:6

    Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

  • 1 Samuel 2:3

    Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

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