Daniel 4:5

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

I saw {H2370} a dream {H2493} which made me afraid {H1763}, and the thoughts {H2031} upon {H5922} my bed {H4903} and the visions {H2376} of my head {H7217} troubled {H927} me.

but as I lay on my bed, I had a dream which frightened me, followed by fantasies and visions in my head which frightened me even more.

I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Daniel 4:5 captures the profound emotional state of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who was deeply disturbed by a dream that would ultimately reveal God's sovereignty over all earthly rulers. This verse sets the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic accounts of divine revelation and a powerful monarch's humbling.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse opens Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony, which comprises the bulk of Daniel chapter 4. As the powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar was accustomed to immense authority. However, this dream, described as making him "afraid" and "troubled," hints at a power far greater than his own. This is his second major prophetic dream recorded in Daniel, following the colossal statue dream in Daniel chapter 2. Unlike the first, which he forgot, he remembers this dream vividly, but its disturbing nature leaves him in deep distress. In ancient Mesopotamia, dreams were often considered significant messages from the gods, and their interpretation was a specialized and highly valued skill.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Communication: The verse immediately establishes that God communicates with humanity, even powerful pagan kings, through extraordinary means like dreams.
  • Fear and Distress: Nebuchadnezzar's intense fear and inner turmoil ('troubled me') highlight the unsettling nature of divine encounters when one is not prepared for them or when they challenge one's perceived control and security.
  • The Need for Interpretation: The king's fear stems from the dream's vividness and disturbing imagery, coupled with his inability to understand its meaning, setting up the critical role of Daniel as God's interpreter.
  • Foreshadowing of Humbling: The king's immediate fear foreshadows the humbling experience he is about to undergo, as revealed by the dream's interpretation and subsequent fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

The book of Daniel is written in two languages: Hebrew and Aramaic. Daniel 4:5 is part of the Aramaic section (Daniel 2:4b-7:28). The Aramaic word for "troubled" is bahal (בְּהַל), which conveys a strong sense of being terrified, dismayed, or agitated. It suggests a deep psychological disturbance, not just mild discomfort. This emphasizes the profound impact the dream had on Nebuchadnezzar, indicating its supernatural origin and significant implications.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse reminds us that God can use various means to communicate His will and truth, even to those who may not yet know Him. Nebuchadnezzar's fear, while initially disruptive, serves as a catalyst for him to seek understanding and ultimately to acknowledge a power greater than his own. For us, this can be a reminder that:

  • God is Sovereign: He can intersect with anyone's life, regardless of their position or beliefs, to reveal His truth and purposes (Daniel 4:17).
  • Distress Can Lead to Discovery: Moments of fear or confusion can be opportunities to seek divine wisdom and guidance, leading to deeper understanding and faith.
  • Humility Precedes Revelation: Nebuchadnezzar's initial fear and later humility opened the door for him to receive God's message through Daniel and experience a profound transformation.

The king's troubled state in Daniel 4:5 sets the stage for a powerful narrative of God's dominion over all kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of divine will over human pride.

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.

  • Daniel 2:1

    ¶ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

  • Daniel 5:10

    ¶ [Now] the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: [and] the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

  • Genesis 41:1

    ¶ And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

  • Daniel 7:28

    Hitherto [is] the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

  • Daniel 2:28

    But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

  • Daniel 2:29

    As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

  • Job 7:13

    When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

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