Daniel 4:14

He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

He cried {H7123} aloud {H2429}, and said {H560} thus {H3652}, Hew down {H1414} the tree {H363}, and cut off {H7113} his branches {H6056}, shake off {H5426} his leaves {H6074}, and scatter {H921} his fruit {H4}: let the beasts {H2423} get away {H5111} from {H4481} under it {H8479}, and the fowls {H6853} from {H4481} his branches {H6056}:

He cried out: "'"Cut down the tree, cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, scatter its fruit! Let the wild animals flee from its shelter! Let the birds abandon its branches!

He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.

Commentary

Daniel 4:14 is a pivotal verse within King Nebuchadnezzar's second great dream, which ultimately leads to his humbling and eventual restoration. This specific verse describes the command given by a divine "watcher" or "holy one" to metaphorically destroy the great tree that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his vision, symbolizing the king himself.

Context of Daniel 4:14

The entire fourth chapter of Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony, written after his period of madness and subsequent recovery. He describes a terrifying dream (which Daniel later interprets) of a magnificent tree reaching to heaven, providing shelter and sustenance for all. Verse 13 introduces a "watcher and an holy one" descending from heaven, and verse 14 details the pronouncement of judgment against the tree. This vivid imagery is a prophetic warning to the proud Babylonian king that his immense power and glory would be temporarily stripped away due to his failure to acknowledge God's supreme authority. The command to "hew down the tree" signifies a dramatic and sudden removal of his royal dominion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates that even the most formidable earthly rulers are subject to the ultimate authority of God. The command to cut down the tree comes from a divine source, emphasizing that God "ruleth in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:17).
  • Judgment for Pride: The destruction of the tree is a direct consequence of Nebuchadnezzar's unchecked pride and self-exaltation (as seen later in Daniel 4:30). The stripping of its branches, leaves, and fruit represents the loss of his kingly power, influence, and the benefits derived from his rule.
  • Warning to the Powerful: Daniel 4:14 serves as a timeless warning to those in positions of power and influence. It underscores the biblical principle that all authority is ultimately derived from God, and those who forget this truth risk divine humbling.
  • Symbolism of the Tree: In biblical and ancient Near Eastern literature, a great tree often symbolizes a powerful nation or ruler. The cutting down of the tree, while devastating, is not an utter destruction, as the stump remains (Daniel 4:15), hinting at a future restoration after a period of humbling. This imagery is also used elsewhere, such as in Ezekiel 31:3 where Assyria is likened to a mighty cedar.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "He cried aloud" in Hebrew (qara' beḥel) implies a forceful, authoritative pronouncement, reinforcing that this is not a suggestion but a decree from heaven. The detailed instructions—"Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit"—emphasize the complete removal of all outward signs of power, glory, and provision. The command for "the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches" illustrates the immediate loss of all those who benefited from or found shelter under the king's dominion, signifying isolation and abandonment.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:14 reminds us that earthly power is temporary and subject to God's ultimate control. It calls all individuals, especially those in leadership, to cultivate humility and acknowledge God's sovereignty. True strength and lasting influence come not from self-exaltation, but from recognizing and submitting to the one true God who "removeth kings, and setteth up kings" (Daniel 2:21). This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts for pride and to remember that all blessings and positions are ultimately gifts from above.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 3:10 (5 votes)

    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Daniel 4:23 (4 votes)

    And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him;

  • Ezekiel 31:12 (4 votes)

    And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

  • Ezekiel 31:13 (4 votes)

    Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:

  • Matthew 7:19 (3 votes)

    Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Luke 3:9 (3 votes)

    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Luke 13:7 (3 votes)

    Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?