Daniel 4:23

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;

And whereas the king {H4430} saw {H2370} a watcher {H5894} and an holy one {H6922} coming down {H5182} from {H4481} heaven {H8065}, and saying {H560}, Hew {H1414} the tree {H363} down {H1414}, and destroy {H2255} it; yet {H1297} leave {H7662} the stump {H6136} of the roots {H8330} thereof in the earth {H772}, even with a band {H613} of iron {H6523} and brass {H5174}, in the tender grass {H1883} of the field {H1251}; and let it be wet {H6647} with the dew {H2920} of heaven {H8065}, and let his portion {H2508} be with {H5974} the beasts {H2423} of the field {H1251}, till {H5705} seven {H7655} times {H5732} pass {H2499} over {H5922} him;

"'Now the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven, who said, "'"Cut down the tree, and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the lush grass of the countryside; let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the lot of the wild animals until seven seasons pass over him."

And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’

And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless 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;

Commentary

Daniel 4:23 is part of King Nebuchadnezzar's second prophetic dream, which Daniel is called upon to interpret. This verse specifically details the divine decree concerning the symbolic "tree," which represents the king himself and his vast Babylonian empire.

Context

This verse follows Nebuchadnezzar's recounting of a terrifying dream where he sees a magnificent tree reaching to heaven, providing for all the earth, suddenly cut down by a divine command. The dream troubled the king, and Daniel, after much contemplation, reveals its sobering meaning. The "watcher and an holy one" are angelic beings, acting as God's messengers, executing His decree. This dream serves as a direct warning and prophecy of judgment against Nebuchadnezzar's pride and self-exaltation, a theme central to the book of Daniel and its portrayal of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The cutting down of the mighty tree symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar's impending fall from power and sanity. It's a direct consequence of his arrogance and failure to acknowledge God as the true source of his authority.
  • God's Sovereignty: The dream emphasizes that even the most powerful earthly kings are subject to God's ultimate authority. The "watcher and an holy one" (Aramaic: `iyr w'qaddish) are heavenly beings carrying out a divine decree, illustrating that God rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17).
  • Preservation and Restoration: The instruction to leave the "stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass" signifies that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, and his sanity, would not be permanently destroyed. The band implies a period of restraint and preservation, ensuring future restoration once he learned humility.
  • Transformation and Humility: The imagery of the king living "with the beasts of the field" and being "wet with the dew of heaven" vividly portrays his descent into an animalistic state, a profound humbling experience intended to teach him that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:25).

Linguistic Insights

The term "watcher" (Aramaic: `iyr) is unique to Daniel chapters 4 and refers to a class of angelic beings who observe human affairs and execute divine judgments. The phrase "seven times" (Aramaic: `iddanim) most commonly signifies seven years, indicating the duration of Nebuchadnezzar's period of madness. The "band of iron and brass" (Aramaic: `asar) suggests an unbreakable, divinely ordained constraint, highlighting the certainty and unchangeable nature of the prophecy.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18). It underscores the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty in all areas of life, including leadership and personal success. True authority and lasting strength come from Him. Nebuchadnezzar's eventual restoration (as seen in Daniel 4:34-37) also offers hope in God's redemptive power and His willingness to restore those who humble themselves before Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Daniel 5:21 (3 votes)

    And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

  • Daniel 4:13 (2 votes)

    I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

  • Daniel 4:16 (2 votes)

    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.