CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Daniel 4
Chapter 4 of 12
Chapter Overview
What happens in Daniel 4
King Nebuchadnezzar tells his own story about a dream of a great tree that is cut down. Daniel interprets the dream as a warning from God. The king's pride leads to his losing his mind for seven periods of time until he finally praises the Most High God.
Scripture
Daniel 4
The King's Announcement
Study note
This chapter is unique because most of it is written as a proclamation by Nebuchadnezzar himself. He is sending a letter to all the peoples of his vast empire, sharing what God did to him and what he learned from it.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this word to every nation on earth. "I wish you great peace!" Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 "I want to share with you the incredible signs and miracles that the Most High God has done for me." I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 "His signs are truly amazing! His miracles are jaw-dropping! His kingdom goes on forever. His power stretches across every generation." How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
The Dream of the Great Tree
Study note
The great tree that reaches to heaven represents a mighty king whose influence extends everywhere. A holy watcher from heaven orders the tree cut down, but the stump is left, meaning the king will not be destroyed forever. The other wise men could not interpret this dream, so Daniel was called.
4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was relaxing at home, enjoying the good life in my fine palace." I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 "Then I had a dream that scared me to death. The pictures and visions that filled my mind as I slept left me shaking with fear." I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 "So I called for every wise man in Babylon to come and explain the dream to me." Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 "The magicians, astrologers, wise men, and fortune-tellers all appeared. I described my dream to them, but none of them could figure out what it meant." Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8 "At last, Daniel came to see me. His Babylonian name is Belteshazzar, named after my own god. The spirit of the holy gods lives in him. I told him my dream." But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
9 "I said, 'Belteshazzar, you are the wisest of all my advisors. I know the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is what I dreamed — please tell me what it means.'" O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
10 "'In my vision, I looked out and saw a massive tree standing right in the center of the earth. It was unbelievably tall.'" Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
11 "'The tree kept growing until it was enormous and strong. Its top pushed up into the sky, and you could see it from the farthest corners of the world.'" The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12 "'It had gorgeous leaves and was loaded with fruit — more than enough to feed everyone. Wild animals sheltered in its shade, birds built nests in its branches, and every living thing found food from it.'" The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 "'Then, still in my vision, I saw a holy messenger coming down out of heaven.'" I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14 "'He shouted loudly: Chop this tree down! Cut off its branches! Strip away its leaves and scatter its fruit! Chase the animals from underneath it and the birds from its branches!'" 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:
15 "'But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, locked with an iron and bronze band. Leave it there in the open field among the grass. Let the dew from heaven soak him. Let him live outdoors with the animals.'" 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:
16 "'Let his human mind be replaced with the mind of an animal. Let him stay this way for seven periods of time.'" 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.
17 "'The holy ones gave this ruling. They want all people to know this. The Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth. He gives them to whoever he wants. He even gives them to the most unknown people.'" This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18 "'That was my dream, King Nebuchadnezzar. Now, Belteshazzar, you tell me the meaning. None of my other wise men can crack it. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'" This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
Study note
Daniel was troubled because he cared about the king and did not want to deliver bad news. The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar and his great kingdom. The stump means his kingdom would be restored after he learned that God rules over all human kingdoms. Daniel urged the king to turn from sin and show mercy.
19 Daniel (Belteshazzar) went silent for a while, clearly shaken by what the dream meant. The king noticed and said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream alarm you." Daniel finally spoke: "My lord, I truly wish this dream was about your enemies and not about you." Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
20 "The tree you saw — the one that grew so tall and strong that its top reached the sky and could be seen everywhere on earth —" The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 "the tree with beautiful leaves and loads of fruit, giving food to all, where animals rested and birds lived —" Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22 "that tree is you, your majesty! You have grown mighty and powerful. Your greatness reaches up to the sky, and your authority extends to the ends of the earth." It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23 "Then you saw a holy messenger come down from heaven and say, 'Chop this tree down and destroy it. But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, tied with iron and bronze, out in the open field. Let the dew soak him. Let him live with the wild animals for seven periods of time.'" 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;
24 "Here is the meaning, your majesty. This is what the Most High God has decided will happen to you:" This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 "You will be driven away from human society and will live outdoors with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow and be drenched by the dew. Seven periods of time will pass until you finally admit that the Most High God is the real ruler of every kingdom and gives them to whoever he wants." That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 "But the order to leave the stump and roots means good news — you will get your kingdom back once you accept that heaven is in control." And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27 "So please, your majesty, listen to my advice: walk away from your sins and start doing what is right. Be kind to people who are struggling. Maybe then your peace and prosperity will last." Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
The Dream Comes True
Study note
Twelve months later, while the king was boasting about his own greatness, the dream was fulfilled immediately. He lost his mind and lived like a wild animal for seven periods of time. His hair grew like eagle feathers and his nails like bird claws. This condition is sometimes called boanthropy.
28 Everything Daniel said would happen came true for King Nebuchadnezzar. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 One year later, the king was strolling on the rooftop of his royal palace in Babylon. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 He looked out over the city and boasted, "Look at magnificent Babylon! I built this as my royal capital through my own power, for my own fame and glory!" The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 The words were barely out of his mouth when a voice boomed down from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, listen up! Your kingdom has been ripped away from you." While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 "You will be driven away from people to live with wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle. Seven periods of time will go by until you learn that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms and gives them to whoever he chooses." And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 It happened that very moment. Nebuchadnezzar was chased out into the wild. He ate grass like cattle. Dew soaked his body every night until his hair grew thick and tangled like eagle feathers, and his fingernails grew long and curved like bird claws. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
The King Praises God
Study note
When Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven, his mind was restored. He praised the Most High God and acknowledged that God's kingdom lasts forever. His throne and honor were returned to him. This is a powerful lesson about the danger of pride and the greatness of God's mercy.
34 "When that time was finally over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes toward heaven. My sanity returned to me. I praised the Most High and gave glory to the one who lives forever. His kingdom never ends, and his authority lasts from one generation to the next." 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:
35 "Everyone on earth is nothing compared to him. He does whatever he decides among the angels in heaven and among the people on earth. Nobody can stop him or question what he does." And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 "When my mind cleared, my royal honor, glory, and majesty all came flooding back. My advisors and officials welcomed me, and I was restored to my throne with even more power than before." 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.
37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give all praise, honor, and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is fair, and all his ways are just. Anyone who walks around full of pride — he knows exactly how to bring them low." 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.
Key Themes
Themes in Daniel 4
God humbles the proudNebuchadnezzar's testimonyThe most high rules over human kingdomsRepentance and restorationPride goes before a fall
Apply This Today
Living Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world, yet God humbled Him until He acknowledged that heaven rules. This is the only chapter in the Bible written as a personal testimony by a pagan king. It reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach, and that humility — even learned the hard way — is the path back to wholeness.
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