Daniel 4

King James Version

Full text for Daniel Chapter 4

1¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

3How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.

4¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

5I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

6Therefore 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.

7Then 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.

8But 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],

9O 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.

10Thus [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.

11The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

12The 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.

13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

14He 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:

15Nevertheless 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:

16Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

17This 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.

18This 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.

19¶ 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.

20The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

21Whose 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:

22It [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.

23And 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;

24This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

25That 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.

26And 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.

27Wherefore, 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.

28¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

30The 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?

31While 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.

32And 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.

33The 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].

34¶ 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:

35And 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?

36At 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.

37Now 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Nebuchadnezzar recounts a terrifying dream of a great tree that was cut down by divine decree, leaving only its stump, and its heart changed for 'seven times'. Daniel interprets this dream as a judgment upon the king's pride, foretelling his expulsion from human society to live as a beast until he acknowledges God's supreme sovereignty. The prophecy is fulfilled, and after his restoration, Nebuchadnezzar praises the Most High, recognizing His everlasting dominion.

Medium Summary

King Nebuchadnezzar issues a decree to all nations, testifying to the great signs and wonders of the Most High God. He describes a troubling dream of a magnificent tree, reaching to heaven and sustaining all life, which was commanded by a heavenly 'watcher' to be cut down, with only its stump remaining and its heart changed to a beast's for 'seven times', so that all might know God rules over men. When his wise men failed, Daniel interpreted the dream, explaining that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar, whose pride would lead to his humiliation and expulsion from his kingdom until he recognized God's authority. Daniel advised repentance, but a year later, as Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his power, the prophecy was fulfilled. After the appointed 'seven times', his reason returned, and he blessed and praised the Most High, whose dominion is everlasting, acknowledging God's power to abase the proud.

Long Summary

King Nebuchadnezzar begins by proclaiming to all peoples the great signs and wonders wrought by the Most High God, whose kingdom is everlasting and dominion from generation to generation. He then recounts a personal experience, detailing a dream that troubled him greatly while at rest in his palace. His wise men were unable to interpret the vision, leading him to summon Daniel, whom he recognized as possessing the spirit of the holy gods. The dream depicted a vast, flourishing tree in the midst of the earth, reaching to heaven and providing sustenance and shelter for all living things. Suddenly, a 'watcher' and 'holy one' descended from heaven, commanding the tree to be cut down, its branches scattered, and its fruit dispersed. However, the stump of its roots was to be left in the earth, bound with iron and brass, to be wet with dew, and its portion with the beasts for 'seven times', so that all might know the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. Daniel, after a moment of consternation, courageously interpreted the dream, explaining that the great tree represented Nebuchadnezzar himself, whose dominion had grown to the ends of the earth. The divine decree meant that the king would be driven from human society, live with wild animals, eat grass, and be exposed to the elements for 'seven times' until he acknowledged God's ultimate sovereignty. Daniel urged the king to break off his sins by righteousness and show mercy to the poor to perhaps prolong his tranquility. Twelve months later, as Nebuchadnezzar proudly surveyed his magnificent city of Babylon, a voice from heaven declared that his kingdom had departed from him. Immediately, the prophecy was fulfilled: he was driven from men, lived as a beast, and his body became wild. After the appointed 'seven times', Nebuchadnezzar's understanding returned, and he lifted his eyes to heaven, blessing and praising the Most High God. He recognized God's absolute dominion over all creation and humanity, concluding that God's works are truth, His ways judgment, and He is able to abase those who walk in pride.

Core Concepts

  • Divine SovereigntyThe chapter's central message is that the Most High God 'ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will,' demonstrating His ultimate control over earthly rulers and nations, a truth Nebuchadnezzar learns through severe discipline.
  • Pride and HumiliationNebuchadnezzar's downfall is directly attributed to his pride and self-exaltation, leading to his humiliation to an animalistic state until he humbles himself and acknowledges God's supreme authority.
  • Prophetic Dream and InterpretationThe narrative revolves around Nebuchadnezzar's symbolic dream of a magnificent tree and Daniel's inspired interpretation, which reveals God's decreed judgment and its spiritual significance for the king.
  • Transformation and RestorationNebuchadnezzar undergoes a profound physical and mental transformation, living as a beast, followed by a full restoration of his reason and kingdom once he acknowledges and praises the Most High God.
  • The Watchers/Holy OnesHeavenly beings, referred to as 'watchers' and 'holy ones,' are depicted as executing God's decree, highlighting the divine council's role in orchestrating events on earth according to God's will.
  • Seven TimesThis phrase denotes a specific period of divine judgment and discipline, during which Nebuchadnezzar's sanity and kingdom are suspended, serving as a temporal marker for his humiliation and eventual restoration.