The Book of Daniel: Chapter 4
Chapter 4:1-3
{1} Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all
the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. {2} I thought it good to show the signs and
wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. {3} 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.
In this portion of scripture, we find God’s dealing with
Nebuchadnezzar, the great Babylonian monarch. Nebuchadnezzar is relating an experience
that he personally had and greatly changed his life. If Nebuchadnezzar ever came to a
place in his life where he yielded his life to God, it would probably be during the
experience that is related here. Nebuchadnezzar praises God and His mighty power.
Chapter 4:4-18
{4} I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: {5} I saw a
dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head
troubled me. {6} 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} 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} 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} 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} 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 grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and
the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: {12} 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} 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 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} 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 heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given
unto him: and let seven times pass over him. {17} 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} 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.
"At rest in mine house." Nebuchadnezzar was resting
in his house. The word for rest used here, indicates peace or tranquillity. The house
referred to here is the royal residence. "Flourishing in my palace." This
literally means "Abundant upon my throne." He was tranquil, calm, and prosperous
upon his throne. "I saw a dream." The king had a dream which he perceived and
remembered. "Which made me afraid." The reason for the king’s fear is not
specified. It may have been the vividness, or a sensing that it might refer to some evil
which would come upon himself. "And the thoughts upon my bed." The king
evidently pondered the dream and its possible interpretation. As he thought about the
dream and the visions or parts of the dream, he was troubled about its meaning.
"Bring all the wise men of Babylon." The king gathered his wise men together.
Daniel was not with them. This statement would seem to indicate that up to this
time the king still preferred his deities and wise men over Daniel and Jehovah. The wise
men could not interpret the dream. This would seem to indicate that these wise men must
have had some method of trying to get an interpretation which failed in this instance. It
also indicates that they were men who tried to give what they felt was an honest
interpretation, because they did not give a false interpretation in this case to cover up
their inability to interpret the dream. "At last Daniel came in before me." Why
did Daniel come in last. This possibly indicates that the king still favored his gods. It
may also indicate that Daniel came later of his own accord in order to show that he was
not a part of the other group of wise men. It could also be that he came last because he
was further removed from the palace than the other wise men. "Whose name was
Belteshazzar according to the name of my god. Bel or Belus was the name of his god. Here
we are able to see the name of the god that Nebuchadnezzar worshipped. This does not mean
that he worshipped only one god. The monarchs of this period and territory, worshipped
many gods, but usually chose one which they considered to be the greatest. "Master of
the magicians." This refers to Daniel as first among the magicians in the sense that
he was superior to all the rest. "The spirit of the holy gods is in thee." This
is the statement of a pagan monarch who worships many gods. He recognizes the supernatural
powers given to Daniel. Therefore he attributed it to the spirit of the holy gods.
"Tell me the visions of my dream." The king told Daniel to tell him the meaning
of his dream. "A tree in the midst of the earth." The tree seemed to be in the
center of the earth. There is no mention of other trees. It evidently stood alone.
"The height thereof reached into heaven." The tree reached far up into the sky
its top seeming to be lost in the clouds. The tree was great in the extent of its growth
and the blessings that it gave to the beasts and fowls. "The sight thereof to the end
of all the earth." As far as could be seen, the tree’s limbs reached out. This
of course, referring to Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, indicated that it controlled most
of the known world. The tree is described as a harbor for the birds and beasts. This
refers to the benefits that the people who benefited from the Babylonian kingdom. "A
watcher an holy one." This refers to an angel. It indicates the alertness of the
angels. They do not sleep, but watch. This was one of the servants of God who had not
fallen with Lucifer, for he is described as an holy one. "Let his heart be changed
from man’s and let a beasts heart be given unto him." Here we see that the
vision refers to a man, for his heart is changed from a man’s. This indicates that
the man spoken of here is to have his human nature removed and be given the nature of a
beast. This individual will no longer live like a man but as a beast. He will lose his
human rationality. "And let seven times pass over him." The word seven is clear,
but the word times does not refer to only one set period of time. However, it seems to be
clear that this refers to seven years. It is noticed in verse 33 that the man’s hair
will grow like eagles feathers and his nails like claws. This would require a longer
period than days, weeks, or months. In chapter 7 verse 25, the word times is used again.
If this portion refers to the 3 1/2 years found in the Tribulation, then it would seem
that its usage in the rest of the book, would also refer to years unless the context
indicates otherwise. "This matter is by the decree of the watchers." The
indication seems to be that God had placed these angels in charge of executing His will.
They therefore determined this judgment to humble Nebuchadnezzar. They are executing this
form of judgment to show that Jehovah rules even in the kingdom of men. "And giveth
it to whomsoever he will." God controls even the appointment and selection of rulers
in pagan nations. Man does not need to fear the uncertainty of a future which comes by
accident. God is in control.
Chapter 4:19-27
{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. {20} 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} 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} 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} 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} This is the interpretation,
O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: {25}
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} 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} Wherefore, O king, let my
counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine
iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Then was Daniel...was astonied for one hour." The
interpretation of the dream astonished Daniel, because of its fearful meaning and import
to Nebuchadnezzar, whom Daniel seemed to love and respect highly. "The dream be to
them that hate thee." Daniel recognized that the dream had an undesirable meaning
concerning Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was not anxious to announce judgment upon the king, who
had bestowed many blessings upon him. The only individuals who would appreciate the dream
would be those who hated the king. Even the greatest king has some enemies. The tree of
the dream is the king. The blessings bestowed by the tree represent the blessings of
Nebuchadnezzar’s great kingdom. "Even with a band of iron and brass." This
refers to the judgment and protection that God will bring upon the king. "They shall
drive thee from men." Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from the position that he had
occupied among men. There have been many views given as to what type of malady came upon
the king. Cedrenus held that he was transformed into a beast being half lion and half ox.
Origen and others, who take an allegorical interpretation, state that this is an allegory
representing the fall of Satan and his restoration again to the favor of God. This is in
accordance with his belief in universal salvation. Others feel that this simply refers to
a formidable conspiracy against the king wherein he was dethroned, driven out into exile
and lived a miserable life until a later revolution restored him to the throne.
Undoubtedly the correct interpretation is that God caused the king to become a maniac. The
insanity that came upon the king left him with the conviction that he was a beast.
Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment came because of his pride. This particular form of judgment
was appropriate because Nebuchadnezzar was humbled to the lowest sphere among men. He was
allowed to roam, but some restraint must have been placed upon him. It is possible that he
might have spent his days in the royal parks and forests somewhat sheltered from the view
of the people. This would account for the lack of any reference to this incident in
Babylonian records. The word "grass" used here refers to green herbs;
vegetables. The word grass as used in our language does not convey the idea that is meant
here. "Thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee." The kingdom would be restored to
Nebuchadnezzar when his rationality returned to him. He would realize then, that God rules
even in this world. "And break off thy sins by righteousness." Daniel recommends
that the king should stop pursuing his wicked course in life and practice those duties of
justice and charity toward mankind. If the king does this, maybe God will prolong the time
before this judgment comes upon him.
Chapter 4:28-33
{28} All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. {29} At the end of twelve months he
walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. {30} 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} 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} 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} 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.
In these verses we find the fulfillment of this judgment upon
Nebuchadnezzar as a result of his manifested pride in verse 30. "A voice from
heaven." It was uttered above him and appeared to come from heaven. Since this
account is given by the king following his experience of insanity, he is able to state
that its source was from heaven or from God. "The same hour was the thing
fulfilled." The idea seems to be clear that the judgment came instantly. It came
suddenly upon Nebuchadnezzar while he was still speaking. "Till his hairs were grown
like eagles feathers." The hair of the king was to grow so long and be so unkempt
that they would have the appearance of eagles feathers. "And his nails like
bird’s claws." The finger nails and toenails would grow long and have the
appearance like the talons of a bird such as the eagle.
Chapter 4:34-37
{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: {35} 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} 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 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.
In these verses we see Nebuchadnezzar’s recovery from his
insanity and his praise of God and His great power. "And mine understanding returned
unto me." This shows that Nebuchadnezzar regarded himself as having been a maniac.
The king recognizes the control of God over the entire world. The kingdom is restored to
Nebuchadnezzar after his sanity is restored. He warns those who may read this that God is
able to humble those who elevate themselves. |
