Daniel 4:30-37

30 and the king answered and said, 1"Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by 2my mighty power as a royal residence and for 3the glory of my majesty?"
31 4While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,
32 5and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, 6until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will."
33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. 7He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34 8At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and 9my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored 10him who lives forever, 11for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and 12his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 13all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and 14he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; 15and none can stay his hand or 16say to him, "What have you done?"
36 At the same time 17my reason returned to me, and for 18the glory of my kingdom, 19my majesty and splendor returned to me. 20My counselors and 21my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was 22added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, 23praise and extol and honor the 24King of heaven, 25for all his works are right and his ways are just; and 26those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4:30-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 4

This chapter was written by Nebuchadnezzar himself; and was either taken out of his archives, or given by him to Daniel, who under divine inspiration inserted it into this work of his; and a very useful instruction it contains, showing the sovereignty of God over the greatest kings and potentates of the earth, and this acknowledged by one of the proudest monarchs that ever lived upon it. It begins with a preface, saluting all nations, and declaring the greatness and power of God, Da 4:1-3 then follows the narrative of a dream the king dreamed, which troubled him; upon which he called for his wise men to interpret it, but in vain; at length he told it to Daniel, Da 4:4-9: the dream itself; which being told, astonished Daniel, the king being so much interested in it, Da 4:10-19, the interpretation of it, with Daniel's advice upon it, is in Da 4:20-27 the fulfilment of it, time and occasion thereof, Da 4:28-33. Nebuchadnezzar's restoration to his reason and kingdom, for which he praises God, Da 4:34-37.

Cross References 26

  • 1. [Daniel 5:20]
  • 2. [ver. 36; Daniel 2:37]
  • 3. [ver. 36; Daniel 2:37]
  • 4. [Daniel 5:5; Luke 12:20]
  • 5. ver. 17, 25; Daniel 5:21
  • 6. ver. 17, 25; Daniel 5:21
  • 7. [See ver. 32 above]
  • 8. [ver. 26]
  • 9. ver. 36
  • 10. Daniel 6:26; Daniel 12:7; Revelation 4:10
  • 11. [Psalms 10:16]; See Daniel 2:44
  • 12. [Psalms 10:16]; See Daniel 2:44
  • 13. Isaiah 40:17
  • 14. [Psalms 115:3; Hebrews 1:13, 14]
  • 15. [Isaiah 14:27]
  • 16. Job 9:12; [Isaiah 45:9; Romans 9:20]
  • 17. ver. 34
  • 18. [ver. 30; Daniel 5:18]
  • 19. [ver. 30; Daniel 5:18]
  • 20. Daniel 3:24; Daniel 6:7
  • 21. Daniel 5:1; Daniel 6:17
  • 22. [Job 42:12; Matthew 6:33]
  • 23. ver. 34
  • 24. [Daniel 5:23]
  • 25. [Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 33:4; Revelation 15:3]
  • 26. [Daniel 5:20; Proverbs 20:23]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.