Daniel 4:30-37

30 "The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the 1great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'
31 "While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you,
32 and 2you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and 3seven periods of time will pass over you until * you recognize that the 4Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever * He wishes.'
33 "Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was 5driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until * his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
34 "But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the 6Most High and praised and honored 7Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an 8everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 "9All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But 10He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And 11no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, '12What have You done?'
36 "At that time my 13reason returned to me. And my majesty and 14splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing 15greatness was added to me.
37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of 16heaven, for 17all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who 18walk in pride."

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 18

  • 1. Habakkuk 2:4
  • 2. Daniel 4:25
  • 3. Daniel 4:16
  • 4. Daniel 4:17
  • 5. Daniel 4:25; Daniel 5:21
  • 6. Daniel 4:2; Daniel 5:18, 21
  • 7. Psalms 102:24-27; Daniel 6:26; Daniel 12:7; Revelation 4:10
  • 8. Psalms 145:13; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 4:3; Micah 4:7; Luke 1:33
  • 9. Psalms 39:5; Isaiah 40:15, 17
  • 10. Psalms 33:11; Psalms 115:3; Psalms 135:6; Daniel 6:27
  • 11. Job 42:2; Isaiah 43:13
  • 12. Job 9:12; Isaiah 45:9; Romans 9:20
  • 13. 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13; Daniel 4:34
  • 14. Daniel 2:31
  • 15. Proverbs 22:4; Daniel 4:22
  • 16. Daniel 4:26; Daniel 5:23
  • 17. Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 33:4, 5; Isaiah 5:16
  • 18. Exodus 18:11; Job 40:11, 12; Daniel 5:20

Footnotes 13

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