Daniel 4

Daniel Interprets the Dream (4:19–27)

19–23 In verses 19–33, Daniel is the one doing the writing, not the king. Daniel knew at once what the dream meant, but he was greatly perplexed about how to present the matter to the king (verse 19). But with the king’s encouragement, Daniel boldly told him the meaning of the dream: “. . . you, O king, are that tree; you are the ‘stump’ that will live like the wild animals for seven years” (verses 22–23).

24–27 Having given the interpretation, Daniel then gave God’s decree against the king: for seven years the king would become like a wild animal. It would take seven years for the king to acknowledge that God the Most High was truly sovereign over all the kingdoms of men (verse 25). Then Daniel gave the king some advice: if he would renounce his sins and do what was right, perhaps the terrible judgment described in the dream could be averted and the king’s prosperity continue (verse 27).

The Dream Is Fulfilled (4:28–37)

28–33 All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar (verse 28); that is, the judgment of the dream came true. Why? Because the king did not take Daniel’s advice (verse 27). Twelve months went by after Daniel urged the king to renounce his sins and wickedness, but the king remained as proud as ever (verses 29–30). At the very moment he was boasting about his mighty power, the Lord pronounced judgment upon him, just as foretold in the dream (verses 31–33). Nebuchadnezzar became insane, and remained like a wild animal for seven years.

34 –37 Here Nebuchadnezzar’s public letter of praise to God is resumed. The twelve months of delay (verse 29) and the seven years of punishment are now over, and the king wants to publicly thank God for delivering him from insanity and restoring him to his throne. Nebuchadnezzar had finally come to acknowledge God’s sovereignty: He (God) does as he pleases . . . No one can hold back his hand (verse 35). Most important, Nebuchadnezzar realized that he had been walking in pride and that God had finally been able to humble him (verse 37); only after being humbled was he ready to be lifted up again (see James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5–6).

Though not truly converted, Nebuchadnezzar had begun to fear the Lord. Think of how the Jewish exiles throughout Babylonia must have felt when they heard what had happened to the king. Their God may have left Jerusalem, but He was now reigning in Babylon!¹³