Daniel 4:28-36

The Dream Is Fulfilled

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.

32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.

Daniel 4:28-36 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

• 1. Numbers 23:19
• 2. Isaiah 13:19
• 3. S Isaiah 10:13; S Isaiah 37:24-25; Daniel 5:20; Habakkuk 1:11; Habakkuk 2:4
• 4. S 2 Samuel 22:28; Daniel 5:20
• 5. S Job 9:12
• 6. S Job 24:8
• 7. Daniel 5:20-21
• 8. S Job 12:20
• 9. Daniel 12:7; Revelation 4:10
• 10. Isaiah 37:16
• 11. Psalms 145:13; S Daniel 2:44; Daniel 5:21; Daniel 6:26; Luke 1:33
• 12. S Isaiah 40:17
• 13. Deuteronomy 21:8; Psalms 115:3; S Psalms 135:6; John 1:14
• 14. S Isaiah 14:27
• 15. S Deuteronomy 32:39
• 16. S Job 9:4; S Isaiah 14:24; S Isaiah 45:9; Daniel 5:21; Romans 9:20
• 17. S Proverbs 22:4; Daniel 5:18