Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar’s Proclamation

1King Nebuchadnezzar,

To those of every people, nation, and language, who live on the whole earth: # 4:1 Dn 6:25

May your prosperity increase. # 4:1 2Pt 1:2 2I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders # 4:2 Dn 6:27; Jn 4:48; Ac 2:22; 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:4 the Most High God has done for me.

3How great are his miracles,

and how mighty his wonders! # 4:3 Ps 105:27; Is 25:1

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, # 4:3 Ps 145:13; Dn 2:44; 4:34; 7:14,27; 2Pt 1:11

and his dominion is from generation to generation. # 4:3 Is 9:7; Dn 6:26; 1Pt 5:11; Rv 1:6; 5:13

The Dream

4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. # 4:4 Ps 30:6; Is 47:7–8 5I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. # 4:5 Dn 2:28; 7:15 6So I issued a decree # 4:6 Dn 3:10,29 to bring all the wise men of Babylon to me in order that they might make the dream’s interpretation known to me. # 4:6 Gn 41:8; Dn 2:12 7When the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me. # 4:7 Dn 2:2

8Finally Daniel, named Belteshazzar # 4:8 Dn 1:7 after the name of my god — and a spirit of the holy gods is in him # 4:8 Gn 41:38; Dn 2:11 — came before me. I told him the dream: 9“Belteshazzar, head of the magicians, because I know that you have the spirit of the holy gods # 4:9 Dn 5:11 and that no mystery puzzles you, # 4:9 Ezk 28:3 explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation. 10In the visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this:

There was a tree in the middle of the earth,

and it was very tall.

11The tree grew large and strong;

its top reached to the sky, # 4:11 Gn 11:4

and it was visible to the ends of the # 4:11 Lit of all the earth.

12Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant,

and on it was food for all. # 4:12 Gn 2:9; Rv 22:2

Wild animals found shelter under it,

the birds of the sky # 4:12 Ezk 17:23; Mt 13:32; Lk 13:9 lived in its branches,

and every creature was fed from it. # 4:12 Ezk 31:3–6

13“As I was lying in my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, # 4:13 = an angel,# 4:13 Dt 33:2; Ps 89:7; Zch 14:5; Jd 14 coming down from heaven. # 4:13 Rv 10:1; 18:1; 20:1 14He called out loudly:

Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;

strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.

Let the animals flee from under it,

and the birds from its branches. # 4:14 Ezk 31:10–14

15But leave the stump with its roots in the ground # 4:15 Jb 14:7–9

and with a band of iron and bronze around it

in the tender grass of the field.

Let him be drenched with dew from the sky

and share the plants of the earth # 4:15 Gn 3:18

with the animals.

16Let his mind be changed from that of a human,

and let him be given the mind of an animal

for seven periods of time. # 4:16 Lit animal as seven times pass over him,# 4:16 Perhaps seven years,# 4:16 Dn 7:25

17This word is by decree of the watchers,

and the decision is by command from the holy ones.

This is so that the living will know

that the Most High is ruler

over human kingdoms.

He gives them to anyone he wants

and sets the lowliest of people over them. # 4:17 1Sm 2:8; Ps 9:16; Jr 27:5–7; Dn 5:21

18This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me. # 4:18 Gn 41:8; Dn 5:8 But you can, because you have a spirit of the holy gods.”

The Dream Interpreted

19Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! # 4:19 2Sm 18:32 20The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky and was visible to the whole earth, 21and whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant — and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the sky lived — 22that tree is you, Your Majesty. For you have become great and strong: your greatness has grown and even reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. # 4:22 Jr 27:6–8; Ezk 31:3

23“The king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze around it in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share food with the wild animals for seven periods of time.’ 24This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree of the Most High that has been issued against my lord the king: # 4:24 Jb 40:11–12; Ps 107:40 25You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle # 4:25 Ps 106:20; Jr 27:5 and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants. # 4:25 Ps 83:18; Dn 5:21 26As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored # 4:26 Lit enduring to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven # 4:26 = God rules. # 4:26 Dn 2:37 27Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, # 4:27 Pr 28:13; Ac 8:22 and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. # 4:27 Ps 41:1–3; Is 58:6–7; Ezk 18:7 Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” # 4:27 Jr 18:8; Jn 3:10

The Sentence Executed

28All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. # 4:28 Nm 23:19; Zch 1:6 29At the end of twelve months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built to be a royal residence by my vast power and for my majestic glory? ” # 4:30 Is 24:23; Ezk 26:20; 28:22; 38:23; 39:13,21; Hab 2:4; 1Co 4:7

31While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. # 4:31 Lk 12:20 32You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.”

33At that moment the message against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. # 4:32–33 Dn 5:21

Nebuchadnezzar’s Praise

34But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified him who lives forever: # 4:34 Dn 6:26; 12:7; Rv 4:10

For his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom is from generation to generation. # 4:34 Ps 145:13; Jr 10:10; Mc 4:7

35All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, # 4:35 Is 40:15–17

and he does what he wants # 4:35 Jb 9:12; 42:2; Ps 115:3; 135:6; Rm 9:20; Eph 1:11 with the army of heaven

and the inhabitants of the earth.

There is no one who can block his hand

or say to him, “What have you done? ” # 4:35 Is 40:17; 43:13; 45:9; Rm 9:20

36At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me. # 4:36 2Ch 33:12–13; Pr 22:4 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. # 4:37 Dt 32:4; Ps 33:4; Rv 15:3 He is able to humble # 4:37 Ex 18:11; Jb 40:11–12 those who walk in pride. # 4:37 2Sm 22:28; Ps 18:27; Pr 16:18; 29:23; Rm 12:16; Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5

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Daniel 4

1 I, Nevukhadnetzar, was at rest in mine bais, and prospering in my heikhal (palace). 2 I saw a chalom (dream) which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the chazonot (visions) of my head troubled me. 3 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the chachamim of Babylon before me, that they might give me da'as of the pesher (interpretation, explanation) of the chalom (dream). 4 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim (Chaldeans), and the soothsayers; and I told the chalom (dream) before them; but they did not make known unto me the pesher thereof. 5 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Beltshatzar, according to hashem of my G-d, and in whom is the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh); and before him I told the chalom (dream), saying, 6 O Beltshatzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh) is in thee, and no raz (secret, mystery) troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my chalom (dream) that I have seen, and the pesher thereof. 7 Thus were the chazonot of mine head in my bed; I was looking, and hinei, an etz (tree) in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 8 The etz grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto Shomayim, and visibility thereof extended to the end of kol ha'aretz; 9 The leaves thereof were lovely, and the p'ri thereof abundant, and in it was food for all; the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and kol basar was fed of it.

10 I saw in the chazonot of my head upon my bed, and, hinei, an ir (watcher, messenger), a malach hakodesh, came down from Shomayim. 11 He cried with strength, and said thus, Chop down the tree, and cut off his branches, strip off his leaves, and scatter his p'ri; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches. 12 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him partake with the beasts in the grass of ha'aretz; 13 Let his lev (heart) be changed from manʼs, and let a beastʼs lev be given unto him; and let seven times (seasons, years) pass over him. 14 This matter is by the decree of the irin (watchers), and the demand by the word of the Kedoshim (holy ones), to the intent that the living may have da'as that Elyon (Most High) ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 15 This chalom (dream) I, king Nevukhadnetzar, have seen. Now thou, O Beltshatzar, declare the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, forasmuch as all the chachamim of my malchut are not able to make known unto me the pesher (interpretation, explanation); but thou art able; for the Ruach Elohin Kadishin (Ruach Elohim HaKadosh) is in thee.

16 Then Daniel, whose name was Beltshatzar, was perplexed for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Beltshatzar, let not the chalom (dream), or the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof, trouble thee. Beltshatzar answered and said, Mari (my master), if only the chalom (dream) concerned them that hate thee, and the pesher (interpretation, explanation) thereof thine enemies. 17 The etz that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto Shomayim, and the visibility thereof extended to kol ha'aretz; 18 Whose leaves were lovely, and the p'ri thereof abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of heaven had their habitation; 19 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto Shomayim, and thy dominion to the end of ha'aretz. 20 And whereas the king saw an ir (watcher), a malach hakodesh, come down from Shomayim, and saying, Chop the etz down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him partake with the beasts of the field, till seven times (seasons, years) pass over him. 21 This is the pesher (interpretation, explanation), O king, and this is the decree of Elyon (Most High), which is come upon mari (my master) the king; 22 That they shall drive thee from anashim, 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 (seasons, years) shall pass over thee, till thou have da'as that Elyon (Most High) ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. 23 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the etz with its roots, thy malchut shall be assured unto thee, after that thou shalt have da'as that Shomayim (G-d) does rule. 24 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by tzedek (righteousness), and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a prolonging of thy tranquillity.

25 All this came upon the king Nevukhadnetzar. 26 At the end of twelve months he walked about the heikhal of the malchut of Babylon. 27 The melech spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? 28 While the word was in the kingʼs mouth, there fell a voice from Shomayim, saying, O king Nevukhadnetzar, to thee it is spoken: The malchut has been taken from thee. 29 And they shall drive thee from anashim, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times (seasons, years) shall pass over thee, until thou have da'as that Elyon ruleth in the malchut haAdam, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. 30 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nevukhadnetzar, and he was driven from anashim, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair had grown like eaglesʼ feathers, and his nails like birdsʼ claws.

31 And at the end of the time, I, Nevukhadnetzar, lifted up mine eyes unto Shomayim, and mine da'as returned unto me, and I said Baruch El Elyon, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever,

Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and His Malchut is from dor v'dor;

32 And all the inhabitants of ha'aretz are considered as nothing,

and He doeth according to His will in the Tzivos HaShomayim,

and among the inhabitants of ha'aretz;

and none can restrain His hand,

or say unto Him: What doest Thou?

33 At the same time my da'as returned unto me; and for the kavod of my malchut, mine honor and splendor returned unto me; and my counselors and my nobles sought unto me; and I was established in my malchut, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 34 Now I Nevukhadnetzar praise and extol and honor the Melech HaShomayim, all Whose works are emes, and His ways mishpat; and those that walk in ga'avah (pride) He is able to abase.

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