Daniel 4
4
Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream
1King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following message to the people of all nations, races, and languages in the world:
“Greetings! 2Listen to my account of the wonders and miracles which the Supreme God has shown me.
3“How great are the wonders God shows us!
How powerful are the miracles he performs!
God is king for ever; he will rule for all time.
4“I was living comfortably in my palace, enjoying great prosperity. 5But I had a frightening dream and saw terrifying visions while I was asleep. 6I ordered all the royal advisers in Babylon to be brought to me so that they could tell me what the dream meant. 7Then all the fortune tellers, magicians, wizards, and astrologers were brought in, and I told them my dream, but they could not explain it to me. 8Then Daniel came in. (He is also called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god.) The spirit of the holy gods#4.8; 4.9; 4.18 gods; or God. is in him, so I told him what I had dreamt. I said to him: 9Belteshazzar, chief of the fortune tellers, I know that the spirit of the holy gods#4.9; 4.18; 4.8 gods; or God. is in you, and that you understand all mysteries. This is#4.9 Probable text This is; Aramaic Visions of. my dream. Tell me what it means.
10“While I was asleep, I had a vision of a huge tree in the middle of the earth. 11It grew bigger and bigger until it reached the sky and could be seen by everyone in the world. 12Its leaves were beautiful, and it was loaded down with fruit — enough for the whole world to eat. Wild animals rested in its shade, birds built nests in its branches, and every kind of living being ate its fruit.
13“While I was thinking about the vision, I saw coming down from heaven an angel, alert and watchful. 14He proclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Cut the tree down and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Drive the animals from under it and the birds out of its branches. 15But leave the stump in the ground with a band of iron and bronze round it. Leave it there in the field with the grass.
“ ‘Now let the dew fall on this man, and let him live with the animals and the plants. 16For seven years he will not have a human mind, but the mind of an animal. 17This is the decision of the alert and watchful angels. So then, let all people everywhere know that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses — even to those who are the least important.’
18“This is the dream I had,” said King Nebuchadnezzar. “Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of my royal advisers could tell me, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods#4.18; 4.8; 4.9 gods; or God. is in you.”
Daniel Explains the Dream
19At this, Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, was so alarmed that he could not say anything. The king said to him, “Belteshazzar, don't let the dream and its message alarm you.”
Belteshazzar replied, “Your Majesty, I wish that the dream and its explanation applied to your enemies and not to you. 20The tree, so tall that it reached the sky, could be seen by everyone in the world. 21Its leaves were beautiful, and it had enough fruit on it to feed the whole world. Wild animals rested under it, and birds made their nests in its branches.
22“Your Majesty, you are the tree, tall and strong. You have grown so great that you reach the sky, and your power extends over the whole world. 23While Your Majesty was watching, an angel came down from heaven and said, ‘Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave the stump in the ground. Wrap a band of iron and bronze round it, and leave it there in the field with the grass. Let the dew fall on this man, and let him live there with the animals for seven years.’
24“This, then, is what it means, Your Majesty, and this is what the Supreme God has declared will happen to you. 25You will be driven away from human society and will live with wild animals. For seven years you will eat grass like an ox, and sleep in the open air, where the dew will fall on you. Then you will admit that the Supreme God controls all human kingdoms, and that he can give them to anyone he chooses. 26The angel ordered the stump to be left in the ground. This means that you will become king again when you acknowledge that God rules all the world. 27So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor.#4.27 Stop sinning… to the poor; or Make up for your sins by doing what is right and by being merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous.”
28All this did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29Only twelve months later, while he was walking about on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon, 30he said, “Look how great Babylon is! I built it as my capital city to display my power and might, my glory and majesty.”
31Before the words were out of his mouth, a voice spoke from heaven, “King Nebuchadnezzar, listen to what I say! Your royal power is now taken away from you. 32You will be driven away from human society, live with wild animals, and eat grass like an ox for seven years. Then you will acknowledge that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses.”
33The words came true immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human society and ate grass like an ox. The dew fell on his body, and his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers and his nails as long as birds' claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34“When the seven years had passed,” said the king, “I looked up at the sky, and my sanity returned. I praised the Supreme God and gave honour and glory to the one who lives for ever.
“He will rule for ever,
and his kingdom will last for all time.
35He looks on the people of the earth as nothing;
angels in heaven and people on earth
are under his control.
No one can oppose his will
or question what he does.
36“When my sanity returned, my honour, my majesty, and the glory of my kingdom were given back to me. My officials and my noblemen welcomed me, and I was given back my royal power, with even greater honour than before.
37“And now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honour, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just, and he can humble anyone who acts proudly.”
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Daniel 4
4
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
1King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and language groups in the land:
“I wish you perfect peace and prosperity! 2It is my royal pleasure to inform you of the mighty signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3“How great are his signs!
How overwhelming are his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
and his dominion endures from one generation to the next.”
Nebuchadnezzar Dreams about a Great Tree
4“I, Nebuchadnezzar, # 4:4 Or “In the seventeenth year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar said” (LXX). The Aramaic text marks these verses as 3:31–33 and places them in the previous chapter; however, these verses appear in most English Bibles as Dan. 4:1–3. It is likely that the events of ch. 4 happened twenty years or more after the episode of the fiery furnace described in ch. 3. was content and at peace in my house—thoroughly enjoying a life of luxury in my palace. 5One night, I had a terrifying dream. While I was lying on my bed, frightening visions passed through my head, and I was tormented by what I saw. 6So I issued a decree that all the sages of Babylon must come and explain to me what my dream meant. 7Magicians, enchanters, wizards, and wise men # 4:7 Or “Chaldeans [astrologers],” likely a general term for all who practiced divination. The Babylonians were known as those who specialized in the magic arts. came, and I explained my dream to them, but they were unable to interpret it for me. 8Finally, Daniel came before me. (I had renamed him Belteshazzar, # 4:8 One of the principal Babylonian deities was called “Bel” (Isa. 46:1), a cognate of “Baal.” after my own god.) The spirit of the holy gods # 4:8 Or “the spirit of the holy God.” See vv. 9, 18; cf. Josh. 24:19. Although Nebuchadnezzar was not a monotheist, he had already referred to Elohim as the “Great God” or “Most High God” (Dan. 3:26; 4:2). The singular (Theou) is also found in Theodotion’s Greek text. (See Edward J. Young, The Prophecy of Daniel: A Commentary [Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1980], 99; Leon J. Wood, A Commentary on Daniel [Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1973], 106; and J. A. Montgomery, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Daniel, The International Critical Commentary [Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1927], 225–26.) resides in him. I then told Daniel my dream:
9“Belteshazzar, chief of all my wise men, # 4:9 Or literally “chief magician,” which may confuse the English reader, since Daniel did not dabble in magic but was anointed with the Spirit of revelation (see Eph. 1:17). I know that the spirit of the holy gods resides in you and that there is no mystery that you cannot solve. So, listen to my dream and tell me what it means.
10“While I slept, these visions passed through my mind: I saw a huge tree in the midst of the earth. 11And the tree grew taller and stronger until its top reached into the heavens, # 4:11 One Greek version reads “its top came close to heaven and its trunk to the clouds.” and it could be seen from the far reaches of the land. 12Its branches and foliage were beautiful, its fruit abundant, providing enough food for all. Animals rested under its shade, and birds found shelter in its sturdy branches. All living creatures were nourished from it.”
A Watcher Angel
13“While I was still asleep, I saw another vision: I saw a watcher, a holy one, # 4:13 Or literally “[a being] watchful and holy” (see vv. 17, 23). A watcher (or sentinel) is a heavenly being that never sleeps and is always in the presence of the holy God. Some consider the “watchers” to be a special class of angels. The earliest account of the watchers is found in the Book of the Watchers (250–200 BC), which can be found in chs. 1–36 of 1 Enoch. “Watchers” is a translation of the Aramaic (lit. “the awake ones”). The watchers are mentioned extensively in the books of Enoch and the Dead Sea Scrolls (1QApGen). They are not demons or mythological creatures but angels from heaven. Some have fallen from their holy place before God, and some have not. The books of Enoch indicate that the angels or “sons of God” who had sex with women who gave birth to the Nephilim were watchers. The books mention a few of the leaders of the two hundred watchers by name. In the Jewish literature of the Hellenistic and early Roman periods, the watchers are widely acknowledged. (See L. D. Merino, “Los ‘vigilantes’ en la literatura intertestamentaria,” Simposio Biblico Español: Salamanca, 1982, ed. N. Fernandez-Marcos, et al. [Madrid: Universidad Complutense, 1984], 575–609.) come down from heaven. 14At the top of his voice, he announced: ‘Cut down the tree, lop off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Drive away the animals from beneath its shelter and the birds from its branches. 15But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. # 4:15 A stump with its roots implies the hope of restoration (see Job 14:8–9; Isa. 11:1). Encircle it with chains of iron and bronze, surrounded by the grass of the field. Night after night, let him be damp with heaven’s dew. Let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth as his appointed lot. Let him eat the grass # 4:15 Or “plants [vegetation].” of the field. 16For seven years, # 4:16 Or “seven seasons [periods].” let his mind # 4:16 Or “heart.” be altered into the mind of a beast. 17Such is the sentence decreed by the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, so that everyone living may learn that the Most High God is sovereign over # 4:17 Or “is powerful over” (also in v. 25). The Most High God is contrasted with the “gods” mentioned in vv. 8 and 9. the kingdoms of men. He can give them to whomever he pleases and raises up over them the lowliest of all people.’ ”
18Then King Nebuchadnezzar concluded, “That was my dream. Now it is for you, Belteshazzar, to interpret its meaning, since not one of the wise men in my kingdom has been able to interpret it for me, but I know that you can, since the spirit of the holy gods resides in you.” # 4:18 Nebuchadnezzar didn’t pick up on Daniel’s switch to singular in v. 17, where he used “the Most High God.” They were talking past each other, and this gives the dialogue the feel of authenticity.
Daniel Interprets the King’s Dream
19Upon hearing this, Daniel (known as Belteshazzar) was visibly shaken for a while and troubled in his thoughts. The king noticed this and said to him, “Belteshazzar, do not be alarmed by the dream and its meaning.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation were for your enemies! 20The huge tree you saw, so large and tall that it reached into the heavens and could be seen from anywhere in the land, 21the tree with beautiful branches and foliage and abundant fruit, providing food for all and shade for the wild animals, and birds with nests in its branches: 22that tree, Your Majesty, is you! You are now so great and strong that it reaches into heaven, and your authority reaches over the entire land.
23“Now you, O king, saw a watcher—a holy messenger—come down from heaven, saying, ‘Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave the stump and roots in the ground. Encircle it with chains of iron and bronze in the midst of the grass of the field. Let him be damp with the dew every night. Let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth as his appointed lot until seven years # 4:23 Or “seven times.” See v. 25. have passed by for him.’ 24So, the meaning of what you saw, Your Majesty, and the decree the Most High has decreed over you, my lord the king, is this:
25“You will be driven far from human society and will make your home with the wild beasts for seven years. Like cattle, you will eat grass, and you will be damp with the dew of heaven, # 4:25 By implication, Nebuchadnezzar will sleep in the open fields as an animal as the morning dew falls upon him. until you have learned that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and can give them to whomever he pleases.
26“And the watcher’s order, ‘Leave the stump with its roots in the ground,’ means this: God will restore your kingdom to you # 4:26 Nebuchadnezzar was like the tree being cut down, which symbolized his disgrace and removal from the throne, but the leaving of the stump in the ground was a promise that he and his kingdom would one day be restored. The encircling of the stump with chains may suggest that he was protected by God until God’s purposes for him were fulfilled. once you come to your senses and understand that Heaven rules over all.
27“Your Majesty, please be willing to do what I say and accept my advice. Renounce # 4:27 Or “break off,” a word used for breaking off a yoke (see Gen. 27:40). your sins by doing what is right. Turn from your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor and unfortunate, and perhaps your prosperity will continue.”
The Dream Comes True
28All that was predicted happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29A year later, while strolling on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon, 30the king began to boast: “Look at you! Is not this Babylon the great? By my brilliant wisdom, # 4:30 Or “mighty power.” I built all this as my royal residence to display the glory of my majesty.” 31The words were no sooner out of his mouth than a voice spoke # 4:31 Or literally “a voice fell from heaven.” from out of heaven:
“Here is my verdict concerning you, King Nebuchadnezzar: I have now taken your kingdom from you! 32You will be driven far from human society for seven years. You will make your home with the wild beasts, # 4:32 When people give themselves the glory for what God has done, they become beastlike. At least beasts behave the way beasts should behave. But we who are made in the image of God, when we become arrogant and boastful and refuse to humble ourselves before our Creator, we become even worse than beasts. See Rom. 1:24–28; Rev. 11:7; 13:1; 14:9–11. and you will eat grass like cattle until you have learned that I, the Most High, am sovereign over the kingdoms of men and can give them to whomever I please.”
33It was no sooner said than done: Nebuchadnezzar was forced to live like a wild animal and was driven far from human society and ate grass as cattle do. Night after night he was damp with the dew of heaven, his hair grew remarkably long like eagle’s feathers, and his nails became like a bird’s talons. # 4:33 This is known as lycanthropy (or zoanthropy or boanthropy), a condition in which sufferers imitate dogs, wolves, cows, and other wild animals. (See Richard Hunter and Ida Macalpine, Three Hundred Years of Psychiatry, 1535–1860 [Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1963], 168; E. B. Pusey, Daniel the Prophet [Minneapolis: Klock & Klock, 1978], 425–33; R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979], 1116–17.)
Nebuchadnezzar Praises the Most High
34“When the appointed time # 4:34 Or “the days.” had come, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. And I blessed the Most High, praising and glorifying him who lives forever:
“His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from one generation to the next.
35All who dwell on earth are regarded as nothing compared to him.
He does whatever he pleases with the armies of heaven
and with those who dwell on earth.
No one can restrain his mighty hand
or dare ask him, ‘What are you doing?’
36At the moment I began to praise him,
I was restored to my right mind.
The Most High gave me back
the majesty and splendor of my kingdom.
My advisers and noblemen came looking for me.
I was restored to my throne,
and still more greatness was added to me.
37And now I, Nebuchadnezzar,
praise, extol, and glorify God, the King of heaven!
All his works are right and true,
and all his ways are right.
He knows how to humble those who strut around in pride.” # 4:37 See 1 Sam. 2:7.
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