Verses 1-3 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
How much time elapsed from the events in chapter 3 to the events in this chapter is not known. What is to be noted is that King Nebuchadnezzar, at the writing of this announcement to the empire, had discovered God Almighty and a number of spiritual truths as a result of the miraculous deliverance by the LORD of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. He knew that God is the high God. The Hebrew word translated as “high” is “illay” and it means highest or the Most High. He had experienced signs and wonders (miracles) and he knew that God had/has a kingdom that was everlasting as opposed to Earthly kingdoms which came and went over time.
Verses 4-6 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
This narrative is somewhat unusual in that the king was telling his own, personal experience. Most historical narratives are from a third person’s perspective. Notice also that the king was made afraid by this dream. People living back in the days of Daniel the prophet were much stronger, both physically and emotionally, than people living today. The king of Babylon, for example, was a fighting man, used to battle, bloodshed and murder, pillaging and all kinds of fearful activities and sights. He would not have been easily frightened. But the pagan people were very suspicious and superstitious, and because they served multiple gods and goddesses, they were always living in fear of offending one of these gods or goddesses. So dreams were important and attention was given to them, especially the dreams of kings. Apparently, King Nebuchadnezzar had not yet learned that the source of truth was the God Daniel and his friends worshipped. Instead of just calling on Daniel for assistance, he called the usual group of wise men to interpret the dream.
Verses 7-9 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
The usual group of wise men failed to interpret the dream, as usual. Notice that Daniel had been called Belteshazzar after a “great” Babylonian god. Notice also that King Nebuchadnezzar still had not grasped who Daniel’s God was as the king credited him with having the spirit of multiple gods.
Verses 10-12 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
The tree that the king saw in his dream was massive in size and in function. It was alive and flourishing. At the time of his dream, the Babylonian empire was massive and flourishing under his ruler-ship.
Verses 13-16 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
The Hebrew word translated as “watcher” is “yr” and it only occurs three times in Scripture. It means waking, watchful, wakeful one, watcher, or angel. In his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar saw an angel come down from Heaven and judgement was pronounced upon the tree that it should be cut down, but that the roots and the stump should be left alone. Verse 13 also says “an holy one”. This verse has been interpreted to mean that the watcher and the holy one are the same angelic being. This writer, however, reads this verse as having two separate heavenly beings come down from Heaven. There was a watcher or angel and then an holy one. Who was this holy one? Scripture does not elaborate, but this writer believes that it was Jesus Christ, the same Jesus Christ who walked in the garden with Adam and Eve at the beginning of time. Jesus Christ is God, very God. God is one God who manifests Himself in three different ways: as Spirit (Father), as flesh (Jesus Christ, Son of God), and as Holy Ghost/Spirit. This writer believes that it was Jesus who pronounced judgement and it was the angel who gave the message to the king via the dream. Times in Scripture usually means years.
Verses 17-18 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
In his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar was told that this order to cut down the tree came from the LORD God. He naturally wanted to know the interpretation, and after the Babylonian wise men failed to reveal the interpretation to him, he turned to Daniel because he believed Daniel would be able to provide the answers he was looking for.
Verse 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
The Hebrew word translated as “astonied” is “shamam” and it means to be appalled or to be stunned. Daniel knew what the dream meant, and he was in a difficult situation. To give the true interpretation of this dream, he would have to explain that judgement had been pronounced by God upon King Nebuchadnezzar and that he would have seven years of tribulation occur in which he would no longer be ruler of the empire. The manner in which this was to occur was also astonishing to Daniel, and he would have to find a way to communicate the dream and hopefully keep his head on his shoulders if the king was offended by the interpretation. Hence, the time period that Daniel took to pause and think about the situation. The Hebrew word translated as “hour” is “shaah” and it means a brief time or a moment. It does not necessarily mean a sixty minute period of time. But it was this pause that resulted in the king telling Daniel not to be troubled. Daniel answered by basically saying that he wished the dream applied to the king’s enemies and not to the king. Daniel genuinely did not want to see the king harmed, but he knew that God’s judgements were just.
Application: Sometimes, the Christian believer sees the effects of God’s judgement in the lives of other believers or of non believing friends and family and the urge is to intervene and relieve the problem, to rescue them. This is where the believer needs to seek the LORD and to have discernment before acting. If the LORD is trying to correct a person or to reach a person for conversion by allowing tribulations into his/her life, trying to rescue or help the person will just get in the way of what the LORD is trying to accomplish. The person’s spiritual condition is far more important than their physical condition. If they need to face trials that will get them to focus on the LORD and to trust Him for the resolution of their troubles, then rescuing them will cause them more harm. Be sensitive and seek the LORD before acting.
Verses 20-23 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
The Hebrew word translated as “portion” is “chalaq” and it means possession or lot. The lot (condition in life) of this tree and therefore the king, was to be with the critters living in the wild for seven years.
Verses 24-25 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, 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 shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Because King Nebuchadnezzar had failed to recognize that it was God who had blessed him with power, position and riches, and because he failed to be humble before God, he had been judged and he was to be cast out into the fields with the critters until he repented and recognized who had the power and authority in the world.
Verses 26-27 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Daniel assured King Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom would be held for him to return to after he learned his lesson. To avoid this judgement or to lessen the impact of it, Daniel asked the king to consider repenting of his sins and to behave in a way pleasing to the LORD. Building idols or images of himself and demanding the people of his kingdom worship the image and therefore worship him was not pleasing to the only one who deserved worship, the LORD God Almighty.
Verses 28-30 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
In Scripture, 12 is the number of godly government. It is interesting that 12 months went by before God’s judgement fell and that it was while the king was busy praising himself for his accomplishments and taking credit for the Babylonian empire and its one world government that God intervened and removed him from office. King Nebuchadnezzar’s government was anything but godly.
Verses 31-32 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The number 7 in Scripture represents divine perfection. It would take 7 long years before King Nebuchadnezzar would gain understanding of who he was in the scheme of things, an insignificant created being, and who God was, the Almighty.
Verse 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
This writer has never attempted to eat grass, but since it sustains livestock and other critters, it most likely would sustain a man for a period of time. Nail and hair growth is an indicator of health and proper nutrition, so the fact that the king’s hair and nails did not seem to suffer from his diet and lifestyle has been written down in the Scripture for a permanent record of what God almighty did to this king and how his life was preserved and prophecy fulfilled.
Verses 34-35 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
At the appointed time, reason returned to King Nebuchadnezzar and the first thing he did was worship and praise the one, true God. Now he knew that he was a mere man and that God was in charge.
Verses 36-37 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4)
It is not explained how the empire of Babylon was governed in the abscense of the king, but as prophesied through the interpretation of his dream by the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was returned to his full leadership role as King of Babylon.