DANIEL CHAPTER FOUR
Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of Strength and Humiliation
Nebuchadnezzar Gives God Glory
(Dan 4:1-3 ESV)
1
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all
the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the
signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his
signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his
dominion endures from generation to generation.
There is, however, strong testimony
in scripture that it is the chosen who would be What happened to Nebuchadnezzar
to make him change so dramatically? The king made known by proclamation of
God’s miracles in his life (a witness for God).
The King tends to lump the God of heaven with the Kings gods’ man-made
gods.
Nebuchadnezzar has Another Dream
(Dan 4:4-5 ESV)
“4 I, Nebuchadnezzar,
was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made
me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.”
Notice the
shift to the autobiographical style of writing beginning with verse 4.
Nebuchadnezzar was at peace in his mind while lying in his
bed. It has been some time (estimated10
years ) from his last dream to the dream he now wants interpreted (Dan 4 HSCB).
Babylon enjoyed a time of prosperity. Why
did God give the King the second dream?
God wanted
to give Nebuchadnezzar another chance to realize there was only God and no
other gods, and his success was from God.
Men or women with much power are susceptible to the corrupting
power of ego. Remember the story of Saul
and what God had warned the people about kings?
We once again see a man of great power corrupted by his ego and greatly
magnifying himself. Dalberg-Action
writes “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
[en.Wikipedia.org] “Then God in His grace allowed him one year to repent
followed by seven years of madness.” (Dan 4 HSCB) Beginning with this verse for
text is translated from Aramaic.
Nebuchadnezzar Call Upon Daniel
(Dan 4:6-9 ESV)
6
So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before
me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then
the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and
I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
8 At last Daniel came in before me--he who was named Belteshazzar after the
name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods--and I told him the
dream, saying, 9 "O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know
that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult
for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.
[V6]. Nebuchadnezzar
solicits the same group of wise men as he did in Daniel 2:2. This time, however, he told them his dream.
[V7]. Knowing their
fate, if they were bluff their way through the interpretation, they chose
instead to tell the king they could not interpret the dream. Why is this significant and why didn’t the
King call upon Daniel first? The King
still has a firm reliance on his gods and those who catered to them. We will see evidence of his continued belief
in his gods in verse 8.
[V8] We see the
king using the phrase “holy gods”; this tells us he was a believer in deity
pluralism, combining the heavenly holy God in with other man made gods.
[V9] It would seem as though the King did not give
Daniel the same task (to tell him interpretation only) as his magicians. Nebuchadnezzar used the word holy a
descriptive word reserved in Hebrew for the God of heaven.
Nebuchadnezzar Reveals his Dream
(Dan 4:6, 10-12 ESV)
10
The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in
the midst of the earth, and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became
strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the
whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was
food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of
the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
[V10] It seems as though the King changed his mind
about Daniel telling him the dream (V9) and decided to tell the dream to
Daniel. The King realized Daniel had the
Holy God in Heaven and could have told him the dream if he demanded him to do
so.
[10] This tree was located on the Earth and was
visible by all its inhabitance. The
tree's branches spread out in every direction.
This tree provided food and shelter for all life on earth.
[11] The tree was a representation of the King
who was Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar
believed Babylon was the center of the earth.
Therefore, his kingdom extended over the earth in every direction, like
the branches of the tree.
The tree
grew to a great height with its branches reaching high into the heavens. The King led Babylon to great wealth, and it
dominated the known world (earth). The
significance of the height of the tree is that it reached to God’s domain. The King would aspire to be as a god.
[12] Babylon symbolized as the protector and
provider of the known world. “It’s
leaves were beautiful” may be referring to the hanging gardens of Babylon. The hanging gardens were constructed by
Nebuchadnezzar II which became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Hanging gardens of Babylon.
(Dan 4:13-18 ESV)
13
"I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a
holy one, came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed aloud and said thus: 'Chop
down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its
fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15
But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and
bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of
heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 Let
his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; and
let seven periods of time pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of
the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the
living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom
he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.' 18 This dream I, King
Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation,
because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the
interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in
you."
The leaves
gave shade and represent protection which Babylon would no longer provide. The
picture of the scattered fruit represents the loss of Babylon’s ability to
provide food. Isaiah 50:38 foretells of
a drought striking Babylon, wiping out its food production.
[15] The stump represents that preserved life (the
possibility of revival or rebirth).
However, the bands of iron and bronze would prevent regrowth while
giving the trees roots protection.
Removed of the stump bands will allow a shoot to grow from the tree
stump. The symbolism is the restoration
of the king to his throne, a picture of a new beginning.
The
metaphor of the stump sprouting is also a picture of Christ Jesus as we see in
the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1, and Job 14:7.
[15] We read
verse 15 “let him be wet” the stump is identified as a person, and that person
is the King. The King would not only
have his kingdom taken from him (V13).
[16] The King
would be cast down to live like an animal (reminiscent of Satan’s fall; Ezekiel
28:17 for aspiring to be higher than God).
The Kings
mind would be crazed believing he was an animal, and this would be the Kings
fate for seven years. (see Strong’s H5708)
The number seven is the number for completion and in this case the
period of punishment for the King. The
holy one (heavenly messenger angel) explained the result of this action whereby
all of humanity would see that God was in charge and he could raise up or cast
down anyone according to his purpose.
[17] The sentence was announced by the watcher (possibly Gabriel) as a decree that is to
say it was enforceable as a law. Even
though it sounds like the angelic being originated the decree, we must bear in
mind that angels are God’s messengers to mankind.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
(Dan 4:19-21 ESV)
19
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his
thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not
the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and
said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its
interpretation for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw, which grew and became
strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the
whole earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in
which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in
whose branches the birds of the heavens lived--
[19] Note the use
of both the Hebrew name (Daniel meaning God is my judge) and Babylonian surname
(Belteshazzar meaning prince of kings). Daniel knew the dream was God’s message
to the King, revealing the end to the greatness of his kingdom. Daniel knew the king was a sinful man,
worshiping idols, and he was shocked that God would show the future to such a
man. Scripture does not tell us why
Daniel was so moved by the king's dream, only that he was dismayed and alarmed.
If any other prophet told the king the prophetic meaning of this dream, his
reward would have been execution.
[20-21] Refer back to
the commentary on Daniel 4:10-12.
(Dan 4:22-23 ESV)
22.
it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown
and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 23. And
because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying,
'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the
earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field,
and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the
beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,'
In
verse 22 Daniel is buttering up the king by giving him a very flattering
picture of the king. By telling the king
of the height of his greatness he enabled the king to more readily accept the
message from God who is on high. Daniel
continues his flattery by acknowledging the vastness of his rule, even unto the
ends of the earth.
[23] “Strong's Number H5894 matches the Hebrew עִיר`iyr (Aramaic), which occurs 3 times in
[Daniel in] 3 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the NASB `”iyr (Aramaic)
and in Hebrew Watchers are angelic guards who watch over the souls of men. These angels are charged by God to care-for
(as in protect) God’s chosen souls’[1].
There is, however,
strong testimony in scripture that it is the chosen who would be protected by
angels. Read Psalms chapter 91 of the
promise to those who “dwell in the shelter of the Most High” (Psalms 91:1). The
question here who has God sent the angel to protect?
Terrifying Dream Interpretation
(Dan 4:24-27 ESV)
24
this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has
come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and
your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat
grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven
periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the
kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave
the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you
from the time that you know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my
counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness,
and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps
be a lengthening of your prosperity."
[25] The king
sinned by worshiping idols and believing he was sovereign and all he had he obtained
by his hand. This exile was to be God’s
punishment for the king’s Sins. Not only
would his kingdom be taken but also his mind, and dignity. God wanted the king to experience His power,
mercy, and grace.
The word grass (H6212 Hebrew word `eseb) is a
general term for green vegetation like vegetables, herbs, and other green
plants.[2]
He would be wet indicates he would have no shelter from the
elements –possibly not even clothing.
[26] Note the use of the word Heaven capitalized
to identify heaven as God throne room and not the sky or firmament (Gen 1:6-8
ESV). For additional comments on this
verse refer to Daniel 4:15 commentary.
[27] Daniel tells the king to repent and live a
righteous life showing grace, and being merciful and perhaps then the God of
heaven would spare him.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
(Dan 4:28-30 ESV)
28
All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was
walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered
and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty
power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"
[28, 29] There are no limits nor constraints to God’s mercy
and grace. God gives the king twelve
months to change his ways and live a righteous life.
[30] Instead, the
king became even more boastful.
God Speaks to Nebuchadnezzar
(Dan 4:31-33 ESV)
31
While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven,
"O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from
you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with
the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and
seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High
rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will." 33 Immediately the
word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate
grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair
grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Humble ourselves before the LORD, and do not boast For God
opposes boastfulness (James 6:6). All
that we are and all that we have comes from the LORD (1Ch 29:14). Nebuchadnezzar failed to recognize these two
facts and suffered the consequences.
[31] God’s punishment was immediate, with the
boastful words of the king. There could
be no denying the connection between cause and effect.
[32] The king became an outcast, most likely
because he had the mind of an animal.
The king's court, seeing the king crazed, it is probable to believe that
his court drove him out of the palace.
Once the people saw that Nebuchadnezzar was crazed, they chased him from
the city limits, like a wild animal.
[33] Men in Babylon wore their hair long. The weather conditions and dirt would have
caused the kings hair to mat together and resemble eagle feathers.[3]
*For the average person, hair grows at the rate of one-half
inch per month. The adult eagle feather
length varies from body to wing. I would
estimate the feather average length to be about four to five inches.
Nebuchadnezzar Surrenders to God
(Dan 4:34-37 ESV)
34
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my
reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him
who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom
endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are
accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of
heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or
say to him, "What have you done?" 36 At the same time my reason
returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor
returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in
my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,
praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and
his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Notice verses 34-37 are written in the first person, as
opposed to the second person format found in verses 1-33. This change in composition is significant
because we now know Nebuchadnezzar recorded or dictated these verses.
[34] The phrase
“At the end of the days,” or seven periods, Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was directed
up to the heavens where he had initially heard the voice (V31). Interesting to
note Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was capable of remembering and to think of God. At the end of the days of suffering and upon
Nebuchadnezzar realizing the magnitude of God’s power and extolling God’s
majesty, granted clarity of mind. Nebuchadnezzar now exalts the LORD God and
proclaims his dominion to be everlasting (see Daniel 4:25).
[35] The phrase “all inhabitants of the earth”
including himself were nothing compared to the Most High God. Nebuchadnezzar went from being prideful and haughty
to a person humbled before God.
[36] At the kings awakening, his reason restored,
and all he had before and more given to him.
Thus the banded stump was restored.
Nebuchadnezzar continued to extoll the greatness of the God of heaven
calling him the king of the heavens and the earth and all who dwell
therein. Nebuchadnezzar’s final remark
was of the righteousness of God, acknowledging His punishment was just.
In
summation, we saw a king who failed to acknowledge there is one God, and His
dominion is over all things. The king
showed the weakness of all men, in that with power comes corruption,
self-aggrandizement, a prideful, selfish heart, and unrighteousness. We saw the just judgment of God and His grace
and mercy in restoring the repentant king to his former glory. The question now; will king Nebuchadnezzar’s
changed heart remain humble and repentant?
[1] "H5894 - `iyr (Aramaic) - Strong's Hebrew
Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 2 Aug, 2018.
https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5894&t=ESV
[2] "H6212
- `eseb - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 13
Aug, 2018.
https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6212&t=ESV
[3] Staff.
"THE HAIR IN OLD CIVILIZATIONS:" Start. Accessed August 13, 2018.
http://thehistoryofthehairsworld.com/old_age_1.html.
