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.
Read it in contextNebuchadnezzar's Testimony of God's Sovereignty
Start reading at Daniel 4:1 (Daniel 4:1 to Daniel 4:37).
The entire chapter forms a cohesive narrative unit, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's address and concluding with his praise of God after his humbling and restoration.
4:1Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
4:2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
4:3How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4:4I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
4:5I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
4:6Therefore 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.
4:7Then 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.
4:8But 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,
4:9O 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.
4:10Thus 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.
4:11The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
4:12The 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.
4:13I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
4:14He 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:
4:15Nevertheless 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:
4:16Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
4:17This 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.
4:18This 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.
4:19Then 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.
4:20The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
4:21Whose 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:
4:22It 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.
4:23And 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;
4:24This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
4:25That 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.
4:26And 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.
4:27Wherefore, 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.
4:28All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
4:29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
4:30The 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?
4:31While 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.
4:32And 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.
4:33The 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.
4:34And 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:
4:35And 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?
4:36At 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.
4:37Now 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.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Daniel is the traditional author and the named recorder of the later visions. Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet; the date and compilation of the book are debated in historical scholarship. Biblical references: Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:1; Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24:15. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Daniel 4:1–4:37): Nebuchadnezzar's proclamation is addressed to peoples, nations, and languages; within it he recounts his dream and Daniel's interpretation. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? God's people living under foreign empires and later faithful readers seeking understanding. Within the stories, messages are also delivered to particular Babylonian and Persian rulers. Biblical references: Daniel 1:6; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 12:4. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the decree from the heavenly realm concerning the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar, intended to demonstrate God's supreme sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and rulers.
What is God revealing? God is revealing 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."
What is the literary style? The literary style of the book of Daniel is prophecy and narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Daniel was written around 535 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described in this chapter, including Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its fulfillment, occurred during his reign, within the period of approximately 605 to 536 B.C. The fulfillment of the dream began "at the end of twelve months" after its interpretation.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in this chapter took place in Babylon, specifically within King Nebuchadnezzar's palace and kingdom.
Where was the author located? The author, Daniel, was located in Babylon when he wrote the book.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony of God's Sovereignty (Daniel 4:1 to Daniel 4:37).
Start reading at Daniel 4:1. The entire chapter forms a cohesive narrative unit, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's address and concluding with his praise of God after his humbling and restoration.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is part of King Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony, recounting his dream and its interpretation by Daniel. It serves as the divine decree explaining why Nebuchadnezzar would be humbled, emphasizing God's absolute control over earthly rulers and kingdoms, which is a central theme throughout Daniel chapter 4. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ by establishing the ultimate sovereignty of God over all earthly kingdoms and rulers. Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, through whom God's dominion is fully exercised and revealed. The truth that God "giveth it to whomsoever he will" foreshadows Christ's ultimate authority and future reign over all nations, as He is the one to whom all power and dominion have been given. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers can apply this truth by recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over all human governments and leaders. It encourages trust in God's divine plan, knowing that He establishes and removes rulers according to His will, even using "the basest of men" to accomplish His purposes. This understanding should foster humility and reliance on God, rather than despair or undue trust in human leaders. interpretation
Cited: Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:1-37, Daniel 4:4, Daniel 4:13-14, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:29-30, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 4:34-35
Who wrote it, and how we know
DanielNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysLarge sections are written in the first person by Daniel, and Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet. Daniel 7:2Daniel 8:1Matthew 24:15
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Daniel in the sixth century B.C.
What is debatedMany critical scholars date the book to the second century B.C. because of its detailed prophecy of that period. Jesus naming Daniel as a prophet is a significant argument for the traditional view.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Daniel 4
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Daniel places its narratives and visions in the setting of foreign empires and exile. The book itself supplies some interpretations of symbols; further timetables and modern identifications require separate argument and should be labeled accordingly. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Dreams, deliverances, and judgments confront royal pride and show faithful witnesses living under successive rulers.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Dreams, deliverances, and judgments confront royal pride and show faithful witnesses living under successive rulers.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Daniel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Daniel places its narratives and visions in the setting of foreign empires and exile. The book itself supplies some interpretations of symbols; further timetables and modern identifications require separate argument and should be labeled accordingly.