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但以理書 4
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
但以理書 4
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
尼布甲尼撒的第二個夢
4 尼布甲尼撒王傳諭天下各族、各邦、各語種的人：「願你們大享平安！ 2 我樂意向你們述說至高的上帝對我所行的神蹟奇事。
3 「祂的神蹟何其偉大！
祂的奇事何其可畏！
祂的國度永遠長存，
祂的統治直到萬代。
4 「我尼布甲尼撒安居在家，在宮中享受榮華。 5 但我做了一個夢，令我害怕。我躺在床上的時候，腦中出現的情景和異象使我恐懼。 6 我便召巴比倫所有的智者來為我解夢。 7 術士、巫師、占星家和占卜者都來了，我將夢告訴他們，他們卻不能給我解夢。 8 最後但以理來到我面前，他又名伯提沙撒——取自我神明的名，他有聖潔神明的靈。我將夢告訴他，說， 9 『術士的首領伯提沙撒啊，我知道你有聖潔神明的靈，任何奧秘都難不倒你。請你為我解釋我夢中所見的異象。
10 「『以下是我躺在床上時腦中出現的異象：我看見大地中央有棵非常高大的樹。 11 這樹長得蒼勁有力，高可參天，從地極都能看見。 12 它的葉子美麗，果實纍纍，可作眾生的食物。野獸在它的蔭下躺臥，飛鳥在它的枝頭棲息，一切生靈都從它那裡得到食物。
13 「『我躺在床上時腦中出現了異象，我看見一位聖潔的守望者從天而降。 14 他大聲說，砍倒那棵樹，削掉它的枝子，剝光它的葉子，拋散它的果子，使野獸逃離樹下，飛鳥離開枝頭。 15 但把樹丕留在地裡，用鐵環和銅環箍住他留在野地的青草中，讓他被天上的露水浸濕，與野獸一起吃草。 16 要改變他的人心，給他一個獸心，達七年之久。 17 這是守望者的命令，是聖者的決定，要讓眾生知道至高者主宰世上萬國，祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰，即使是最卑微的人。』
18 「這就是我尼布甲尼撒王所做的夢。伯提沙撒啊，你要為我解夢，因為我國中所有的智者都不能為我解夢。但是你能，因為你有聖潔神明的靈。」
但以理解夢
19 但以理，又名伯提沙撒，一時非常驚訝，惶恐不安。王說：「伯提沙撒啊，不要因為這夢和夢的意思而惶恐不安。」伯提沙撒回答說：「我主啊，願這夢發生在恨你的人身上，夢的意思應驗在你的仇敵身上。 20 你夢見的樹蒼勁有力，高可參天，從地極都能看見。 21 它的葉子美麗，果實纍纍，可作眾生的食物。野獸住在它的蔭下，飛鳥宿在它的枝頭。 22 王啊，這蒼勁有力的樹就是你，你的威名高達穹蒼，你的權柄延至地極。 23 王看見聖潔的守望者從天而降，說，『將這樹砍倒、毀滅，但把樹丕用鐵環和銅環箍住留在野地的青草中，讓他被天上的露水浸濕，與野獸一起吃草，達七年之久。』
24 「王啊，以下是夢的意思，是至高者裁定要臨到我主我王的事： 25 你必從人群中被趕走，與野獸同住，像牛一樣吃草，被天上的露水浸濕，達七年之久，直到你知道至高者主宰世上萬國，祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰。 26 守望者命令留下樹丕，表示等到你承認上天掌權後，你將重掌國權。 27 王啊，請接受我的勸諫，你要秉公行義，以斷絕罪惡；憐憫窮人，以除掉罪過。這樣，你的國運也許可以延續。」
夢兆應驗
28 這一切事果然發生在尼布甲尼撒王身上。 29 十二個月後，他在巴比倫王宮的屋頂散步時， 30 說：「這宏偉的巴比倫豈不是我用大能建立為京都，以顯我的威嚴和榮耀嗎？」 31 話未說完，天上就有聲音說：「尼布甲尼撒王啊，你聽著，你已失去王權。 32 你必從人群中被趕走，與野獸同住，像牛一樣吃草，達七年之久，直到你知道至高者主宰世上萬國，祂要把國賜給誰就賜給誰。」 33 這話立刻應驗在尼布甲尼撒身上。他從人群中被趕走，像牛一樣吃草，身體被天上的露水浸濕，直到他的頭髮長如鷹毛，指甲長如鳥爪。
34 「七年後，我尼布甲尼撒舉目望天，恢復了神智，便稱頌至高者，讚美、尊崇永活者。
「祂的統治永無窮盡，
祂的國度直到萬代。
35 世人都微不足道，
祂在天軍和世人中獨行其道，
無人能攔阻祂的手，
或質問祂的作為。
36 「那時，我恢復了神智，也恢復了我的威嚴和榮耀，重現我國度的輝煌。我的謀士和大臣都來朝見我，我重掌國權，勢力比以前更大。 37 現在我尼布甲尼撒頌讚、尊崇、敬奉天上的王，因為祂的作為公正，祂行事公平，能夠貶抑行為驕傲的人。」
Daniel 4
New International Version
Daniel 4
New International Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4 [a]King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the nations and peoples of every language,(A) who live in all the earth:
May you prosper greatly!(B)
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs(C) and wonders that the Most High God(D) has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!(E)
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures(F) from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented(G) and prosperous. 5 I had a dream(H) that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed,(I) the images and visions that passed through my mind(J) terrified me.(K) 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret(L) the dream for me. 7 When the magicians,(M) enchanters, astrologers[b] and diviners(N) came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.(O) 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar,(P) after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods(Q) is in him.)
9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief(R) of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods(S) is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed:(T) I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.(U) 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.(V) 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches;(W) from it every creature was fed.
13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed,(X) I looked, and there before me was a holy one,(Y) a messenger,[c] coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree(Z) and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.(AA) 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[d] pass by for him.(AB)
17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(AC) is sovereign(AD) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(AE) of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(AF) But you can,(AG) because the spirit of the holy gods(AH) is in you.”(AI)
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified(AJ) him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”(AK)
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds(AL)— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree!(AM) You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.(AN)
23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one,(AO) a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’(AP)
24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree(AQ) the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched(AR) with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High(AS) is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.(AT) 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots(AU) means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.(AV) 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.(AW) It may be that then your prosperity(AX) will continue.(AY)”
The Dream Is Fulfilled
28 All this happened(AZ) to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory(BA) of my majesty?”(BB)
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.(BC) 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(BD)
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched(BE) with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.(BF)
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity(BG) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.(BH)
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom(BI) endures from generation to generation.(BJ)
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.(BK)
He does as he pleases(BL)
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back(BM) his hand(BN)
or say to him: “What have you done?”(BO)
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.(BP) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt(BQ) and glorify(BR) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.(BS) And those who walk in pride(BT) he is able to humble.(BU)
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 In Aramaic texts 4:1-3 is numbered 3:31-33, and 4:4-37 is numbered 4:1-34.
- Daniel 4:7 Or Chaldeans
- Daniel 4:13 Or watchman; also in verses 17 and 23
- Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
Daniel 4
Common English Bible
Daniel 4
Common English Bible
Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony
4 [a] King Nebuchadnezzar’s message to all the peoples, nations, and languages inhabiting the entire earth: “I wish you much peace. 2 I’m delighted to share the signs and miracles that the Most High God has worked in my life.
3 His signs are superb!
His miracles so powerful!
His kingdom is everlasting.
His rule is for all time.
4 [b] “While I, Nebuchadnezzar, was safe in my house, content in my palace, 5 I had a terrifying dream. My thoughts while I was lying in bed and the vision in my mind overwhelmed me. 6 I ordered all Babylon’s sages to come before me, so they might tell me the dream’s meaning. 7 So the dream interpreters, enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners came. I told them the dream, but they couldn’t interpret it for me. 8 Daniel, who is called Belteshazzar after the name of my god, was the last to come before me. In him is the breath[c] of the holy gods! I told Daniel the dream:
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
9 “Belteshazzar, chief of the dream interpreters, I know the breath of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the meaning of the visions I had in my dream. 10 In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw a vision:
At the center of the earth was a towering tree.
11 The tree grew in size and strength;
it was as high as the sky;
it could be seen from every corner of the earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant;
it had enough food for everyone.
Wild animals took shade under it;
birds nested in its branches.
All living things lived off that tree.
13 “In my mind, as I lay in bed, I saw another vision: A holy watcher came down from heaven. 14 He proclaimed loudly:
‘Cut down the tree and shear off its branches!
Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit!
The creatures should flee from its shelter;
the birds should take flight from its branches.
15 But leave its deepest root in the earth,
bound with iron and bronze in the field grass.
Dew from heaven is to wash it,
and it must live with the animals in the earth’s vegetation.
16 Its[d] human mind is to be changed:
it will be given the mind of an animal.
Seven periods of time will pass over it.
17 This sentence is by the watchers’ decree;
this decision is the holy ones’ word
so that all who live might know
that the Most High dominates human kingship.
The Most High gives kingship to anyone he wants
and sets over it the lowest of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. So now Belteshazzar, tell me the meaning because all the sages in my kingdom were unable to interpret it for me. But you are able to do it because the breath of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel interprets the visions
19 Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was shocked for a bit. What he thought about frightened him.
The king declared, “Don’t let the dream and its meaning scare you, Belteshazzar.”
Then Belteshazzar answered, “Sir, I wish the dream to be for those who hate you and its meaning to be for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw that grew in size and strength, that was as high as the sky, that could be seen from every corner of the earth, 21 with its beautiful leaves and its abundant fruit, and that had enough food for everyone, with wild animals living under it and birds nesting in its branches— 22 Your Majesty, that tree is you! You have grown large and become powerful. Your greatness is as high as the sky; your rule extends to the edge of the earth!
23 “Your Majesty, the holy watcher you saw coming down from heaven, who said, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its deepest root in the earth, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass, dew from heaven is to wash it, and it must live with the wild animals until seven periods of time pass over it’— 24 Your Majesty, this is the dream’s meaning: It is the sentence of the Most High, delivered to my master the king. 25 You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle and will be washed by dew from heaven. Seven periods of time will pass over you, until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants. 26 And when he said to leave the deepest root of the tree—that means your kingship will again be yours, once you acknowledge that heaven rules all. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, please accept my advice: remove your sins by doing what is right; remove your wrongdoing by showing mercy to the poor. Then your safety will be long lasting.”
Visions come true
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 The king declared, “Isn’t this Babylon, the magnificent city that I built as the royal house by my own mighty strength and for my own majestic glory?”
31 These words hadn’t even left the king’s mouth when a voice came from heaven: “You, King Nebuchadnezzar, are now informed: Kingship is taken away from you. 32 You will be driven away from other humans and will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High dominates human kingship, giving it to anyone he wants.”
33 Nebuchadnezzar’s sentence was immediately carried out. He was driven away from other humans and ate grass like cattle. Dew from heaven washed his body until he grew hair like eagles’ feathers and claws like a bird.
Nebuchadnezzar is restored
34 “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven. My reason returned to me, and I praised the Most High. I worshipped and glorified the one who lives forever because his rule is everlasting; his kingdom is for all time. 35 All of earth’s inhabitants are nothing in comparison. The Most High does whatever he wants with heaven’s forces and with earth’s inhabitants. No one can contain his power or say to him, ‘What do you think you are doing?’ 36 So at that moment my reason returned to me. My honor and splendor came back to me for the glory of my kingdom. My associates and my princes wanted to be with me again. Not only was I reinstated over my kingdom, I received more power than ever before.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, worship, magnify, and glorify the king of heaven. All his works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 3:31 in Aram
- Daniel 4:4 4:1 in Aram
- Daniel 4:8 Or spirit; also in 4:9, 18
- Daniel 4:16 Throughout 4:15-16 and later in this chap, it and its could also be translated he and his.
Daniel 4
New English Translation
Daniel 4
New English Translation
4 (3:31)[a] King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations, and language groups that live in all the land: “Peace and prosperity![b] 2 I am delighted to tell you about the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me.
3 “How great are his signs!
How mighty are his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,[c]
and his authority continues from one generation to the next.”
Nebuchadnezzar Dreams of a Tree Chopped Down
4 (4:1)[d] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was relaxing in my home,[e] living luxuriously[f] in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that[g] frightened me badly. The things I imagined while lying on my bed—these visions of my mind—were terrifying me. 6 So I issued an order[h] for all the wise men of Babylon to be brought[i] before me so that they could make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 When the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners entered, I recounted the dream for them. But they were unable to make known its interpretation to me. 8 Later Daniel entered (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god,[j] and in whom there is a spirit of the holy gods). I recounted the dream for him as well, 9 saying, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, in whom I know there to be a spirit of the holy gods and whom no mystery baffles, consider[k] my dream that I saw and set forth its interpretation! 10 Here are the visions of my mind[l] while I was on my bed.
“While I was watching,
there was a tree in the middle of the land.[m]
It was enormously tall.[n]
11 The tree grew large and strong.
Its top reached far into the sky;
it could be seen[o] from the borders of all the land.[p]
12 Its foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful;
on it there was food enough for all.
Under it the wild animals[q] used to seek shade,
and in its branches the birds of the sky used to nest.
All creatures[r] used to feed themselves from it.
13 While I was watching in my mind’s visions[s] on my bed,
a holy sentinel[t] came down from heaven.
14 He called out loudly[u] as follows:[v]
‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches!
Strip off its foliage
and scatter its fruit!
Let the animals flee from under it
and the birds from its branches.
15 But leave its taproot[w] in the ground,
with a band of iron and bronze around it[x]
surrounded by the grass of the field.
Let it become damp with the dew of the sky,
and let it live with[y] the animals in the grass of the land.
16 Let his mind[z] be altered from that of a human being,
and let an animal’s mind be given to him,
and let seven periods of time[aa] go by for[ab] him.
17 This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels;
this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones,
so that[ac] those who are alive may understand
that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms,[ad]
and he bestows them on whomever he wishes.
He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its[ae] interpretation, for none of the wise men in[af] my kingdom are able to make known to me the interpretation. But you can do so, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
19 Then Daniel (whose name is also Belteshazzar) was upset for a brief time;[ag] his thoughts were alarming him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream and its interpretation alarm you.” But Belteshazzar replied, “Sir,[ah] if only the dream were for your enemies and its interpretation applied to your adversaries! 20 The tree that you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached to the sky, and that could be seen[ai] in all the land, 21 whose foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful, and from which there was food available for all, under whose branches wild animals[aj] used to live, and in whose branches birds of the sky used to nest— 22 it is you,[ak] O king! For you have become great and strong. Your greatness is such that it reaches to heaven, and your authority to the ends of the earth. 23 As for the king seeing a holy sentinel coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the wild animals, until seven periods of time go by for him’— 24 this is the interpretation, O king. It is the decision of the Most High that this has happened to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven[al] from human society,[am] and you will live[an] with the wild animals. You will be fed[ao] grass like oxen,[ap] and you will become damp with the dew of the sky. Seven periods of time will pass by for you, before[aq] you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven[ar] rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged.”[as]
28 Now all this happened[at] to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 After twelve months, he happened to be walking around on the battlements[au] of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king uttered these words: “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence[av] by my own mighty strength[aw] and for my majestic honor?” 31 While these words were still on the king’s lips,[ax] a voice came down from heaven: “It is hereby announced to you,[ay] King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you! 32 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven periods of time will pass by for you before[az] you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes.”
33 Now in that very moment[ba] this pronouncement about[bb] Nebuchadnezzar came true.[bc] He was driven from human society, he ate grass like oxen, and his body became damp with the dew of the sky, until his hair became long like an eagle’s feathers, and his nails like a bird’s claws.[bd]
34 But at the end of the appointed time[be] I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up[bf] toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me.
I extolled the Most High,
and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever.
For his authority is an everlasting authority,
and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.[bg]
He does as he wishes with the army of heaven
and with those who inhabit the earth.
No one slaps[bh] his hand
and says to him, ‘What have you done?’
36 At that time my sanity returned to me. I was restored[bi] to the honor of my kingdom, and my splendor returned to me. My ministers and my nobles were seeking me out, and I was reinstated[bj] over my kingdom. I became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right and his ways are just. He is able to bring down those who live[bk] in pride.
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 sn Beginning with 4:1, the verse numbers through 4:37 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Aramaic text (BHS), with 4:1 ET = 3:31 AT, 4:2 ET = 3:32 AT, 4:3 ET = 3:33 AT, 4:4 ET = 4:1 AT, etc., through 4:37 ET = 4:34 AT. Thus Dan 3:31-33 of the Aramaic text appears as Dan 4:1-3 in the English Bible, and the corresponding verses of ch. 4 differ accordingly. In spite of the division of the Aramaic text, a good case can be made that 3:31-33 AT (= 4:1-3 ET) is actually the introduction to ch. 4.
- Daniel 4:1 tn Aram “May your peace increase!”
- Daniel 4:3 tn Aram “His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.”
- Daniel 4:4 sn This verse marks the beginning of chap. 4 in the Aramaic text of Daniel (see the note on 4:1). The Greek OT (LXX) has the following addition: “In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign he said.” This date would suggest a link to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c. In general, the LXX of chapters 4-6 is very different from the MT, so much so that the following notes will call attention only to selected readings. In Daniel 4 the LXX lacks sizable portions of material in the MT (e.g., vv. 3-6, 31-32), includes sizable portions of material not in the MT (e.g., v. 14a, parts of vv. 16, 28), has a different order of some material (e.g., v. 8 after v. 9), and in some instances is vastly different from the MT (e.g., vv. 30, 34). Whether these differences are due to an excessively paraphrastic translation technique adopted for these chapters in the LXX, or are due to differences in the underlying Vorlage of the LXX, is a disputed matter. The latter seems more likely. There is a growing trend in modern scholarship to take the LXX of chapters 4-6 much more seriously than was the case in most earlier text-critical studies that considered this issue.
- Daniel 4:4 tn Aram “my house.”
- Daniel 4:4 tn Aram “happy.”
- Daniel 4:5 tn Aram “and it.”
- Daniel 4:6 tn Aram “from me there was placed a decree.”
- Daniel 4:6 tn The Aramaic infinitive here is active.
- Daniel 4:8 sn This explanation of the meaning of the name Belteshazzar may be more of a paronomasia than a strict etymology. See the note at 1:7. The king's god was Marduk, who was called Bel (“Lord”).
- Daniel 4:9 tc The present translation assumes the reading חֲזִי (khazi, “consider”) rather than the MT חֶזְוֵי (khezve, “visions”). The MT implies that the king required Daniel to disclose both the dream and its interpretation, as in chapter 2. But in the following verses Nebuchadnezzar recounts his dream, while Daniel presents only its interpretation.
- Daniel 4:10 tc The LXX lacks the first two words (Aram “the visions of my head”) of the Aramaic text.
- Daniel 4:10 tn Instead of “in the middle of the land,” some English versions render this phrase “a tree at the center of the earth” (NRSV); NAB, CEV “of the world”; NLT “in the middle of the earth.” The Hebrew phrase can have either meaning.
- Daniel 4:10 tn Aram “its height was great.”
- Daniel 4:11 tn Aram “its sight,” as also v. 17.
- Daniel 4:11 tn Or “to the end of all the earth” (so KJV, ASV); NCV, CEV “from anywhere on earth.”
- Daniel 4:12 tn Aram “the beasts of the field.”
- Daniel 4:12 tn Aram “all flesh.”
- Daniel 4:13 tn Aram “the visions of my head.”
- Daniel 4:13 tn Aram “a watcher and a holy one.” The expression is a hendiadys, as also in v. 23. This “watcher” is apparently an angel. The Greek OT (LXX) in fact has ἄγγελος (angelos, “angel”) here. Theodotion simply transliterates the Aramaic word (ʿir). The term is sometimes rendered “sentinel” (NAB) or “messenger” (NIV, NLT).
- Daniel 4:14 tn Aram “in strength.”
- Daniel 4:14 tn Aram “and thus he was saying.”
- Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “the stock of its root,” as also in v. 23. The implication here is that although the tree is chopped down, it is not killed. Its life-giving root is spared. The application to Nebuchadnezzar is obvious.
- Daniel 4:15 sn The function of the band of iron and bronze is not entirely clear, but it may have had to do with preventing the splitting or further deterioration of the portion of the tree that was left after being chopped down. By application it would then refer to the preservation of Nebuchadnezzar’s life during the time of his insanity.
- Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “its lot be.”
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.
- Daniel 4:16 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
- Daniel 4:17 tc The present translation follows an underlying reading of עַל־דִּבְרַת (ʿal divrat, “so that”) rather than MT עַד־דִּבְרַת (ʿad divrat, “until”).
- Daniel 4:17 tn Aram “the kingdom of man”; NASB “the realm of mankind”; NCV “every kingdom on earth.”
- Daniel 4:18 tc The present translation, as also in the next verse, reads פִּשְׁרֵהּ (pishreh, “its interpretation”) with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss; the Kethib is פִּשְׁרָא (pishraʾ, “the interpretation”).
- Daniel 4:18 tn Aram “of.”
- Daniel 4:19 tn Aram “about one hour.” The expression refers idiomatically to a brief period of time of undetermined length.
- Daniel 4:19 tn Aram “my lord.”
- Daniel 4:20 tn Aram “its sight.”
- Daniel 4:21 tn Aram “the beasts of the field” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
- Daniel 4:22 sn Much of modern scholarship views this chapter as a distortion of traditions that were originally associated with Nabonidus rather than with Nebuchadnezzar. A Qumran text, the Prayer of Nabonidus, is often cited for parallels to these events.
- Daniel 4:25 tn The Aramaic indefinite active plural is used here like the English passive, as also in vv. 28, 29, and 32.
- Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “from mankind,” as also in v. 32.
- Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “your dwelling will be,” as also in v. 32.
- Daniel 4:25 tn Or perhaps: “be made to eat.”
- Daniel 4:25 sn Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity has features that are associated with the mental disorder boanthropy, in which the person so afflicted imagines himself to be an ox or a similar animal and behaves accordingly.
- Daniel 4:25 tn Aram “until.”
- Daniel 4:26 sn The reference to heaven here is a circumlocution for God. There was a tendency in Jewish contexts to avoid direct reference to God. Compare the expression “kingdom of heaven” in the NT and such statements as: “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” (Luke 15:21).
- Daniel 4:27 tn Aram “if there may be a lengthening to your prosperity.”
- Daniel 4:28 tn Aram “reached.”
- Daniel 4:29 tn The word “battlements” is not in the text but is supplied from context. Many English versions supply “roof” here (e.g., NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); cf. NLT “on the flat roof.”
- Daniel 4:30 tn Aram “house.”
- Daniel 4:30 tn Aram “by the might of my strength.”
- Daniel 4:31 tn Aram “in the mouth of the king.”
- Daniel 4:31 tn Aram “to you they say.”
- Daniel 4:32 tn Aram “until.”
- Daniel 4:33 tn Aram “hour.”
- Daniel 4:33 tn Or “on.”
- Daniel 4:33 tn Aram “was fulfilled.”
- Daniel 4:33 tn The words “feathers” and “claws” are not present in the Aramaic text, but have been added in the translation for clarity.
- Daniel 4:34 tn Aram “days.”
- Daniel 4:34 tn Aram “lifted up my eyes.”
- Daniel 4:35 tc The present translation reads כְּלָא (kelaʾ), with many medieval Hebrew mss, rather than כְּלָה (kelah) of BHS.
- Daniel 4:35 tn Aram “strikes against.”
- Daniel 4:36 tc The translation reads הַדְרֵת (hadret, “I returned”) rather than the MT הַדְרִי (hadri, “my honor”); cf. Theodotion.
- Daniel 4:36 tc The translation reads הָתְקְנֵת (hotqenet, “I was established”) rather than the MT הָתְקְנַת (hotqenat, “it was established”). The MT could read: “And regarding my kingdom, it was established.”
- Daniel 4:37 tn Aram “walk.”
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