Daniel 4
New American Standard Bible
The King Acknowledges God
4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all [b]languages who live in all the earth: “May your [c](A)peace be great! 2 I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the (B)Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are His (C)signs
And how mighty are His miracles!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
The Vision of a Great Tree
4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)happy in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions [e]in my mind kept alarming me. 6 So I gave orders to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, so that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the (I)soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [h](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream [i]to him, saying, 9 ‘Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (O)no secret baffles you, (P)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions [j]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the middle of the [k]earth and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)animals of the field [l]found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky lived in its branches,
And all [m]living creatures fed from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions [n]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)an angelic watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 He shouted out and spoke as follows:
“(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)animals flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [o]with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [p]him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his [q]mind change from that of a human
And let an animal’s [r]mind be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [s]periods of time pass over him.
17 This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (AF)He grants it to whomever He wishes
And sets over it the (AG)lowliest of people.”
18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Vision
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [t]majesty has become great and reached to the sky, and your (AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [u]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [v]him share with the animals of the field until (AR)seven [w]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (AS)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the animals of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [x]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (AU)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (AV)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (AW)leave the stump [y]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will [z]remain as yours after you recognize that it is (AX)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice be pleasing to you: (AZ)wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Vision Fulfilled
28 “All of this (BC)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king began speaking and was saying, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal [aa]residence by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice [ab]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [ac]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [ad]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (BH)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of [ae]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [af]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an (BL)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account,
But (BN)He does according to His will among the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can [ag]fend off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’
36 At that time my [ah](BQ)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were [ai]restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [aj]sovereignty, and surpassing (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [ak]true and His ways [al]just; and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 Ch 3:31 in Aram
- Daniel 4:1 Lit tongues
- Daniel 4:1 Or welfare; or prosperity
- Daniel 4:4 Ch 4:1 in Aram
- Daniel 4:5 Lit of my head
- Daniel 4:7 Probably master astrologers, diviners, etc.
- Daniel 4:7 Lit before
- Daniel 4:8 Or possibly the Spirit of the holy God, and so throughout the ch
- Daniel 4:8 Lit before
- Daniel 4:10 Lit of my head
- Daniel 4:10 Or land, and so throughout the ch
- Daniel 4:12 Or dwelt under it
- Daniel 4:12 Lit flesh
- Daniel 4:13 Lit of my head
- Daniel 4:15 Lit of
- Daniel 4:15 Lit his share be with
- Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
- Daniel 4:16 Lit heart
- Daniel 4:16 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:22 Lit greatness
- Daniel 4:23 Lit of
- Daniel 4:23 Lit his share be with
- Daniel 4:23 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:25 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:26 Lit of
- Daniel 4:26 Lit be enduring to you
- Daniel 4:30 Lit house
- Daniel 4:31 Lit fell
- Daniel 4:31 Or kingdom
- Daniel 4:32 I.e., years
- Daniel 4:34 Lit the days
- Daniel 4:34 Lit understanding
- Daniel 4:35 Lit strike against
- Daniel 4:36 Lit understanding
- Daniel 4:36 Lit returning
- Daniel 4:36 Or kingdom
- Daniel 4:37 Lit truth
- Daniel 4:37 Lit justice
Daniel 4
International Standard Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimonial
from Nebuchadnezzar
the King
To the people of all nations and languages who live on earth.
Peace and prosperity to you!
2 It gives me great pleasure to tell about the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his signs!
How powerful are his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his dominion lasts from generation to generation.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
4 [c]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was resting in my home and prospering in my palace. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. The thoughts that went through my mind while in bed and the visions in my head terrified me. 6 So I gave an order to bring in all of the advisors[d] of Babylon so they would tell me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then the diviners, enchanters,[e] Chaldeans, and astrologers[f] came in, and I told them the dream. But they could not reveal its interpretation to me. 8 Eventually, Daniel appeared before me. (He is called Belteshazzar, in accordance with the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is within him.) I told him my dream:
9 “Belteshazzar, chief of the diviners, since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is within you, and no mystery too difficult for you, explain to me the vision of my dream that I saw, along with its interpretation. 10 This is what I saw in the visions of my head while I was in bed: I was looking and—listen carefully!—I saw a tree in the middle of the earth, the height of which was very great. 11 The tree grew large, became strong, and its top reached the sky. It could be seen to the ends of the earth. 12 Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit bountiful, and its food sufficient for everyone. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it.
13 “Then I saw in the visions of my head while I was in bed—and take careful notice!—I saw a holy observer descend from heaven. 14 He called out aloud:
‘Cut down the tree and cut off its branches. Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit. Let the animals get out from under it, and let the birds leave[g] its branches. 15 Nevertheless, leave the stump and its roots in the ground, but bind it with iron and bronze in the field grass. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky, and let him graze with the animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of an animal until seven seasons of time pass by for him. 17 This order is announced by the observers, and the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires, and he places the least important of men over them.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Belteshazzar, tell me its meaning, since none of the advisors[h] in my kingdom can tell me its interpretation. But you are able to do so[i] because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel’s Interpretation
19 Then Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was greatly troubled for a while and was terrified by his thoughts. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning terrify you.”
Belteshazzar responded, “Your majesty, if only[j] the dream were about your enemies and its meaning about those who oppose you! 20 The tree that you saw, which grew large and strong until its top reached the sky and became visible to the whole earth 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit—enough food for everyone—and under which wild animals of the field found shelter and the birds of the air had nests in its branches— 22 it’s you, your majesty! You’ve become great and strong, your greatness has grown to the heavens, and your dominion reaches to the distant parts of the earth.
23 “Your majesty saw a holy observer descending from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump in the ground, along with its roots, bound with iron and bronze in the field grass. Let him be soaked with the dew of the sky and live with the wild animals of the field until seven seasons pass over him.’
24 “This is the meaning, your majesty, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against his majesty, the king: 25 You’ll be driven from people, and you’ll live among wild animals of the field. You’ll eat grass like cattle and be soaked with the dew of the sky while seven years pass you by[k]—until you realize that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires. 26 Just as it was ordered to leave the stump of the tree in the ground[l] along with its roots, so your kingdom will be restored to you when you realize that Heaven rules over everything.[m] 27 Therefore, your majesty, may my advice be acceptable to you: Stop your sinning, do what’s right, and put a stop to your wickedness by showing kindness to the oppressed. Perhaps your tranquility will continue.”
The Dream Comes True
28 All of this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 About a year later,[n] as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he[o] commented to himself,[p] “Isn’t Babylon great? I’ve built a royal palace in it by my own might and power, for the sake[q] of my majesty.”
31 As these words were being spoken by the king, a voice came out of heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, this is declared to you:
‘The kingdom has been taken[r] from you! 32 You’re to be driven away from people. You’re to live with the wild animals of the field. You are to be made to eat grass like cattle, and seven years will pass you by[s] until you realize that the Most High is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them to whomever he desires.’”
33 The decree was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar immediately. He was driven away from people to eat grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
The King’s Sanity Returns
34 “When that period of time was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven and my sanity returned to me. I blessed the Most High, praising and honoring the one who lives forever:
For his sovereignty is eternal,
and his kingdom continues from generation to generation.
35 All who live on the earth
are nothing compared to him.
He does what he wishes
with the heavenly armies
and with those who live on earth.
No one can hold back his power
or say to him, ‘What did you do?’
36 At that moment I recovered my sanity, and my honor and majesty returned to me, for the sake[t] of my kingdom. My advisors and officials sought me out, my throne was restored, and even more greatness than I had before was added to me. 37 In conclusion, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and give glory to the King of heaven:
For everything he does is true,
his ways are just,
and he is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:1 This v. is 3:31 in MT, and so through v. 3.
- Daniel 4:1 The Aram. lacks An Official Statement
- Daniel 4:4 This v. is 4:1 in MT, and so throughout the chapter.
- Daniel 4:6 Lit. the wise men
- Daniel 4:7 Or occult practitioners
- Daniel 4:7 Or those who gaze at entrails
- Daniel 4:14 The Aram. lacks leave
- Daniel 4:18 Lit. the wise men
- Daniel 4:18 The Aram. lacks to do so
- Daniel 4:19 The Aram. lacks if only
- Daniel 4:25 Lit. seven seasons pass over you
- Daniel 4:26 The Aram. lacks in the ground
- Daniel 4:26 The Aram. lacks everything
- Daniel 4:29 Lit. At the end of 12 months
- Daniel 4:30 Lit. the king
- Daniel 4:30 Lit. commented and said
- Daniel 4:30 Lit. glory
- Daniel 4:31 Or has departed
- Daniel 4:32 Lit. seven seasons will pass over you
- Daniel 4:36 Lit. glory
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
