Daniel 4
King James Version
4 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.
4 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.
7 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.
10 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.
13 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.
17 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.
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.
20 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;
24 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.
26 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.
28 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?
31 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.
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.
34 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?
36 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
New King James Version
Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
4 Nebuchadnezzar the king,
(A)To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders (B)that the Most High God has worked for me.
3 (C)How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is (D)an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, (E)and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head (F)troubled me. 6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 (G)Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at last Daniel came before me (H)(his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; (I)in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: 9 “Belteshazzar, (J)chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 “These were the visions of my head while on my bed:
I was looking, and behold,
(K)A tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11 The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12 Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
(L)The beasts of the field found shade under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
And all flesh was fed from it.
13 “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was (M)a watcher, (N)a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried [a]aloud and said thus:
(O)‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
(P)Let the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven (Q)times[b] pass over him.
17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order (R)that the living may know
(S)That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
(T)Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the (U)lowest of men.’
18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, (V)since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, (W)for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”
Daniel Explains the Second Dream
19 Then Daniel, (X)whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts (Y)troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may (Z)the dream [c]concern those who hate you, and its interpretation [d]concern your enemies!
20 (AA)“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 (AB)it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, (AC)and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 (AD)“And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, (AE)and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven [e]times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall (AF)drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you (AG)eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven [f]times shall pass over you, (AH)till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and (AI)gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that (AJ)Heaven[g] rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; (AK)break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. (AL)Perhaps there may be (AM)a [h]lengthening of your prosperity.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking [i]about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king (AN)spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 (AO)While the word was still in the king’s mouth, (AP)a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And (AQ)they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven [j]times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 And (AR)at the end of the [k]time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him (AS)who lives forever:
For His dominion is (AT)an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 (AU)All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
(AV)He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
(AW)No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, (AX)“What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, (AY)and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was (AZ)restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was (BA)added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, (BB)praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, (BC)all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. (BD)And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:14 Lit. with strength
- Daniel 4:16 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:19 be for
- Daniel 4:19 for
- Daniel 4:23 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:25 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:26 God
- Daniel 4:27 prolonging
- Daniel 4:29 Or upon
- Daniel 4:32 Possibly years
- Daniel 4:34 Lit. days
Daniël 4
Het Boek
Nebukadnezars tweede droom
4 Proclamatie van koning Nebukadnezar aan alle volken van alle talen ter wereld:
Ik wens u vrede toe! 2 Het is mijn uitdrukkelijke wil u allemaal op de hoogte te brengen van de wonderen die God, de Allerhoogste, mij heeft laten meemaken. 3 Wat een grote wonderen en machtige daden verricht Hij! Zijn koningschap is onvergankelijk en Hij regeert over alle generaties. 4 Ik, Nebukadnezar, leefde in rust en goede welstand in mijn paleis. 5 Maar op zekere nacht had ik een vreselijke droom. Voor mijn geestesoog zag ik dingen die mij verschrikten. 6 Ik ontbood alle wijze mannen uit Babel om mij de betekenis van de droom te vertellen. 7 Alle geleerden, bezweerders, astrologen en waarzeggers kwamen en ik vertelde hun mijn droom, maar zij konden hem niet verklaren. 8 Ten slotte kwam Daniël naar mij toe, de man die ik, net als mijn god, Beltsazar heb genoemd. In hem woont de geest van de heilige goden. Ik vertelde hem mijn droom. 9 ‘Beltsazar, meester-geleerde,’ zei ik. ‘Ik weet dat de geest van heilige goden in u woont en dat geen enkel geheim voor u verborgen blijft. Leg mij uit wat deze droom van mij betekent. 10,11 Ik zag in mijn droom een bijzonder hoge boom midden op een veld staan. Zijn sterke takken reikten tot de hemel en hij was tot in alle hoeken der aarde te zien. 12 Hij had prachtige bladeren en de takken bogen door onder het gewicht van de vruchten. Er was genoeg fruit voor iedereen. Alle dieren rustten uit in zijn schaduw en de vogels nestelden in zijn takken. De hele wereld werd door hem gevoed. 13 Toen zag ik in mijn droom een wachter, een heilige engel, uit de hemel neerdalen. 14 Hij riep: “Hak de boom om, kap zijn takken, haal het loof eraf en gooi zijn vruchten weg. Laten de dieren onder hem wegvluchten en de vogels van zijn takken opvliegen. 15 Maar laat zijn wortelstronk in de aarde zitten, bijeengehouden door banden van ijzer en koper en omringd door fris groen gras. Laat de dauw uit de hemel hem bevochtigen en laat hem gras eten met de dieren. 16 Laat hem zeven jaar lang de geest van een dier hebben in plaats van die van een mens. 17 Want zo hebben de wachters het bepaald, zo luidt het besluit van de heiligen. De bedoeling van dit besluit is dat alle mensen zullen inzien dat de Allerhoogste alle koninkrijken ter wereld in zijn macht heeft en deze geeft aan wie Hij wil, zelfs aan de onaanzienlijkste onder de mensen!”
18 Welnu, Beltsazar, dit was mijn droom. Vertel mij nu wat hij betekende, want alle wijzen uit mijn rijk moesten mij het antwoord schuldig blijven. Maar u kunt het wel, want de geest van heilige goden woont in u.’
19 Daniël, bijgenaamd Beltsazar, was voor een moment hevig van streek. Zijn gedachten verontrustten hem. De koning zei: ‘Beltsazar, wees niet bang mij te vertellen wat de droom betekent.’ Beltsazar antwoordde: ‘Majesteit, werden uw vijanden maar getroffen door de komende gebeurtenissen uit deze droom en niet u! 20 Eerst wat die boom betreft: u zag dat hij hoog en sterk was en dat zijn kruin tot de hemel reikte en dat hij over de hele wereld te zien was. 21 U zag dat hij frisse groene bladeren had en zwaarbeladen was met genoeg fruit voor alle mensen. Er lagen ook dieren in zijn schaduw en vogels nestelden in zijn takken. 22 Welnu, majesteit, die boom bent u! Want u bent groot en sterk geworden. Uw grootheid is uitgegroeid tot de hemel en uw heerschappij strekt zich uit tot de einden der aarde. 23 Daarna zag u een engel van God uit de hemel neerdalen en u hoorde hem zeggen: “Hak de boom om en vernietig hem, maar laat zijn wortelstronk in de aarde zitten, bijeengehouden door banden van ijzer en koper en omringd door fris groen gras. Laat de dauw uit de hemel hem bevochtigen en laat hem gras eten met de dieren, zeven jaar lang.”
24 Ik zal het u uitleggen, majesteit. De Allerhoogste heeft dít over u besloten: 25 de samenleving zal u uit haar midden verstoten en u zult in de velden leven als een dier. U zult gras eten als een koe en nat worden van de dauw uit de hemel. Zeven jaar lang zal uw leven er zo uitzien, tot u erkent dat de Allerhoogste alle koninkrijken in zijn macht heeft en die geeft aan wie Hij wil. 26 Uit de woorden van uw droom blijkt echter dat de wortelstronk in de aarde zal blijven staan! Dit betekent dat u uw koningschap blijvend terugkrijgt op het moment waarop u erkent dat de hemel de macht heeft. 27 Majesteit, luister daarom naar mijn advies. Maak een einde aan het onrecht en de zonde in uw leven en wees rechtvaardig. Heb medelijden met de armen. Misschien zal God u dan nog langer voorspoed geven.’
28 Al deze dingen zijn koning Nebukadnezar echter toch overkomen. 29 Twaalf maanden na deze droom maakte hij een wandeling over het platte dak van zijn paleis in Babel. 30 ‘Kijk,’ zei hij, ‘is dit niet het grote Babel dat ik met mijn eigen grote kracht en tot mijn eer tot koninklijke residentie en hoofdstad van mijn rijk heb gemaakt?’ 31 Nauwelijks was hij uitgesproken of er klonk een stem uit de hemel: ‘Koning Nebukadnezar, u wordt meegedeeld dat u niet langer zult regeren over dit rijk. 32 U zult uit de samenleving worden verstoten en wonen bij de dieren in het veld. U zult gras eten als een koe, zeven jaar lang, tot u eindelijk erkent dat alle aardse koninkrijken het eigendom zijn van God, de Allerhoogste, en dat Hij die geeft aan wie Hij wil.’ 33 Op hetzelfde ogenblik werden deze woorden bewaarheid. Hij werd verstoten en at gras als de koeien en zijn lichaam werd nat van de dauw. Zijn haren werden zo lang als arendsveren en zijn nagels als vogelklauwen.
34 Na verloop van zeven jaar keek Nebukadnezar omhoog naar de hemel en zijn verstand keerde terug. Toen prees en aanbad hij de Allerhoogste en bewees Hem, de eeuwig Levende, eer. ‘Want,’ zei hij, ‘Hij heerst tot in eeuwigheid en zijn koningschap houdt voor altijd stand. 35 Alle bewoners van deze aarde zijn niets vergeleken bij Hem. Hij doet wat Hij het beste vindt met de hemelse legers en met de mensen op aarde. Niemand kan Hem tegenhouden of ter verantwoording roepen en vragen: “Wat is uw bedoeling met alles wat U doet?”
36 Toen ik mijn verstand terugkreeg, kwamen ook mijn roemruchte koningschap, majesteit en luister terug. Mijn raadsheren en functionarissen zochten mij weer op en ik kreeg mijn positie als hoofd van het rijk terug onder nog grotere eerbewijzen dan vroeger. 37 Nu prijs en loof en verheerlijk ik, Nebukadnezar, de Koning van de Hemel. Hij is oprecht en leidt ons op juiste en goede wegen. Hij bezit de macht hoogmoedigen te vernederen!’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Het Boek Copyright © 1979, 1988, 2007 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.