Add parallel Print Page Options

Nebuchadnezzar the king,

to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.

How great are his signs!
    How mighty are his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    His dominion is from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Therefore I made 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. Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told the dream before them; but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation. 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. I told the dream before him, saying,

“Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation. 10 These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the middle of the earth; and its height was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

13 “I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky. 14 He cried aloud, and said this, ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth. 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him. Then let seven times pass over him.

17 “‘The sentence 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 rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

18 “This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare 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.”

19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries. 20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation: 22 it is you, O king, that have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 “Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him.’

24 “This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: 25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. 26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you will have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.”

28 All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you. 32 You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’”

33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever;

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    and his kingdom from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
    and he does according to his will in the army of heaven,
    and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and no one can stop his hand,
    or ask him, “What are you doing?”

36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

Read full chapter

Nebuchadnezzar Declares What the Most High God Has Done for Him

[a] Nebuchadnezzar the king to all of the nations, the peoples and languages that live in the whole earth: “May your prosperity increase! It is pleasing to me to recount the signs and wonders that the Most High God worked for me. How great are his signs and wonders, how strong is his kingdom, an everlasting kingdom;[b] and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.

The Dream and the King’s Search for an Interpreter

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was content in my house and prospering in my palace. And I saw a dream and a revelation on my bed and it frightened me, and the visions of my head terrified me. And a decree was sent out,[c] ordering that all the wise men of Babylon were to be brought in before me so that they may make known to me the explanation of the dream. Then the magicians,[d] the conjurers,[e] the astrologers[f] and the diviners came in and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its explanation.[g] Then at last[h] Daniel came before me whose name was[i] Belteshazzar, according to[j] the name of my god, and in whom was the spirit of the holy gods,[k] and I related the dream to him.[l]

“‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians,[m] I myself know that the spirit[n] of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult[o] for you. Now tell me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its explanation.[p] 10 Now these were the visions of my head as I was lying on my bed: I was gazing[q] and, look, a tree was in the midst of the earth, and its height was exalted.

11 The tree grew and it became strong,
    and its height reached to heaven,[r]
    and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.[s]
12 Its foliage was beautiful,
    and its fruit abundant,
    and in it was provision for all.
Under it the animals[t] of the field sought shade,
    and in its branches the birds of heaven[u] nested,
    and from it all the living beings were fed.

13 “‘I was looking in the vision of my head as I lay on my bed, and look, a watcher,[v] and a holy one, came down from heaven.

14 He cried aloud[w] and so he said:

“Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
    shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit.
Let the animals flee from under it,
    and the birds from its branches.
15 But the stump of its roots
    leave in the earth,
along with[x] a band of iron and bronze;
    leave it in the grass of the field.
And in[y] the dew of heaven
    let it[z] be watered,
and with the animals[aa]
    let his lot be in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his mind be changed from that of a human,[ab]
    and let the mind of an animal be given to him,
    and let seven times pass over him.
17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers,
    and the decision by the command of the holy ones,
in order that[ac] the living will know
    that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind,
and to whomever[ad] he wills he gives it,
    and he even sets the humblest of men over it.”

18 “‘This is the dream that I, Nebuchadnezzar the king, saw. Now[ae] you, Belteshazzar, declare its explanation, for[af] all of the wise men of my kingdom were not able to make the explanation known to me, but you are able because the spirit of holy gods is in you.’

Daniel Relates and Interprets the Dream

19 “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was distressed for some time,[ag] and his thoughts disturbed him. The king answered and he said, ‘Belteshazzar, let the dream and its explanation not disturb you.’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘My lord, may the dream and its explanation be for those who hate you and for your enemies. 20 The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong and its height reached to heaven[ah] and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,[ai] 21 and its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and so there was provision for all in it, and the animals[aj] of the field lived under it and in its branches nest the birds of heaven,[ak] 22 —it is you, O king, who have grown great and you have grown strong, and so your greatness has increased and it has reached to heaven[al] and your sovereignty to the end of the earth. 23 And inasmuch that the king saw the watcher, a holy one coming down from heaven[am] and he said, “Cut down the tree and destroy it, but the stump of its root in the earth leave with a band of iron and bronze in the grass of the field, and let it be watered with the dew of heaven and let his lot be with the animals of the field until seven times have passed over him.”[an] 24 This is the explanation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: 25 you will be driven away from human society[ao] and you will dwell[ap] with the animals[aq] of the field, and you will be caused to graze grass like the oxen yourself,[ar] and you will be watered with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time will pass over you until that you have acknowledged that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and to whom he wills[as] he gives it. 26 And in that[at] they said to leave alone the stump of the tree’s root, so your kingdom will be restored for you when[au] you acknowledge that heaven is sovereign. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you and your sin remove[av] with righteousness and your iniquity with having mercy on the oppressed, in case there might be a prolongation of your prosperity.’”[aw]

God Judges the King for His Hubris

28 All this happened[ax] to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace[ay] of Babylon. 30 And the king answered and said, “Is this not the great Babylon which I have built as a royal palace by the strength of my own power, and for the glory of my own majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the mouth of the king, a voice from heaven came, saying, ‘To you, King Nebuchadnezzar, it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you will be driven away from human society[az] and your dwelling will be with the animals[ba] of the field and they will cause you to graze the grass like oxen, and seven times will pass over you, until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind and that he gives it to whom he wills.’ 33 Immediately[bb] the word was fulfilled concerning[bc] Nebuchadnezzar, and he was expelled from human society[bd] and he ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven until his hair was like the hair of an eagle and his nails grew like a bird’s claws.

The King Praises and Extols the Most High God

34 “But at the end of that period,[be] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and then my reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and the one who lives forever[bf] I praised and I honored.

“For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty,
    and his kingdom continues from generation to generation.
35 And all the dwellers of the earth
    are regarded as nothing,
and he does according to[bg] his desire
    in the host of heaven and among the dwellers of earth,
and there is not one who can hold back his hand,
    or ask him,[bh] ‘What are you doing?’

36 At that time[bi] my reason returned to me, and also the glory of my kingdom and my majesty and splendor returned to me, and my advisers and my lords[bj] searched me out, and I was established over my kingdom and abundant greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the king of heaven, for all his works are truth,[bk] and his ways are justice and that he is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 4:1 Daniel 4:1–4:37 in the English Bible is 3:31–4:34 in the Hebrew Bible
  2. Daniel 4:3 Literally “a kingdom of eternity”
  3. Daniel 4:6 Literally “put/placed”
  4. Daniel 4:7 Or “soothsayer-priests”
  5. Daniel 4:7 Or “enchanters”
  6. Daniel 4:7 Literally “Chaldeans”
  7. Daniel 4:7 Or “interpretation”
  8. Daniel 4:8 Literally “until another”
  9. Daniel 4:8 Literally “who name his”
  10. Daniel 4:8 Literally “like”
  11. Daniel 4:8 Literally “and who the spirit of gods holy in him”
  12. Daniel 4:8 Literally “and the dream before him I told”
  13. Daniel 4:9 Or “soothsayer-priests”
  14. Daniel 4:9 Or “a spirit”
  15. Daniel 4:9 Literally “every mystery is not difficult”
  16. Daniel 4:9 Or “interpretation”
  17. Daniel 4:10 Literally “seeing”
  18. Daniel 4:11 Or “the sky”
  19. Daniel 4:11 Literally “and its appearance was to the end of the whole earth”
  20. Daniel 4:12 Aramaic “animal”
  21. Daniel 4:12 Or “the sky”
  22. Daniel 4:13 Or “angelic being”
  23. Daniel 4:14 Literally “in strength”
  24. Daniel 4:15 Literally “and with”
  25. Daniel 4:15 Or “with”
  26. Daniel 4:15 Or “him,” that is, the king
  27. Daniel 4:15 Aramaic “animal”
  28. Daniel 4:16 Or “the human”
  29. Daniel 4:17 Literally “until matter that”
  30. Daniel 4:17 Literally “to whom that”
  31. Daniel 4:18 Or “And”
  32. Daniel 4:18 Literally “all of because that”
  33. Daniel 4:19 Literally “for one hour”
  34. Daniel 4:20 Or “the sky”
  35. Daniel 4:20 Literally “its appearance to the all the earth”
  36. Daniel 4:21 Aramaic “animal”
  37. Daniel 4:21 Or “the sky”
  38. Daniel 4:22 Or “the sky”
  39. Daniel 4:23 Or “the sky”
  40. Daniel 4:23 Literally “until that seven times they pass over him”
  41. Daniel 4:25 Literally “from the humankind”
  42. Daniel 4:25 Literally “your dwelling will be”
  43. Daniel 4:25 Aramaic “animal”
  44. Daniel 4:25 Literally “with respect to you”
  45. Daniel 4:25 Literally “that he wills”
  46. Daniel 4:26 Literally “And for”
  47. Daniel 4:26 Literally “from that”
  48. Daniel 4:27 Or “replace”
  49. Daniel 4:27 Literally “if will be prolongation for your prosperity”
  50. Daniel 4:28 Literally “It came upon”
  51. Daniel 4:29 Literally “the place of the kingdom”
  52. Daniel 4:32 Literally “the humankind”
  53. Daniel 4:32 Aramaic “animal”
  54. Daniel 4:33 Literally “In that hour”
  55. Daniel 4:33 Literally “over”
  56. Daniel 4:33 Literally “the humankind”
  57. Daniel 4:34 Literally “the day”
  58. Daniel 4:34 Literally “the one living forever”
  59. Daniel 4:35 Literally “as”
  60. Daniel 4:35 Literally “or asks to him”
  61. Daniel 4:36 Literally “In it the time”
  62. Daniel 4:36 Or “nobles”
  63. Daniel 4:37 Or “true”