Daniel 4:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.

NIV: The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.

NASB: The tree grew large and became strong And its height reached to the sky, And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.

CSB: The tree grew large and strong; its top reached to the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth.

NLT: The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see.

KJV: The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

NKJV: The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.

This description comes from a dream, not an actual example. Nebuchadnezzar is consulting with Daniel about a troubling vision (Daniel 4:4–5, 8–9). Critics who simply skim passages without reading them in context sometimes point to this as an example of scientific error. On a spherical earth, no tree would be visible from everywhere, no matter how tall it might be. Yet this depiction is part of a dream: what the king sees in his sleep is not part of the real world.

Some translators dispute the word "visible." This is the simplest rendering, but the implication goes beyond just line-of-sight. The tree is described as incredibly influential and important (Daniel 4:12). The tree is not simply seen, it is known and revered. This factors into the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 4:22), which implies that the mighty king will be humbled (Daniel 4:25).

Nebuchadnezzar had increased significantly in terms of the size of his kingdom and its strength. Everyone in the known world at the time could see the greatness of the Babylonian empire. Other empires had existed before Babylon. Chief among them were Egypt, Syria, and Assyria, but none of them had grown to the magnitude and splendor of the Babylonian empire. Nebuchadnezzar held sway over a vast, powerful, and productive kingdom. But would it last much longer? In his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's first dream, Daniel gave an answer (Daniel 2:39–40). In this case, as well, the king's absolute rule will not last forever. What applied to Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom applies as well to powerful nations today. Someday all kingdoms of the world, including the most powerful ones, will surrender their rule to King Jesus (Revelation 11:15).

Daniel 4:1–18 introduces another of Nebuchadnezzar's mysterious dreams (Daniel 2:2–3). As before, the king summoned his wise men to interpret the experience. They failed, but Nebuchadnezzar also spoke with Daniel (Daniel 2:46–47). This time the king told his wise men and Daniel what he had dreamed. This sets the stage for Daniel's interpretation and the fulfillment of another prophecy.

Daniel 4 opens with a proclamation in which Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, declares what God has done for him. He recalls yet another frightening dream (Daniel 2:1). He sees a tree cut down to the stump, and a man made like an animal. Once again, only Daniel could interpret the dream's meaning. The news is terrible: the king will be driven insane for "seven periods of time" until he learns humility. A year later, this happens. Also as promised, Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself and regains his senses and his throne. He praises God for this miraculous work.

Daniel chapter 1 depicted Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar as powerful. Chapter 2 showed his vindictive nature. His extreme vanity was on display in chapter 3. Daniel chapter 4 records his submission, repentance, and return to prominence as the King of Babylon, all under God's humiliating judgment. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 continue to speak about Gentile rulers and related prophecies.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.