Daniel 4:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king,

NIV: "This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king:

NASB: this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:

CSB: This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree of the Most High that has been issued against my lord the king:

NLT: '‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king.

KJV: This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

NKJV: this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:

Daniel respectfully addresses King Nebuchadnezzar but confirms that the fateful events predicted in the king's dream are the decree of God Himself (Daniel 4:10–17, 22–23). The king will suffer insanity and incompetence, losing his power and his mind (Daniel 4:25). Yet his rule will not be destroyed; rather, he would return to his senses once he came to know that God was sovereign (Daniel 4:26). In the Old Testament, God notes His willingness to delay or reverse impending doom on cultures who repent and submit to Him (Jeremiah 18:7–8; Jonah 3:5—4:1). At times, He did the same for individual people (Isaiah 38:1–5). In this case, however, Daniel only offers Nebuchadnezzar a chance to postpone his fate (Daniel 4:27).

As a powerful ruler, Nebuchadnezzar assumed he could subdue any threat to his rule (Daniel 3:15). He needed to learn humility to accept that he could not subdue, delay, or alter God's decree. Nebuchadnezzar controlled a mighty army, but God commands a host of mighty angels. When the Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan in pursuit of Elisha, Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would open. The servant saw the Lord's "horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17). No one has ever fought against God and won the battle, and no one ever will. Nebuchadnezzar was powerful, but the Most High is all-powerful. Even the collective nations are like a drop in the bucket or dust on the scales to God (Isaiah 40:15).

Daniel 4:19–27 provides Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's recent dream (Daniel 4:4–5). Daniel briefly hesitates, perhaps wondering if Nebuchadnezzar will lash out in anger over what he is about to say. As the king likely feared, his dream means he will suffer humiliation and insanity for seven periods of time. Daniel acknowledges that this is terrible news. He appeals to the king to set aside sin, to at least delay the fulfillment of this judgment.

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.