Daniel 4:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

NIV: All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

NASB: All of this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king.

CSB: All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

NLT: 'But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar.

KJV: All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

NKJV: All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

This verse confirms that what God decreed would occur, as shown in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, happened in just that way. The king dreamed of a massive tree which was sentenced to be cut down to a stump (Daniel 4:10–14). His dream included judgment in the form of a period of insanity (Daniel 4:15–17). Daniel explained that the king would be humiliated with madness for "seven periods of time," but would ultimately be restored to rule (Daniel 4:24–26). The following verses record what happened one year after Daniel's visit (Daniel 4:8, 29).

To be sure, God's timing may differ from that of humans, but in His chosen time He will fulfill His promises and prophecies. The apostle Peter writes about the way skeptics will respond to delayed fulfillment of prophecy as if the prophecy is false (2 Peter 3:4). God always keeps His Word. Everything He prophesies comes to pass. The most important of these predictions involve Jesus Christ. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension were foretold in the Old Testament and their fulfillment is described in the New Testament. Even the prophecy in Micah 5:2 was fulfilled to the letter. When Jesus was born, two locations were called by the title "Bethlehem." Micah 5:2 specified that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, a little town about five miles from Jerusalem. Every prophecy concerning Jesus' second coming will be fulfilled too. This fact gives believers a blessed hope.

Daniel 4:28–37 records the fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which Daniel had faithfully interpreted (Daniel 4:4–27). As God said would happen, the king's arrogance is judged with humiliation and insanity. Only when Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the supremacy of the Lord is he restored to his right mind. The passage returns to where the chapter began: with the king's praise for God's power and majesty (Daniel 4:1–3).

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.