Daniel 4:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.

NIV: I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.

NASB: I saw a dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.

CSB: I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

NLT: But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed.

KJV: I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

NKJV: I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon recalls having a frightening dream. This is the second time Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream. Daniel chapter 2 describes the first experience. Both dreams portrayed future events (Daniel 2:29; 4:24–25).

The Bible presents several instances in which dreams transmitted divine revelation. God issued warnings to Abimelech and Laban (Genesis 20; 31:24), and Pilate's wife's dream was the basis for her warning Pilate to have nothing to do with Jesus (Matthew 27:19). He communicated this way to Jacob (Genesis 28:12; 31:10–13), to Solomon (1 Kings 3:5), and to Joseph, Mary's husband (Matthew 1:20). With the completion of the New Testament, dreams are no longer necessary means for God to communicate His will. Second Timothy 3:16–17 indicates that the written Word, the Scriptures, are inspired by the Lord and useful for everything we must know about Him. They teach believers what they ought to believe and how they ought to live. As believers study and obey the Scriptures, they develop spiritual maturity and become effective servants of God. God can, of course, still communicate to people in dreams. But it is important to base one's understanding of any dream on the revealed truth of Scripture.

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.