Daniel Notes - Chapter 4

I. Verse 1-7 "Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof."

1. Vs. 1-3: This is Daniel’s inspired record of some things Nebuchadnezzar had written about God.

2. Vs. 5-7: Again, Nebuchadnezzar consults the Chaldeans who have so often proven themselves unable. One wonders why that, by this time, he did not perceive them to have no real power.

II. Verse 8-9 "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: and before him I told the dream, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof."

1. Vs. 8-9: It seems as though Nebuchadnezzar just does not get the point. He says Daniel has the spirit of the gods, plural. In spite of all that God has shown him, he still clings to his polytheistic, pagan thinking.

III. Verse 10-17 "Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter 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 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

1. Vs. 13: The watcher was ready to go and do God’s bidding. This may have been an angel such as Michael of Daniel 10 or Gabriel of Daniel 9.

2. Vs. 17: The point of the dream is stated therein. It was to demonstrate that God is sovereign ruler over heaven and earth, even in times of wicked government. Nebuchadnezzar’s rule was not to his own glory, but to the glory of God. Compare this with Rom. 13:1-7.

IV. Verse 18-19 "This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies."

1. Vs. 19: Daniel seems reluctant to tell the interpretation of the dream. It seems as though he knew the meaning of the dream before announcing that he did. It is unlikely that he hesitated for fear of the king since he was a man of exemplary faith and courage. It may be that he had genuine respect for the king and hated to give him bad news.

V. Verse 20-26 "The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule."

1. Vs. 20-22: The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over all the known world. His dominion was so powerful that all the world knew of him. See Chart on Daniel 4 And Daniel 5.

2. Vs. 23-25: The tree being cut and preserved represents Nebuchadnezzar loosing his reasoning and living like an animal for seven "times" or seven years.

3. Vs. 25: The term translated "times" can mean year, although it does not always. The period here was probably seven years.

4. Vs. 25-26: Again, the point is to let Nebuchadnezzar know that God is in control, not him. In spite of all his power and might, he was nothing in comparison to God.

5. Vs. 10-26: It is interesting to note the view taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses on this passage. While the text is very clear in the way the dream is explained, they manage to complicate it in an attempt to justify their doctrine about the kingdom of God on earth. They maintain the tree represents God’s kingdom rule on the earth. They believe the tree being cut down symbolizes God’s rulership through an earthly kingdom being ended with the destruction of Judah by Babylon in, according to them, 607 BCE (that’s before the common era). They play an unbelievable game with the numbers. The seven times, to them, can be understood by looking at Rev. 12:6, 14 where he mentions a time, times and half a time, or 3 ½ times and also mentions 1260 days. They divide the 1260 days by 3 ½ to conclude a "time" equals 360 days. So seven times would be 2520 days. Then they go to Num. 14:34 and Ezek. 4:6 to assert in prophecy a day equals a year, so the seven times, or 2520 days must be 2520 years. They count forward from 607 BCE 2520 years and come up with 1914 CE (that’s common era). They assert the tree being preserved represents God’s kingdom rule on earth being restored after the seven times or in 1914. This lead the early Jehovah’s Witnesses to make rash predictions regarding 1914 being the end of Gentile kingdoms and the beginning of God’s kingdom on earth. See Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prophetic Speculation, pp. 20-25, Expose’ Of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p. 49 and Questions For Jehovah’s Witnesses, p. 15. This interpretation is manifestly wrong for the following reasons. See chart on The Vision Of Daniel 4:10-26.

A. Daniel emphatically says the tree represents the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. See Dan. 4:22.

B. Daniel emphatically says the cutting of the tree represents a temporary period in which the king’s reign is disrupted. See Dan. 4:25.

C. Daniel emphatically says the preserving of the tree represents the eventual restoration of the king’s rule. See Dan. 4:26.

D. The context shows the fulfillment of these elements just as described. See Dan. 4:33-36.

VI. Verse 27-30 "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. 28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?"

1. Vs. 27: Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar to change his ways and perhaps he could avert the ill fate predicted in this dream.

2. Vs. 28-30: The king may have done well for a time, but after a year had passed he forgot the message. His pride swelled and he gloated and gloried in his majesty. He took credit for his own accomplishments instead of remembering his power was by God’s ordinance.

VII. Verse 31-33 "While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws."

1. Vs. 32-33: Nebuchadnezzar lost his rationality and began to live like a beast. His hair and nails grew long and unkempt. This is not to say he literally had feathers growing or eagle claws, but that his hair was long like feathers and his nails like claws.

VIII. Verse 34-37 "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

1. Vs. 34-37: Nebuchadnezzar now realizes God’s authority and power over the affairs of man. He praises God in the fashion of which he is worthy. This causes us to wonder if Nebuchadnezzar was in good favor with God by this time in his life.