Chapter 4

4:1  Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

dwell

Nebuchadnezzar, first of the Gentile world-kings in whom the times of the Gentiles Luke 21:24 ; Revelation 16:14 began, perfectly comprehended the universality of the sway committed to him Daniel 2:37 Daniel 2:38 as also did Cyrus Ezra 1:2 . That they did not actually subject the known earth to their sway is true, but they might have done so. The earth lay in their power.

4:3  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.

everlasting kingdom

See, 2 Samuel 7:16 ; Psalms 89:35-37 ; Daniel 7:13 Daniel 7:14 Daniel 7:27 ; Luke 1:31-33 .

4:10  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.

tree

Symbol of a great king. Daniel 4:22 ; Ezekiel 31:1-14 .

4:13  I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

watcher

Daniel 4:17 Daniel 4:23 plural in 17.

4:16  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.

seven

The number of completeness.

4:25  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.

till thou know

The discipline was effective. Cf. Daniel 4:30 Daniel 4:37 .

4:34  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:

I blessed the most High

A progress may be traced in Nebuchadnezzar's apprehension of the true God.

(1) "God is a God of gods one amongst the national or tribal gods, but greater than they], and a Lord Adonai=Master of kings, and a revealer of secrets" Daniel 2:47 .

(2) He is still a Hebrew deity, but Master of angels, and a God who responds to faith Daniel 3:28 .

(3) Here Daniel 4:34 Daniel 4:35 the king rises into a true apprehension of God. Cf. Darius, Daniel 6:25-27 .