Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Daniel 4

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

unto all people, nations, and languages

Cf. Dan 2:37, 38; 3:29.

in all the earth

Nebuchadnezzar, first of the Gentile world-kings in whom the times of the Gentiles (Luk 21:24; Rev 16:14) began, perfectly comprehended the universality of the sway committed to him (Dan 2:37, 38); as also did Cyrus (Ezr 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.

Dan 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

2Sa 7:16; Psa 89:35-37; Dan 7:13, 14; Luk 1:31-33.

Dan 4:6 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.

bring in all the wise men of Babylon

Cf. Dan 2:1, 2.

Dan 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.

a tree

Symbol of a great king. (Eze 31:1-14.) See Dan 4:22.

Dan 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;

a watcher

Dan 4:17, 23, plural in 17.

an holy one

Sanctify, holy (O.T.). Joe 1:14. (Gen 2:3; Zec 8:3)

Dan 4:14 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:

Hew down the tree

Cf. Mat 3:10; 7:19; Luk 13:6-10.

Dan 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.

Dan 4:17 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.

that the living may know

Psa 9:16.

the most High ruleth

Dan 4:25, 32; Dan 2:21; 5:21.

Dan 4:19 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.

the dream be to them that hate thee

See 2Sa 18:32; Jer 29:7.

Dan 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. Dan 4:30 with Dan 4:37.

Dan 4:27 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.

break off thy sins

Isa 55:7; Rom 2:9-11.

Dan 4:30 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?

I have built

Cf. Dan 4:37.

Dan 4:31 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.

While the word was in the king's mouth

1Th 5:3.

The kingdom is departed from thee

Cf. Luk 12:19, 20.

Dan 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" (Dan 2:47).
2. He is still a Hebrew deity, but Master of angels, and a God who responds to faith (Dan 3:28).
3. Here (Dan 4:34, 35) the king rises into a true apprehension of God. Cf. Darius, Dan 6:25-27.

an everlasting dominion

Dan 2:44; 7:14; Psa 10:16; Mic 4:7; Luk 1:33.

Dan 4:37 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.

those that walk in pride

Dan 5:20; Exo 18:11.