Daniel 4
1 Nebuchadnezzar confesses God's kingdom,
4 makes relation of his dreams, which the magicians could not interpret.
8 Daniel hears the dream.
19 He interprets it.
28 The dream fulfilled.
Nebuchadnezzar <05020> [Nebuchadnezzar.]
This is a regular decree, and one of the most ancient extant; and no doubt contains the exact words of Nebuchadnezzar, copied out by Daniel from the state papers of Babylon, and preserved in the original language.
all .......... all <03606> [unto all.]
Peace <08001> [Peace.]
delighted ..... about <06925 08232> [I thought it good. Chal. It was seemly before me.]
most high <05943> [that.]
great <07260> [great.]
kingdom <04437> [his kingdom.]
from <05974> [is from.]
I Nebuchadnezzar <0576 05020> [I Nebuchadnezzar.]
After he had successfully finished his wars in Syria, Egypt, etc., and the immense improvements and buildings at Babylon, and in the enjoyment of uninterrupted peace and prosperity in his palace.
was <01934> [was.]
dream <02493> [a dream.]
things ... imagined <02031> [and the thoughts.]
brought <05954> [to bring.]
When ......... entered <0116 05954> [Then came.]
unable <03809> [but.]
Belteshazzar <01096> [Belteshazzar.]
spirit <07308> [and in.]
chief <07229> [master.]
spirit <07308> [the spirit.]
no mystery <07328 03606> [no secret.]
set forth <0560> [tell.]
there was <01934> [saw. Chal. was seeing. a tree.]
This represented his exceedingly prosperous condition, the height of his exaltation, the extent of his dominions and renown, the splendour of his kingdom, the multitude of his subjects who received protection from him, and the peace and plenty they enjoyed.
reached far <04291> [reached.]
animals <02423> [the beasts.]
seek shade <02927> [shadow.]
birds <06853> [the fowls.]
visions <02376> [in the.]
a watcher. Either a holy angel, or a divine person, called a watcher, as watching over the affairs of men. .# 17,23 Ps 103:20
holy <06922> [an holy.]
loudly <02429> [aloud. Chal. with might.]
Chop down <01414> [Hew.]
animals <02423> [let.]
leave <07662> [leave.]
mind .............. mind <03825> [Let his.]
Here a transition is made from the tree to Nebuchadnezzar, whom it represented; the tree being lost sight of, a person came in its stead. This person having lost the heart, or disposition of a man, and conceiving himself a beast, should act as such, and herd among them.
altered <08133> [be changed.]
seven periods ... time <05732 07655> [seven times.]
That is, seven years, a time in the prophetic language denoting a year.
decree .......... pronouncement <01510 03983> [by the.]
holy ones <06922> [the holy.]
alive <02417> [that the living.]
Most High <05943> [the most High.]
bestows <05415> [giveth.]
lowliest <08215> [the basest.]
none <06903> [forasmuch.]
you ......................... you <0607> [but.]
Daniel <01841> [Daniel.]
[was astonished.]
He saw the design of the dream; and felt acutely for his prince and benefactor. Accordingly he expresses himself with the greatest delicacy and kindly feeling.
don't <0409> [let.]
Sir <04756> [My Lord.]
dream .............. dream <02493> [the dream.]
it ... you <0607> [thou.]
greatness <07238> [thy greatness.]
seeing <02370> [saw.]
periods <02508> [and let his.]
decision <01510> [the decree.]
happened <04291> [come.]
driven <02957> [drive.]
live <04070> [and thy dwelling.]
All the circumstances of Nebuchadnezzar's case, says Dr. Mead, agree so well with a hypochondriasis, that to me it appears evident the Almighty God brought this dreadful distemper upon him, and under its influence he ran wild into the fields: then fancying himself transformed into an ox, he fed on grass, after the manner of cattle; and, through neglect of himself, his hair and nails grew to an excessive length, so that the latter became thick and crooked, resembling bird's claws.
fed <02939> [to eat.]
before <05705> [till.]
leave <07662> [to leave.]
heaven <08065> [the heavens.]
advice <04431> [let.]
Break away <06562> [break.]
mercy <02604> [by shewing.]
Perhaps ..... be <02006 01934> [if it.]
prosperity .... prolonged <07963 0754> [lengthening of thy tranquillity. or, healing of thine error.]
After <07118> [end.]
battlements <05922> [in. or, upon.]
not <03809> [Is not.]
great <07229> [great.]
I <0576> [that.]
honor <03367> [and for.]
words <04406> [the word.]
came down <05308> [fell.]
kingdom <04437> [The kingdom.]
driven <02957> [they shall drive.]
before <05705> [until.]
moment <08160> [same.]
driven <02957> [and he was.]
end <07118> [A.M. 3441. B.C. 563. at the end.]
looked up <05191> [lifted.]
extolled <01289> [I blessed.]
Most High <05943> [the most High.]
lives <02417> [him.]
authority ..... authority <07985> [whose.]
from <05974> [is from.]
All <03606> [all.]
does ............................. done <05648> [and he.]
inhabitants ....................... inhabit <01753> [the inhabitants.]
nothing ................... No one <03809> [none.]
What <04101> [What.]
sanity <04486> [my reason.]
Every thing was fulfilled that was exhibited in the dream and its interpretation; and God so ordered it in his providence, that Nebuchadnezzar's counsellors and lords sought for him and gladly reinstated him in his kingdom. It is confidently believed that he was a true convert, and died in the faith of the God of Israel.
splendor <01923> [mine.]
than before <03255> [added.]
I Nebuchadnezzar <0576 05020> [I Nebuchadnezzar.]
King <04430> [the King.]
all <03606> [all.]
live <01981> [those that walk.]
