Daniel 4:1 kjv
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
Daniel 4:1 nkjv
Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
Daniel 4:1 niv
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly!
Daniel 4:1 esv
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!
Daniel 4:1 nlt
King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: "Peace and prosperity to you!
Daniel 4 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 2:48 | ...made Daniel lord over all the province of Babylon... | Divine elevation, authority |
| Daniel 3:29 | ...whose manner of life may be changed toward the most High. | Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgement |
| Daniel 4:17, 25 | ...to the intent that the living may know that the most High... | God's ultimate sovereignty |
| Daniel 5:18 | ...O king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a... | God's authority over kings |
| Daniel 6:26 | ...fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God... | Divine power and reign |
| Ezra 1:1 | The LORD hath put it in his heart to proclaim throughout all his... | Royal decrees, divine influence |
| Esther 1:22 | ...that every man should bear rule in his own house, and speak... | Royal decrees, widespread authority |
| Psalm 2:10 | Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of... | Kings instructed by God |
| Psalm 22:28 | All the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. | Universal worship |
| Psalm 72:11 | Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall... | Universal dominion of kings |
| Psalm 110:1 | The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I... | Messiah's dominion |
| Proverbs 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of... | God's control over kings |
| Isaiah 10:7 | Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so... | God's use of pagan rulers |
| Isaiah 45:1, 4 | Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand... | God's sovereignty over nations |
| Jeremiah 10:7 | Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth... | God's universal kingship |
| Jeremiah 25:9 | And, behold, I will send and take all the families of the north... | God's judgment on nations |
| Luke 1:52 | He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them... | God's humbling of the proud |
| Acts 17:28 | For in him we live, and move, and have our being... | God's omnipresence and sustainment |
| 1 Corinthians 15:24 | Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the... | Christ's ultimate reign |
| Revelation 1:5 | And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness... | Christ's authority and rule |
| Revelation 11:15 | And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in... | God's ultimate kingdom |
| Revelation 17:14 | These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome... | Christ's victory over nations |
Daniel 4 verses
Daniel 4 1 Meaning
Daniel 4:1 states, "Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you." This is an opening declaration by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He extends a formal proclamation of peace and well-being to all subjects within his vast empire, emphasizing his authority over diverse peoples. The verse sets a solemn and authoritative tone for the message that follows.
Daniel 4 1 Context
This verse opens Daniel chapter 4. The preceding chapter, Daniel 3, details Nebuchadnezzar's construction of a great golden image and his command for all his subjects to worship it. Those who refused, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were miraculously saved from the fiery furnace. Chapter 4 itself is Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony about a dream he had and how it led him to acknowledge God's supreme power. Historically, this decree reflects the practice of rulers issuing formal pronouncements to their vast, multilingual empires. The phrase "Peace be multiplied unto you" was a standard, gracious salutation, wishing prosperity and well-being upon the recipients. This specific prologue from Nebuchadnezzar, acknowledging a higher power, follows his supernatural experiences and God's intervention.
Daniel 4 1 Word analysis
Nebuchadnezzar: (Transliteration: Nevukhadnetstsar). Refers to the powerful Babylonian king who reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC. He is historically known for his military campaigns, vast building projects in Babylon, and his role in the Babylonian captivity of Judah. His name is significant as it invokes the deity Nebo.
the king: A direct assertion of his royal title and authority.
to all people, nations, and languages: Emphasizes the vast, multicultural scope of his dominion. This highlights his reach across diverse ethnic groups and those speaking different tongues within the Babylonian Empire. It signifies his supreme authority over a global (from his perspective) domain.
that dwell in all the earth: Further broadens the scope of his proclaimed authority, indicating the entirety of his known world.
Peace: (Aramaic: shlām - שְׁלָם). In its Aramaic context, shlām signifies not just the absence of conflict but also completeness, soundness, welfare, prosperity, and tranquility.
be multiplied unto you: A wish for an abundance of peace and well-being. It's a formal and benevolent opening for an official communication.
Nebuchadnezzar's Proclamation: The entire opening acts as a royal edict, a common practice for kings of the ancient Near East to announce their will or state of affairs to their subjects.
Universal Scope: The emphasis on "all people, nations, and languages" underscores the king's power and reach, a common trope in Near Eastern royal inscriptions designed to display might.
Formal Salutation: The phrase "Peace be multiplied unto you" is a formal, even religious, blessing appropriate for a royal pronouncement. It mirrors other royal greetings found in ancient Near Eastern texts.
Daniel 4 1 Bonus Section
The pronouncement by Nebuchadnezzar, though kingly, foreshadows the universal reign of God and His Christ. His declaration, encompassing "all people, nations, and languages," echoes prophetic visions of God's ultimate dominion over all humanity. The desire for peace, though earthly, points towards the true, multiplied peace that comes from submission to the Most High, a theme deeply explored throughout Scripture. This initial statement serves as a formal introduction to a divinely orchestrated message delivered through a human king.
Daniel 4 1 Commentary
King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of Babylon, initiates this chapter with a broad declaration. He extends greetings and wishes for peace to every individual, group, and linguistic community under his rule, encompassing the entirety of the known world. This grand salutation signifies his kingly authority over a diverse empire. Coming after the events of Daniel 3 and before his personal account of God's sovereign work in his life, this opening statement carries particular weight. It signals a shift from his previous arrogance and idol worship toward a greater acknowledgment of divine power, as foreshadowed by his experiences. The desire for peace reflects a hope for stability and prosperity within his vast kingdom, a peace that ultimately can only be fully realized through divine blessing.