Daniel 4 10

Daniel 4:10 kjv

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.

Daniel 4:10 nkjv

"These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, A tree in the midst of the earth, And its height was great.

Daniel 4:10 niv

These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.

Daniel 4:10 esv

The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.

Daniel 4:10 nlt

"'While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth.

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 10 Meaning

The verse describes Daniel’s vision of a dream, specifically mentioning a powerful, tall tree. This tree is so significant that it can be seen from everywhere in the earth, symbolizing its vast reach and influence. The tree provides sustenance and shelter for all creatures, highlighting its role as a provider and protector, ultimately under the observation of a holy watcher.

Daniel 4 10 Context

This verse is part of Daniel's account of a dream experienced by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The dream is interpreted by Daniel, revealing divine judgment against the king due to his pride. Chapter 4 recounts Nebuchadnezzar's experience of his dream, Daniel's interpretation, the king's temporary madness and humiliation, and his eventual restoration and praise of God. This particular verse describes the details of the tree in the dream, which is a central symbol in the narrative. The historical context is the Babylonian empire, at a time when Nebuchadnezzar reigned and the people of Judah were in exile. The vision serves as a prophecy of divine action regarding the king's sovereignty.

Daniel 4 10 Word Analysis

• חֵזוַ či (chezu) - "I saw" or "a vision." From the root חָזָה (hazah), meaning to see, behold, foresee.
• וַחֲלֹם (vachalom) - "and a dream." From חֲלוֹם (halom), meaning dream. This conjunction links the seeing of the vision with the dream itself.
• דַּרְגָּל (dargal) - "a ladder" or "a stair." Though "tree" is implied by the subsequent description, this initial word might suggest a perceived structure reaching heavenward. Some translations render this word more metaphorically as a vision's ascent.
• קְרִי (keri) - "in the midst of the earth." Literally "in the midst." The word signifies being in the center or in the midst of.
• אִילָנָא (ilanah) - "a tree." This is an Aramaic word for tree.
• בִּירָא (birah) - "tall" or "great." It describes the immense size of the tree, indicating prominence and magnitude.
• סָלִיק (saliq) - "ascending" or "reaching up." This verb implies upward movement and extension.
• לָעֲמַיָא (la'amayah) - "to the heavens." Denotes the sky or firmament.
• הִנּוּמְתָּא (hinnumeh-ta) - "visible" or "to be seen." This indicates that the tree was conspicuous and easily observed by everyone.
• סוֹפֵי (sophey) - "ends" or "extremities." Refers to the furthest reaches.
• כָּל- (kol) - "all" or "whole." Emphasizes universality.
• קַרְקַע (qarqa') - "earth." The ground or land.
• לָא (la) - "not." A negative particle.
• צָפִי (tzaphi) - "to behold" or "to see."
• יִתְבַּעַר (yitba'ar) - "is it lit up" or "it is nourished." Rooted in the concept of consuming fire or growth. Some understand it as "understood" or "recognized," a key aspect of interpretation.
• לְכֹל (lechol) - "for all."
• מִדְבָּח (midbach) - "sustenance" or "food." Literally "sacrifice" or "offering."
• דִבַּג (dibbag) - "food" or "nourishment."
• לָךְ (lach) - "you" or "for you." This pronoun refers back to the dreamer, Nebuchadnezzar, or to God, depending on textual interpretation.
• מִן (min) - "from" or "of."
• בּוּר (bur) - "bright," "pure," or "holy." It refers to a divine entity.
• נָטִיר (nadir) - "watcher" or "guardian." Often understood as an angelic being or a divine attendant.
• דְּגָּלוּא (degala') - "descended" or "came down." From a root implying movement from a higher place.
• מִן-(min) - "from."
• *שְׁמַיָּא (shamayyah) - "heaven" or "the heavens."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "a vision and a dream" (וַחֲלֹם חֵזוַ či): Emphasizes that the experience was both seen and received as a dream, highlighting its divine origin and prophetic nature.
• "a tree in the midst of the earth" (אִילָנָא קְרִי): Establishes the central focus of the vision—a tree of immense global significance and placement.
• "tall, and its top reached to the heavens, and visible to the ends of all the earth" (בִּירָא סָלִיק לָעֲמַיָּא, וְהִנּוּמְתָּא לְסוֹפֵי כָל-קַרְקַע): This phrase vividly depicts the tree's unparalleled stature and universal visibility, signifying immense power, reach, and influence.
• "fed from it for all creatures" (מִדַּבַּח לְכֹל־דִּבַּג): Highlights the tree's role as a universal provider, sustaining all living things.
• "A holy one, a watcher, descended from heaven" (מִן־שְׁמַיָּא בּוּר נָטִיר): Introduces a divine or angelic figure from the heavenly realm, whose presence indicates that this dream carries divine meaning and judgment.

Daniel 4 10 Bonus Section

The imagery of a tree providing for all living creatures can be paralleled with spiritual sustenance. Christ's ministry is often described in ways that evoke abundance and provision for all who believe. The "watcher" element aligns with biblical concepts of God's constant observation and judgment. The massive tree might also be interpreted through ancient Near Eastern concepts of world trees or cosmic pillars, which represented the axis of the universe. Daniel's interpretation and the subsequent events highlight the humility required of those in authority, as power ultimately derives from and is accountable to God. The repeated mention of "all" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's sovereign control and His judgments.

Daniel 4 10 Commentary

The dream describes a colossal tree, seen across the entire earth, symbolizing supreme dominion and beneficence. The tree's vastness and its role in providing for all creation suggest the king's global authority and the welfare of his subjects under his rule. The inclusion of a "watcher," a heavenly being, signifies divine oversight and the ultimate source of authority. This watcher's descent indicates that God is actively observing and will soon pronounce judgment. The tree, representing Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom and his own personal stature, is about to be subjected to divine decree due to his immense pride, despite the benefits his reign might bring. This vision foreshadows a dramatic upheaval of his power and status, initiated by God.