Daniel 4 11

Daniel 4:11 kjv

The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

Daniel 4:11 nkjv

The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.

Daniel 4:11 niv

The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.

Daniel 4:11 esv

The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.

Daniel 4:11 nlt

The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see.

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 11 Meaning

The verse describes a tree of immense size, visible throughout the known world. This symbolizes a powerful, sovereign ruler whose influence and authority extend widely.

Daniel 4 11 Context

This verse is part of Daniel's account of Nebuchadnezzar's second great vision and dream, which concerns the king himself. Chapter 4 recounts Nebuchadnezzar's experience of being humbled by God and then restored. This specific verse describes the dream vision itself, setting the stage for Daniel's interpretation. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful king of Babylon, a prominent figure in the ancient Near East.

Daniel 4 11 Word Analysis

• A (Aramaic: אַנָא / 'ana): I, I myself. Emphasizes personal observation or experience.

• חזה (Aramaic: חזה / ḥaza): Saw, beheld. A visionary seeing, more profound than mere visual perception.

• חֶלְמַא (Aramaic: חֶלְמָא / ḥel'mā): A dream. This was a significant prophetic dream.

• לַחֲזֹואֵי (Aramaic: לַחֲזֹואֵי / lachazow'ē): Vision, seeing. Further indicates a symbolic, revelatory nature.

• חֶדַת (Aramaic: חֶדַת / ḥedat): A solitary, singular. Highlights the uniqueness of the tree.

• אֲנָא (Aramaic: אֲנָא / 'anā): I. Repetition of "I".

• חֱזִי (Aramaic: חֱזִי / ḥĕzī): I saw. Simple past tense, straightforward seeing.

• בֵּינְכֹם (Aramaic: בֵּינְכֹם / bên·kōm): Between you. The vision is presented to Daniel in the presence of others.

• הִי (Aramaic: הִי / hī): One. Singular quantity.

• אִילָן (Aramaic: אִילָן / 'ī·lān): Tree. The central symbol of the vision.

• גֻּדַּל (Aramaic: גֻּדַּל / gud·dal): Great, grew great. Refers to its vast size and growth.

• רַב (Aramaic: רַב / rav): Great, much. Emphasizes magnitude.

• בַּר (Aramaic: בַּר / bar): Son of, but. Can be genitive or separative, here likely signifying "out of" or belonging to.

• קֵיסֵא (Aramaic: קֵיסֵא / qēi·sē): Tree, wood. A specific term for a tree.

• יִסְגֵּי (Aramaic: יִסְגֵּי / yis·gē): Grow, increase. Future tense, indicating its escalating size.

• וְיִתְקְפַּף (Aramaic: וְיִתְקְפַּף / wĕ·yit·qĕ·pāp): And be strong, and endure. Future tense, showing strength and resilience.

• יִשְׂגֵּא (Aramaic: יִשְׂגֵּא / yis·gē): Grows. Repetition of "grows," emphasizing continued expansion.

• יַקִיף (Aramaic: יַקִיף / ya·qīp): Surround, encircle. Suggests its vast spread.

• תְּקֵף (Aramaic: תְּקֵף / tə·qēp): Strength, might. Relates to its robust nature.

• אֲרַע (Aramaic: אֲרַע / 'a·ra‘): Earth. The physical ground.

• עַד (Aramaic: עַד / 'ad): To, unto, extent. Indicating the limit of its reach.

• סַלְקַת (Aramaic: סַלְקַת / sal·qat): Went up, ascended. Presenting a dynamic image of growth.

• בֵּיהּ (Aramaic: בֵּיהּ / bē·yh): In it, by it. Referring to the tree itself.

• Groups of words analysis:

  • "I saw a dream... and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great." This opening establishes the central image and its monumental scale. The conjunction "and behold" signals a remarkable and significant sight.
  • "The height thereof was great." This phrase, using "height," signifies not just physical size but also exaltation and prominence, touching on the idea of reaching towards the heavens.
  • "The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth." This depicts a powerful, dominant entity whose influence spans the entire known world, symbolizing ultimate sovereignty and reach. The combination of "strong" and "height" points to both inherent power and elevated position.

Daniel 4 11 Bonus Section

The imagery of a towering tree reaching into the heavens is a common motif in ancient Near Eastern literature and mythology, often symbolizing a cosmic connection or the king's divine mandate. Daniel's use of this familiar symbol, imbued with God's message, effectively communicates the nature and destiny of Nebuchadnezzar's rule to the king himself. The extreme size and visibility across "all the earth" are hyperbole meant to convey the absolute dominion and influence attributed to the Babylonian king, placing his authority as supreme in his worldview. The repetition of "great" (gaddal, rab) emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the tree and, by extension, Nebuchadnezzar's status.

Daniel 4 11 Commentary

Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the giant tree illustrates God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers. The tree's immense growth, strength, and reach represent Nebuchadnezzar's own vast empire and power. However, the dream's later judgment, revealed through Daniel's interpretation, foreshadows the king's future fall due to pride. It's a powerful depiction of God's ability to raise up and cast down kings according to His will. The vision also serves as a microcosm of God's kingdom contrasting with human empires.