Daniel 4:15 kjv
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
Daniel 4:15 nkjv
Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, Bound with a band of iron and bronze, In the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth.
Daniel 4:15 niv
But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. "?'Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.
Daniel 4:15 esv
But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
Daniel 4:15 nlt
But leave the stump and the roots in the ground,
bound with a band of iron and bronze
and surrounded by tender grass.
Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.
Daniel 4 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 4:17 | "The decision is a watch decree, the sentence by the wording of the watchers, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whom He will, and sets up over it the lowest of men." | Directly states God's sovereign control. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." | Echoes God's absolute authority over earthly rulers and governance. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | "For promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the judge! He puts down one, and sets up another." | Reinforces the concept of divine appointment and removal of leaders. |
| Psa 22:28 | "For the kingdom is the LORD'S, and he is the ruler of the nations." | Asserts God's ultimate dominion over all nations and kings. |
| 1 Sam 2:6-8 | "The LORD kills and makes alive; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S; on them has he set the world." | Illustrates God's power to elevate the humble and abase the proud. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Provides a thematic link to Nebuchadnezzar's pride as the cause for judgment. |
| Isa 14:12-15 | "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! And you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit." | Parallels Nebuchadnezzar's aspiration to divine status and his subsequent downfall with Lucifer's fall. |
| Jer 27:5-7 | "It is I who by my great might and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and the animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whom it seems right to me. Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. Nations shall serve him, all dynasties, and then it shall come to pass, when many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him, that I myself will punish Nebuchadnezzar and his land for their iniquity, declares the LORD." | Demonstrates God's prior designation of Nebuchadnezzar as His servant, now subject to consequence for misrule and pride. |
| Matt 18:4 | "So whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." | Contrasts God's elevation of the humble with human arrogance. |
| Luke 1:52 | "He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts." | Echoes the theme of God scattering the proud. |
| Rev 19:16 | "On his robe and on his thigh he has inscribed a name: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." | Asserts Christ's ultimate authority, underscoring God's sovereignty over earthly kings. |
| John 19:11 | "Unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin." | Jesus states that Pilate's authority was given from above, affirming divine authority over earthly power structures. |
| Acts 17:25 | "Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all.» all people,«since he himself gives to all people." | God is self-sufficient and the giver of all authority and life. |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and reveal the purposes of the hearts. Then each one will receive his commendation from God." | God is the ultimate judge and will reveal intentions and judge accordingly. |
| Hab 2:6-8 | "Indeed, is not his greed an uprising against him, who puffs up what is not his?…For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified it, because of the blood of men shed, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all who dwell in it. Woe to him who gets gain by wicked means for his house… because you have plundered many nations, all the remaining peoples shall plunder you, because of your crimes against the flesh and your violence to the earth, to the city and to all who dwell in it." | Warns of divine judgment for unjust gain and violence, paralleling Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. |
| Ezra 1:1 | "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom…" | God directly influences kings to accomplish His purposes. |
| Deut 28:1 | "“And if you will indeed obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." | Shows conditional blessing based on obedience, and by implication, consequence for disobedience. |
| Deut 8:11-14 | "“Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart lifts up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…" | A cautionary reminder against pride and forgetting God once prosperity is attained, which mirrors Nebuchadnezzar's situation. |
| Rom 11:33-36 | "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.'" | Acknowledges the mystery and sovereign depth of God's dealings and judgments. |
| Col 1:16-17 | "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." | Confirms Christ's ultimate authority as Creator over all powers, including earthly rulers. |
Daniel 4 verses
Daniel 4 15 Meaning
This verse signifies a divine decree concerning Nebuchadnezzar's impending downfall. It reveals God's sovereign power over earthly kingdoms and His ability to humble even the proudest rulers, placing those of low estate in their stead. The decision to inflict this judgment was made by heavenly beings, emphasizing its divine origin and absolute certainty.
Daniel 4 15 Context
The fourth chapter of Daniel narrates a supernatural decree issued by celestial beings concerning King Nebuchadnezzar. Following a glorious vision he received, where he saw a mighty tree cut down, Daniel interpreted the dream, revealing that the king himself was the tree. The prophecy indicated a period of severe divine judgment for Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance and pride, during which he would be driven from men and live like an animal. This verse, Daniel 4:17, explicitly states that this judgment is divinely ordained and the sentence is declared by heavenly watchers. The purpose is to ensure that all people recognize God's supreme authority over all earthly kingdoms and His power to humble kings and elevate the most lowly. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar II was a powerful Babylonian king who reigned during a period of Babylonian supremacy. His reign saw significant expansion and the subjugation of many nations, including Judah. The narrative in Daniel portrays him as a formidable ruler, but also one prone to pride in his achievements, which ultimately leads to his temporary demotion according to this divine plan.
Daniel 4 15 Word analysis
- my (D-GN) - A possessive pronoun, indicating personal ownership or relation, often used by God to claim His people or His authority.
- decision (GN) - A formal resolution or determination. In this context, it is a divinely made judgment.
- is (HN) - The third person singular present of "to be," indicating existence or state of being.
- by (HN) - A preposition showing agency or means; here, it points to the "watchers" as the agents of the decree.
- the (DA) - The definite article, specifying "watchers."
- word (LM) - In Aramaic, 'millah' can mean word, command, or decree. Here it signifies a divine utterance or command.
- of (NA) - Preposition indicating possession or origin.
- the (DA) - Definite article specifying "watchers."
- watchers (DRW) - ('irin') In Aramaic, these are heavenly beings, angels or divine sentinels, who are witnesses and executers of God's judgments. The term carries connotations of vigilance and divine oversight. These watchers are active participants in carrying out God's judgments on earth. The plurality suggests a heavenly council.
- and (WL) - A conjunction joining two related clauses or ideas.
- by (HN) - Preposition indicating means or instrument.
- the (DA) - Definite article specifying the "sentencing."
- sentencing (GN) - ('amra') In Aramaic, 'amra' means 'statement', 'word', 'edict', 'judgment', or 'sentence'. Here it refers to the authoritative pronouncement of a verdict or decree. This emphasizes the judicial aspect of the divine act.
- of (NA) - Preposition indicating possession or origin.
- the (DA) - Definite article specifying "words."
- words (LW) - ('muray') The plural form of 'word' or 'saying'. In this context, it means the precise articulation of the decree.
- of (NA) - Preposition indicating possession or origin.
- the (DA) - Definite article specifying "watchers."
- watchers (DRW) - ('irin') Repeated mention reinforces their role in the decree.
Group analysis:
- my decision is by the word of the watchers: This phrase signifies that the resolution or judgment originating from God is communicated or enacted through these heavenly observers.
- and by the sentencing of the words of the watchers: This clause reinforces the initial statement by emphasizing the formal and authoritative nature of the decree issued by these angelic beings, specifically through their spoken pronouncements. It underscores the certainty and finality of God's pronouncement conveyed through His agents.
Daniel 4 15 Bonus section
The concept of "watchers" or heavenly beings involved in judgment is found in other biblical texts. For instance, in Zechariah chapter 1, similar angelic figures are depicted reporting on their missions and observing the world on God's behalf. The plurality of "watchers" also reflects a common understanding in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish thought of a heavenly council or court, where divine decisions are deliberated and executed. This verse, by detailing a divine decree issued by these watchers, contributes to a broader biblical theme of God utilizing heavenly hosts as instruments of His will and justice in the earthly realm. The phrase "the lowest of men" from verse 17, echoing the message of this verse's context, points to God's propensity to lift up the humble, a consistent theme seen in figures like David.
Daniel 4 15 Commentary
This verse unequivocally establishes that God is the ultimate authority behind all earthly governance and that He delegates, removes, and appoints rulers according to His sovereign will. The "watchers" represent divine agents, likely angels, who execute God's judgments. The emphasis is on God's active involvement in history, ensuring that even kings acknowledge His supreme power. Nebuchadnezzar's personal experience was a public demonstration of this truth, meant for universal understanding. The divine decree itself is described as a pronouncement from these watchers, confirming that no human power can circumvent God's plans. This underscores the Bible's consistent message of divine sovereignty over all nations and rulers.