Daniel 4 15

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 verses

Daniel 4 15 meaning

Daniel 4:15 declares a divine decree concerning King Nebuchadnezzar, as revealed in his dream and interpreted by Daniel. It mandates that despite the magnificent tree (representing Nebuchadnezzar) being cut down, its stump, containing its roots, must be preserved in the earth. This stump is to be bound with bands of iron and brass, indicating divine restraint and preservation rather than complete destruction. The king, in his degraded state, would then dwell among the tender grass of the field, exposed to the elements, particularly the dew of heaven, and share his portion (his living conditions and food) with the wild beasts of the field. This signifies a profound humiliation, a period of mental and social degradation, yet with an underlying promise of ultimate restoration because the stump, the essence of life, is maintained.

Daniel 4 15 Context

Daniel chapter 4 recounts King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a colossal tree, reaching to the heavens, providing shelter and sustenance for all, before it is decreed to be cut down by a holy messenger. Only its stump, bound with iron and brass, is to remain. Daniel, profoundly troubled, interprets the dream, revealing that the great tree symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar himself, representing his immense power and dominion. The decree to cut down the tree signifies the king's impending loss of his kingdom and sanity, reducing him to live like an animal for "seven times" (v. 16, 23). Verse 15 details the precise conditions of this divine judgment and temporary degradation, yet also includes the critical detail of the preserved stump, signifying that his kingdom and reason would not be permanently lost. This whole episode serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over earthly rulers, teaching Nebuchadnezzar, and subsequently all who read, that "the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (Dan 4:17). The historical context places this within the height of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, where Nebuchadnezzar wielded unparalleled power, often leading to personal pride that God deemed necessary to humble.

Daniel 4 15 Word analysis

• Nevertheless leave (שְׁבֹ֧וק / shᵊḇōwq): Aramaic for "leave," "allow to remain." This word is crucial. It signifies a divine command not of total annihilation, but of intentional preservation amidst judgment. It contrasts with "cut down" in previous verses.
• the stump (עִקַּר / ʿiqqar): Aramaic for "stump" or "root-stock." This is the core symbol of life retained. It suggests the base, the essential part, from which re-growth is possible. Its preservation directly contradicts a complete end and signifies hope.
• of his roots (שָׁרְשׁ֥וֹהִי / sharᵊšōw-hî): Aramaic for "his roots." Emphasizes that the life-sustaining part of the tree remains firmly anchored. The roots are the source of nourishment and stability, guaranteeing a potential return.
• in the earth (בְּאַרְעָ֕א / bᵊʾarʿāʾ): Aramaic for "in the ground" or "in the land." This placement signifies humility, connection to base elements, and the fundamental sphere of human existence. It also ensures the roots' access to water and nutrients.
• even with a band (וּבַעֲצִ֣יר / ūḇaʿaṣîr): Aramaic for "and with a binding/restraint." This 'band' is a divine, unshakeable decree. It functions as both a limit on total destruction and a constraint on any premature re-growth, ensuring the "seven times" period runs its course. It is an act of divine control.
• of iron and brass (בַּרְזֶ֗ל וּנְחָשׁ֙ / barẕel ūnaḥash): Aramaic for "iron and bronze/brass." These metals are strong and durable. Their symbolic use indicates the unyielding nature of God's decree and the firm, temporary, and unbreakablerestraint placed upon Nebuchadnezzar's power and reason. Historically, these metals represented kingdoms in Daniel's earlier dreams, reinforcing divine authority.
• in the tender grass of the field (בִּדְתָ֣א דִֽי־בָרָ֔א / biḏᵉṯāʾ dī-ḇārāʾ): Aramaic for "in the grass of the field." This phrase describes the humble, lowly environment where the stump is left, and metaphorically, where Nebuchadnezzar will reside. "Tender grass" might subtly suggest fragility but also potential for growth, or simply the very basic, undignified place where he will be.
• and let it be wet (וּבְטַ֣ל / ūḇᵉṭal): Aramaic for "and with the dew." A command that the stump (and thus Nebuchadnezzar) will be exposed to nature. The dew is a natural element of life and nourishment from heaven, a sign of continued divine provision even in judgment, necessary for the stump's eventual sprouting.
• with the dew of heaven (שְׁמַיָּ֔א / šᵊmayyāʾ): Aramaic for "of heaven." This explicitly links the dew's source to the divine, emphasizing that God, not earthly forces, sustains life even during humiliation. It's a touch of divine mercy and ongoing care.
• and let his portion be with the beasts (וְחֶלְקֵ֗הּ עִם־חֵיוַ֣ת / wᵉḥelqēh ʿim-ḥêwaṯ): Aramaic for "and his portion with the beasts/animals." "Portion" refers to his allotted living condition, his share. This phrase describes Nebuchadnezzar's utter degradation, losing his human understanding and societal role to live entirely like a wild animal.
• in the grass of the earth (הֲדָרָ֔א / hᵃḏārāʾ): Aramaic for "of the grass" or "of the field." Clarifies the habitat of these beasts and implicitly, the king's diet (grass).

Words-group analysis:

• "Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth": This phrase directly establishes the core act of divine mercy and foresight. Despite the severe judgment, the essence and potential for life (the stump and roots) are deliberately preserved, grounding the future restoration.
• "even with a band of iron and brass": This critical element signifies an unbreakable, divinely enforced restraint and preservation. The strength of the metals underscores the definitive nature of God's decree – temporary, yet absolute, until the full purpose is accomplished.
• "in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven": These two clauses vividly paint the picture of Nebuchadnezzar's humbled, wild existence. Exposed to the lowliest environment, yet subtly sustained by God's natural provision (the dew), indicating that even in his diminished state, divine hand is still active.
• "and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth": This unequivocally depicts the king's profound degradation, losing his human dominion to share the fate, habitat, and sustenance of wild animals, fulfilling the complete reversal of his former status.

Daniel 4 15 Bonus section

The "band of iron and brass" might also serve as a polemic against Babylonian deterministic astrology or the perceived invincibility of their empire, implying that human destinies and imperial powers are ultimately bound by a divine decree far stronger than any human or astral force. The selection of iron and brass could also connect to Nebuchadnezzar's own earlier dream of the statue in Daniel 2, where these metals represented earthly kingdoms, suggesting that his humiliation stems from the same divine authority that governs nations. This verse implicitly sets up the "seven times" (or "seven seasons") mentioned in subsequent verses as the duration of this binding and period of madness, underscoring that this humbling is for a limited, divinely appointed period. The decree's specificity highlights God's intricate control over the life of an individual, no matter how powerful, reflecting a sovereign plan that even includes the minute details of suffering and restoration.

Daniel 4 15 Commentary

Daniel 4:15 masterfully balances the severity of divine judgment with the underlying grace of God's redemptive plan. The decree to "leave the stump of his roots" ensures Nebuchadnezzar's degradation is not an end, but a means to an end – a humbling process. The "band of iron and brass" symbolizes a binding by divine power, signifying both unbreakable restraint and preservation for a future restoration. It implies God's decree holds the tree (and the king) in a suspended state, neither wholly destroyed nor fully functional, until God's appointed time ("seven times"). His animalistic existence "in the tender grass" and being "wet with the dew of heaven" signifies utter loss of human dignity and exposure to the raw elements of nature, a stark contrast to his imperial splendor. Yet, the "dew of heaven" also subtly suggests a continuing, if hidden, divine sustenance and life-giving presence, even amidst judgment. The entire verse foreshadows the ultimate purpose of this trial: that Nebuchadnezzar might learn profound humility and acknowledge the supreme sovereignty of the "Most High" over all kingdoms of men.