Daniel 4 23

Daniel 4:23 kjv

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Daniel 4:23 nkjv

"And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him';

Daniel 4:23 niv

"Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.'

Daniel 4:23 esv

And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,'

Daniel 4:23 nlt

"'Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time."

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 23 Meaning

This verse describes a divine decree issued by the watchers and the holy ones, declaring that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom is to be judged and removed, specifically to give it to the most humble. This is a profound statement of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and nations, emphasizing that He is the ultimate dispenser of power, even bestowing it upon the lowly.

Daniel 4 23 Context

This verse is found within the fourth chapter of Daniel, a narrative detailing Nebuchadnezzar's personal encounter with God's judgment and subsequent restoration. The chapter recounts a dream God sent to the king, interpreted by Daniel as a warning against his pride. The dream described a mighty tree that was cut down, with its stump left bound. This verse, verse 23, is Daniel's explanation of that prophetic dream to Nebuchadnezzar, specifically concerning the king's impending downfall and the divine mandate behind it. The historical context is Nebuchadnezzar's reign in Babylon, a period of great power and expansion, where the king's personal arrogance grew in proportion to his earthly achievements. The theological context is God's absolute sovereignty over all kingdoms and kings, and His particular concern for the sin of pride, which He will actively humble.

Daniel 4 23 Word Analysis

• "The decree": (Hebrew: דְתָא - dǝṯā') - signifies an official pronouncement or ordinance. This word underscores the official, authoritative nature of the judgment being described.
• "by the decree of the watchers": (Hebrew: גְזֵרָת- עִלַּיִן - gəzērāt ʿîlîn)
  • "decree": (Hebrew: גְזֵרָה - gəzērā) - means a decision, an ordinance, a judicial sentence, often divine in nature.
  • "watchers": (Hebrew: עִירִין - ʿîrîn) - This term is unique to Daniel and refers to angelic beings, often interpreted as divine messengers or overseers appointed by God. They are described as being "holy ones" (קַדִּישִׁין - qaddîšîn). The use of "watchers" implies divine beings carrying out God's commands.
• "and the sentence by the word of the holy ones": (Hebrew: וּמִלַּת קַדִּישִׁין - ūmîl·lāṯ qaddîšîn)
  • "sentence": (Hebrew: מִלָּה - mîl·lā ) - In Aramaic, this can mean a word, a decree, or a pronouncement. It connects directly to God's word or decree being carried out.
  • "holy ones": (Hebrew: קַדִּישִׁין - qaddîšîn) - This refers to the holy angels who stand in God's presence. Their concurrence with the "watchers" emphasizes the unified divine will in this judgment.
• "to the intent that the living may know": (Hebrew: דִּי יָדְעִין חַיַּיָא - dî yāḏəʿîn ḥay·yay·yā) - "living" here refers to sentient beings, both humans and potentially angelic, who are witnesses to God's power and justice. The purpose is a public demonstration of God's reign.
• "that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men": (Hebrew: דִּי שַׁדַּי שַׁלִּיט בִּמְלוֹךְ אֱנָשׁ - dî šaḏ·day šal·lîṭ bîm·lōḵ ’ĕ·nāš)
  • "Most High": (Hebrew: שַׁדַּי - šad·day is used here, but it is the context of God being transcendent. Often translated as "Almighty," El Shaddai.) However, in this specific phrase, the concept is clearly of the Supreme Being. The singular masculine pronoun agrees with "ruler" later in the sentence.
  • "ruler": (Hebrew: שַׁלִּיט - šal·lîṭ) - meaning one who has dominion, power, and authority.
  • "kingdom of men": (Hebrew: מְלוֹךְ אֱנָשׁ - məlōḵ ’ĕ·nāš) - emphasizes that all earthly political power belongs to God.
• "and gives it to whomever he wills": (Hebrew: וּלְמַן דִי יֶחֱסֵיב – ū·lə·man dī ·ye·ḥĕ·sêḇ) - highlights God's absolute freedom and sovereign choice in distributing authority, even to those considered insignificant or humble.
• "and exalts the most humble": (Hebrew: וּמְרִים בַּר אֱנָשׁ – ū·mə·rîm bar ’ĕ·nāš)
  • "exalts": (Hebrew: מְרִים - mə·rîm) - to lift up, to raise high, to promote.
  • "the most humble": (Hebrew: בַּר אֱנָשׁ - bar ’ĕ·nāš) - literally "son of man." In this context, it is used to mean a human being, emphasizing humility, as contrasted with the pride of the king. Daniel himself, as a "son of man" and captive, embodies this theme.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

The phrase "by the decree of the watchers and the sentence by the word of the holy ones" indicates a formal, celestial pronouncement. It is not a random event but a divinely authorized judgment, carrying the weight of angelic endorsement and God's explicit word. The purpose clause "to the intent that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he wills, and exalts the most humble" is critical. It defines the overarching theological lesson intended by Nebuchadnezzar's ordeal: God’s supreme, unchallengeable authority over all human dominion and His propensity to elevate the humble, often in defiance of human expectations or earthly power structures. The connection between "Most High," "ruler," and the selection of the "most humble" points to the humbling of human pride.

Daniel 4 23 Bonus Section

The concept of "watchers" (Aramaic: ʿîrîn) appearing in Daniel 4:13, 17, and 23, as well as in Daniel 4:23, is unique within the Hebrew Bible's prophetic books and offers insight into the spiritual administration of God's kingdom. These angelic beings are depicted as divine agents who implement God's judgments and pronouncements. Their presence and involvement in issuing the decree emphasize that earthly events are not solely governed by human agency but are subject to divine oversight and cosmic mandate. This imagery reflects a spiritual warfare or governance where heavenly hosts actively participate in carrying out God's sovereign will. The plural nature of "watchers" and "holy ones" further supports the idea of a collective divine council or angelic realm involved in executing God's decrees against proud rulers who forget their dependency on the Most High.

Daniel 4 23 Commentary

This verse serves as a pivotal declaration of God's ultimate control over earthly power. It underscores that no king, kingdom, or ruler holds authority apart from God's permissive or active will. Nebuchadnezzar, in his pride, believed his kingdom was his own creation, but Daniel reveals it as a gift from the "Most High," contingent upon divine discretion. The explicit mention of the "watchers" and "holy ones" signifies that this judgment is not an arbitrary act but a celestial decree, reflecting the order and justice of the heavenly court. The verse directly challenges any notion of human self-sufficiency or inherent right to rule, emphasizing instead that true authority originates from and is dispensed by God, who favors the humble. This principle is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, particularly in God's dealings with Israel and His establishment of His kingdom. The purpose is didactic: to make manifest God's sovereignty, not just to Nebuchadnezzar but to all who would witness the event or hear of it. The phrase "exalts the most humble" directly contrasts with Nebuchadnezzar's own proud mindset and foreshadows the humbling judgment that will come upon him and the elevation of the truly humble.