Daniel 4:26 kjv
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Daniel 4:26 nkjv
"And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
Daniel 4:26 niv
The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Daniel 4:26 esv
And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.
Daniel 4:26 nlt
But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.
Daniel 4 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 4:17 | "This decision is by the decree of watchers, and by the sentence of holy ones" | God's authority, angelic decree |
| Psalm 22:28 | "For the kingdom is the Lord's, And He is the ruler over the nations." | Divine sovereignty over nations |
| Proverbs 16:8 | "Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues without right." | Justice and righteousness in rule |
| Proverbs 16:12 | "A king's strength is in righteousness." | Character of righteous kings |
| Proverbs 29:2 | "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, people groan." | Impact of leadership on society |
| Jeremiah 27:5 | "I have made the earth, man and beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me." | God's creation and appointment of rulers |
| Isaiah 14:13-14 | "For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farther sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’" | Pride and usurpation of divine authority |
| 1 Corinthians 10:12 | "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall." | Warning against pride and overconfidence |
| Romans 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." | Divine institution of governing authorities |
| Revelation 19:16 | "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." | Christ's supreme authority |
| Job 12:18 | "He looses the bonds of kings, And girds their loins with a21_527." | God's power over kings |
| Psalm 75:6-7 | "For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west Nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one, And exalts another." | God's role in promoting and deposing rulers |
| Daniel 2:21 | "And 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 discernment." | God's power over earthly kingdoms |
| Luke 1:52 | "He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts." | God's action against the proud |
| Acts 12:21-23 | "So on a set day Herod, dressed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. Then the people cried out, saying: 'It is the voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died." | Divine judgment on those who claim God's glory |
| Daniel 5:18 | "O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, majesty, glory, and honor." | God's initial bestowing of kingship |
| Psalm 107:40 | "He pours contempt on nobles, And causes them to wander in an uninhabited wild" | God humbling the proud |
| Deuteronomy 8:18 | "But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." | Acknowledging God as the source of strength |
| Philippians 2:3 | "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself." | Encouragement towards humility |
| Proverbs 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace; But with the humble is wisdom." | The consequences of pride vs. humility |
Daniel 4 verses
Daniel 4 26 Meaning
The king's decree states that God has overturned his throne because of his arrogance and has transferred his kingdom to another, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and rulers.
Daniel 4 26 Context
Chapter 4 of Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great tree cut down, followed by Daniel's interpretation. The dream foreshadowed a period of madness and humiliation for the king due to his arrogance. This verse specifically marks the fulfillment of that prophecy. Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful ruler of Babylon, had boasted about his accomplishments, attributing them to his own might and greatness. This declaration went against the counsel given by Daniel, who urged him to repent and show mercy. The divine judgment described here, that his kingdom would be taken from him, served as a stark reminder of God's ultimate authority.
Daniel 4 26 Word Analysis
B Abel (King) - Referring to Nebuchadnezzar, the reigning monarch of Babylon.
y tdbwn Nbow-xk (This is interpretation) - Daniel's clarifying statement after the divine decree.
lwx (decree) - A formal pronouncement or authoritative decision.
mlwxt (rule/kingdom) - The dominion, authority, or realm over which a king presides.
ld (by the hand) - Often used metaphorically to indicate agency or source.
ydbn (of my lord) - A respectful designation for God, indicating His supreme ownership and authority.
y[bdh (servant) - Refers to Nebuchadnezzar's former status, now transferred.
dbr Nwmqm (affair of the most high) - The matters and decisions pertaining to God in His supreme exaltedness.
xwb dym ynbh Nwmq yk (because it is the most high has decided against your kingdom) - Directly links the downfall of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom to a divine decision.
ab tlqx Mwx (has decreed a removal of its dominion) - A strong statement of God's action to take away his rule.
wxbz (it would be given) - Future passive participle indicating the transfer of power.
xwd n[y ryx (to another man) - Specifically designates a human successor, not a supernatural entity.
Group of words: "decree of my lord," signifying God's authoritative ruling. This emphasizes that the judgment is not random but a deliberate action from the supreme authority.
Group of words: "because it is the most high has decided against your kingdom," clearly states the reason for the king's downfall – a divine judgment originating from the Most High.
Daniel 4 26 Bonus Section
The concept of "decree" here aligns with the theological understanding of God's providential oversight of history. It's not merely a wish or prediction, but a pronouncement with executory power. The term "Most High" (Elyon) emphasizes God's supreme, transcendent nature, above all other powers, celestial or earthly. Nebuchadnezzar's experience, while severe, ultimately served as a means for him to acknowledge God's power (as seen in Daniel 4:34-37), bringing about a transformation in his understanding of true dominion. This narrative serves as a testament that earthly kingdoms are temporary and accountable to the eternal kingdom of God.
Daniel 4 26 Commentary
This verse articulates the direct consequence of Nebuchadnezzar's hubris. God, the Most High, through a decree, causes the king's rule to be taken away and transferred. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty not only over individuals but also over the rise and fall of empires. It underscores that human authority is subordinate to divine will. The decree was not arbitrary but a consequence of the king's proud heart and actions, serving as a correction and a lesson in humility and dependence on God. The transfer to "another man" emphasizes the continuous flow of God's power in appointing and removing leaders for His purposes.