Daniel 4 27

Daniel 4:27 kjv

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

Daniel 4:27 nkjv

Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Daniel 4:27 niv

Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."

Daniel 4:27 esv

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Daniel 4:27 nlt

"'King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.'

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 27 meaning

Daniel 4:27 conveys Daniel's urgent counsel to King Nebuchadnezzar: to avert or delay divine judgment, the king must repent of his sins, particularly those stemming from pride and injustice. This repentance is not merely internal but must manifest in active righteousness and practical acts of compassion towards the poor and oppressed. The verse suggests that such a profound change in character and action could lead to a prolonging of Nebuchadnezzar's reign and well-being, though the outcome ultimately remains God's prerogative.

Daniel 4 27 Context

Daniel 4:27 immediately follows Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's second terrifying dream. In this dream, a magnificent tree, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar himself, is cut down, its stump bound for "seven times" (Dan 4:16). Daniel explains that this signifies the king will be driven from human society, live like an animal, and be humbled until he recognizes the Most High's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms (Dan 4:24-26). It is in light of this severe, impending judgment that Daniel, with pastoral care and courageous honesty, offers a path to potential reprieve. His counsel in verse 27 is a plea for the king to respond to the warning with sincere repentance, demonstrated by a radical shift in his behavior, specifically concerning social justice. This advice serves as a conditional possibility to alter or delay the decreed punishment, highlighting God's mercy and desire for true transformation, even in a pagan ruler.

Daniel 4 27 Word analysis

• Therefore, O king: (אָ֭ז מַלְכָּא `’az malkā’`) - A direct, urgent address to the king, marking the transition from interpretation to exhortation. It emphasizes the direct and personal nature of Daniel's counsel.
• let my counsel be acceptable to you: (תִּשְׁפַּ֣ר עֵֽלָי׃ `tišpar ‘êlāy`) - `tišpar` means "to be pleasing" or "to be acceptable." Daniel respectfully yet boldly offers advice to an absolute monarch, demonstrating both wisdom and reliance on divine authority.
• break off: (פְּר֗וֹק `perôq`) - An Aramaic imperative verb, `perōq`, meaning to "break apart," "sever," or "redeem." It implies a decisive and complete separation from the specified actions, suggesting not just cessation but an active tearing away.
• your sins: (חֲֽטָאָה־לָ֤ךְ `ḥăṭā’â-lāḵ`) - Refers to offenses against God's standards and ethical conduct, highlighting guilt and moral wrongdoing. Nebuchadnezzar's pride and oppression would fall into this category.
• by righteousness: (בְצִדְקָא֙ `bəṣiḏqā’`) - `ṣiḏqā’` (tzedakah) denotes justice, ethical conduct, and alignment with divine principles. It suggests active behavior that reflects equity, integrity, and adherence to God's character. In Jewish thought, tzedakah often implies charitable giving as an act of justice.
• and your iniquities: (וְ֠עַוְיָתָךְ `wə‘awyāṯāḵ`) - `‘awyāṯāḵ` denotes perversity, distortion, or deviation from the right path. It highlights the crookedness and inherent corruption of the king's unrighteous actions, specifically.
• by showing mercy: (בִּמְחַ֖ן `bimḥan`) - The term `məḥan` indicates active compassion, pity, or mercy. It goes beyond passive sympathy to include tangible acts of care and assistance.
• to the oppressed: (עֲנִיִּ֑ין `‘ănîyîn`) - Refers to the poor, afflicted, weak, or downtrodden. It directly addresses the king's responsibility for the welfare of the vulnerable subjects under his rule.
• perhaps: (הֵ֚ן `hen`) - This conditional particle introduces a possibility rather than a guarantee, emphasizing that the outcome (prolonging of tranquility) depends on God's sovereign decision and mercy in response to genuine change.
• there may be a prolonging: (תֶּהֱוֵ֥א אַרְכָּ֖ה `tehĕwē ’arkāh`) - `’arkāh` means an extension, a lengthening. It refers to delaying or extending the duration of the king's current peaceful state or reign, implying that judgment is otherwise imminent.
• of your tranquility: (לִשְׁלֵוְתָֽךְ׃ `lišlēwṯāḵ`) - `šəlewāh` signifies peace, security, prosperity, and well-being. Daniel urges the king to secure his personal and governmental peace by righteous conduct, contrasting with the threatened mental distress and loss of kingdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "break off your sins by righteousness": This phrase is a call for a radical and complete departure from sinful behavior, replacing it with active, just living. It emphasizes that true repentance requires demonstrable change in conduct, particularly in alignment with divine justice.
• "and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed": This further clarifies the practical expression of righteousness, specifying concrete actions of social justice. It highlights that oppressive rule is an "iniquity" and active compassion towards the vulnerable is its antidote, directly addressing the abuses of power often associated with unchecked kingship.
• "perhaps there may be a prolonging of your tranquility": This conditional statement underscores that God's judgment is not immutable if genuine repentance occurs. It offers a glimmer of hope for an extension of Nebuchadnezzar's reign and prosperity, but explicitly ties it to his changed behavior and acknowledges divine prerogative in the ultimate outcome. It is not a magical formula but an appeal to God's character.

Daniel 4 27 Bonus section

This verse provides a crucial theological insight into the nature of divine judgment and mercy. While God's decrees are firm, they are often conditional, inviting a response of repentance that can alter or postpone the full severity of the consequences. The Aramaic structure of the verse itself demonstrates Daniel's eloquence and spiritual wisdom, carefully choosing words to persuade the king without compromising truth. This incident echoes similar narratives in the Old Testament, such as God's willingness to spare Nineveh in response to their repentance in the book of Jonah. It also subtly reinforces Daniel's earlier interpretation from chapter 2: God alone is the source of all authority, and human rulers must acknowledge His ultimate sovereignty and align their rule with His righteous character. The emphasis on care for the "oppressed" (עֲנִיִּ֑ין) highlights a recurring prophetic theme of social justice being integral to a people's, and especially a ruler's, standing before God.

Daniel 4 27 Commentary

Daniel 4:27 serves as a profound expression of God's desire for repentance and justice, even for a pagan ruler. It underscores that God's judgments, while certain, are not irreversible if met with genuine, demonstrated contrition. Daniel's counsel to Nebuchadnezzar emphasizes that true repentance goes beyond mere words; it must be manifested through a radical change in one's life, particularly in the realm of social ethics. The specific call to practice righteousness and show mercy to the oppressed highlights that systemic injustice and neglect of the vulnerable are grievous sins in God's eyes, capable of drawing severe judgment. This verse illustrates that even political leadership is accountable to divine standards of justice and compassion, and that actively caring for the disadvantaged is a pivotal aspect of right living. It implies that acts of mercy are not mere suggestions but crucial components of seeking divine favor and avoiding consequences, demonstrating that God is gracious to extend grace, or at least defer judgment, to those who genuinely turn from their wicked ways.