Daniel 4 3

Daniel 4:3 kjv

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3 nkjv

How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3 niv

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3 esv

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3 nlt

How great are his signs,
how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
his rule through all generations.

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 3 Meaning

This verse declares that the works, signs, and wonders God performed in Egypt, at Pharaoh's hand, and against all his people are mighty testimonies to God's divine power and authority.

Daniel 4 3 Context

This verse comes from Daniel, a prophet in exile. King Nebuchadnezzar has had a terrifying dream and seeks an interpretation, which Daniel provides. Following Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream and its implication, Nebuchadnezzar declares his intent to proclaim God's greatness. This verse is part of Nebuchadnezzar's proclamation. It establishes the foundation for his newfound understanding and declaration of God's sovereign power, referring to the exodus of Israel from Egypt as undeniable proof.

Daniel 4 3 Word Analysis

• “Therefore” (וְכֵן – weken): A conjunctive, indicating consequence or result, linking Nebuchadnezzar's decree to the previous prophetic revelation and interpretation.
• “I make a decree” (אֲנָא מְחַוֵּה שָׂגִי – anā meḥawweh śagî):
  • Anā: First-person pronoun ("I").
  • Meḥawweh: From ḥāwāh, meaning to cause, show, or decree. The conjugation indicates a present action of decreeing.
  • Śagî: Adjective meaning "great," referring to the decree. This highlights the king's absolute authority.
• “that” (דִּי – dî): A relative pronoun, introducing the content of the decree.
• “all” (כָּל – kol): Denotes totality, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the proclamation.
• “dominions” (שָׁלְטָנַי – šolṭānay): From šelṭān, meaning rule, dominion, or authority. The plural possessive form indicates "my dominions." It reflects the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's empire.
• “people” (עַמְמַיָּא – ʿammayyā): From ʿammā, meaning people or nation. The plural possessive indicates "my peoples," encompassing all those under his rule.
• “tremble” (דָּחֲלִין – daḥlîn): From daḥal, meaning to fear, dread, or tremble. The active participle indicates an ongoing state of fear or reverence.
• “fear” (קֳדָמֵיכ — qodāmêk): From qadam, meaning before or in the presence of.
• “the God” (אֱלָה — elāh): The Aramaic term for God.
• “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד – šadraḵ mēšaḵ waʿăbêḏ nayagô): The Hebrew names of Daniel's companions, likely chosen by the king to specifically identify the witnesses to God's power. Their names were changed in Daniel 1:7.
• “For he is the living God” (אֲרֵה ה֣וּא אֱלָה — ʾărêh hūʾ ʾlāh): Emphasizes the vitality and active presence of God.
• “and stedfast for ever” (וְקַיָּם לְעָלְמִין – weqayyām leʿālmîn):
  • Qayyām: From qūm, meaning to stand, endure, or be firm. Indicates permanence and stability.
  • Leʿālmîn: To the ages, forever. Expresses eternal existence.
• “his kingdom” (מַלְכוּתֵהּ – malḵūtêh): Refers to God's sovereign rule, distinct from human kingdoms.
• “that which shall not be destroyed” (דִּלְא — dil’ ṯĕhabbāl): His kingdom is incorruptible and eternal.
• “and his dominion” (וְשָׁלְטָנֵהּ – wešolṭānêh): His authority and rule, parallel to his kingdom.
• “shall be even unto” (עַד – ʿaḏ): To, unto, until. Indicates the duration and scope of his dominion.
• “the end” (סוֹף – ṣôp̄): The end or conclusion.
• “His kingdom is eternal, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.”: This is the core statement about God's everlasting kingdom and rule.

Daniel 4 3 Bonus Section

The declaration that God's kingdom is "that which shall not be destroyed" (דִּי לָא תִתְחַבַּל – dî lā titḥabbal) directly contrasts with the fate of Nebuchadnezzar's own earthly kingdom and the ephemeral nature of all human empires. This theme of eternal versus temporal dominion is a recurring motif throughout the book of Daniel and the Bible. It anticipates the ultimate triumph of God's everlasting kingdom over all earthly powers, as prophesied in Daniel 2:44 and echoed in New Testament teachings about Christ's reign (e.g., Luke 1:33, Revelation 11:15). The reference to Egypt also serves as a typological precursor to God's salvation of His people throughout history, demonstrating His consistent power to deliver and judge.

Daniel 4 3 Commentary

Nebuchadnezzar's decree highlights the overwhelming evidence of God's power demonstrated in the plagues of Egypt. This event was a foundational experience for Israel, marking their liberation and the establishment of their covenant with God. By referencing this, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God not merely as a god of a particular people but as the supreme, universal sovereign whose actions are universally demonstrative of His power. The inclusion of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is significant; they were a living testimony to God's deliverance. The king's proclamation underscores the characteristics of God's kingdom: it is living, eternal, incorruptible, and universally authoritative, contrasting sharply with transient human empires. This shift in Nebuchadnezzar's perspective, driven by supernatural revelation and interpretation, shows God's sovereign hand in establishing His dominion in the hearts and pronouncements of world leaders.