Daniel 4 37

Daniel 4:37 kjv

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Daniel 4:37 nkjv

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Daniel 4:37 niv

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4:37 esv

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4:37 nlt

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud."

Daniel 4 verses

Daniel 4 37 meaning

Daniel 4:37 is King Nebuchadnezzar's ultimate declaration of praise and submission to the one true God, having been profoundly humbled by divine intervention. After a period of animalistic madness and subsequent restoration, he acknowledges God as the supreme King of heaven, whose actions are unfailingly reliable and whose governance is perfectly righteous. The verse culminates in his understanding that God possesses the power to abase those who exult themselves in pride, showcasing His sovereign control over human arrogance and affairs.

Daniel 4 37 Context

Daniel 4:37 concludes King Nebuchadnezzar's personal account, written as a royal decree, detailing his experience of divine judgment and restoration. The preceding verses (Dan 4:1-36) narrate how Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful Babylonian monarch, dreamed of a great tree being cut down. Daniel interpreted this to mean Nebuchadnezzar himself would be humbled by living like an animal for "seven periods of time" until he acknowledged the Most High's sovereignty over human kingdoms. This prophecy came to pass due to his arrogance ("Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?", Dan 4:30). After suffering this period of madness and isolation, his reason returned, and he blessed and praised God, culminating in this verse. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605-562 BC), known for its immense power, wealth, and grand construction projects like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. His pride in these achievements directly contrasted with God's ultimate authority, forming a powerful polemic against the polytheistic Babylonian worldview where even kings were considered extensions of their gods' power, not subject to a higher, unseen power.

Daniel 4 37 Word analysis

• Now I, Nebuchadnezzar: (Aramaic: 'ănāh Nebhukhadhnetstsar') This opening emphasizes a personal, first-person confession. It is a monumental statement, coming from the most powerful ruler of his time, whose word carried ultimate authority, authenticating his profound transformation and not merely a superficial acknowledgment.
• praise: (Aramaic: məshabbeh - "to praise, glorify, give thanks"). This signifies active adoration and commendation. It's an internal and external acknowledgment of God's worth and deeds.
• and exalt: (Aramaic: uməramrēm - from ravrev, "to make great, magnify, exalt"). Denotes raising God to the highest position, acknowledging His supremacy above all other entities, human or divine. It speaks of magnitude and importance.
• and glorify: (Aramaic: uməhaddar - "to adorn, make glorious, honor, majestic"). This refers to recognizing and displaying God's inherent majesty, splendor, and inherent worth. It encompasses the beauty and weight of His character. The triad of "praise, exalt, glorify" shows a comprehensive, deep-seated worship, engaging the king's entire being and newfound understanding.
• the King of heaven: (Aramaic: ləmelekh’ shəmayyā’) This title contrasts sharply with Nebuchadnezzar's previous identity as the greatest earthly king. "King of heaven" designates God as the supreme ruler not just of a kingdom, but of the celestial realm, indicating ultimate, transcendent authority over all creation and earthly rulers. It's a direct counter-statement to Babylonian polytheism and the perceived power of Marduk or other pagan deities, positioning the God of Israel as unparalleled.
• for all His works are true: (Aramaic: ḏī khol-ʽōbhādōy qōshṭ)
  • works: (ʽōbhādōy) Refers to God's actions, deeds, and interventions, especially His demonstration of power in creation and providence.
  • true: (qōshṭ) Implies reliability, faithfulness, certainty, and accordance with reality. God's actions are never capricious or deceitful; they align perfectly with His nature and word. Nebuchadnezzar has experienced the absolute truth of God's prophetic warning and its fulfillment.
• and His ways are just: (Aramaic: və’ōrḥātōy dīn)
  • ways: (ʼōrḥātōy) Refers to God's character, principles, methods of governance, and moral standards. It defines the path and nature of His administration.
  • just: (dīn) Means righteous, equitable, fair, according to divine law and perfect moral judgment. God's governance is never arbitrary or unfair; it is perfectly aligned with justice. The humbling of Nebuchadnezzar, though severe, was a just consequence of his pride.
• and those who walk in pride: (Aramaic: wəḏī məhaleḵīn bəghe’vāh)
  • walk in pride: This is a lifestyle, an ongoing pattern of self-exaltation, arrogance, and living as if one's achievements or status are solely due to oneself, without reference to God. Pride (ghe’vāh) is presented as a moral posture, a profound spiritual condition. It signifies hubris, often an attempt to usurp God's rightful place.
• He is able to humble: (Aramaic: mōkhil ləhašpālōh)
  • able: (mōkhil) Emphasizes God's inherent capacity and power. He not only knows the proud but also has the absolute power to deal with them.
  • to humble: (ləhašpālōh - from shāphēl, "to bring low, abase, degrade"). This is the direct opposite of pride, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to bring down the arrogant and assert His authority over them, whether by physical affliction, loss of power, or inner spiritual transformation. Nebuchadnezzar’s own experience serves as a dramatic example.

Daniel 4 37 Bonus section

The Aramaic word for "heaven" (shəmayyā’) often refers to the sky and cosmos, implying God's dominion over both the physical universe and the spiritual realms, beyond the control of any earthly king or their pagan deities. Nebuchadnezzar's use of "King of heaven" directly challenges the notion of a local or national deity, portraying God as truly universal and supreme over all other powers, visible or invisible. This narrative thus serves not only as a personal testimony but also as an inter-cultural statement about monotheistic supremacy over polytheism. The narrative in Daniel 4, attributed to Nebuchadnezzar himself, holds significant literary and theological weight, offering an unprecedented firsthand account of a pagan ruler's forced yet ultimate conversion to the acknowledgment of Israel's God, serving as a powerful apologetic for God's sovereign control over even Gentile empires. The concept of "pride" here is a foundational sin in the biblical worldview, as it denies God His rightful glory and sovereignty, placing self or human achievement at the center.

Daniel 4 37 Commentary

Daniel 4:37 represents a climactic confession of faith from an unexpected source: a powerful pagan king. Nebuchadnezzar, after experiencing profound humiliation, recognizes the singularity and supremacy of the God of heaven. His praise triad – praise, exalt, glorify – demonstrates a comprehensive and unreserved adoration, acknowledging God's worthiness in every facet of His being. This recognition is founded on two core divine attributes: God's truth in all His actions (works) and His justice in all His governance (ways). Nebuchadnezzar's previous prideful boast in Babylon was met with true and just divine judgment, revealing the consistent nature of God. The practical lesson learned, which becomes a universal theological truth, is God's unwavering ability and willingness to humble the arrogant. Pride, as an affront to divine sovereignty, inevitably attracts God's opposition, proving that no human power or self-exaltation can withstand the King of heaven. This serves as a timeless reminder that true authority and wisdom begin with recognizing and submitting to God's ultimate power.