Daniel · King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Daniel 4 King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.
3 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.
3 How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.
4 ¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise [men] of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
6 Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
7 Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told them the dream, but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation.
8 ¶ But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, [saying],
8 But at last, Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,
9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
9 “Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 Thus [were] the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof [was] great.
10 These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the middle of the earth; and its height was great.
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
11 The tree grew and was strong. Its height reached to the sky and its sight to the end of all the earth.
12 The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
12 Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
13 “I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a holy watcher came down from the sky.
14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
14 He cried aloud and said this: ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals get away from under it and the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots 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 in the grass of the earth:
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him. Then let seven times pass over him.
17 This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
17 “‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise [men] of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou [art] able; for the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee.
18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19 ¶ Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
20 The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky and its sight to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation—
22 It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
22 it is you, O king, that have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 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;
23 “Whereas the king saw a holy watcher coming down from the sky and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him.’
24 This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
24 “This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
25 You will be driven from men and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You will be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
26 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.
26 Whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be restored to you after you learn that Heaven rules.
27 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.
27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.”
28 ¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
28 All this came on the King Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
30 The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 While the word [was] in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
32 You shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’”
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ [feathers], and his nails like birds’ [claws].
33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; and his body was wet with the dew of the sky until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
37 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.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
Cross references (36)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Daniel 6:25; 1 Peter 1:2; Daniel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 12:18; Ephesians 1:2
- 2 Daniel 3:26; Psalm 66:16; Acts 22:3–16; Psalm 51:14; Joshua 7:19
- 3 Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14; Revelation 11:15
- 4 Isaiah 47:7–8; Ezekiel 29:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3; Psalm 30:6–7; Isaiah 56:12
- 5 Daniel 2:1; Daniel 7:28; Job 7:13–14; Daniel 5:5–6; Daniel 2:28–29
- 6 Daniel 2:2; Genesis 41:7–8; Isaiah 47:12–14; Isaiah 8:19
- 7 Isaiah 44:25; Daniel 2:7; Daniel 2:27; Genesis 41:8; 2 Timothy 3:8–9
- 8 Daniel 1:7; Daniel 5:14; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 2:11; Daniel 4:9
- 9 Daniel 5:11; Daniel 2:48; Daniel 4:8; Genesis 41:38; Ezekiel 28:3
- 10 Daniel 4:5; Jeremiah 12:2; Isaiah 10:33–34; Psalm 37:35–36; Ezekiel 31:3–18
- 11 Daniel 4:21–22; Matthew 11:23; Deuteronomy 9:1; Genesis 11:4
- 12 Luke 13:19; Lamentations 4:20; Ezekiel 17:23; Ezekiel 31:6–7; Mark 13:32
- 13 Deuteronomy 33:2; Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:13; Zechariah 14:5; Daniel 4:23
- 14 Matthew 3:10; Ezekiel 31:12–13; Daniel 4:23; Daniel 4:12; Luke 3:9
- 15 Job 14:7–9; Daniel 4:25–27; Ezekiel 29:14–15
- 16 Daniel 4:23; Revelation 12:14; Isaiah 6:10; Daniel 4:25; Hebrews 1:11
- 17 Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:25; 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 75:6–7; Jeremiah 27:5–7
- 18 Genesis 41:8; Daniel 5:15; Genesis 41:15; Daniel 5:8; Daniel 4:7–9
- 19 Daniel 8:27; Daniel 7:28; 1 Samuel 3:17; Daniel 4:24; Daniel 10:16–17
- 20 Ezekiel 31:3; Daniel 4:10–12; Ezekiel 31:16
- 22 2 Samuel 12:7; Daniel 2:37–38; Jeremiah 27:6–8; Daniel 5:18–23; Psalm 108:4
- 23 Daniel 5:21; Daniel 4:13–16
- 24 Psalm 107:40; Isaiah 46:10–11; Job 40:11–12; Job 1:12–19; Psalm 2:7
- 25 Daniel 4:17; Jeremiah 27:5; Psalm 83:18; Daniel 2:21; Psalm 106:20
- 26 Daniel 4:15; Matthew 21:20; Daniel 2:37; Matthew 5:34; Luke 15:21
- 27 Isaiah 55:6–7; Jonah 3:9; Acts 8:22; Ezekiel 18:27–32; James 4:8–10
- 28 Numbers 23:19; Zechariah 1:6; Proverbs 10:24; Matthew 24:35
- 29 Revelation 2:21; Genesis 6:3; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:15; Ecclesiastes 8:11
- 30 Proverbs 16:18; Revelation 17:5; Ezekiel 29:3; Isaiah 10:8–15; Revelation 18:10
- 31 Acts 9:3–5; Revelation 16:7; Luke 12:20; Daniel 4:24; Daniel 5:28
- 32 Daniel 5:21; Jeremiah 27:5; Proverbs 8:15–16; Job 12:18–21; Exodus 9:29
- 33 Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 5:21; Isaiah 30:14; Job 20:5
- 34 Revelation 4:10; Daniel 12:7; Psalm 145:13; Daniel 2:44; Jeremiah 10:10
- 35 Job 42:2; Psalm 135:6; Psalm 115:3; Romans 11:33–36; Isaiah 40:15–17
- 36 Proverbs 22:4; Daniel 4:34; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 4:15–16; Matthew 6:33
- 37 James 4:6–7; Psalm 33:4–5; 1 Peter 5:5–6; 1 Samuel 2:3; Deuteronomy 32:4
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… quencheth fire, so alms quencheth sin." Again it is written, "Shut up alms in the heart of a poor man, and it shall make supplication for thee before the Lord." Again it is written, "Hear, O king, my counsel, and redeem thy sins by alms." And many other testimonies of the Divine oracles are there, whereby it is shown that …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
After this, saith he, I, Nabuchodonosor, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and I blessed the Most High, and to Him that liveth for ever I gave praise and glory.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
… think also that I have the Spirit of God," and again, "that good thing which was committed to thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." And of Daniel it is fitting to say that "the Holy Spirit of God is in him," and similarly of men who are like these in virtue.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)
And what [of this], that he called him "Belteshazzar, the name of" his own "god"? Thus [it seems] they accounted their gods to be nothing wonderful, when he called even the captive thus; he who commands all men to worship the image, manifold and of various colors, and who adores the dragon.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
They are kings of men, who reign upon earth, but not without the power from above: and this Nebuchadnezzar once learned by experience, when he said; For His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His power from generation to generation.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)