DANIEL 4

 

The whole chapter is like a psalm that is interrupted by the narrative in the middle.

Daniel 4:1-3 Unusually, this chapter is narrated by Nebuchadnezzar himself, who uses almost biblical language. For that reason it has often been doubted as inauthentic. However, it may be evidence of Daniel's consistent witness to him.

Verse 3b Signs, wonders, and fleetingness of his own sovereignty are lessons leaned by the king during the events of this chapter. In addition, there is a foreshadowing of destruction of the kingdom of Babylon. This inadvertent prophecy of the king is like the inadvertent prophecy of the high priest Caiaphas in John 11:49-52 which said that it was necessary for one man to die to save the nation.

Daniel 4:4-9

Verse 4 This verse starts the back flash to previous events. It is a good description of the “holy unease” that God sometimes uses to upset our comfortable life.

Verses 6-7 Why didn't the king approach Daniel first? Perhaps he knew roughly what the dream meant and didn't want to have anything to do with Daniel and his God until forced to as a last resort. He hoped that his other counselors would give a more favorable interpretation. We want people to tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. And unfortunately, some pastors cater to that wish.

Verse 8 At this point of the story, the king is still not a monotheist — notice that he refers to his own god. NRSV translates “a spirit of the holy gods.” It may also be translated “a holy divine spirit.”

Daniel 4:9-18

Verses 10-12 Many cultures (Mayan, Asian, Norse) have the myth of a “cosmic” tree at the center of the earth that ties together heaven, earth and the underworld. The Bible has the tree of life that appears in Genesis and Revelation.

Verse 13 Probably an angel, mentioned in the plural in v. 17.

Daniel 4:19-27

Verse 19 We can understand why the king is terrified, but why Daniel also? Maybe he is afraid for his life if he tells the truth, genuinely concerned for the king, in awe of God's power, or afraid of what will happen to the Jews if the king is removed from power.

Verses 20-22 This is a repetition of some of the same phrases Daniel used toward the king in 2:38.

Verse 24 The king is fond of making decrees that place his subjects under judgment, but now God makes a decree of judgment against him. An example of reaping what we sow.

Verse 25 This is the moral of the story for the king: he needs to give up the idea that he himself is in charge.

Verse 26 This is the only place in the OT where “heaven” stands for God.

Verse 27 This doesn't mean, as some have interpreted, that giving of alms can somehow get him on God's good side. It just indicates that he needs to repent of his past oppressive behavior toward his people.

Daniel 4:28-37

Verses 28-29 God gives the king a whole year to repent, but apparently he still hadn't learned his lesson. It is interesting that Nebuchadnezzar is given time while his successor, Belshazzar, in the next chapter is given none. We will discuss the possible reasons when we get to that chapter.

Verse 30 “Might and power” appears only here and in Daniel 2:37. Compare the two. These two words may constitute the figure of speech called a hendiadys (one out of two), in which case they could be translated as “mighty power” or “powerful might.” His speech reflects what is known about Nebuchadnezzar from history. He was known primarily as a builder rather than a conqueror.

Verses 30-31 I can think of two NT parallels here: Jesus' story of the man about ready to build new barns (Luke 12:16-21) and the death of King Herod in Acts 12:21-23. Read both for parallel situations.

Verses 33 There is a controversy here. A Dead Sea Scroll fragment from about 50 BC states that King Nabonidus, the father of Belshazzar, was afflicted with madness. Critics say that author of Daniel confused Nabonidus with Nebuchadnezzar. Conservative scholars say that it is more likely that the author of the fragment was the one confused. However, cuneiform records tell a similar story about Nabonidus. Or possibly God may have similarly afflicted both kings.

Verse 37 This is the common story of a conversion only after God has brought us to our lowest point. The king had such a high station that it took drastic measures to destroy his pride. There is the well known C.S. Lewis quote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in pain.” Note the progression in Nebuchadnezzar. He took great pleasure in the world he lived in and should have thanked the one who made it possible (Daniel had earlier told him that God had given him his kingdom). Next, Daniel (in verse 27) tried to prick his conscience with how he had been treating others. And finally God had to inflict pain on him to get him to listen.