Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What does Nebuchadnezzar testify about his situation in Daniel 4:4 (printed below?)
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and flourishing in my palace. (Daniel 4:4)
According to verse 4, Nebuchadnezzar found himself in a most pleasant and enviable situation. He testifies, “I was at rest in my house.” He was protected and secure; he had conquered and subjugated every threat to his empire; now he could rest in peace and tranquility. He further testifies, “I was flourishing in my palace.” It was a time of great prosperity and glory for Babylon; the king and his kingdom were flourishing like a tree beside a wide river.
2. Describe Nebuchanezzar’s attitude as he surveyed the empire of Babylon (see verses 29-30 printed below). Compare Nebuchadnezzar’s words with the apostle Paul’s testimony about God recorded in Romans 11:36 (printed below).
Twelve months later, he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. (30) The king said, Is not this great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? (Daniel 4:29-30)
…from him, and through him, and for him, are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Nebuchadnezzar thoroughly enjoyed the royal splendor of his great kingdom; he walked upon the roof of his royal palace and surveyed his vast domain. As he considered the great empire of Babylon that lay spread out before him, he became filled with pride: “The king said, Is not this great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (verse 30) Note that Nebuchadnezzar views his kingdom as having originated from himself, as being sustained by himself and as existing for himself. His pride has caused him to view himself in “God-like” terms (note the apostle Paul’s testimony about God recorded in Romans 11:36).
3. Describe Nebuchadnezzar’s dream as it is presented in Daniel 4:10-17 (printed below).
These are the visions that passed through my mind as I lay upon my bed: I looked and there was a tree in the center of the earth; its height was enormous. (11) The tree grew and became strong, and its height reached unto heaven; and it could be seen from the ends of the whole earth. (12) Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and it provided food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches. Every creature was fed from it. (13) As I observed the visions that passed through my mind as I lay upon my bed I saw a watchman, a holy one, come down from heaven. (14) He called out in a loud voice, Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and let the birds depart from its branches. (15) Nevertheless, let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. Let it be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the beasts in the grass of the earth. (16) Let his mind be changed from being that of a man and let him be given the mind of a beast, and let seven years pass over him. (17) This sentence is by the decree of the watchmen and this verdict is a command of the holy ones, so that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he desires and sets up over it the lowliest of men. (Daniel 4:10-17)
In his dream King Nebuchadnezzar saw a tree in the center of the earth, a tree of enormous height. The tree grew and became strong, reaching up to the heavens, being seen from the ends of the earth. But suddenly a holy angel (literally, “a watchman”) came down out of heaven. In a loud voice he commanded that the tree be cut down and that it be abandoned by the beasts and the birds. Nevertheless, the angel instructed that the stump be left rooted in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze (i.e., the tree will be devastated, yet it will be kept alive, held in the grip of some unbreakable, iron-like bondage.) Suddenly the angel no longer speaks about a tree, but about a man (in verse 15 the “let it” of the previous verses now becomes “let him.”)
4. What is the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? See Daniel 4:20-26 (printed below)
The tree that you saw—which grew and became strong, whose height reached unto heaven, and that could be seen by all the earth; (21) whose leaves were beautiful, and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens made their dwelling place—(22) it is you, O king. It is you who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches unto heaven, and your dominion extends to the end of the earth. (23) The king saw a watchman and a holy one coming down from heaven and saying, Chop down the tree and destroy it; nevertheless, leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let it be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the beasts of the field, until seven years pass over him. (24) This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High that has been issued against my lord the king. (25) You shall be driven away from men and you shall live with the beasts of the field; you will be forced to eat grass like the cattle and will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven years shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he desires. (26) Since they commanded to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you, after you have come to acknowledge that the heavens rule. (Daniel 4:20-26)
Daniel informs Nebuchadnezzar that the tree represents the king himself. The Most High has decreed, “You shall be driven away from men and you shall live with the beasts of the field … Seven years shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he desires.” (verse 25) The fact that the stump is left in the ground indicates that the Lord has chosen to be merciful and restore Nebuchadnezzar, once he has learned that the Lord is Ruler over all (verse 26).
5. Summarize Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony as it is presented in Daniel 4:34-37 (printed below).
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom continues from generation to generation. (35) All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can push away his hand, or demand of him, What are you doing? (36) At the same time that my sanity was restored to me, my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and I became even greater than before. (37) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just, and he is able to humble those who walk in pride. (Daniel 4:34-37)
In the life of Nebuchadnezzar there was a true return to sanity, not only mentally, but also spiritually, as he testifies in verse 34a. There then follows a sincere adoration and praise of the Lord (verse 34b). Nebuchadnezzar goes on to acknowledge that the Lord reigns (verses 34c-35). Note that as soon as Nebuchadnezzar bowed before the Lord, the Lord exalted him to greater honor than he had enjoyed before (verse 36). Nebuchadnezzar leaves us with two last words: his personal testimony, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just” (verse 37a), and a word of warning, The Lord “is able to humble those who walk in pride” (verse 37b).
