And they shall drive thee from men ,.... According to the interpretation of the dream given by Daniel, which this voice from heaven confirms; See Gill on Daniel 4:25 , where the same things are said as here. read more
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar ,.... Whence it appears that this was a true history, and a matter of fact; and not a parable or allegory, as Origen thought, describing the fall of Lucifer or Satan; but relates what befell Nebuchadnezzar himself: nor was the change real as to soul and body; for then he would not have been the same person, not Nebuchadnezzar, and so not he himself punished, but the beast into which he was changed: and though there was a strange... read more
And at the end of the days ,.... Of the time fixed in the dream; that is, at the end of seven years, as Jarchi rightly interprets it; this according to Bishop Usher F14 Annales Vet. Test. A. M. 3442. , Dean Prideaux F15 Connexium, &c.; part. 1. p. 106. , and Mr. Whiston F16 Chronological Tables, cent. 10. , was in the year of the world 3442 A.M., and before Christ 563, in the forty second year of his reign; after which he lived but one year, reigning from the death of... read more
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing ,.... That is, by the most high God, in comparison of him; and that not only the common people, but magistrates, princes, and kings, and even so great a monarch as Nebuchadnezzar; they are like mere nonentities, nothing as to existence, substance, greatness, glory, and duration, when compared with him: for this is to be understood not absolutely as in themselves; for as such they are something; their bodies are something in their... read more
At the same time my reason returned unto me ,.... Or, "my understanding" F17 מנדעי "intellectus meus", Cocceius, Michaelis. ; this he repeats, not only to express the certainty of it, but the sense he had of the greatness of the favour, and of which what he said at this time is a full proof: and for the glory of my kingdom mine honour and brightness returned unto me : or "form" F18 זיוי , η μορφη μου , Sept.; "forma mea", Tigurine version, "figura mea", Munster. , as... read more
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven ,.... Now he knew that the heavens ruled, and that there was a God and a King there, above all gods and kings; who had brought him low, and raised him up again, and to whom were owing all his present glory and magnificence, and therefore worthy of his highest praises; and which he in the most public manner gave by words before his lords and counsellors, and by writing under his own hand, by this edict and proclamation: ... read more
Thy kingdom shall he sure unto thee - No new king was set up; Evil-merodach his son was regent during his father's insanity. read more
Break off thy sins by righteousness - Do justice. Thou hast been an oppressive man; show mercy to the poor, many of whom have been made such by thyself: witness the whole nation of the Jews. He was to cease from his sins - repent and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, in order that he might find mercy at the hand of God. read more
Is not this great Babylon - Here his heart was inflated with pride; he attributed every thing to himself, and acknowledged God in nothing. The walls, hanging gardens, temple of Bel, and the royal palace, all built by Nebuchadnezzar, made it the greatest city in the world. read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 4:31
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven ,.... Before the king had done speaking in the above boasting manner, an articulate voice from heaven was heard by him, and all about him, formed by the angels, and much like what the Jews call Bath Kol; see Acts 12:21 , so Abydenus F7 Apud Euseb. ut supra. (Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 41. p. 457.) , in the account he gives of Nebuchadnezzar's oration to the people, relates, that when the king had spoke it, ... read more