4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a {g} watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;(g) Meaning the angel of God, who neither eats nor sleeps, but is always ready to do God’s will, and is not infected with man’s corruption, but is always holy. And in that he commands to cut down this tree, he knew that it would not be cut down by man, but by God. read more
FROM NEBUCHADNEZZAR TO CYRUS The effect of the interpretation of his dream on Nebuchadnezzar is the inflation of his pride. To be sure, he was grateful to Daniel (Daniel 2:46-49 ), to whom he offered worship, although the latter rejected it no doubt, as did Paul later (Acts 14:11-18 ). His apprehension of Daniel’s God, however, is yet only as one amongst the national or tribal gods, although greater than they. This is clear from what follows in Daniel 3:1-7 , which is an attempt “to unify... read more
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Dan 4:1-18 It does us good to hear how a man like Nebuchadnezzar spoke. We do not know what we ourselves have said, as to its effect, until we have heard some other man repeat our own words. The speaker never exactly expresses himself. He is talking to his own consciousness, and is often approved by himself; he therefore supposes that other people can hear what he is speaking to his own spirit. He does not give utterance to all his thought, that is to say, an outside... read more
Observe several striking particulars in this man's account. First, he tells us, that he was at rest in his house, and flourishing. Yes! the word of God teacheth the people of God to be on the lookout for the sudden downfall of sinners. When such say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as upon a woman in travail, so that they cannot escape. I venture on this occasion to observe, that God's people are not as attentive as they ought to be, and as the word of the Lord... read more
Changed, &c. It does not appear, by Scripture, that Nabuchodonosor was changed from human shape, much less that he was changed into an ox, but only that he lost his reason, and became mad; and in this condition remained abroad in the company of beasts, eating grass like an ox, till his hair grew in such a manner as to resemble the feathers of an eagle, and his nails to be like birds' claws. (Challoner) --- Origen represents the whole as an allegorical description of the fall of Lucifer. See... read more
1-18 The beginning and end of this chapter lead us to hope, that Nebuchadnezzar was a monument of the power of Divine grace, and of the riches of Divine mercy. After he was recovered from his madness, he told to distant places, and wrote down for future ages, how God had justly humbled and graciously restored him. When a sinner comes to himself, he will promote the welfare of others, by making known the wondrous mercy of God. Nebuchadnezzar, before he related the Divine judgments upon him for... read more
Daniel 4 THIS WE FIND as we read on into chapter 4, where a remarkable change in the narration takes place. We are permitted to read what, at a later date, Nebuchadnezzar himself caused to be written and published to all the many nations and languages that were beneath his sway. In it he made known the dealings of God whom he now called 'the Most High God' (New Trans.) with himself personally. It was a story of his own complete discomfiture and humiliation at the hands of God; and therefore... read more
The King Tells Daniel His Dream v. 1. Nebuchadnezzar, the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, this term, in a public proclamation or royal edict, including all the subjects of the empire, that dwell in all the earth, for the Babylonian Empire embraced practically the entire world then explored: Peace be multiplied unto you, literally, "Peace be imparted to you in rich measure," a greeting which was in use in the Orient for many centuries and was later taken over by the Christians.... read more
CRITICAL AND GRAMMATICAL NOTES[The numerical division of the verses in chap. 4 differs in the English Bible from that in the original text, as the latter annexes the first three verses of this narrative to chap. 3, and consequently begins its chap. 4 with Daniel 3:4 of the English Bible.] Lange's comments have been divided here for presentation in Bible software based on the English Bible. See near the end of the comments for Daniel 3:1 ff for the division point.Daniel 4:1-6 [Daniel 4:4-9]. The... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Daniel 4:1-37
CHAPTER 4 The Tree Vision of Nebuchadnezzar 1. The king’s proclamation (Daniel 4:1-3 ) 2. The king relates the tree vision (Daniel 4:4-18 ) 3. Daniel interprets the vision (Daniel 4:19-27 ) 4. The tree vision fulfilled, the king’s abasement and his restoration, (Daniel 4:28-37 ) Daniel 4:1-3 . This chapter is in form, at least in part, of a proclamation. This proclamation must have been written after the king had passed through the experience recorded in this chapter. Daniel 4:4-18 .... read more