Daniel 4:13-15

The watcher who descended from heaven (Daniel 4:13) was probably a divine agent, an angel, though Nebuchadnezzar described it using terminology from his background (cf. Daniel 4:17). [Note: Keil, p. 150; Goldingay, p. 88.] Earthly kings had watchmen who served as their eyes and ears and who carried out the bidding of their lords. The binding of the stump (Daniel 4:15) hints at a restoration of the tree’s life and its growth after its cutting down. After all, the stump could have been removed. The significance of the iron and bronze band that bound the stump is questionable. It kept the tree stump from disintegrating, and perhaps it symbolized the madness that would bind Nebuchadnezzar [Note: Walvoord, p. 103.] or the fact that he would be protected while demented. [Note: Archer, "Daniel," , p. 64.] As the description proceeds, it becomes increasingly clear that the tree represents a man. "It" now becomes "him" (Daniel 4:15).