Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling and Restoration
Daniel 4:28-37
Dan.4.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עוד: ADV
- מלתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בפם: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קל: ADV
- מן: PREP
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אמרין: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכותה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- מנך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.4.33 (verbal): Direct follow-up/fulfillment language—this verse declares the sentence on Nebuchadnezzar and 4:33 repeats that the spoken word/ sentence was immediately fulfilled in him.
- Dan.4.37 (thematic): Narrative outcome of the same episode—after his humiliation (the sentence of v.28) Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges and honors the Most High, showing the theme of divine discipline leading to praise.
- Isa.14:12-15 (allusion): Poetic taunt against the king of Babylon about a lofty ruler cast down from heaven—parallels the motif of a proud monarch brought low and stripped of kingship.
- 1 Sam.2:7-8 (thematic): Affirms the theological principle behind the sentence in Daniel: God exalts and humbles rulers, raising some and bringing others low—used here to explain the divine basis for a king's fall.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that word a voice came from heaven: "To you, O King Nebuchadnezzar, it is spoken — your kingdom has departed from you."
- Suddenly a voice from heaven fell upon the king, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, your kingdom has departed from you.”
Dan.4.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- אנשא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- טרדין: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- חיות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ברא: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- מדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתורין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- יטעמון: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ושבעה: NUM,m,pl,abs
- עדנין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יחלפון: VERB,qal,imprf,3,pl
- עלך: PREP,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תנדע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שליט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליא: ADJ,m,sg
- במלכות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אנשא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- ולמן: CONJ+PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יצבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יתננה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Dan.5:21 (verbal): Repeats the same account of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation—being driven from men, dwelling with beasts and living like an ox until seven times passed—using almost identical wording.
- Isa.14:12-15 (thematic): Imagery and theme of a proud ruler brought low: the fall from exaltation and loss of sovereignty echo the prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar will be humbled and lose his kingdom.
- Ps.75:7 (thematic): Declares God’s rule over the rise and fall of rulers—‘God brings down one and exalts another’—paralleling the statement that the Most High gives kingdoms to whom he wills.
- 1 Sam.2:7-8 (thematic): Speaks of Yahweh raising up and bringing down the lowly and princes and giving rule to whom he chooses, closely matching the verse’s emphasis on God’s sovereign control over earthly kingship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall be driven away from men, and with the beasts of the field you shall have your dwelling; you shall eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
- And you shall be driven away from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; you shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and be drenched with the dew of heaven; seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he wills.
Dan.4.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- שעתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ספת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- אנשא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- טריד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ועשבא: CONJ,VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כתורין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ומטל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יצטבע: VERB,peal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שערה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+suff:3,fs
- כנשרין: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וטפרוהי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כצפרין: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 4:25 (verbal): Daniel’s interpretation-prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar “will be driven from men, and will eat grass as oxen” — the verbal source for the episode of bestial humiliation and its predicted duration.
- Daniel 4:26 (thematic): Continues the interpretation (the ‘seven times’ of humiliation and promised restoration) and links the loss of human status to the later recovery of reason and kingdom — thematic frame for the transformation described in 4:30.
- Job 30:16–19 (thematic): Job portrays extreme abasement and isolation, likening himself to outcast, desert creatures and describing bodily affliction — a thematic parallel of human degradation and animal-like existence.
- Psalm 102:6–7 (thematic): The psalmist uses imagery of being like a desert bird (pelican/owl) and abandoned, echoing the motif of desolation and avian comparison found in Nebuchadnezzar’s hair and nails becoming like birds’ feathers/claws.
- 1 Samuel 21:13–15 (thematic): David feigns madness and is treated as losing human standing before the Philistines; parallels the motif of a ruler’s public humiliation and altered human behavior (madness/social degradation).
Alternative generated candidates
- Immediately the sentence fell on Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven from men and ate grass like an ox; the dew of heaven soaked him, and his hair grew like the feathers of eagles, and his nails like the claws of birds.
- At that very hour the sentence came upon Nebuchadnezzar: he was driven from men, and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven, and his hair grew like the feathers of eagles and his nails like the claws of birds.
Dan.4.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקצת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יומיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- לשמיא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נטלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,pl
- ומנדעי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- יתוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ולעלאה: PREP
- ברכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ולחי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלמא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבחת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- והדרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלטנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שלטן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלם: ADV
- ומלכותה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- דר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 145:13 (verbal): Phrases nearly identical: 'Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom' and 'thy dominion endureth throughout all generations' echo Daniel's 'dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.'
- Daniel 2:44 (thematic): Both passages stress the establishment and permanence of God's kingdom over human rulers—God's everlasting dominion replacing temporal empires.
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (thematic): David's prayer praises God's eternal greatness, power, and sovereign rule ('thine is the kingdom...thou art exalted as head above all'), paralleling Nebuchadnezzar's blessing and acknowledgement of God's eternal reign.
- Psalm 146:10 (verbal): Declares 'The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations'—a concise expression of the same conviction of God's perpetual kingship found in Daniel 4:31.
- Daniel 4:34-35 (structural): Immediate literary parallel in the same chapter: verses 34–35 expand Nebuchadnezzar's confession, praising the Most High and recognizing His sovereign, everlasting rule—continuation and reinforcement of 4:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High and praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
- At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
Dan.4.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- דירי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארעא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כלה: ADV
- חשיבין: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וכמצביה: PREP
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בחיל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ודירי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארעא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- איתי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימחא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בידה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.4.25 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the chapter: the earlier oracle warns Nebuchadnezzar he will be driven from men, dwell with beasts, eat grass like oxen, and endure ‘seven times’—the same prophetic formula repeated in v.32.
- Leviticus 26:18,24,28 (thematic): Leviticus uses the motif of divine punishment coming 'seven times' for persistent disobedience; parallels the 'seven times' period of humiliation in Daniel as a divinely ordained corrective.
- Proverbs 21:1 (thematic): Affirms the theological point of Dan.4.32 that the Most High controls the hearts and destinies of rulers—God's sovereign rule over human kingdoms.
- Job 30:1-8 (thematic): Job’s reversal from honor to shame—being scorned, driven from company and living among outcasts—echoes the theme of human grandeur reduced to humiliation and exclusion from human society.
- Isaiah 14:12-15 (allusion): Isaiah’s taunt against a proud ruler brought low resonates with Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling: a king exalted in pride is cast down by divine judgment until he acknowledges the Most High.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing; he does as he pleases among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"
- All the peoples of the earth are accounted as nothing; he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; none can restrain his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Dan.4.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- זמנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנדעי: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- יתוב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וליקר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכותי: NOUN,f,sg,poss1
- הדרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- וזוי: CONJ
- יתוב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולי: CONJ+PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הדברי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ורברבני: CONJ
- יבעון: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- מלכותי: NOUN,f,sg,poss1
- התקנת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ורבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יתירה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוספת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Dan.2:37-38 (verbal): Both passages attribute kingship and authority to the Most High who gives kingdoms to whom he wills; Daniel's earlier address to Nebuchadnezzar parallels the later acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.
- Dan.5:18-21 (structural): Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar's humbling and restoration to explain Belshazzar's fate—both passages treat divine judgment and the transfer/removal of royal power as acts of God.
- Ps.145:11-13 (thematic): Both texts praise God's eternal reign and declare his kingdom an everlasting dominion from generation to generation, language echoed in Nebuchadnezzar's confession.
- Job 42:10-11 (thematic): Job's restoration after suffering and his subsequent praise of God parallels Nebuchadnezzar's removal, restoration, and blessing of the Most High.
- James 4:10 (thematic): The New Testament admonition to humble oneself so that God may exalt echoes the motif of divine humbling and subsequent lifting up found in Nebuchadnezzar's experience.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time my reason returned to me, and the glorious majesty of my kingdom was restored to me. My counselors and my nobles sought me, and I was reestablished in my kingdom, and outstanding majesty was added to me.
- At that time my reason returned, and the glory and honor of my kingdom were restored to me; my counselors and my nobles sought me, and I was established again in my kingdom, and greater greatness was added to me.
Dan.4.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כען: ADV
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- משבח: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ומרומם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומהדר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- מעבדוהי: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl+obj:3,m,sg
- קשט: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וארחתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- דין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהלכין: VERB,ptc,qal,act,pl,m
- בגוה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להשפלה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Dan.2:47 (verbal): Nebuchadnezzar earlier acknowledges God’s supreme power and wisdom; both passages feature the king’s praise of God’s sovereignty and truth after recognizing divine authority.
- Dan.3:28-29 (thematic): After the fiery trial the king blesses and honors the God of Israel for deliverance; parallels Daniel 4:34 in a royal confession that God is exalted and his acts are to be honored.
- Ps.75:6-7 (thematic): Affirms the theme that exaltation comes from God and that he brings low the proud and lifts up others—echoing ‘those who walk in pride he is able to abase.’
- James 4:6 (allusion): New Testament reflection on the same theological principle: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, paralleling the assertion that God humbles the proud.
- Luke 14:11 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that ‘everyone who exalts himself will be humbled’ echoes the moral/ethical outcome stated in Daniel 4:34 regarding pride and divine humbling.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are true and his ways just; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
- Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven.
While the word was yet in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has been taken from you." And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they will make you eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever he will.
At that very hour the thing was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar: he was driven from men, and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
At the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever—whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and whose kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing; he does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can restrain his hand or say to him, 'What are you doing?'
At that time my reason returned to me; for the glory of my kingdom my honor and brightness were restored to me. My counselors and my nobles sought me out, I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all his works are truth and his ways are judgment; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.