Daniel 4:12

10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.
KJV
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
WEB
Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
ASV
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in the branches thereof, and all flesh was fed from it.
DARBY
Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
BLB
Its leaves [were] lovely, and its fruit abundant, and food for all [was] in it; under it the beasts of the field found shade, and in its branches the birds of the heavens dwelt, and from it all flesh was fed.
ÅB
dets løv var fagert, og det bar rikelig frukt, så det gav føde for alle; markens dyr fant skygge under det, og himmelens fugler bodde på dets greiner, og alt levende nærte seg av det.
OTB
Dets blader var vakre, dets frukt var rikelig, og i det var det mat for alle. Dyrene på marken fant skygge under det, og himmelens fugler bodde i dets grener, og alle levende skapninger ble næret av det.
B1930
dets løv var fagert, og det bar rikelig frukt, så det gav føde for alle; markens dyr fant skygge under det, og himmelens fugler bodde på dets grener, og alt levende nærte sig av det.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Luke 13:19

    It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 4:20

    The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 17:23

    In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 31:6–7

    All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

    Read in context
  • Mark 13:32

    But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 27:6–7

    And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 13:32

    Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

    Read in context