Daniel 4:17

God's power and sovereignty Humility Pride

¹⁵ But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth.

¹⁶ Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

¹⁸ This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

¹⁹ For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

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: This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’
KJV: This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
WEB: “‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’
ASV: The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men.
DARBY: This sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones: that the living may know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
BLB: By decree of the watchers [is] the sentence, and by word of the holy ones [is] the decision, in order that those living may know that the Most High [is] ruling over the kingdom of men; and to whom He wishes, He gives it, and the lowest of men He sets over it.’

ÅB: Dette budskap har sin grunn i vekternes rådslutning, og slik er de helliges avgjørelser i denne sak, for at alle som lever, skal sanne at den Høyeste har makt over kongedømmet blant menneskene og gir det til den han vil, og setter den ringeste av menneskene til å råde over det.
OTB: Denne saken er ved vokternes dekret, og kravet ved de helliges ord, for at de levende skal vite at Den Høyeste hersker i menneskenes rike, og gir det til hvem Han vil, og setter over det den laveste av mennesker.'
B1930: Dette budskap har sin grunn i vekternes rådslutning, og sådan er de helliges avgjørelser i denne sak, forat alle som lever, skal sanne at den Høieste har makt over kongedømmet blandt menneskene og gir det til den han vil, og setter den ringeste av menneskene til å råde over det.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Read in context
Daniel 4:25
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.
Read in context
1 Samuel 2:8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.
Read in context
Psalms 75:6–7
For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert,
Read in context
Jeremiah 27:5–7
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.
Read in context
Daniel 5:18–21
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
Read in context
Psalms 113:7–8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump
Read in context
1 Corinthians 1:28
He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
Read in context