Daniel 4:17
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
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.
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine 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
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Read in contextDaniel 4:25
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Read in context1 Samuel 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.
Read in contextPsalms 75:6–7
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Read in contextJeremiah 27:5–7
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
Read in contextDaniel 5:18–21
O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
Read in contextPsalms 113:7–8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Read in context1 Corinthians 1:28
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Read in context