He called out in a loud voice: 'Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. He called out in a loud voiceThis phrase indicates the urgency and authority of the command. The "loud voice" signifies a divine proclamation that demands immediate attention and action. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, a loud voice often accompanied royal decrees or divine messages, emphasizing the importance and non-negotiable nature of the command. The Hebrew root for "called out" (קָרָא, qara) often implies a summons or a call to action, underscoring the seriousness of the message being delivered. Cut down the tree
The "tree" in this vision represents King Nebuchadnezzar and his vast empire. Trees in biblical literature often symbolize strength, growth, and prosperity. However, the command to "cut down" signifies judgment and the end of a period of flourishing. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where trees are used metaphorically to represent individuals or nations (e.g., Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:8). The act of cutting down indicates a divine intervention that disrupts human pride and self-sufficiency. and trim off its branches
The "branches" symbolize the extensions of Nebuchadnezzar's power and influence. In the ancient world, a tree's branches were seen as its reach and ability to provide shelter and sustenance. Trimming them off suggests a reduction or limitation of power. This action serves as a humbling process, reminding the king that his authority is not absolute but subject to the sovereignty of God. strip off its leaves
Leaves are often associated with the health and vitality of a tree. To "strip off its leaves" implies a loss of beauty, glory, and the ability to provide for others. In a broader sense, this can be seen as a removal of the king's majesty and the visible signs of his success. The Hebrew word for "strip" (פָּשַׁט, pashat) can also mean to make bare, indicating a complete exposure and vulnerability. and scatter its fruit
The "fruit" represents the benefits and prosperity that come from the king's rule. Scattering the fruit suggests a dispersion of wealth and resources, leading to instability and loss. This action highlights the consequences of pride and the transient nature of earthly power. In biblical terms, fruitfulness is often linked to divine blessing, and its scattering signifies the withdrawal of that blessing. Let the beasts flee from under it
The "beasts" symbolize those who found protection and sustenance under Nebuchadnezzar's rule. Their fleeing indicates a breakdown of the social and political order, as those who once relied on the king's stability must now seek refuge elsewhere. This imagery reflects the broader impact of divine judgment, affecting not just the individual but the entire community. and the birds from its branches
Birds often represent freedom and the ability to rise above earthly concerns. Their departure from the branches signifies a loss of peace and security. In the biblical context, birds nesting in a tree's branches can symbolize nations or peoples finding rest and safety (cf. Ezekiel 17:23). The scattering of the birds underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting all levels of society. Persons / Places / Events 1. NebuchadnezzarThe Babylonian king who has a dream about a great tree, which is interpreted by Daniel. This dream is a divine message concerning his future. 2. The WatcherA holy messenger or angelic being who delivers the decree to cut down the tree. This figure represents divine authority and judgment. 3. BabylonThe kingdom over which Nebuchadnezzar reigns. The tree symbolizes the king's power and the vastness of his empire. 4. Daniel (Belteshazzar)The prophet who interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream. He is a faithful servant of God, providing insight and guidance. 5. The TreeSymbolizes Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom and his personal greatness. Its cutting down signifies the impending judgment and humbling of the king. Teaching Points Divine SovereigntyGod is sovereign over all kingdoms and rulers. He raises up and brings down according to His will. Pride and HumilityNebuchadnezzar's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Repentance and RestorationThe decree to cut down the tree is not the end. There is hope for restoration if there is repentance, as seen later in Nebuchadnezzar's account. God's MessengersGod uses various means, including dreams and angelic messengers, to communicate His will and call people to repentance. Impact of SinThe scattering of the tree's fruit and the fleeing of the beasts and birds illustrate how sin and judgment can affect not just the individual but also those around them. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the tree in Daniel 4:14 reflect Nebuchadnezzar's character and reign? What does this teach us about the nature of power and responsibility? 2. In what ways does the message of the Watcher in Daniel 4:14 challenge us to examine our own lives for areas of pride or self-reliance? 3. How can we apply the principle of divine sovereignty seen in Daniel 4:14 to our understanding of current world events and leadership? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced a humbling situation. How did it lead to personal growth or a deeper understanding of God's grace? 5. How does the theme of repentance and restoration in Nebuchadnezzar's account encourage us in our personal walk with God, especially when we face the consequences of our actions? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 10:33-34This passage also uses the imagery of cutting down trees to symbolize God's judgment on the proud and powerful. Ezekiel 31Describes the fall of Assyria using similar tree imagery, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment on nations. Matthew 3:10John the Baptist uses the metaphor of trees being cut down to warn of impending judgment, connecting to the theme of repentance. People Belteshazzar, Daniel, Jonah, NebuchadnezzarPlaces BabylonTopics Aloud, Animals, Beast, Beasts, Birds, Branches, Broken, Budding, Calling, Chop, Cried, Crying, Cut, Direction, Escape, Flee, Foliage, Follows, Fowls, Fruit, Hew, Leaves, Loud, Mightily, Move, Scatter, Shake, Shouted, Spoke, Strip, Thus, Tree, Trim, VoiceDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 4:1-37 1443 revelation, OT Daniel 4:10-14 4416 branch Daniel 4:10-17 1409 dream Daniel 4:13-16 4504 roots Library The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
Mr. Melvil, after finishing his classical studies, went abroad, and taught, for some time, both at Poictiers in France, and at Geneva. He returned to Scotland in July 1574, after having been absent from his native country near ten years. Upon his return, the learned Beza, in a letter to the general assembly of the church of Scotland, said, "That the greatest token of affection the kirk of Geneva could show to Scotland, was, that they had suffered themselves to be spoiled of Mr. Andrew Melvil." Soon …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)Human Government.
Human governments a part of the moral government of God. In the discussion of this subject I will,-- I. Inquire into the ultimate end of God in creation. We have seen in former lectures, that God is a moral agent, the self-existent and supreme; and is therefore himself, as ruler of all, subject to, and observant of, moral law in all his conduct. That is, his own infinite intelligence must affirm that a certain course of willing is suitable, fit, and right in him. This idea, or affirmation, is law …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan. iv. 17). For in the incomprehensible dispensation of Almighty God there are alternate controlments of mortal life; and sometimes, when the sins of many are to be smitten, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Teaching of Matthew 13 Proves that no Era of Millennial Blessing Precedes Christ's Second Advent.
In Matt. 13 we have the record of seven parables--the number of completeness--which our Lord uttered consecutively. These parables are prophetic in their significance and scope. They deal with conditions which are to obtain here during the time of our Lord's absence. They are concerned with the visible profession of Christianity and they look forward to the closing scenes of the present dispensation. As there is much in them upon which we cannot now comment at length we shall content ourselves with …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
81. And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him. But he made nothing very much of the letters, nor did he rejoice at the messages, but was the same as he had been before the Emperors wrote to him. But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church "Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 4:14 NIVDaniel 4:14 NLTDaniel 4:14 ESVDaniel 4:14 NASBDaniel 4:14 KJV
Daniel 4:14 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
