Topical Bible: Pride: Nebuchadnezzar

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Topical Encyclopedia

Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, is a prominent biblical figure whose account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. His reign, which lasted from approximately 605 to 562 BC, is marked by significant achievements, including the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. However, it is his encounter with the God of Israel that provides a profound lesson on humility and the sovereignty of God.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and subsequent humbling is primarily found in the Book of Daniel. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar himself recounts a dream that troubled him, which none of his wise men could interpret. Daniel, known for his God-given ability to interpret dreams, was summoned and revealed the meaning to the king. The dream depicted a great tree that was cut down, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar's impending downfall due to his pride.

Daniel 4:30-32 records Nebuchadnezzar's prideful declaration: "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" Immediately, a voice from heaven pronounced judgment: "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox, and seven times will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes."

Theological Implications

Nebuchadnezzar's account illustrates the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18). His belief in his own sovereignty and accomplishments led to his temporary downfall, as God demonstrated His ultimate authority over earthly kingdoms. The king's transformation from pride to humility is a testament to God's power to change hearts and minds.

Restoration and Acknowledgment of God

After a period of living like an animal, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity was restored, and he acknowledged the sovereignty of God. Daniel 4:34-35 captures his confession: "But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I blessed the Most High and praised and glorified Him who lives forever: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'"

Lessons for Believers

Nebuchadnezzar's experience serves as a powerful reminder for believers to remain humble and recognize God's sovereignty in all aspects of life. It underscores the importance of giving glory to God rather than taking credit for one's own achievements. The account encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate authority and to seek His guidance in all endeavors, acknowledging that all power and success come from Him.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 4:30-34
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
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Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
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Library

Babylon.
... rulers. The Ammonites too, were put down for ever by Nebuchadnezzar, and
he came home puffed up with the pride of conquest. Then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

True Greatness
... A year from the time he had received the warning, Nebuchadnezzar, walking in his
palace and thinking with pride of his power as a ruler and of his success as a ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 42 true greatness.htm

Pride and Humility
... may God forgive them, have talked of God as if He were like Nebuchadnezzar of old ...
them"a God who holds all men as his slaves, and therefore hates pride in them ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxiii pride and humility.htm

The Master of the Magicians.
... The Lord saw that the heart of Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with pride because he
was king of a great people, and had conquered many weaker nations. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxii the master of.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... spoke of Nebuchadnezzar's sin and fall, and of the Lord's dealings with him"the
dominion and glory bestowed upon him, the divine judgment for his pride, and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... There appear to have been good and generous qualities in the character of
Nebuchadnezzar; but the pride with which he contemplated the grandeur of his empire ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Dream of the Tree Cut Down
... 'Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven; for all his
works are truth, and his ways judgement: and those that walk in pride he is ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi the dream of the.htm

The Fiery Furnace
... For a time afterward, Nebuchadnezzar was influenced by the fear of God; ...
The prosperity attending his reign filled him with pride. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 41 the fiery furnace.htm

Harmless Fires
... Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake ... envied
and hated, since their promotion wounded both national pride and professional ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/harmless fires.htm

The Fall of Judah
... Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Judah was, in his eyes, one of the least important
of ... Patriotic historians make it a point of pride and duty to gloss over their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the fall of judah.htm