Daniel 4:21
Daniel 4:21 in Multiple Translations
whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—
Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation:
Which had fair leaves and much fruit, and had in it food for all; under which the beasts of the field were living, and in the branches of which the birds of heaven had their resting-places:
Its leaves were beautiful, and it was full of fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived under its shade, and birds nested in its branches.
This is the interpretation, O King, and it is the decree of the most High, which is come vpon my lord the King,
and its leaves [are] fair, and its budding great, and food for all [is] in it, under it dwell doth the beast of the field, and on its boughs sit do the birds of the heavens.
whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation—
Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit of it abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of heaven had their habitation:
This is the interpretation of the sentence of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king.
It had beautiful leaves and it had produced a lot of fruit for people to eat. Wild animals rested in the shade of that tree, and birds built nests in its branches.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 4:21
BAB
Word Study
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Daniel 4:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דְּנָ֥ה
פִשְׁרָ֖/א
מַלְכָּ֑/א
וּ/גְזֵרַ֤ת
עלי/א
עִלָּאָ/ה֙
הִ֔יא
דִּ֥י
מְטָ֖ת
עַל
מרא/י
מָרִ֥/י
מַלְכָּֽ/א
דְּנָ֥ה
dên
H1836
this
Adj
פִשְׁרָ֖/א
pᵉshar
H6591
interpretation
Adj | Art
מַלְכָּ֑/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
וּ/גְזֵרַ֤ת
gᵉzêrâh
H1510
decree
Adj | N-fs
עלי/א
ʻillay
H5943
Most High
Adj | Art
עִלָּאָ/ה֙
ʻillay
H5943
Most High
Adj | Art
הִ֔יא
hûwʼ
H1932
he/she/it
Adj
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
מְטָ֖ת
mᵉṭâʼ
H4291
to reach
Adj
עַל
ʻal
H5922
since
Adj
מרא/י
mârêʼ
H4756
lord
Adj | Suff
מָרִ֥/י
mârêʼ
H4756
lord
Adj | Suff
מַלְכָּֽ/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 4:21
דְּנָ֥ה
dên
H1836
"this"
Adj
This Hebrew word means 'this' or 'therefore' and is used to point to something specific. It is often used in the Bible to connect ideas or explain a reason.
Definition: demons pron 1) this, on account of this adv 2) therefore
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (afore-) time, [phrase] after this manner, here (-after), one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), [phrase] thus, where(-fore), which. See also: Ezra 4:11; Daniel 2:29; Jeremiah 10:11.
פִשְׁרָ֖/א
pᵉshar
H6591
"interpretation"
Adj | Art
This word refers to the explanation or meaning of something, like a dream. It is used in Daniel 2 and 4 to describe the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. The word is about finding the solution to a mystery.
Definition: interpretation (of dream) Aramaic of pit.ron (פִּתְרוֹן "interpretation" H6623)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: interpretation. See also: Daniel 2:4; Daniel 4:4; Daniel 7:16.
מַלְכָּ֑/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
וּ/גְזֵרַ֤ת
gᵉzêrâh
H1510
"decree"
Adj | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a decree or official decision, often made by a king or other authority figure. It is derived from the word to cut, implying a clear and final judgment. Decrees like these are mentioned throughout the Bible, shaping the course of history.
Definition: decree Aramaic of ga.zar (גָּזַר "to cut" H1504)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: decree. See also: Daniel 4:14; Daniel 4:21.
עלי/א
ʻillay
H5943
"Most High"
Adj | Art
A name for God, meaning the Most High, emphasizing His supreme power and authority. It is used in Genesis 14:18-22, where Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of the Most High God. This title shows God's dominance over all things.
Definition: highest, the Most High Aramaic of il.li (עִלִּי "upper" H5942)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: (most) high. See also: Daniel 3:26; Daniel 4:29; Daniel 7:25.
עִלָּאָ/ה֙
ʻillay
H5943
"Most High"
Adj | Art
A name for God, meaning the Most High, emphasizing His supreme power and authority. It is used in Genesis 14:18-22, where Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of the Most High God. This title shows God's dominance over all things.
Definition: highest, the Most High Aramaic of il.li (עִלִּי "upper" H5942)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: (most) high. See also: Daniel 3:26; Daniel 4:29; Daniel 7:25.
הִ֔יא
hûwʼ
H1932
"he/she/it"
Adj
This Hebrew word means 'he', 'she', or 'it', often used to emphasize the subject of a sentence, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also be used as a demonstrative, meaning 'this' or 'that'.
Definition: 1) he, she, it 1a) (emphasising and resuming subject) 1b)(anticipating subj) 1c) as demons pron 1d) (relative) 1e) (affirming existence)
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] are, it, this. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 7:24.
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
"that"
Adj
This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.
Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because
Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.
מְטָ֖ת
mᵉṭâʼ
H4291
"to reach"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to reach or arrive at a place, like when the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land in Joshua 1:11.
Definition: 1) to reach, come upon, attain 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to reach, come to 1a2) to reach, extend 1a3) to come upon
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: come, reach. See also: Daniel 4:8; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 7:22.
עַל
ʻal
H5922
"since"
Adj
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Definition: 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 4:2; Daniel 7:28.
מרא/י
mârêʼ
H4756
"lord"
Adj | Suff
This Hebrew word means lord or master, and is used to refer to God or a king. It signifies a position of authority and power, and is used in various biblical contexts to show respect and reverence.
Definition: 1) lord 1a) of king 1b) of God
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: lord, Lord. See also: Daniel 2:47; Daniel 4:21; Daniel 5:23.
מָרִ֥/י
mârêʼ
H4756
"lord"
Adj | Suff
This Hebrew word means lord or master, and is used to refer to God or a king. It signifies a position of authority and power, and is used in various biblical contexts to show respect and reverence.
Definition: 1) lord 1a) of king 1b) of God
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: lord, Lord. See also: Daniel 2:47; Daniel 4:21; Daniel 5:23.
מַלְכָּֽ/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Suff
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
Study Notes — Daniel 4:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Daniel Interprets the Second Dream
19For 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!
20The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth,
21whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—
22you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. 23And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with 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 of the field till seven times pass him by.’Daniel 4:21 Summary
This verse describes a tree that is strong, beautiful, and provides for all the creatures around it, much like the tree of life in Genesis 2:9. The tree represents King Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, which has been blessed by God and is a source of provision and care for its people, as seen in Psalm 72:16. Just as the tree provides for the beasts and birds, we are called to care for and provide for one another, as instructed in Galatians 6:2 and Matthew 25:31-46. As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging and submitting to God's sovereignty in our lives, as seen in Daniel 4:25 and Romans 11:33-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the tree in Daniel 4:21 represent?
The tree in Daniel 4:21 represents the great and powerful kingdom of King Nebuchadnezzar, as explained in Daniel 4:22, with its beauty and abundance symbolizing the king's greatness and provision for his people, much like the tree in Judges 9:8-15.
Why is the tree described as having beautiful foliage and abundant fruit?
The tree's beautiful foliage and abundant fruit signify the king's prosperity and the blessings he has received from God, as seen in Daniel 4:22, and also reflect the tree of life in Genesis 2:9, which represents God's provision and care for humanity.
What is the significance of the beasts and birds living in and under the tree?
The beasts and birds living in and under the tree represent the people and nations that are under the king's dominion and care, much like the shepherd's role in Psalm 23:1-4, where God is the shepherd who cares for and protects His people.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel interprets as a warning of the king's impending downfall, as seen in Daniel 4:23, and serves as a reminder of the transience of human power and the sovereignty of God, as stated in Isaiah 40:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can reflect the beauty and abundance of God's kingdom in my own life?
- How can I, like the tree in this verse, provide for and care for those around me, as instructed in Galatians 6:2 and Matthew 25:31-46?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to acknowledge and submit to God's sovereignty, as seen in Daniel 4:25 and Romans 11:33-36?
- How can I use my resources and influence to bless and provide for others, as seen in Acts 2:45 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 4:21
[See comments on Daniel 4:20].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 4:21
The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; The tree that thou sawest ... Whose leaves were fair, and the
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 4:21
Daniel 4:21 Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:Ver. 21. Whose leaves were fair.] See on Daniel 4:12. Under which the beasts of the field dwelt, &c.] A king should to all his subjects, high and low, extend his favour according to every one’ s quality and degree.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 4:21
21. meat] food, as Daniel 4:12.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 4:21
20-22. See Daniel 4:10-12, and for the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire, Introduction, III, 3, 4.