Daniel 4:30
Verse
Context
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Is not this great Babylon - Here his heart was inflated with pride; he attributed every thing to himself, and acknowledged God in nothing. The walls, hanging gardens, temple of Bel, and the royal palace, all built by Nebuchadnezzar, made it the greatest city in the world.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Babylon, that I have built--HERODOTUS ascribes the building of Babylon to Semiramis and Nitocris, his informant under the Persian dynasty giving him the Assyrian and Persian account. BEROSUS and ABYDENUS give the Babylonian account, namely, that Nebuchadnezzar added much to the old city, built a splendid palace and city walls. HERODOTUS, the so-called "father of history," does not even mention Nebuchadnezzar. (Nitocris, to whom he attributes the beautifying of Babylon, seems to have been Nebuchadnezzar's wife). Hence infidels have doubted the Scripture account. But the latter is proved by thousands of bricks on the plain, the inscriptions of which have been deciphered, each marked "Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar." "Built," that is, restored and enlarged (Ch2 11:5-6). It is curious, all the bricks have been found with the stamped face downwards. Scarcely a figure in stone, or tablet, has been dug out of the rubbish heaps of Babylon, whereas Nineveh abounds in them; fulfilling Jer 51:37, "Babylon shall become heaps." The "I" is emphatic, by which he puts himself in the place of God; so the "my . . . my." He impiously opposes his might to God's, as though God's threat, uttered a year before, could never come to pass. He would be more than man; God, therefore, justly, makes him less than man. An acting over again of the fall; Adam, once lord of the world and the very beasts (Gen 1:28; so Nebuchadnezzar Dan 2:38), would be a god (Gen 3:5); therefore he must die like the beasts (Psa 82:6; Psa 49:12). The second Adam restores the forfeited inheritance (Psa 8:4-8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And they shall drive thee from men,.... According to the interpretation of the dream given by Daniel, which this voice from heaven confirms; See Gill on Dan 4:25, where the same things are said as here. , where the same things are said as here. Daniel 4:33 dan 4:33 dan 4:33 dan 4:33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar,.... Whence it appears that this was a true history, and a matter of fact; and not a parable or allegory, as Origen thought, describing the fall of Lucifer or Satan; but relates what befell Nebuchadnezzar himself: nor was the change real as to soul and body; for then he would not have been the same person, not Nebuchadnezzar, and so not he himself punished, but the beast into which he was changed: and though there was a strange alteration, both in his body and mind; in some parts of his body, and perhaps in his voice, in his senses of feeling, tasting, and smelling, in his palate, and appetite, and stomach; in his rational powers, understanding, judgment, and memory; so that he acted like a beast, and choosing to live as one; yet so as to retain the essential parts of a man; his case was, that at once he fell raving mad and distracted, when they first bound him with chains, that he might not hurt himself and others, and afterwards turned him loose into the woods among the wild beasts; or perhaps into one of his parks, among the deer, hares, foxes, and such like creatures; whither he might incline to go, fancying himself to be a beast, and delight to be among them: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen; which he did by choice: so Aben Ezra reports of one in the island of Sardinia, who fled from his parents, and lost his reason, and lived among deer for many years, and went upon his hands and feet like them; and the king of the island going a hunting one day, caught many deer, and among them this man, that was taken for one: his parents came and owned him, and spoke to him, but he answered not; they set before him bread and wine, to eat and drink, but he refused; they then gave him grass with the deer and he ate that; and in the middle of the night made his escape to the deer or the field again. And his body was wet with the dew of heaven: lying all night in the woods or fields without clothing: till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers: thick, black, and strong; the hairs of his head having not been cut, not his beard shaved for seven years: the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "as lions": and his nails like birds' claws: the nails of his fingers and toes were hard, long, and sharp, like theirs, having not been cut during this time; this shows that the seven times are not to be understood of weeks or months, but of years. Some have understood all this as a real metamorphosis, and that Nebuchadnezzar was changed into a beast; the upper part of him was the form of an ox, and the lower part that of a lion, as Epiphanius (h); so Cyril (i) says of him, that he was changed into a beast, lived in a desert, had the nails and hair of a lion, ate grass like an ox; for he was a beast, not knowing who gave him the kingdom; and so others; closely adhering to the letter of the text, but wrongly, for reasons before given: nor is it to be ascribed merely to any natural disease of body, or melancholy in him, by which the fancy may be so disturbed, as for a person to imagine himself a beast; for though this was the case, yet not through any diseases, such as is called the lycanthropy; an much less to any witchcraft, or any diabolical art, exercised on him; but to the mighty hand of God, taking away the use of his reason, and throwing him into madness and distraction for the demonstration of his power, and humbling the pride of an insolent monarch; not but that God could, if it had been his pleasure, have changed him into a brute, as he turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; and as a certain wicked nobleman in Muscovy was turned into a black dog, barking and howling, upon uttering horrible blasphemies against God for some judgment upon him, as Clurerius (k) relates, who had it, he says, from both ear and eye witnesses of it; but such a judgment was not inflicted on Nebuchadnezzar, not are such things usual. Herodotus (l) reports, though he himself did not credit it, of some people among the Scythians, that were every year, for a few days, changed into wolves, and then returned to their former shape again; and Pomponius Mela (m) relates the same of the same people; and the poets frequently speak of such transmutations; but these are all fictions and delusions. (h) De Prophet. Vit. & Inter. C. 10. (i) Cateches. 2. sect. 11. (k) Apud Bucheim Dissertat. de Reg. Nebuchad. in Thesaur. Philol. Dissert. tom. 1. p. 890. (l) Melpomene, sive l. 4. c. 105. (m) De Situ Orbis, l. 2. c. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:30 The city of Babylon had magnificent walls covered with royal blue ceramic tile and gold-colored lions and dragons. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were also part of the city’s splendor, as was the dazzling Ishtar Gate. The king recognized all this as a reflection of his own glory and power, not as a gift of the Most High God.
Daniel 4:30
The Second Dream Fulfilled
29Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,30the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Daniel 4:34
By Chuck Smith0PrideDivine GuidancePRO 16:18DAN 4:30JAS 4:6Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of learning life's lessons, particularly the dangers of pride, through the story of Nebuchadnezzar. He illustrates how God desires us to understand truths that lead to a fulfilling life, warning against the destructive nature of pride and the consequences of ignoring divine guidance. Nebuchadnezzar's downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the hard lessons learned when one fails to acknowledge God's sovereignty. Smith encourages listeners to heed God's warnings and learn from the experiences of others, as God will ensure that His children learn these vital lessons, whether the easy or hard way. Ultimately, the sermon highlights God's love and commitment to guiding us on the right path.
The Church According to God's Thought (Continued) Ii
By T. Austin-Sparks0The CrossUnity in the ChurchGEN 11:4DAN 4:30PHP 2:7T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that the Cross of Christ removes the curse of Babel, which represents humanity's attempt at self-salvation and glory. He explains that Babel symbolizes the divisive nature of man, where individuals seek fulfillment and peace through their own efforts rather than through faith in Christ. The true essence of the Church is found in recognizing its hopelessness without Christ, yet being filled with hope and glory through Him. Sparks challenges believers to understand that the Cross not only addresses personal struggles but also fosters unity within the Church, transcending human divisions. He calls for a deeper understanding of the Cross's implications in daily life and relationships within the Church community.
Practical Atheism, in Denying the Agency of Divine Providence, Exposed
By Samuel Davies01SA 16:7PSA 73:11PSA 94:6ISA 10:13ISA 45:5JER 5:9EZK 28:2DAN 4:30ZEP 1:12Samuel Davies preaches about the prevalence of practical atheism in denying the agency of divine providence, exposing the consequences of settling on one's own understanding and neglecting God's sovereignty. He highlights the need for repentance, acknowledgment of God's providence in blessings and calamities, and the dangers of ingratitude and impenitence. Davies emphasizes the importance of prayer, reformation, and gratitude towards God, pointing out the wickedness, pride, and arrogance in denying God's rule over the world. He warns of the impending judgment for a country engulfed in atheism and calls for a return to humble acknowledgment of God's providential care.
Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility
By Bob Hoekstra0PSA 138:6PRO 16:18ISA 66:2DAN 4:30DAN 4:33PHP 2:3JAS 4:61PE 5:5Bob Hoekstra preaches on the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar from pride to humility, showcasing God's opposition to pride and grace for humility. Despite being driven into the fields to live as an animal due to his pride, Nebuchadnezzar's understanding returned when he lifted his eyes to heaven, leading him to bless and honor the Most High God. This transformation marked a shift from self-glorification to glorifying the Lord, acknowledging God's will in his life and the consequences of pride. Nebuchadnezzar's restoration to his kingdom after humbling himself serves as a powerful reminder that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Is not this great Babylon - Here his heart was inflated with pride; he attributed every thing to himself, and acknowledged God in nothing. The walls, hanging gardens, temple of Bel, and the royal palace, all built by Nebuchadnezzar, made it the greatest city in the world.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Babylon, that I have built--HERODOTUS ascribes the building of Babylon to Semiramis and Nitocris, his informant under the Persian dynasty giving him the Assyrian and Persian account. BEROSUS and ABYDENUS give the Babylonian account, namely, that Nebuchadnezzar added much to the old city, built a splendid palace and city walls. HERODOTUS, the so-called "father of history," does not even mention Nebuchadnezzar. (Nitocris, to whom he attributes the beautifying of Babylon, seems to have been Nebuchadnezzar's wife). Hence infidels have doubted the Scripture account. But the latter is proved by thousands of bricks on the plain, the inscriptions of which have been deciphered, each marked "Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar." "Built," that is, restored and enlarged (Ch2 11:5-6). It is curious, all the bricks have been found with the stamped face downwards. Scarcely a figure in stone, or tablet, has been dug out of the rubbish heaps of Babylon, whereas Nineveh abounds in them; fulfilling Jer 51:37, "Babylon shall become heaps." The "I" is emphatic, by which he puts himself in the place of God; so the "my . . . my." He impiously opposes his might to God's, as though God's threat, uttered a year before, could never come to pass. He would be more than man; God, therefore, justly, makes him less than man. An acting over again of the fall; Adam, once lord of the world and the very beasts (Gen 1:28; so Nebuchadnezzar Dan 2:38), would be a god (Gen 3:5); therefore he must die like the beasts (Psa 82:6; Psa 49:12). The second Adam restores the forfeited inheritance (Psa 8:4-8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And they shall drive thee from men,.... According to the interpretation of the dream given by Daniel, which this voice from heaven confirms; See Gill on Dan 4:25, where the same things are said as here. , where the same things are said as here. Daniel 4:33 dan 4:33 dan 4:33 dan 4:33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar,.... Whence it appears that this was a true history, and a matter of fact; and not a parable or allegory, as Origen thought, describing the fall of Lucifer or Satan; but relates what befell Nebuchadnezzar himself: nor was the change real as to soul and body; for then he would not have been the same person, not Nebuchadnezzar, and so not he himself punished, but the beast into which he was changed: and though there was a strange alteration, both in his body and mind; in some parts of his body, and perhaps in his voice, in his senses of feeling, tasting, and smelling, in his palate, and appetite, and stomach; in his rational powers, understanding, judgment, and memory; so that he acted like a beast, and choosing to live as one; yet so as to retain the essential parts of a man; his case was, that at once he fell raving mad and distracted, when they first bound him with chains, that he might not hurt himself and others, and afterwards turned him loose into the woods among the wild beasts; or perhaps into one of his parks, among the deer, hares, foxes, and such like creatures; whither he might incline to go, fancying himself to be a beast, and delight to be among them: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen; which he did by choice: so Aben Ezra reports of one in the island of Sardinia, who fled from his parents, and lost his reason, and lived among deer for many years, and went upon his hands and feet like them; and the king of the island going a hunting one day, caught many deer, and among them this man, that was taken for one: his parents came and owned him, and spoke to him, but he answered not; they set before him bread and wine, to eat and drink, but he refused; they then gave him grass with the deer and he ate that; and in the middle of the night made his escape to the deer or the field again. And his body was wet with the dew of heaven: lying all night in the woods or fields without clothing: till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers: thick, black, and strong; the hairs of his head having not been cut, not his beard shaved for seven years: the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "as lions": and his nails like birds' claws: the nails of his fingers and toes were hard, long, and sharp, like theirs, having not been cut during this time; this shows that the seven times are not to be understood of weeks or months, but of years. Some have understood all this as a real metamorphosis, and that Nebuchadnezzar was changed into a beast; the upper part of him was the form of an ox, and the lower part that of a lion, as Epiphanius (h); so Cyril (i) says of him, that he was changed into a beast, lived in a desert, had the nails and hair of a lion, ate grass like an ox; for he was a beast, not knowing who gave him the kingdom; and so others; closely adhering to the letter of the text, but wrongly, for reasons before given: nor is it to be ascribed merely to any natural disease of body, or melancholy in him, by which the fancy may be so disturbed, as for a person to imagine himself a beast; for though this was the case, yet not through any diseases, such as is called the lycanthropy; an much less to any witchcraft, or any diabolical art, exercised on him; but to the mighty hand of God, taking away the use of his reason, and throwing him into madness and distraction for the demonstration of his power, and humbling the pride of an insolent monarch; not but that God could, if it had been his pleasure, have changed him into a brute, as he turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; and as a certain wicked nobleman in Muscovy was turned into a black dog, barking and howling, upon uttering horrible blasphemies against God for some judgment upon him, as Clurerius (k) relates, who had it, he says, from both ear and eye witnesses of it; but such a judgment was not inflicted on Nebuchadnezzar, not are such things usual. Herodotus (l) reports, though he himself did not credit it, of some people among the Scythians, that were every year, for a few days, changed into wolves, and then returned to their former shape again; and Pomponius Mela (m) relates the same of the same people; and the poets frequently speak of such transmutations; but these are all fictions and delusions. (h) De Prophet. Vit. & Inter. C. 10. (i) Cateches. 2. sect. 11. (k) Apud Bucheim Dissertat. de Reg. Nebuchad. in Thesaur. Philol. Dissert. tom. 1. p. 890. (l) Melpomene, sive l. 4. c. 105. (m) De Situ Orbis, l. 2. c. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:30 The city of Babylon had magnificent walls covered with royal blue ceramic tile and gold-colored lions and dragons. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were also part of the city’s splendor, as was the dazzling Ishtar Gate. The king recognized all this as a reflection of his own glory and power, not as a gift of the Most High God.