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Daniel 4:35

Daniel 4:35 in Multiple Translations

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?’”

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

And all the people of the earth are as nothing: he does his pleasure in the army of heaven and among the people of the earth: and no one is able to keep back his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?

Everyone who lives on earth is as nothing compared to him. He does whatever he chooses among the heavenly host and among those who live on earth. No one can hold him back from what he does, or ask him, “What are you doing?”

and all who are dwelling on the earth as nothing are reckoned, and according to his will He is doing among the forces of the heavens and those dwelling on the earth, and there is none that doth clap with his hand, and saith to Him, What hast Thou done?

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What doest thou?

All the people in the world are very insignificant; we are not like him. He has the power to do whatever he wants to do, among the angels in heaven and among us people who live on the earth. So no one can stop him [SYN], and no one can challenge him, saying to him, ‘Why are you doing these things?’

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 4:35

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Study Notes — Daniel 4:35

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.
2 Psalms 135:6 The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.
3 Psalms 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
4 Romans 11:33–36 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
5 Ephesians 1:11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
6 Isaiah 43:13 Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
7 Isaiah 40:15–17 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.
8 Matthew 11:25–26 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
9 Acts 4:28 They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
10 Romans 9:19–20 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”

Daniel 4:35 Summary

[This verse, Daniel 4:35, tells us that God is all-powerful and can do whatever He wants, and no one can stop Him or question His actions. This means that whether we are going through good times or bad, God is in control (as seen in Romans 8:28). He loves us and wants what is best for us, even if we do not always understand what is happening. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find peace and comfort, knowing that He is working everything out for our good.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that all peoples of the earth are counted as nothing?

This means that in comparison to God's power and majesty, humanity's strength and accomplishments are insignificant, as seen in Daniel 4:35 and also in Isaiah 40:17, which says that nations are like a drop in a bucket to God.

Can anyone stop God from doing what He wants?

According to Daniel 4:35, no one can restrain God's hand or question His actions, emphasizing His sovereignty and omnipotence, similar to what is stated in Psalm 115:3, which says God does whatever He pleases.

How does this verse relate to the story of Nebuchadnezzar?

This verse is part of Nebuchadnezzar's confession after he experienced a period of humiliation and restoration, acknowledging God's absolute power and control over all things, as told in Daniel 4:33-37.

What does it mean that God does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth?

This phrase underscores God's complete authority over both heavenly and earthly realms, indicating that His will is supreme and unchallengeable, a theme also present in Jeremiah 32:17, which talks about God's power over all things.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does acknowledging God's sovereignty over all things affect my daily life and decisions?
  2. In what ways can I, like Nebuchadnezzar, humble myself and recognize God's absolute power and control?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I might be trying to restrain God's hand or question His actions, and how can I surrender these to Him?
  4. How can I, in my own experiences of restoration and blessing, honor and glorify God like Nebuchadnezzar did?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing,.... That is, by the most high God, in comparison of him; and that not only the common people, but magistrates, princes, and kings, and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 4:35

A due consideration of God’ s infinite greatness makes the creature appear as nothing in comparison of God. Creatures are nothing to help, nothing to hurt, nothing absolutely, nothing in duration, nothing solid and substantial, nothing without dependence, and influence, and support from God. God is I am, and there is none else. Verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah, . Yea, less than vanity, and nothing, . He doeth according to his will, . God only is arbitrary. In the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; being the Lord of hosts, and the only absolute and universal Monarch of the world. None can stay his hand; he is irresistible and uncontrollable, .

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 4:35

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Ver. 35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing.] He who hath seen any part of God’ s greatness will soon see his own vileness and the world’ s nothingness. Disce hominis ουδενειαν, et ut ira dicam nihilitatem.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 4:35

35. are reputed as nothing] better, are as persons of no account (Bevan). The expression is in part, no doubt, suggested by Isaiah 40:17 (where the verb rendered ‘counted’ is the same as that which in the partic. is here rendered ‘reputed’). and he doeth &c.] He rules alike in heaven and earth. the army of heaven] The Aram. equivalent (representing it also in the Targums) for the Heb. ‘host of heaven’—an expression which denotes sometimes the angels (1 Kings 22:19; Nehemiah 9:6 b), sometimes the stars (Deuteronomy 4:19, Jeremiah 33:22, al.; cf. Nehemiah 9:6 a)[246]. Here angelic beings, as opposed to the ‘inhabitants of the earth,’ are doubtless meant: cf., for the general thought, Psalms 103:20. [246] See the art. Host of Heaven in Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible.stay his hand] strike his hand, viz. for the purpose of arresting it. The same idiom occurs in the Targ. of Ecclesiastes 8:4 b (perhaps borrowed from here); it occurs also in the Talm. more than once, in the sense of to forbid, and (with another word for strike) in Arabic as well. See Ges. Thes. p. 782; Levy, NHWB[247] iii. 72. [247] HWB. M. Levy, Neuhebräisches und Chaldäisches Wörterbuch, 1876–89.or say unto him, What hast thou done?] Cf. Isaiah 45:9; Job 9:12; Ecclesiastes 8:4 b.

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing - Are regarded as nothing in comparison with him. Compare Isaiah 40:15, note 17, note.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 4:35

34, 35. This is a dramatic representation of the king’s thankfulness. It is not to be regarded as literally a royal and public proclamation by Nebuchadnezzar of his own insanity and vanity. (Compare note Daniel 4:1-3). The LXX.

Sermons on Daniel 4:35

SermonDescription
William McCrea Why Revival Tarries by William McCrea In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of attending prayer meetings and participating in gospel campaigns. He highlights the significance of prayer in serving God a
Thomas Bradbury Predestination by Thomas Bradbury Thomas Bradbury preaches on the unfailing mercy and inexhaustible patience of God towards His wayward children, highlighting His gracious dealings in restoring, saving, and deliver
A.W. Pink The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink A.W. Pink emphasizes the sovereignty of God as a foundational truth that has been neglected in contemporary discourse. He explains that God's sovereignty signifies His supremacy, k
John Gill Of the Will of God, and the Sovereignty of It. by John Gill John Gill expounds on the will of God and its sovereignty, emphasizing that God's will is essential to His nature and is the guiding force behind all His actions. He distinguishes
Billy Sunday Broken Down Altars by Billy Sunday The preacher delves into the concept of 'Unfathomable', describing it as that which cannot be traced out or comprehended by human minds, using the Greek word 'anexichniastos'. This
John Gill The Moral Nature and Fitness of Things Considered by John Gill John Gill addresses the sermon 'The Moral Nature and Fitness of Things Considered' by Samuel Chandler, critiquing the notion that moral good and evil exist independently of God's w
John Gill Of the Internal Acts and Works of God; and of His Decrees in General. by John Gill John Gill expounds on the internal acts and works of God, emphasizing that God's decrees are eternal, sovereign, and immutable. He explains that God's internal acts, which include

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