King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:14 Mean?

Daniel 4:14 in the King James Version says “He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit:...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: aloud: Cald. with might”

Daniel 4:14 · KJV

Context

12

The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

13

I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

14

He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: aloud: Cald. with might

15

Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

16

Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Read Daniel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The watcher cries aloud with authoritative command: 'Hew down the tree, cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, scatter his fruit.' This violent imagery depicts comprehensive judgment—not pruning but destruction. Yet remnant remains: 'leave the stump of his roots in the earth.' The stump bound with iron and brass suggests both restraint (preventing regrowth) and preservation (protecting against total destruction). The shift from tree to person ('let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him') clarifies the symbol: this concerns Nebuchadnezzar's coming madness. Seven times (likely years) will pass in this condition. This severe mercy—temporary judgment producing repentance rather than permanent destruction—demonstrates God's redemptive discipline. He humbles to heal, judges to restore, brings low to ultimately exalt (after repentance).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical confirmation of Nebuchadnezzar's madness remains debated. No Babylonian records (unsurprisingly) document the king's humiliation—ancient Near Eastern propaganda suppressed any acknowledgment of royal weakness. However, a gap in historical records between 582-575 BC might correspond to this period. The illness described resembles boanthropy or lycanthropy—psychiatric conditions where patients believe themselves to be animals. Modern medicine would diagnose this as a form of psychotic disorder. Scripture presents it as divinely imposed judgment, using natural means (mental illness) for supernatural purposes (humbling pride). The seven-year duration provided sufficient time for thorough humiliation and spiritual transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God preserve the 'stump' rather than destroying the tree entirely?
  2. What does Nebuchadnezzar's temporary madness teach about God's discipline being redemptive rather than merely punitive?
  3. How do severe trials sometimes prove to be 'severe mercies' that produce spiritual breakthrough?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
קָרֵ֨א1 of 19

“He cried”

H7123

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְחַ֜יִל2 of 19

“aloud”

H2429

an army, or strength

וְכֵ֣ן3 of 19

“thus”

H3652

so

אָמַ֗ר4 of 19

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

גֹּ֤דּוּ5 of 19

“Hew down”

H1414

to cut down

אִֽילָנָא֙6 of 19

“the tree”

H363

a tree

וְקַצִּ֣צוּ7 of 19

“and cut off”

H7113

to cut off

עַנְפֽוֹהִי׃8 of 19

“his branches”

H6056

a twig (as covering the limbs)

אַתַּ֥רוּ9 of 19

“shake off”

H5426

to shake off

עָפְיֵ֖הּ10 of 19

“his leaves”

H6074

a twig; bough, i.e., (collectively) foliage

וּבַדַּ֣רוּ11 of 19

“and scatter”

H921

to scatter

אִנְבֵּ֑הּ12 of 19

“his fruit”

H4

fruit

תְּנֻ֤ד13 of 19

“get away”

H5111

to flee

חֵֽיוְתָא֙14 of 19

“let the beasts”

H2423

an animal

מִן15 of 19

“from”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

תַּחְתּ֔וֹהִי16 of 19

“under it”

H8479

under

וְצִפְּרַיָּ֖א17 of 19

“and the fowls”

H6853

a bird

מִן18 of 19

“from”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

עַנְפֽוֹהִי׃19 of 19

“his branches”

H6056

a twig (as covering the limbs)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 4:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 3:10Daniel 4:23Ezekiel 31:12-13Matthew 7:19Luke 3:9Daniel 4:12

Test Your Knowledge

Daniel 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDaniel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Daniel 4 with CommentaryAll Daniel ChaptersComplete Daniel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes