King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:23 Mean?

Daniel 4:23 in the King James Version says “And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy i... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Daniel 4:23 · KJV


Context

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:

22

It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

23

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him;

24

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

25

That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel recounts the dream's judgment section: the holy watcher descending from heaven commanding the tree's destruction while preserving the stump, binding it with iron and brass. He reiterates the transformation—dwelling with beasts, wetness from heaven's dew, eating grass with cattle, heart changed from man to beast for seven times. This careful recounting ensures the king understands what's coming: comprehensive humiliation (tree hewn down), preservation (stump remains), restraint (bound with metal), degradation (dwelling with animals), and duration (seven years). The repetition of 'seven times' emphasizes the judgment's measured nature—it has defined limits, isn't permanent, and serves redemptive rather than merely punitive purposes. God's goal is Nebuchadnezzar's restoration after humbling, not his ultimate destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The binding of the stump 'in the tender grass of the field' reflects ancient agricultural practice where valuable stumps were preserved for eventual regrowth by protecting them from damage. This practical detail grounds the vision in recognizable reality while carrying symbolic meaning: God preserves remnant even while judging pride. The seven-year period in ancient Near Eastern thought represented completeness—sufficient time for thorough transformation. For a king accustomed to luxury, the prospect of dwelling outdoors, exposed to weather, eating grass, living among animals represented complete status reversal. Ancient concepts of kingship as semi-divine made such degradation almost incomprehensible, yet Daniel announces it will occur.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the preservation of the stump teach about God's redemptive purposes even in severe judgment?
  2. How does the seven-year duration demonstrate both the thoroughness and the limits of God's discipline?
  3. Why is it significant that judgment has defined boundaries rather than being permanent or open-ended?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 37 words
וְדִ֣י1 of 37
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

חֲזָ֣ה2 of 37

saw

H2370

to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)

מַלְכָּ֡א3 of 37

And whereas the king

H4430

a king

עִ֣יר4 of 37

a watcher

H5894

a watcher, i.e., an angel (as guardian)

וְקַדִּ֣ישׁ5 of 37

and an holy one

H6922

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

נָחִ֣ת׀6 of 37

coming down

H5182

to descend; causatively, to bring away, deposit, depose

מִן7 of 37

from

H4481

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

שְׁמַיָּ֣א8 of 37

heaven

H8065

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאָמַר֩9 of 37

and saying

H560

to speak, to command

גֹּ֨דּוּ10 of 37

Hew

H1414

to cut down

אִֽילָנָ֜א11 of 37

the tree

H363

a tree

וְחַבְּל֗וּהִי12 of 37

and destroy

H2255

to ruin

בְּרַ֨ם13 of 37

it yet

H1297

properly, highly, i.e., surely; but used adversatively, however

עִקַּ֤ר14 of 37

the stump

H6136

a stock

שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙15 of 37

of the roots

H8330

a root (literally or figuratively)

בְּאַרְעָ֣א16 of 37

thereof in the earth

H772

the earth; by implication (figuratively) low

שְׁבֻ֔קוּ17 of 37

leave

H7662

to quit, i.e., allow to remain

וּבֶאֱסוּר֙18 of 37

even with a band

H613

a bond (especially manacles of a prisoner)

דִּֽי19 of 37
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

פַרְזֶ֣ל20 of 37

of iron

H6523

iron

וּנְחָ֔שׁ21 of 37

and brass

H5174

copper

בְּדִתְאָ֖א22 of 37

in the tender grass

H1883

a sprout; by analogy, grass

דִּ֣י23 of 37
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בָּרָא֙24 of 37

of the field

H1251

a field

וּבְטַ֧ל25 of 37

with the dew

H2920

dew (as covering vegetation)

שְׁמַיָּ֣א26 of 37

heaven

H8065

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

יִצְטַבַּ֗ע27 of 37

and let it be wet

H6647

to dip

וְעִם28 of 37

be with

H5974

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חֵיוַ֤ת29 of 37

the beasts

H2423

an animal

בָּרָא֙30 of 37

of the field

H1251

a field

חֲלָקֵ֔הּ31 of 37

and let his portion

H2508

a part

עַ֛ד32 of 37

till

H5705

until

דִּֽי33 of 37
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

שִׁבְעָ֥ה34 of 37

seven

H7655

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עִדָּנִ֖ין35 of 37

times

H5732

a set time; technically, a year

יַחְלְפ֥וּן36 of 37

pass

H2499

to pass on (of time)

עֲלֽוֹהִי׃37 of 37

over

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


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 4:23 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 4:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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