King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:31 Mean?

Daniel 4:31 in the King James Version says “While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spo...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.”

Daniel 4:31 · KJV

Context

29

At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. in: or, upon

30

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

31

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

32

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

33

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Immediate judgment follows the boast: 'While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.' The timing—'while the word was in the king's mouth'—emphasizes the direct connection between prideful speech and divine response. The 'voice from heaven' represents direct divine intervention. The declaration 'the kingdom is departed from thee' announces immediate deposition. God doesn't gradually reduce the king's power; sovereignty transfers instantaneously. This demonstrates that all human authority exists by divine grant and can be revoked immediately.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings feared divine disfavor manifested through military defeat or physical/mental illness removing them from power. Mesopotamian omen literature sought to predict such events through divination. Nebuchadnezzar's sudden affliction fulfilled predicted judgment. Court officials apparently managed governmental affairs during his illness (v. 36), suggesting administrative structures continued functioning. Historical records show gaps in Nebuchadnezzar's later reign where some scholars speculate this illness occurred, though extra-biblical evidence is inconclusive.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the immediate timing of judgment teach that God responds directly to prideful rebellion rather than overlooking it indefinitely?
  2. What does the sudden removal of kingdom teach about sovereignty as divine gift that can be instantly revoked?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
ע֗וֹד1 of 15

“While”

H5751

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מִלְּתָא֙2 of 15

“the word”

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

בְּפֻ֣ם3 of 15

“mouth”

H6433

the mouth (literally or figuratively)

מַלְכָּ֔א4 of 15

“saying O king”

H4430

a king

קָ֖ל5 of 15

“a voice”

H7032

a voice or sound

מִנָּֽךְ׃6 of 15

“from”

H4481

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

שְׁמַיָּ֣א7 of 15

“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

נְפַ֑ל8 of 15

“there fell”

H5308

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לָ֤ךְ9 of 15
H0
אָֽמְרִין֙10 of 15

“to thee it is spoken”

H560

to speak, to command

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר11 of 15

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מַלְכָּ֔א12 of 15

“saying O king”

H4430

a king

מַלְכוּתָ֖ה13 of 15

“The kingdom”

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

עֲדָ֥ת14 of 15

“is departed”

H5709

to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)

מִנָּֽךְ׃15 of 15

“from”

H4481

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

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 4:31 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 4:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 12:20Revelation 16:7Acts 9:3-51 Samuel 13:141 Samuel 15:23Daniel 5:4-5

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