King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:37 Mean?

Daniel 4:37 in the King James Version says “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: a...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

Daniel 4:37 · KJV

Truth

Context

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?

36

At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's concluding testimony represents the chapter's theological climax: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven." The threefold affirmation—"praise" (meshabbeach, מְשַׁבֵּחַ, to commend), "extol" (merommem, מְרוֹמֵם, to lift up or magnify), and "honour" (mehadar, מְהַדַּר, to glorify)—emphasizes comprehensive worship using multiple Hebrew terms for exaltation. This contrasts starkly with his earlier self-exaltation (v. 30), demonstrating complete transformation from pride to humility.

The title "King of heaven" (Malka shemaya, מַלְכָּא שְׁמַיָּא) acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over earthly rulers. The phrase "all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment" confesses divine perfection in both action ("works are truth") and governance ("ways judgment"). This represents mature theological understanding—God's deeds align perfectly with reality, and His governance reflects perfect justice. Nebuchadnezzar affirms what he previously resisted: God's right to rule and His perfect wisdom in exercising sovereignty.

The concluding statement "those that walk in pride he is able to abase" represents personal testimony from experience. The word "abase" (hashpilah, הַשְׁפִּילָה, to bring low or humble) describes precisely what Nebuchadnezzar experienced. His testimony warns others against pride while testifying to God's power to humble the proud. This points to the gospel's central paradox: Christ humbled Himself and was therefore highly exalted (Philippians 2:8-11), and believers must humble themselves to be exalted by God (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's final testimony (likely near the end of his reign, before his death in 562 BC) represents Scripture's most extensive conversion narrative of a pagan ruler. Unlike Pharaoh who hardened his heart despite repeated warnings, Nebuchadnezzar progresses from grudging acknowledgment (chapter 2) through incomplete recognition (chapter 3) to full confession of God's sovereignty (chapter 4). This theological development spans decades and multiple divine interventions.

The chapter's unique literary structure—a royal proclamation distributed throughout the empire—means Nebuchadnezzar's testimony served evangelistic purposes, proclaiming Yahweh's sovereignty to pagan nations. This fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that through his seed "all nations of the earth" would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Nebuchadnezzar's humbling and restoration demonstrated God's power to bring even the mightiest kings to acknowledge His sovereignty, encouraging Jewish exiles that their God remained supreme despite circumstances suggesting abandonment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nebuchadnezzar's transformation from proud self-exaltation to humble worship model genuine conversion and sanctification?
  2. In what specific areas might God be calling you to acknowledge His sovereignty where you currently assert self-sufficient control?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כְּעַ֞ן1 of 19

“Now”

H3705

now

אֲנָ֣ה2 of 19

“I”

H576

i

נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר3 of 19

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

מְשַׁבַּ֨ח4 of 19

“praise”

H7624

to adulate, i.e., adore

וּמְרוֹמֵ֤ם5 of 19

“and extol”

H7313

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

וּמְהַדַּר֙6 of 19

“and honour”

H1922

to magnify (figuratively)

לְמֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 19

“the King”

H4430

a king

שְׁמַיָּ֔א8 of 19

“of 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

דִּ֤י9 of 19
H1768

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

כָל10 of 19

“all”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַעֲבָד֙וֹהִי֙11 of 19

“whose works”

H4567

an act

קְשֹׁ֔ט12 of 19

“are truth”

H7187

fidelity

וְאֹרְחָתֵ֖הּ13 of 19

“and his ways”

H735

a road

דִּ֑ין14 of 19

“judgment”

H1780

judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife

וְדִי֙15 of 19
H1768

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

מַהְלְכִ֣ין16 of 19

“and those that walk”

H1981

to walk

בְּגֵוָ֔ה17 of 19

“in pride”

H1467

exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance

יָכִ֖ל18 of 19

“he is able”

H3202

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהַשְׁפָּלָֽה׃19 of 19

“to abase”

H8214

to humble

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 4:37 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 4:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 4:6-7Psalms 33:4-51 Peter 5:5-61 Samuel 2:3Deuteronomy 32:4Ezekiel 16:63

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