Upside-Down Kingship

I. Introduction

Daniel 4

This is the last of three times that God humbles Nebuchadnezzar.

Where this fits in history: Two possibilities.

Biblically literal view:

Nebuchadnezzar was largely concerned with war, expanding and stabilizing his kingdom, until 580 BC.

He undertook some building projects early, but from 580-570, he was free to focus his attention there: Hanging gardens, Ishtar gate, processional way, etc.

There are no primary historical accounts of Nebuchadnezzar’s doings from 570-563 BC.

There was much controversy around his successor in the final year of his life. Died in 562 BC.

The “quiet window” from 570-563 is the only possible time for this story to have taken place, and it fits.

No wars mentioned.

Starts with him on his roof, impressed with his accomplishments.

There is a lost historical text by the Greek historian Berossus, which is cited by Josephus but has never been found itself, which Josephus says validates this story.

On roof

Struck ill by a foreign god.

Withdrawal from view.

Died shortly thereafter.

Historical-Critical view.

There are multiple ancient primary sources that record the same plot points as affecting Nabonidus, Nebuchadnezzar’s son.

Absent from Babylon for almost all of his reign.

Spent 10 years in Teima. Nobody knows what happened to him there.

Belshazzar, his son, reigned in his place.

“The prayer of Nabonidus,” found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, validates Nabonidus’ repentance and the role of a “Jewish Exorcist” in setting him back in his right mind.

There is one copy of Daniel, also found among the Dead sea scrolls, which does not name Nebuchadnezzar as the king of Ch. 4, but simply says, “the king.”

It could be that a scribe, attempting to add clarity to “the king” added Nebuchadnezzar’s name, but one manuscript is a thin foundation for this view.

Authorship: Only passage in Daniel that is attributed to a different Author: Nebuchadnezzar (vs 1, 4, 34).

The vocabulary does not meaningfully shift from Daniel’s.

The phraseology and structure closely mirror Babylonian edicts

Daniel 4:1 “King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!”

From X to Y (universal appeal)

Peace be multiplied to you.

Peter copies this formula.

1 Peter 1:1–2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

2 Peter 1:1–2 “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

It is very likely that Nebuchadnezzar directed this to be written, providing the content He desired, and that Daniel served as a scribe/composer of the actual text.

Structure

Inclusio: A.… A’

The opening paragraph (vs 1-3) closely parallels the conclusion (vs 34-37).

This chapter is all set in the 1st person, with Nebuchadnezzar’s voice the dominant narrative tool.

However, when God speaks (vs 31-33), that paragraph shifts to the 3rd person.

When God speaks, He is the center of the story.

Main theme of the chapter: “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Vs 17, 25, 32 (Dan 5:21).

II. Body

Daniel 4:1–3 “King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.”

Jewishness of the author shines through, despite Nebuchadnezzar’s attribution: “Signs and Wonders” very Jewish idea.

Decree language meant to include all of Nebuchadnezzar’s domain (Dan 3:7).

“Most High God” a theologically rich term that comes predominantly from Nebuchadnezzar’s speech in Dan.

Daniel 3:26 “Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.”

Dan 4:2, 17, 24, 25, 32, 34.

Also is used by divine beings when speaking to Daniel in Ch. 7.

Nebuchadnezzar was not a classical polytheist.

All nations had their gods.

There was a hierarchy of divine beings.

At the top in Babylonian mythology was Marduk.

Zoroastrianism called the supreme being Ahura Mazda.

By identifying Yahweh as the Supreme being, Nebuchadnezzar is either

converting (history says no)

Acknowledging that Yahweh is immensely powerful, but still under Marduk (the text doesn’t look like this).

Granting Yahweh supreme status over kingdoms and kingship while still being personally devoted to Marduk (most likely).

Henotheism.

He worships Yahweh. Ne never repudiates Marduk.

The dream (vs 4-18)

Daniel 4:4–9 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation. At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.”

Very similar to Ch 2.

Daniel comes in to do what others could not.

Specifically, because Nebuchadnezzar is aware that Daniel is filled with the Holy Spirit.

This does not stop Nebuchadnezzar, in the same breath, from acknowledging Bel as “His god.”

“Bel,” a title, “Lord.”

Marduk, the proper name of the principal deity of Babylonian religion.

Identifies Daniel as “chief of the Magi.”

Asks for the vision and the interpretation, and then goes right into telling the vision.

Unlike Ch 2.

Gives some weight to the manuscript evidence that lacks Nebuchadnezzar’s name.

That manuscript also lacks this seeming blunder in the narration.

Daniel 4:10–18 “The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. He proclaimed aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his mind be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.””

The cosmic tree was a very well-known image in ANE mythology for a king/kingdom.

Ezekiel 31:3-14 judges Egypt and Assyria with the same imagery.

Isaiah 10:33–34 includes the cutting down of other nations as part of the restoration of Israel from the captivity (Parallel in Isa 2:12-13).

Isa 11:1-2 follows immediately saying that the tree symbolizing the Davidic dynasty, which had been cut down, will sprout again in Messiah.

This is seen in positive light in Psalm 1:1-3.

The reason other wise men had not interpreted the dream is likely because the interpretation was obvious, and they didn’t want to give the king the bad news.

Daniel himself doesn’t want to, either (Dan 4:19).

Reminiscent of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11).

Tall, reaching the heavens.

Universal participation.

An affront to God.

Same location!

Watcher:

Hebrew word means: “One who stays awake.”

Only location is scripture where this class of angelic being is mentioned.

Deep Babylonian mythology about “Watchers.” Apkallu.

Babylonian mythology identifies them positively as the bringers of culture to earth, so that men could sustain the kind of society that would know and serve the gods.

Phoenician mythology (Philo of Byblos) has them as a group of angels that observe the actions of men. “Divine spies.”

Appropriate that this term surfaces in the narrative portion that comes from Nebuchadnezzar.

Is it a unique class of being? Apocryphal references are universally as fallen angels:

1 Enoch 1-36. “Book of the Watchers.” The back story behind what happened in Gen 6, who the Nephilim are, and why the conquest of Canaan happened the way it did.

Book of Jubilees (a supernatural explanation of many of the events in Genesis).

Apocryphon of Genesis (similar in purpose to Jubilees). Also describes the back story of Gen 6.

“Damascus Document” another Assyrian account of the fall of the Watchers that reinforces 1Enoch 1-36.

The theme of the chapter shows up in the vision itself: Nebuchadnezzar’s pride is the issue.

The Interpretation (vs 19-27)

Daniel 4:19–27 “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.””

Daniel doesn’t want to bring the king the news.

He has grown to appreciate Nebuchadnezzar over almost 40 years of working with him.

This is the king that brought him into captivity and destroyed his homeland, but Daniel still evidently has affection for him.

This is an example of the Christian virtue of loving one’s enemies, praying for them, and even seeking their welfare.

Daniel works through the dream, interpreting what the images mean.

“Times”

Hebrew: Id-dan.

Not a specific amount of time, although usually inferred to mean a year.

Dan 4 uses it four times in the same context.

Might be 7 years, but might not.

Dan 7:12, 25 both use it. Interpreted as a year, but not bound to that time.

Theme passage occurs again in vs 25

Nebuchadnezzar is exhorted by Daniel to stop oppressing the poor, which can be seen as further evidence that his pride had run away with him.

The execution of the sentence (Dan 4:28-33).

Daniel 4:28–33 “All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.”

God gave Nebuchadnezzar a year to repent. He did not.

Vs 30’s boast helps dial in the timing as after 570 BC.

He is seeking and demonstrating his own glory (parallel to the tower of Babel).

In Dan 2:37, Daniel ascribed the power to set up and glorify Kings as belonging to the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar credits this to his own ability.

God speaks clearly from heaven and passes the sentence. No doubts.

Theme passage in vs 32.

Babylonian Akallu, watchers, were either drawn as fish men or eagle men. Perhaps the description of Nebuchadnezzar with eagle features is meant to reference those who brought the sentence.

This passage alone is in the 3rd person, and Nebuchadnezzar’s voice does not drive the narrative. God is in charge.

Closing (vs 34-37).

Daniel 4:34–37 “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

This echoes and expands the introduction.

Whereas in the introduction, Nebuchadnezzar issues a decree to all the earth, assuming his authority to do so, in the conclusion, it is God who is clearly seen above all kingdoms.

He does not lampoon God’s judgement. He acknowledges God’s right to rule and do as he sees fit.

Is Nebuchadnezzar in heaven?

Probably not.

Dedications and documents, up to and including those associated with his death and the coronation of his son in his place praise the Babylonian gods.

He likely was willing to acknowledge Yahweh as a 1st-tier, or even as a supreme deity over all gods, but not the one to whom he was personally devoted.

Where We See Jesus

Jesus is the humble King, to whom God has given all the kingdoms of the earth.

Daniel 4:17 “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’”

Trend:

Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, was promised kingship.

David, the youngest son of Jesse became king.

Solomon, not Amnon inherited the throne.

Ultimately Jesus’ blood lineage to David went through Nathan, Solomon’s older brother, but not the chosen heir.

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be lowly and despised, yet exalted.

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus is the king of humility, Philippians 2:5–11 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Every fault or flaw in Nebuchadnezzar finds its opposite in Christ.

At the end of Christ’s ministry, before returning to the glories of heaven, Christ announced his installation as the King of Kings.

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Babylonian, Persian, and Parthian emperors would claim the title, “King of Kings.”

Ultimately, this is only true of Christ (Rev 19:18).