Daniel 4:19 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Once the dream is applied to him, and it is clear that he is the tree in the dream, there is little more to explain. It is, in effect, as if the message says, “You are the man.” He is judged by his own words, and his own case has already pronounced his sentence.

The matter was so plain that Daniel was astonished for an hour, Daniel 4:19. He was overwhelmed by the fear of such a great judgment coming on such a great king. His body trembled at the greatness of God’s rule. He was also troubled because he had to bring such heavy news to the king, who had shown him so many favors. He would have rather heard such a warning from someone else. He did not wish for that unhappy day, but shrank from it, and the thought of it weighed on him. Those who watch a sinner fall are said to be astonished at his day, just as those who saw it coming, like Daniel here, are struck with fear, Job 18:20.

The first part of the explanation is a respectful word Daniel speaks to the king. The king saw Daniel standing there in amazement and, thinking Daniel was afraid to speak plainly, encouraged him not to hold back: “Let the dream and its meaning not trouble you.” He may have meant this sincerely, as one who truly wanted the truth. Those who seek God’s message must be ready to hear it as it is, whether it supports them or warns them, and they must let God’s servants speak freely.

Or he may have meant it in a careless way, as one who did not care about the warning at all. Later events make us think this may have been his real meaning. In that case, he was saying, in effect, “Do not trouble yourself, because I do not mean to be troubled by it either.” But whether he cared for himself or not, Daniel cared for him. So Daniel’s thought is, “Let the dream fall on those who hate you, not on you.” Even though Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater, a persecutor, and an oppressor of God’s people, he was still Daniel’s king at that time. So even while Daniel was about to speak evil about his future, he would not wish evil upon him.

The interpretation itself is mostly the dream repeated and applied to the king. “The tree you saw flourishing,” Daniel says, “is you, O king!” Daniel 4:20-22. The king would likely have been glad to hear that part, just as he had once been glad to hear, “You are the head of gold,” except for what came next. Daniel shows him his present greatness through the picture in the dream. His power had grown wide, and his rule reached as far as human power could reach, Daniel 2:37-38.

Then Daniel explains the sentence against the tree, Daniel 4:23-24. It is the decree of the Most High coming against the king. He will not only be removed from his throne, but driven away from people. Because his reason will be taken from him, and he will have a beast’s mind, he will live with the animals of the field. He will eat grass like oxen, lie out in the open, and be wet with the dew of heaven. This will last seven times, meaning seven years. After that, he will come to know that the Most High rules, and when he has learned and acknowledged that truth, he will be restored to his kingdom again, Daniel 4:26.

God is called the heavens here because his throne is in heaven, Psalm 103:19, and from there he sees all people, Psalm 33:13. “The heavens” belong to the Lord, and the way the visible heavens influence the earth gives a faint picture of how God rules this world below. We are even said to sin against heaven, Luke 15:18. We can only hope to enjoy our own place and authority, and to use them rightly with others, when we gladly admit God’s right to rule over us and over all we have.

Daniel ends with a godly warning, Daniel 4:27. Whether Nebuchadnezzar seemed troubled or careless, this was the right time for advice. If he was careless, it should wake him up. If he was troubled, it should comfort him. Daniel knew the dream and its meaning might still be a warning that could be turned aside, as Nineveh’s judgment later was.

Daniel gives his advice very gently and respectfully: “O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you.” He asks the king to receive it kindly, as loving and well meant, and not to misunderstand it. Sinners need to be urged toward their own good with care and respect. The apostle also urges people to receive such teaching patiently, Hebrews 13:22. It is a good step when people will at least accept wise counsel kindly, or even bear it patiently.

Daniel’s advice is not that the king should seek medicine for a troubled mind, but that he should break off the sin he is living in and reform his life. He had wronged his own people and dealt unfairly with his allies, so he must stop that and act with righteousness, giving everyone what is due, making right what he had done wrong, and no longer using power to crush justice. He had been cruel to the poor, especially God’s poor and the poor Jews, so he must break off that sin by showing mercy, pitying the oppressed, setting captives free, or at least making their captivity easier. In repentance, it is necessary not only to stop doing evil, but also to learn to do good. We must not only wrong no one, but do good to all.

Daniel supports this advice with a hope, not a promise: it may be a lengthening of your peace. This may not completely prevent the judgment, but it may win a delay, as Ahab’s humble response did, 1 Kings 21:29. The trouble may come later, or it may be lighter when it does come. Daniel cannot assure the king of this, but it may be so. Even the chance of avoiding a temporary judgment is reason enough to leave sin and reform one’s life. How much more should that move us when eternal ruin is at stake. Some read the phrase as “a healing of your error,” meaning that the quarrel may be settled and all may be made right again.