Font Size
Daniel 4:15-17
New English Translation
Daniel 4:15-17
New English Translation
15 But leave its taproot[a] in the ground,
with a band of iron and bronze around it[b]
surrounded by the grass of the field.
Let it become damp with the dew of the sky,
and let it live with[c] the animals in the grass of the land.
16 Let his mind[d] be altered from that of a human being,
and let an animal’s mind be given to him,
and let seven periods of time[e] go by for[f] him.
17 This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels;
this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones,
so that[g] those who are alive may understand
that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms,[h]
and he bestows them on whomever he wishes.
He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “the stock of its root,” as also in v. 23. The implication here is that although the tree is chopped down, it is not killed. Its life-giving root is spared. The application to Nebuchadnezzar is obvious.
- Daniel 4:15 sn The function of the band of iron and bronze is not entirely clear, but it may have had to do with preventing the splitting or further deterioration of the portion of the tree that was left after being chopped down. By application it would then refer to the preservation of Nebuchadnezzar’s life during the time of his insanity.
- Daniel 4:15 tn Aram “its lot be.”
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.
- Daniel 4:16 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
- Daniel 4:17 tc The present translation follows an underlying reading of עַל־דִּבְרַת (ʿal divrat, “so that”) rather than MT עַד־דִּבְרַת (ʿad divrat, “until”).
- Daniel 4:17 tn Aram “the kingdom of man”; NASB “the realm of mankind”; NCV “every kingdom on earth.”
Daniel 4:15-17
New International Version
Daniel 4:15-17
New International Version
15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[a] pass by for him.(A)
17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(B) is sovereign(C) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(D) of people.’
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.