DOCSLIB.ORG

Daniel 4 1 Daniel Four Is the Climax of a Long Spiritual Journey, for Nebuchadnezzar

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Daniel 4 1 Daniel Four Is the Climax of a Long Spiritual Journey, for Nebuchadnezzar Wednesday Studies EBC Started October 16, 2013 Daniel 4 1 Daniel four is the climax of a long spiritual journey, for Nebuchadnezzar. In chapter two following the disclosure of the king’s other dream God is acknowledge as the God who stands out among the Gods. (v47). Nebuchadnezzar was most willing to acknowledge him as one of his gods but God’s demand is to be God alone. And till he is such one will never be saved. His unconverted heart is revealed again in chapter 3 as he lauds praise upon God calling Him the most high God but then revealing again his polytheistic heart by declaring, “there is no other God who can deliver like this.” (v29) Further evidence that prior to this chapter the king remains unconverted is seen in the fact that he still is looking to his magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers for spiritual insight (vv 6-7). He still proclaims allegiance to another God in verse 8. Thirdly, the fact that he viewed Daniel as nothing more than a magician even though he called hi the chief magician shows a mind still in the darkness of polytheism. All of that will change when we come to the end conclusion of the chapter. This is indeed a remarkable chapter. Remarkable for its testimony but even more so because it is an official Babylonians state document. The testimony that Nebuchadnezzar gives in this chapter is different from anything he has declared before. Nebuchadnezzar had spoken about the Most High God in chapters 2 and 3 but never in such terms as this chapter. In the second and third chapters Nebuchadnezzar, as it were, takes off his hat to God, stands and salutes Jehovah, acknowledging His mighty acts and His supremacy; but here in this chapter Nebuchadnezzar is doing more than that, he is bending his proud neck in submission to Daniel's God. So in this chapter we have the official state record of one of the great monarchs of all history, his own account of how he, a proud self- willed, ruthless tyrant, was brought to repentance and humiliation before God, and then was restored and- I believe regenerated by the God of all grace. Of course only God can change a human heart like this. Warren Wiersbe introduces this chapter with the following: “This is a unique chapter in the Bible because it’s an official autobiographical document, prepared by the king of Babylon and distributed throughout his vast kingdom1 That Nebuchadnezzar should openly admit his pride, his temporary insanity and his beastly behavior, and then give glory to the God of Israel for his recovery, is indeed a remarkable thing. He learned an important lesson the hard way just as people are learning it the hard way today” “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18 NKJV)”2 I like the remarks of Geoffrey King. “Here we have the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. Does that startle you and shock you? It was a conversion, for conversion means a turning round, and this was a turning round. Now if you ask me whether Nebuchadnezzar was saved or not, I do not know. Certainly he was true to the light God gave him: certainly he repented and humbled himself before God: certainly he became a changed man. And let me go so far as to say this, that it won't surprise me if I run across Nebuchadnezzar in Heaven!3 I might add that I will be surprised if I do not run across him. The proud and willful king of Babylon would never allow such a thing as is recorded in this chapter to be added to the official documents of the kingdom unless his heart has been changed and made new. As to when the events predicted in the dream occurred we are left in the dark though Leon Wood gives us some factors that might help us in determining a general time element. “The time of these events in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign is not indicated, but clues which exist point toward the close of his forty-three year rule. His extensive building operations in Babylon seem to have been concluded by the time (4:30), and possible references to Nebuchadnezzar’s illness from both Abydenus and Berosus… make it late in his life. The 1 Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Daniel 4 footnote Verses 28-33 were written by another hand, but Nebuchadnezzar picks up the narrative in verse 34. Daniel himself may have written verses 28-33 and inserted them in the official royal document. Luke followed a similar approach in Acts 23:25-30. Neither the Babylonian king nor the Roman officer was inspired by the Spirit when they wrote , but Daniel and Luke were led to include their writings in what we know as Holy Scripture. 2 Wiersbe bible Commentary, O.T., Daniel, Warren Wiersbe, p 1356, David Cook. 3 Daniel , Geoffrey R. King, P 93, Eerdmans Wednesday Studies EBC Started October 16, 2013 Daniel 4 2 dream cannot be place later than his thirty fifth year of rule, however, for the insanity lasted seven years and he was back on the throne for at least a short time after the recovery. The factors together place the time of the dream likely between the thirtieth and thirty fifth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, when Daniel was between forty-five and fifty years old,…4 My only objection to the factors just presented is that the twelve month lapse between the dream and the commandment of its fulfillment does not seem to be factored in. (see v 29) herefore I would conclude the dream could not have occurred later than the thirty-fourth year of his reign. I. NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DECLARATION 1-3 Verses 1-3 serve as a preamble to what follows. This preamble gives us a summary statement as why the proclamation is written. The remainder of the chapter gives us the substance leading to it being written. As Donald Campbell quips: The introduction is actually a conclusion! Chronologically, these opening words belong at the end of the chapter because they grow out of Nebuchadnezzar's experiences that are recorded in the following paragraphs. But the king was so overwhelmed by God's dealings with him that, humiliating though it was, he wanted the world to know about it.5 A. The People 1 “Nebuchadnezzar the king, - This gives force to everything that will be said. It also sets the tone for this written, for the most part, in first person. This is not being written about the king but by the king. To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: This proclamation is to all men without regard to their person, their nationality or their native language. This proclamation should remind us that we likewise have a proclamation that is to go to all men everywhere. We have been commissioned and commanded to preach and thereby make disciples from all nations. (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20) Think about what he is saying. First, this is his royal proclamation, his personal witness of the saving hand of the Most High God. This is Nebuchadnezzar's "tract" if you will, of how his personal encounter with the one true and living High God. And He’s not only the God of one nation or one people, but He is also the Lord God, the mighty Sovereign and King of all the nations and of all the peoples of the world. Second, notice that he is not ashamed to share his conversion with others. Third, note that he is sharing his testimony with the entire world (all the peoples...in all the earth). One wonders how this was received by the pagan idol worshipping Babylonians, not to mention all the rest of the world. As we have alluded to before, the famous "wise men" from the East who worshipped at the foot of Christ's birthplace had to have heard about the Messiah from someone (Mt 2:2, 11). Given that Nebuchadnezzar's testimony is given in a way that gives God alone the glory, there is no doubt that God's Spirit used it to make significant impact on all the earth. Of course, all the earth clearly was not converted but this chapter suggests that they did at least have an opportunity to hear about the great and mighty Most High God Who is able to deliver one from darkness to light, from the dominion of Satan to God (Acts 26:18, Col 1:13-note, cp Heb 2:14, 15) and unto His everlasting kingdom and eternal dominion.6 4 A Commentary on Daniel Leon Wood, p 99, Zondervan. 5 Campbell, D. Daniel God's Man in a Secular Society - well written, practical, recommended) 6 Preceptaqustin.org/Daniel 4 commentary .htm Wednesday Studies EBC Started October 16, 2013 Daniel 4 3 Peace be multiplied to you. Many have pointed out the fact that this opening sounds very similar to the greeting with which we are so familiar from the Apostle Paul. It appears to have been a common form of greeting in the ancient world. We find it occurring again in the is book in 6:25 spoken by Darius the Mede. Other examples of this greeting can be found in both Old and New Testaments.7 B. The Purpose 2 I thought it good Please not again that the most of this chapter is written in the first person singular. (“I’ me” “my”8) and therefore it is essentially an autobiographical synopsis of his crown, conceit, chastisement, and conversion.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sovereign God, Daniel 4:28-37 What Is God Really Like #5
    Sovereign God, Daniel 4:28-37 What is God Really Like #5 ✦Intro: Modern research has show that Nebuchadnezzer was the greatest monarch that Babylon or perhaps the East generally, has ever produced. He must have possessed an enormous command of human labor for nine tenths of Babylon itself and 19/20ths of all other ruins that in almost countless profusion cover the land, are composed of bricks stamped with his name. He appears to have built or restored almost every city and temple in the whole country. His inscriptions give an elaborate account of the immense works which he constructed in and about Babylon itself, abundantly illustration the boast, “Is not this great Babylon which I have built?” (Rawlinson, Historical Illustrations) Many inscriptions in cuneiform have been found, which describe the city. There is also an account by the Greek historian Herodotus, who visited the city of Babylon in about 460 BC. Here are some interesting things he recorded: ✦-The city was laid out in the form of a square, 14 miles on each side, and of enormous magnitude ✦-The brick wall was 56 miles long, 300 feet high, 25 feet thick with another wall 75 feet behind the first wall, and the wall extended 35 feet below the ground ✦-250 towers that were 450 feet high 1 Sovereign God, Daniel 4:28-37 What is God Really Like #5 ✦-A wide and deep moat that encircled the city ✦-The Euphrates River also flowed through the middle of the city. Ferry boats and a 1/2 mi. long bridge with drawbridges closed at night ✦Golden image of Baal and the Golden Table (both weighing over 50,000 lbs of solid gold.) ✦-2 golden lions, a solid gold human figure (18 feet high) ✦Nebuchadnezzar was our kinda guy.
    [Show full text]
  • Daniel for Individuals Or Groups Start of Old Testament Period Creation
    IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD 11 STUDIES IN DANIEL FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS START OF OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD CREATION ADAM & EVE THE FALL Please do not republish republish not do Please NOAH THE FLOOD | BABEL ABRAHAM (c. 2165-1990) visualunit.me ISAAC (c. 2065-1885) | JACOB (c. 2000-1860) JOSEPH (c. 1910-1800) MOSES (c. 1525 - 1405) THE EXODUS (c. 1450) JOSHUA THE LAW THE PROMISED LAND BIBLE TIMELINE © Mark Barry 2008 All use. personal for copy to free feel but permission, without approximate. are dates THE JUDGES (c. 1380-1050) SAUL (reign 1050-1010) DAVID (reign 1010-970) SOLOMON (reign 970-930) THE TEMPLE (966) REHOBOAM (reign 930-913) JEROBOAM I (reign 930-909) SOUTHERN KINGDOM: JUDAH NORTHERN KINGDOM: ISRAEL ELIJAH (875-848) ISAIAH (740-681) ELISHA (848-797) MICAH (750-686) JONAH (785-775) KINGDOM HOSEA (750-715) JEREMIAH (626-585) DIVIDED OBADIAH (605-585) (922) EZEKIEL (593-571) 1st DEPORTATION (597) EXILE TO DANIEL (605-530) ASSYRIA 2nd DEPORTATION (586) JERUSALEM DESTROYED (722) EXILE TO 1st RETURN (538) BABYLON under ZERUBBABEL ZECHARIAH (520-480) (597-432) 2nd RETURN (458) under EZRA MALACHI (440-430) LAST RETURN (432) under NEHEMIAH END OF OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS (432-5 BC) START OF NEW TESTAMENT PERIOD JESUS BORN (5 BC) JESUS BEGINS PUBLIC MINISTRY (26 AD) JOHN THE BAPTIST JESUS’ DEATH, RESURRECTION + ASCENSION (30) PENTECOST (30) PAUL CONVERTED (35) 1st MISSIONARY JOURNEY (46-48) JAMES MARTYRED + PETER IMPRISONED (44) 2nd MISSIONARY JOURNEY (50-52) JERUSALEM COUNCIL (49-50) 3rd MISSIONARY JOURNEY (53-57)
    [Show full text]
  • Daniel 4 God Reigns!
    Daniel 4 God reigns! Prayer for illumination: Introduction: Right now, Chinese Christians are facing the worst persecution they have faced since 1982. In the last few months hundreds of Churches have been shut down. Authorities recently raided churches in the Henan province kicking down doors, tearing down crosses, and destroying church property. Afterwards church doors were locked permanently. Those who resisted were beaten or hauled off to prison. The pastors who refused to promote the communist party are thrown in Jail. Others are sent to communist re-education camps. Who is behind this? Chinese president Xi Jinping (she jin ping) the most powerful leader in China since Mao. I’m sure the Christians in China are discouraged and probably wondering if God is still in control. This brings us to Daniel chapter 4. The Jews to whom this book was written were prisoners in Babylon. After their capital city was sacked by King N. they were deported to Babylon to live under the rule of an evil tyrant. They wondered if God was still in control. If God was still good. Have you ever wondered this? Maybe you wonder why Obama ran our country for eight years, or why Trump runs our country now, or why the recent supreme court confirmation hearings have been such a circus? When we don’t like the direction of our leaders, or the circumstances they put us in, we wonder if God still in control? Daniel 4 answers this question. Through King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its fulfillment, we are reminded that God rules the nations.
    [Show full text]
  • Chiasmus of Daniel 2 - 7 Nebuchadnezzar’S Dream Babylon Daniel 2 Daniel 2:4B-7:28 Is Written in Aramaic Not Hebrew SILVER 1
    Vision of the Four Beasts Chronology of and the Eternal Dominion The Book of Daniel of the Son of Man Jeremiah Daniel 7 70 Years (Jeremiah 25:8-14) 70 = 490/7 years of Sabbaths for the land (2 Chronicles 36:21) Darius Evil-Merodach (Medes) Nebuchadnezzar Belshazzar … Cyrus (Persians) 586 605 562 553 539 535 first Ezekiel return deportation 553 BC under 585 BC Four Beasts Zerubbabel 605 BC Fall of Tyre Little Horn Daniel refuses Ancient of Days 538-534 BC delicacies 587 BC (Ch 7) Lion’s Den (Ch 1) Golden Image (Ch 6) 571-562 BC Fiery Furnace 551 BC 603 BC Nebuchadnezzar’s 539 BC ~534 W. Cochran (Ch 3) Ram & Goat Great Statue judgment Writing on Wall Kings N/S [email protected] (Ch 8) (Ch 2) (Ch 4) 70 Weeks Time of End (Ch 5, 9) (Ch 10-12) 1 2 Five Kingdoms of GOLD Nebuchadnezzar Chiasmus of Daniel 2 - 7 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Babylon Daniel 2 Daniel 2:4b-7:28 is written in Aramaic not Hebrew SILVER 1. Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar v 37, 38) Media • A : Dream of four kingdoms replaced by a fifth (Ch 2) Persia 2. Media / Persia • B : Daniel’s three friends in fiery furnace (Ch 3) Bronze Greece 3. Greece • C : Daniel’s interpretation of dream for Nebuchadnezzar (Ch 4) • C : Daniel’s interpretation of handwriting on wall for 4. Rome (which becomes divided) Iron Belshazzar (Ch 5) Rome 5. Millennial / Eternal Kingdom B : Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Ch 6) break & • consume • A : Vision of four kingdoms replaced by a fifth (Ch 7) Iron & Clay 3 4 Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts Kingdoms in Daniel Daniel 7:1-8 Nebuchadnezzar’s Daniel’s Vision of “beasts came of from the sea” v.2 Kingdom Dream of Statue Four Beast Daniel 8 • Daniel 2 Daniel 7 • First beast of Revelation 13 Lion with Babylon Head of Gold rose “out of the sea” eagle’s wings Bear raised up on Chest and arms 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Redeemer Daniel Study Guide.Indd
    A STUDY GUIDE Dear Redeemer Church Family, This semester we are going to work through the Book of Daniel. It’s fi lled with heroic stories, historical events, heavenly perspectives on current and future events; and while this book was written in the 6th century BC, it’s still incredibly relevant for us today. Daniel was taken into exile as a teenager and spent the majority of his life in a culture completely opposed to God, yet he remained faithful. If you’re like me, it can feel like our world is pushing harder and harder against those who live to follow Jesus. It can be discouraging. It can feel hopeless. And we can wonder if there’s a way forward. STUDY GUIDE Thankfully, nothing we’re going through can compare to what Daniel and his friends went through, which means if there was hope for them, then there’s hope for us! So, my prayer is that you’ll dive into Daniel, learn applicable lessons, grasp gospel-truths, and see a way forward to thrive in our current culture. In Christ, Jeff Martin How to Use this Guide For the next few months, the Redeemer Preaching Calendar will center on the book of Daniel. This guide, however, is not for the purpose of going deeper into the sermon, but to go deeper into the text before you listen to the sermon. Each week has two main components: Personal Study and Questions for Discussion; and there will also be other helpful tools thrown in from time-to-time. The “Personal Study” can be taken at your own pace, but it’s recommended to pick one day, hunker down, read the whole chapter, and answer the provided questions corresponding to each section of Scripture.
    [Show full text]
  • POINT Introduction Understand
    Silverdale Baptist Church STAND. A STUDY IN DANIEL • STAND DOWN • DANIEL 4 • 6/20-21/2020 MAIN POINT People may rule on earth, but God rules the universe. We are not God. Introduction Do you enjoy hearing people tell you about what God is doing or has done in their lives? Outside of your own, whose testimony has impacted you the most? Why? You are about to study the personal testimony of a pagan Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 4 is his own testimony, written almost 2600 years ago. This ancient document tells the story of one man’s miraculous encounter with the God who rules the universe. Understand HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ DANIEL 4:1-3 What does Nebuchadnezzar tell you this chapter is about? How does Nebuchadnezzar describe God? HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ DANIEL 4:4-18 This is Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream. How does he describe what he saw? How did the king describe the tree in his dream? Who is speaking in the king's dream? What does the watcher or holy one order done to the tree? Page 1 of 6 In verse 15 the description changes from a tree to a man. What happens to the man, and for how long? HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ DANIEL 4:19-27 Daniel 1:1-18 is written in the first person. Nebuchadnezzar is describing first-hand what he saw and heard. In verses, 19-33 are written in the third person with someone telling his story for him. Nebuchadnezzar picks up the narrative again in verse 34 and finishes his story.
    [Show full text]
  • The Visions of Daniel
    The Dreams & Visions of the Prophet Daniel Jeff Asher © 2003 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Daniel 2:31–45 I. INTRODUCTION: A. Who Was Daniel And How Did He Come to Be in Babylon? 1. A man of great faith (1:8; 6:10) 2. A prophet of God (2:30) 3. A son of the royal house of Judah (1:1–6) 4. A captive of the children of Judah in Babylon (Daniel 1:1, 21; 10:1; Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10) B. The Circumstances of this Particular Vision: 1. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream (2:1). 2. He called for his diviners to tell and interpret its meaning and they could not (2:2–9). 3. The king decrees that all his “wise men” be put to death (2:10–13). This decree included Daniel. 4. Daniel asks for time to ask God the interpretation (2:14–23). 5. Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar and praises Jehovah for the revelation and proceeds to give it (2: 24–30). C. What Did Nebuchadnezzar Dream? 1. A great image in the form of a man (2:31–35). 2. The image composed of four elements: gold, silver, brass, iron mixed with clay. 3. A stone cut out without hands which struck the image, broke it into pieces and grew until it filled the whole earth. II. DISCUSSION: A. The Four Elements Represent Four Kingdoms in Succession–– 1. The head of gold is Nebuchadnezzar (2:38). 2 2. The breast and arms of silver are an inferior kingdom (2:39). 3. The belly and thighs of brass shall bear rule over all the earth (2:39).
    [Show full text]
  • 1. the Great Feast of Belshazzar in Exile
    Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1. The great feast of Des Moines, WA Belshazzar August 12, 2012 We hear the first reference to King Belshazzar in this chapter of Daniel. Up until this point in the Daniel 5 book, King Nebuchadnezzar has been the king. He was the one who invaded Palestine, pillaged A Last Lesson from Babylon on VBS Sunday the city of Jerusalem, and carried off the nation 1. The great feast of Belshazzar in exile. After the events of Daniel 4, a lapse of 2. Lessons the Lord would have us about 30 years until the time of Belshazzar had gone by. He was the grandson of learn from it Nebuchadnezzar, and since his father had an archaeology interest and not a big interest in Hymns: 226 – 732 – 379 – Closing: 331 ruling, he had formed a co-regency with his son Belshazzar. All Scripture quotations from NIV 1984 The action of this chapter begins as Belshazzar throws a huge feast. We hear that he invited 1,000 of his nobles to this party, along with his This week we went back in time. Our Vacation wives and the women of his harem. Why would Bible School went back in time about 2,500 he be throwing a feast like this? Especially years to the time of the OT believer Daniel, who knowing the end of the chapter, where the city is lived in Babylon. overrun that very night by the armies of the Daniel lived during the time that God’s people Medes and Persians, we might wonder why this were in exile far from home in Babylon.
    [Show full text]
  • Return of Rule of Christ Daniel 1-4 Old Testament Timeline Daniel Initial
    Old Testament Timeline First Temple First Temple Return of Rule of Christ 957 Destroyed 586 Kings Daniel 1-4 Exodus 722 Canaan Egypt Judges 586 W. Cochran Alexander 2000 BC Moses 1000 BC Babylon Greece Abraham David Medes Assyria Persians Rome Daniel Initial Timeline Pride of Nebuchadnezzar • 612 : Assyrian capital Nineveh overrun by Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar had his name repeatedly • 609 : King Josiah killed by Egyptians in Battle of Megiddo (2 Kings 23:28-30). pressed into the bricks of the city of Babylon he had rebuilt, so his bricks are a common • Egyptians install Jehoiakim as king (2 Kings 23:34-36). sight in history museums around the world. • 605 : Battle of Carchemish : Assyrians allied with Egyptians were defeated by “Is not this great Babylon, which I have Nebuchadnezzar II’s army. built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my • 597 : Siege of Jerusalem. First deportation of Jews (2 Kings 24) majesty?” Daniel 4:30 • Zedekiah installed as tributary king but revolts and joins alliance with Egypt. “I built a strong wall that cannot be shaken with 589-586 : Siege of Jerusalem. Destruction of temple and city (2 Kings 25) bitumen and baked bricks… I laid its foundation • on the breast of the netherworld, and I built its top as high as a mountain… The fortifications of • Zedekiah was blinded, bound, and taken captive to Babylon where he remained as Esagila and Babylon I strengthened and prisoner until his death (2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 52:10,11). established the name of my reign forever.” • The elite were taken into Captivity in Babylon Cuneiform cylinder with inscription of Nebuchadnezzar describing the construction of the outer wall.
    [Show full text]
  • Daniel 4.1-37, Learning the Hard Way That God Is God and We Are Not Manuscript
    Learning The Hard Way That God is God And We Are Not Daniel 4:1-37 Introduction 1) C. S. Lewis calls it “the great sin” and with good reason. It is the sin that lead to the fall of Satan. It is the sin that led to the fall of humanity and drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Of this sin Lewis said, “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault that makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility….According to Christian teachers, the 1 essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” (Mere Christianity, 108-109).
    [Show full text]
  • Daniel 7:17-18 Daniel 7:17-The Four Great Beasts Represent Four Kings Arising from the Earth's Inhabitants the Four Great Beas
    Daniel 7:17-18 Daniel 7:17-The Four Great Beasts Represent Four Kings Arising From the Earth’s Inhabitants The Four Great Beasts Represent Four Kings From the Earth Daniel 7:17 “‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth.’” (NASB95) This verse is composed of the plural form of the demonstrative pronoun ʾil·l ên il-lane´ ), “ these ” which is modifying the feminine plural form of the noun ) ( אִלֵּין) khay-vaw´ ), “ beasts ” which is modified by the masculine singular ) ( חֵיוָה) (ḥê·wā(h ,( dee) ( דִּי) rab), “ great ” which is followed by the particle dî) ( רַ ב) adjective rǎḇ “which ” and then we have the third person feminine plural form of the pronoun in-noon´ ), which is not translated and followed by the masculine ) ( אִנּוּן) ʾin·n ûn ar-bah´ ), “ four ” and then once again we have the ) ( אַרְ בַּע) singular number ʾǎr·bǎʿ ar-bah´ ), “ four ” which is modifying the ) ( אַרְ בַּע) masculine singular number ʾǎr·bǎʿ meh´-lek ), “ kings ” and then we ) ( מֶלֶ) masculine plural form of the noun mě·lěḵ have the third person masculine singular pe ʿal (Hebrew: qal) active imperfect form koom ), “ will arise ” and then we have the preposition min ) ( קוּם) of the verb qûm ,( ´ar-ah ) ( אֲרַ ע) min), “from ” and its object is the feminine singular noun ʾǎrǎʿ) ( מִן) “the earth .” Asyndeton Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Daniel is employing the figure of “asyndeton” in order to mark a transition from Daniel’s request for an interpretation from the unidentified individual in the vision to this individual providing Daniel the vision’s interpretation.
    [Show full text]
  • Nebuchadnezzar's Deficits in Daniel 4:27 and His Response to Divine Promptings
    Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 24/2 (2013):59-74. Article copyright © 2013 by Patrick Mazani. Nebuchadnezzar’s Deficits in Daniel 4:27 and His Response to Divine Promptings Patrick Mazani Bowling Green Seventh-day Adventist Church Bowling Green, Ohio Humans generally find it easier to point out other people’s errors than to name their own. Criticizing others is an exercise in futility with this exception: it is possible to learn from the mistakes of others if we study from cause to effect and learn in our own lives the lessons taught by the errors of others, and the consequences resulting from those errors. It is with this exceptional aim in view that we shall contemplate the moral deficits of a man who lived in antiquity, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (605-562 BC). Our discussion of Nebuchadnezzar’s faults is not for the purpose of a postmortem conviction and condemnation of the irascible potentate–no matter how deserving of execration some might believe him to be. This discussion intends to accomplish three things: • to better understand God’s character as seen in His dealings with Nebuchadnezzar • to demonstrate the importance and value of receiving and submitting to God’s warnings and counsels • to enable and encourage the interested reader to escape such consequences as Nebuchadnezzar experienced We begin by raising a few questions: 59 JOURNAL OF THE ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY • What crimes did Nebuchadnezzar commit that merited the drastic punishment of seven literal years of exile from human habitations– feeding on grass and living in the fields with the animals (Dan 4:23, 25)? 1 • What code of laws can one use to measure Nebuchadnezzar’s moral integrity, or lack thereof? 2 • What does Daniel mean when he speaks to Nebuchadnezzar of “your sins” and “your iniquities”? (Dan 4:27).
    [Show full text]