Page 126 - Daniel

appearance Nebuchadnezzar experienced. The translators of the
Septuagint reflected this understanding when they translated “seven
periods of time” as “seven years.” Josephus also understood the period
to be seven years in length: “… the king saw in his sleep again another
vision; how he should fall from his dominion, and feed among the wild

beasts, and that when he had lived in this manner in the desert for seven
years, he should recover his dominion again” (Antiquities of the Jews
10.10.6). It is certain that the period is specific and not more than seven
years.

The messenger then concluded his decree and stated its purpose: that
all people would recognize the true God, “the Most High,” and
acknowledge Him as the true ruler of mankind who has the power to
place “the lowliest of men” over earthly kingdoms. That God can set the
lowly in positions of power is a common truth of Scripture (see 1 Sam.

2:7–8; Job 5:11; Ps. 113:7–8; Luke 1:52; and the story of Joseph). This
statement was a direct confrontation of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride in his
own attainments and power.

Nebuchadnezzar finished relating his dream and then appealed to
Daniel to interpret it. The wise men of Babylon were not able to do this,
but the king again expressed his confidence in Daniel. The stage was
now set for Daniel’s interpretation.

DANIEL INTERPRETS THE DREAM (4:19–27)

4:19–23 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