Page 129 - Daniel

High” is a person. He was probably only contrasting divine or heavenly
rule with earthly rule, such as Nebuchadnezzar exercised, with the
implication that Nebuchadnezzar’s sovereignty was much less than that
of “Heaven.” This matches the overall chiastic structure of chapters 2–7,
since chapters 4 and 5 both announce that “the Most High rules the

kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (4:25; cf. 5:21).
With the interpretation of the dream now clearly presented to

Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel, as a prophet of God, gave a word of solemn
exhortation to the king. With utmost courtesy, he urged Nebuchadnezzar
to turn from his sins and show mercy to the poor. Nebuchadnezzar
undoubtedly had been morally wicked and cruel to those whom he
ruled. His concern had been to build a magnificent city as a monument
to his name rather than to alleviate the suffering of the poor. All of this
was quite clear to Daniel, and the exhortation was faithfully delivered as

this decree went out to Nebuchadnezzar’s entire realm.
This passage has created some controversy because of a mistranslation

in the Vulgate that reads in translation, “Cancel thy sins by deeds of
charity and thine iniquities by deeds of kindness to the poor.” This, of
course, is not what is recorded in the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar
was not promised forgiveness on the basis of good works or alms to the
poor; rather, the issue was that, if he were a wise and benevolent king,
he would alleviate the necessity of God’s intervening with immediate
judgment because of his pride. 24

THE DREAM FULFILLED (4:28–33)

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