Daniel 4 - Introduction

NEBUCHADNEZZAR's MADNESS

Nebuchadnezzar makes a proclamation to all peoples of the earth, in which he extols the power and greatness of the God of Israel (Daniel 4:1; Daniel 4:34). The occasion of the proclamation is explained in Daniel 4:4. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, which the -Chaldeans" were unable to interpret, but which was explained to him by Daniel. It was a symbolical prediction that a great humiliation would overtake the king: for seven years his reason would leave him; he would be deposed from his high estate, and driven to consort with cattle in the open fields, until he should learn that the Most High was the disposer of the kingdoms of the earth (Daniel 4:4). At the end of twelve months, as the king was contemplating from his palace the city which he had built, the prediction was suddenly verified, and Nebuchadnezzar was bereft of his reason for seven years (Daniel 4:28). At the end of that time he recovered; and as an acknowledgement of God's power and goodness towards him he issued his present proclamation (Daniel 4:34). The actual confession is confined to Daniel 4:2; Daniel 4:37: the rest of the proclamation consisting of a narration of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its fulfilment, which in Daniel 4:19 lapses even into the third person.

The chapter, like the preceding ones, has a didactic purpose. The character of the Chaldaean king is idealized: he is represented as the typical despot, proud, self-sufficient, and godless; and an incident of his life, recorded (probably) by tradition, is made the basis of a narrative illustrating the truth, that -Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). In point of fact, Nebuchadnezzar is shewn by his inscriptions to have been an extremely reverent and religious king (Introd., p. xxv f.); and though, no doubt, in the -India House Inscription" he narrates with pride his buildings in Babylon, he both begins and ends with a full acknowledgement of his dependence upon Marduk, and with prayers for the continuance of his blessing. That he did not know the God of Israel was, naturally, a result of the circumstances of his position.