Self-interpreting Bible

1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, ^aunto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; ^bPeace be multiplied unto you.

• a: Da. 3:4 , Da. 3:29 , Da. 6:25 , Da. 6:27 , Es. 8:9 , Ezr. 4:17 , Ezr. 5:7 , 1Pe. 1:1 , 1Pe. 1:2
• b: 2Pe. 1:2

2 ¹I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

• 1: Chald. It was seemly before me, Jos. 7.19. Nu. 23.5. Ps. 105.2,3. Ac. 2.22. ch. 3.26. , Jos. 7:19 , Nu. 23:5 , Ps. 105:2 , Ps. 105:3 , Ac. 2:22 , Da. 3:26

3 ^cHow great are his signs! and how mighty are his ^dwonders! his kingdom is an ^eeverlasting kingdom, and his ^fdominion is from generation to generation.

• c: Ro. 11:33 , Ps. 92:5 , Ps. 105:27 , De. 4:34 , He. 2:4 , Da. 3:28 , Da. 3:29
• d: Ps. 72:18 , Ps. 86:10 , Is. 25:1 , Is. 28:29
• e: Da. 4:17 , Da. 4:34 , Da. 4:35 , Da. 6:26 , Da. 2:44 , Da. 7:14 , Re. 11:15
• f: Job 25:2 , 1Pe. 4:11

4 ¶I Nebuchadnezzar was ^gat rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

• g: Ps. 30:6 , Ps. 30:7 , Mat. 24:43 , Mat. 24:44 , 1Th. 5:2 , 1Th. 5:3 , Job 20:5

5 I saw a dream ^hwhich made me afraid, and ⁱthe thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

• h: Da. 2:1 , Da. 5:5 , Da. 5:6 , Da. 7:28 , Da. 8:27 , Ge. 41:8 , Job 7:14
• i: Da. 2:28

6 ^jTherefore made I a decree ^kto bring in all ^lthe wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

• j: Da. 3:29
• k: Da. 2:2 , Da. 5:7 , Is. 44:25 , Is. 47:12 , Is. 47:13
• l: Da. 2:12 , Da. 4:18

7 Then ^mcame in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the ^*soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

• m: Ge. 41:8 , Da. 2:1 - 11 , Da. 5:8 , Is. 8:19 , Is. 44:25 , Is. 47:12 , Is. 47:13 , Je. 27:9
• *: soothsayers-those who profess to foretell the future.

8 ¶But at the last ⁿDaniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of ^omy god, and ^pin whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

• n: Da. 1:7 , Da. 5:12
• o: Is. 46:1 , Je. 50:2
• p: Nu. 11:17 , Da. 2:11 , Da. 5:11 , Da. 5:14 , Da. 4:9 , Da. 4:18 , Is. 63:11 , Ps. 25:14 , Mat. 13:12 , Ac. 4:13

9 O Belteshazzar, ^qmaster of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret ^rtroubleth thee, ^stell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

• q: Da. 2:48 , Da. 1:20 , Da. 5:11
• r: Is. 33:18 , Is. 54:14
• s: Ge. 40:8 - 19 , Ge. 41:15 - 32

10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; ²I saw, and behold ^ta tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

• 2: Chald. I was seeing.
• t: Ps. 37:35 , Is. 10:34 , Eze. 31:3 - 18 , Je. 12:2 , Da. 2:37 , Da. 4:20 - 26

11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof ^ureached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

• u: Ge. 11:4 , De. 9:1 , Mat. 11:23 , Da. 4:20 - 22

12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was ^*meat for all: ^vthe beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

• *: meat-food of any kind.
• v: Eze. 17:23 , Eze. 31:6 , Eze. 39:7 , La. 4:20 , Re. 19:17 , Je. 27:6 , Je. 27:7 , Da. 4:21 , Da. 4:22

13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an ^wholy one came down from heaven;

• w: Da. 8:13 , Mat. 18:10 , Mat. 25:31 , Re. 14:10 , vs. 14 , De. 33:2 , Zec. 14:5 , 1Th. 3:13 , He. 7:26 , Ps. 103:20 , Da. 4:17 , Da. 4:23

14 He cried ³aloud, and said thus, ^x*Hew down the tree, and cut off ^yhis branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

• 3: Chald. with might, ch. 3.4. Re. 18.1,21. , Da. 3:4 , Re. 18:1 , Re. 18:21
• x: Ps. 37:36 , Mat. 3:10 , Lu. 13:7 , Da. 4:23 , Da. 4:25 , Da. 5:20
• *: Hew-shape by cutting or chopping.
• y: Je. 51:6 , Eze. 31:12

15 ^zNevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

• z: Job 14:7 - 9 , Hab. 3:2 , Eze. 29:13 , Da. 2:21 , Da. 11:27 , Da. 4:26 , Mar. 5:4 , Mar. 5:5

16 Let his heart ^abe changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and ^blet seven times pass over him.

• a: Da. 4:34 , Da. 4:36 , Is. 6:10
• b: Da. 4:23 , Da. 4:25 , Da. 4:32 , Da. 7:25 , Da. 11:13 , Da. 12:7

17 This matter is ^cby the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the ^dholy ones: to the intent ^ethat the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it ^fthe basest of men.

• c: Da. 4:13 , Da. 4:14 , Da. 4:24 , 1Ki. 22:19 , 1Ki. 22:20 , Da. 7:8 , Da. 7:22 , 1Ti. 5:21 , 2Ti. 2:19 , Is. 46:10 , Ac. 15:18
• d: Da. 4:13
• e: Da. 4:25 , Da. 4:32 , Da. 4:35 , Ps. 9:16 , Ps. 9:20 , Ps. 83:18 , Ps. 75:6 , Ps. 75:7 , Da. 2:21 , Da. 5:21 , Je. 27:5 - 8
• f: Ex. 9:16 , 1Ki. 21:25 , 2Ki. 21:6 , 2Ch. 28:22 , 1Sa. 2:8 , 1Sa. 2:9 , Job 5:17 , Ps. 113:7 , Ps. 113:8 , Ps. 78:70 , Ps. 78:71 , Ps. 12:8 , Eze. 7:24

18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom ^gare not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but ^hthou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

• g: Da. 4:8 , Job 13:4 , Da. 4:2 , Da. 4:7 , Da. 2:40
• h: 1Ki. 14:2 , Da. 2:26 - 48 , Da. 4:8 , Da. 5:11 , Da. 5:14 , Am. 3:7 , Ps. 25:14

19 ¶Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, ⁱwas ^*astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, ^jlet not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, ^kMy lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

• i: Da. 4:9 , Job 18:20 , Da. 7:28 , Da. 8:27 , Da. 10:16 , Da. 10:17 , Je. 4:19 , Hab. 3:16 , Ec. 8:17 , Ro. 11:33
• *: astonied-astonished.
• j: 1Sa. 3:17
• k: 2Sa. 18:32 , Mat. 10:16 , 1Sa. 25:22 , 1Sa. 25:26 , Je. 29:7

20 ^lThe tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

• l: Da. 4:10 - 12 , Ps. 37:35 , Is. 10:34 , Eze. 31:3 - 18 , Je. 12:2 , Da. 2:37

21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was ^*meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

• *: meat-food of any kind.

22 ^mIt is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

• m: Da. 2:37 , Da. 2:38 , Is. 14:13 - 17 , Je. 27:3 - 8 , Je. 25:9 - 33 , Job 20:5 , 1Sa. 13:13 , Mat. 14:4 , Ps. 119:46

23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one ⁿcoming down from heaven, and saying, ^*Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

• n: Ps. 9:4 , Ps. 9:5 , Am. 3:6 , Ro. 1:18 , Da. 4:13 - 15 , Da. 5:21
• *: Hew-shape by cutting or chopping.

24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is ^othe decree of the most High, which is come ^pupon my lord the king:

• o: Ps. 39:9 , Nu. 23:19 , Is. 14:24 - 27 , Is. 46:10
• p: Job 34:19 , Ps. 107:40 , Job 9:12 , Job 9:13 , Job 40:11 , Job 40:12 , Job 5:12 - 14

25 That they shall ^qdrive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, ^rtill thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

• q: Da. 5:21 , Da. 4:14 - 17 , Da. 4:32 , Da. 4:33 , Ps. 106:20
• r: Ps. 9:16 , Ps. 64:9 , Ps. 83:18 , Ps. 58:11 , Da. 4:17 , Da. 4:34 , Da. 4:35 , Da. 2:21 , Da. 5:21 , Ps. 75:7 , Je. 27:5

26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; ^sthy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

• s: Da. 4:15 , Hab. 3:2 , Hab. 3:3

27 ^tWherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, ^uand break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; ^vif it may be ⁴a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

• t: Ge. 41:33 - 36 , 2Co. 5:11 , Ac. 24:25 , Ps. 119:46
• u: Is. 55:7 , Ac. 8:22 , Lu. 11:41 , Is. 58:7 , Is. 58:8 , Eze. 18:7 , Ac. 10:2 , Ac. 10:4 , Pr. 16:6
• v: Ex. 22:30 , 1Sa. 14:6 , 2:14 , 3:9 , Zep. 2:1 - 3 , Ps. 41:1 - 3 , 1Ki. 21:29 , Is. 58:7 , Is. 58:8
• 4: Or, an healing of thine error.

28 ¶^wAll this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

• w: Is. 45:19 , Zec. 1:6 , Nu. 23:19

29 At the end of twelve months he walked ⁵in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

• 5: Or, upon.

30 ^xThe king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the ^yhouse of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

• x: Lu. 12:19 , Lu. 12:20 , Da. 5:20 , Is. 26:10 , Hab. 1:16 , Hab. 2:12 , Hab. 2:13 , Ps. 73:8 , Pr. 16:18 , Ge. 10:10
• y: Am. 7:13

31 While ^zthe word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, ^ato thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

• z: 1Th. 5:3 , Ac. 12:23 , Lu. 12:20
• a: 1Sa. 13:13 , 2Sa. 12:7 , Da. 5:28

32 And ^bthey shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, ^cuntil thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

• b: Da. 4:14 - 17 , Da. 4:25 , Da. 4:26 , Da. 5:21
• c: Da. 4:17 , Da. 4:25 , Da. 4:35 , Is. 5:16 , Is. 26:9 , Is. 26:11 , Ps. 7:16 , Ps. 64:9 , Ps. 83:17 , Ps. 83:18 , Ps. 75:7 , Je. 27:5

33 The ^dsame hour was the thing fulfilled upon ^eNebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and ^fhis body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

• d: Da. 4:19
• e: Nu. 25:8 , Job 20:5 , Ps. 33:8 , Ps. 33:9 , 1Th. 5:2 , 1Th. 5:3 , Da. 5:5 , Da. 4:32 , Da. 4:25 , Da. 4:14 - 17
• f: Da. 5:21

34 And ^gat the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar ^hlifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and ⁱI blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that ^jliveth for ever, whose dominion is ^kan everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

• g: Da. 4:16 , Da. 4:26
• h: Ps. 121:1 , Ps. 25:1 , Ps. 123:2
• i: 2Ch. 20:26 , Ps. 92:1 , Ps. 107:8 , Ps. 107:15 , Ps. 107:21 , Ps. 50:14
• j: Da. 12:7 , Re. 4:10 , Je. 10:10 , Jn. 5:26 , 1Ti. 1:17
• k: Da. 7:14 , Da. 2:44 , Da. 4:3 , Mi. 4:7 , Lu. 1:33 , Ps. 10:16 , Je. 10:10 , Ps. 90:1 , Is. 9:7

35 And ^lall the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and ^mhe doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: ⁿand none can ^*stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

• l: Is. 40:15 , Is. 40:17 , Ps. 39:5 , Ps. 62:9 , Ps. 62:10
• m: Ps. 115:3 , Ps. 135:6 , Ps. 33:9 , Ps. 33:11
• n: Job 42:2 , Job 9:12 , Job 40:2 , Job 40:11 , Job 40:12 , Job 5:12 , Job 5:13 , Is. 14:27 , Is. 43:13 , Is. 45:9 , Is. 46:10 , Ro. 11:33 - 36 , Ro. 9:20 , Ac. 5:39 , Ac. 11:17 , 1Co. 10:22 , Je. 32:17 , Je. 32:27 , Ep. 1:11
• *: stay-stop, hold back.

36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the ^oglory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and ^pmy counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and ^qI was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty ^rwas added unto me.

• o: Da. 2:31 , Da. 2:37 , Da. 2:38
• p: Da. 4:32 , Pr. 16:7 , Pr. 21:1
• q: Da. 4:15 , Da. 4:26 , Da. 4:32
• r: Job 42:12 , 2Co. 4:17

37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar ^spraise and extol and honour the King of heaven, ^tall whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and ^uthose that walk in pride he is able to ^*abase.

• s: Da. 4:34 , Da. 5:4
• t: Re. 15:3 , Re. 16:7 , Ps. 33:4 , Ps. 92:15 , Ps. 145:17 , De. 32:4 , Ge. 18:25
• u: Da. 4:30 , Da. 4:31 , Da. 5:20 , Ex. 18:11 , Job 40:11 , Job 40:12 , Job 9:12 , Job 5:12 , Job 5:13 , Lu. 14:11 , Pr. 16:18 , Ja. 4:6 , 1Pe. 5:5
• *: abase-humble, humiliate.