Daniel 4:5

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

Hebrew Names Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

King James Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

English Standard Version
I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.

New American Standard Bible
"I saw a dream and it startled me; and these appearances as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.

New Century Version
but I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying on my bed, I saw pictures and visions in my mind that alarmed me.

Amplified Bible
"I saw a dream and it made me afraid; and the fantasies and thoughts and the visions [that appeared] in my mind as I lay on my bed kept alarming me.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Saw a dreame, which made me afraide, and the thoughtes vpon my bed, and the visions of mine head troubled me.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.

Berean Standard Bible
I had a dream, and it frightened me; while in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

Contemporary English Version
when suddenly I had some horrifying dreams and visions.

Complete Jewish Bible
Finally, however, Dani'el (renamed Belt'shatzar, after the name of my god), in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, came before me; and I told him the dream:

Darby Translation
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Easy-to-Read Version
I had a dream that made me afraid. I was lying on my bed, and I saw pictures and visions in my mind. These things made me very afraid.

George Lamsa Translation
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Good News Translation
But I had a frightening dream and saw terrifying visions while I was asleep.

Lexham English Bible
And I saw a dream and a revelation on my bed and it frightened me, and the visions of my head terrified me.

Literal Translation
I saw a dream, and it terrified me, and the thoughts on my bed and visions of my head troubled me.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
sawe a dreame, which made me afrayed: ad thoughtes that I had vpo my bed, with the visions of myne heade, troubled me.

American Standard Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Bible in Basic English
I saw a dream which was a cause of great fear to me; I was troubled by the images of my mind on my bed, and by the visions of my head.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and I told the dream before him:

King James Version (1611)
I saw a dreame which made me afraid, and the thoughts vpon my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Sawe a dreame, whiche made me afrayde, and the thoughtes vpon my bed, with the visios of my head, troubled me.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
until Daniel came, whose name is Baltasar, according to the name of my God, who has within him the Holy Spirit of God; to whom I said,

English Revised Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid; the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

World English Bible
I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Y siy a dreem, that made me aferd; and my thouytis in my bed, and the siytis of myn heed disturbliden me.

Update Bible Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Webster's Bible Translation
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

New English Translation
I saw a dream that frightened me badly. The things I imagined while lying on my bed—these visions of my mind—were terrifying me.

New King James Version
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

New Living Translation
But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed.

New Life Bible
But I had a dream that made me afraid. As I lay on my bed the pictures that passed through my mind filled me with fear.

New Revised Standard
I saw a dream that frightened me; my fantasies in bed and the visions of my head terrified me.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
A dream, I saw, and it made me afraid, - and, fancies upon my bed, and visions of my head, terrified me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
5 [2] [fn] I saw a dream that affrighted me: and my thoughts in my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Revised Standard Version
I had a dream which made me afraid; as I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.

Young's Literal Translation
a dream I have seen, and it maketh me afraid, and the conceptions on my bed, and the visions of my head, do trouble me.

Contextual Overview

⁴"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home taking it easy in my palace, without a care in the world. But as I was stretched out on my bed I had a dream that scared me—a nightmare that shook me. I sent for all the wise men of Babylon so that they could interpret the dream for me. When they were all assembled—magicians, enchanters, fortunetellers, witches—I told them the dream. None could tell me what it meant. ⁸ "And then Daniel came in. His Babylonian name is Belteshazzar, named after my god, a man full of the divine Holy Spirit. I told him my dream. ⁹ "‘Belteshazzar,' I said, ‘chief of the magicians, I know that you are a man full of the divine Holy Spirit and that there is no mystery that you can't solve. Listen to this dream that I had and interpret it for me. ¹⁰"‘This is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a big towering tree at the center of the world. As I watched, the tree grew huge and strong. Its top reached the sky and it could be seen from the four corners of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant—enough food for everyone! Wild animals found shelter under it, birds nested in its branches, everything living was fed and sheltered by it. ¹³"‘And this also is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a holy watchman descend from heaven, and call out: Chop down the tree, lop off its branches, strip its leaves and scatter its fruit. Chase the animals from beneath it and shoo the birds from its branches. But leave the stump and roots in the ground, belted with a strap of iron and bronze in the grassy meadow. Let him be soaked in heaven's dew and take his meals with the animals that graze. Let him lose his mind and get an animal's mind in exchange, And let this go on for seven seasons. The angels announce this decree, the holy watchmen bring this sentence, So that everyone living will know that the High God rules human kingdoms. He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes, and makes leaders out of losers. "‘This is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed. It's your turn, Belteshazzar—interpret it for me. None of the wise men of Babylon could make heads or tails of it, but I'm sure you can do it. You're full of the divine Holy Spirit.'" At first Daniel, who had been renamed Belteshazzar in Babylon, was upset. The thoughts that came swarming into his mind terrified him. "Belteshazzar," the king said, "stay calm. Don't let the dream and its interpretation scare you." "My master," said Belteshazzar, "I wish this dream were about your enemies and its interpretation for your foes. "The tree you saw that grew so large and sturdy with its top touching the sky, visible from the four corners of the world; the tree with the luxuriant foliage and abundant fruit, enough for everyone; the tree under which animals took cover and in which birds built nests—you, O king, are that tree. "You have grown great and strong. Your royal majesty reaches sky-high, and your sovereign rule stretches to the four corners of the world. "But the part about the holy angel descending from heaven and proclaiming, ‘Chop down the tree, destroy it, but leave stump and roots in the ground belted with a strap of iron and bronze in the grassy meadow; let him be soaked with heaven's dew and take his meals with the grazing animals for seven seasons'—this, O king, also refers to you. It means that the High God has sentenced my master the king: You will be driven away from human company and live with the wild animals. You will graze on grass like an ox. You will be soaked in heaven's dew. This will go on for seven seasons, and you will learn that the High God rules over human kingdoms and that he arranges all kingdom affairs. "The part about the tree stump and roots being left means that your kingdom will still be there for you after you learn that it is heaven that runs things. "So, king, take my advice: Make a clean break with your sins and start living for others. Quit your wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. Then you will continue to have a good life." All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Just twelve months later, he was walking on the balcony of the royal palace in Babylon and boasted, "Look at this, Babylon the great! And I built it all by myself, a royal palace adequate to display my honor and glory!" The words were no sooner out of his mouth than a voice out of heaven spoke, "This is the verdict on you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your kingdom is taken from you. You will be driven out of human company and live with the wild animals. You will eat grass like an ox. The sentence is for seven seasons, enough time to learn that the High God rules human kingdoms and puts whomever he wishes in charge." It happened at once. Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human company, ate grass like an ox, and was soaked in heaven's dew. His hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a hawk. "At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever: "His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. Life on this earth doesn't add up to much, but God's heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question. "At the same time that I was given back my mind, I was also given back my majesty and splendor, making my kingdom shine. All the leaders and important people came looking for me. I was reestablished as king in my kingdom and became greater than ever. And that's why I'm singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven: "Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman." ¹⁶A Dream of a Chopped-Down Tree King Nebuchadnezzar to everyone, everywhere—every race, color, and creed: "Peace and prosperity to all! It is my privilege to report to you the gracious miracles that the High God has done for me. "His miracles are staggering, his wonders are surprising. His kingdom lasts and lasts, his sovereign rule goes on forever. "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home taking it easy in my palace, without a care in the world. But as I was stretched out on my bed I had a dream that scared me—a nightmare that shook me. I sent for all the wise men of Babylon so that they could interpret the dream for me. When they were all assembled—magicians, enchanters, fortunetellers, witches—I told them the dream. None could tell me what it meant. "And then Daniel came in. His Babylonian name is Belteshazzar, named after my god, a man full of the divine Holy Spirit. I told him my dream. "‘Belteshazzar,' I said, ‘chief of the magicians, I know that you are a man full of the divine Holy Spirit and that there is no mystery that you can't solve. Listen to this dream that I had and interpret it for me. "‘This is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a big towering tree at the center of the world. As I watched, the tree grew huge and strong. Its top reached the sky and it could be seen from the four corners of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant—enough food for everyone! Wild animals found shelter under it, birds nested in its branches, everything living was fed and sheltered by it. "‘And this also is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a holy watchman descend from heaven, and call out: Chop down the tree, lop off its branches, strip its leaves and scatter its fruit. Chase the animals from beneath it and shoo the birds from its branches. But leave the stump and roots in the ground, belted with a strap of iron and bronze in the grassy meadow. Let him be soaked in heaven's dew and take his meals with the animals that graze. Let him lose his mind and get an animal's mind in exchange, And let this go on for seven seasons. ¹⁷ The angels announce this decree, the holy watchmen bring this sentence, So that everyone living will know that the High God rules human kingdoms. He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes, and makes leaders out of losers. ¹⁸ "‘This is what I, King Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed. It's your turn, Belteshazzar—interpret it for me. None of the wise men of Babylon could make heads or tails of it, but I'm sure you can do it. You're full of the divine Holy Spirit.'"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a dream: Daniel 2:1, Daniel 5:5, Daniel 5:6, Daniel 5:10, Daniel 7:28, Genesis 41:1, Job 7:13, Job 7:14

and the thoughts: Daniel 2:28, Daniel 2:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:5 - dreamed Genesis 40:5 - General Genesis 40:6 - behold Genesis 41:8 - his spirit Job 4:13 - thoughts Job 33:15 - a dream Daniel 4:9 - no secret Daniel 4:13 - in the Daniel 4:19 - let Daniel 7:1 - Daniel Daniel 7:15 - the visions Luke 24:38 - and why

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
God said, "What have you done! The voice of your brother's blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you'll get nothing but curses from this ground; you'll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You'll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You'll be a homeless wanderer on Earth."

Numbers 16:15
Moses' temper blazed white-hot. He said to God , "Don't accept their Grain-Offering. I haven't taken so much as a single donkey from them; I haven't hurt a single hair of their heads."

Hebrews 11:4
By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I saw a dream which made me afraid,.... Things were represented to his fancy in a dream, as if he saw them with his eyes, as the tree, its leaves and fruit; the shaking and cutting it down to the stump, c. and though he did not understand the meaning of it, yet he thought it portended some evil, which threw him into a panic; he was afraid that something bad would befall him, though he knew not what: thus God can make the minds of the greatest men uneasy amidst all their glory, pride, and pleasure:

and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me; the thoughts that came into his mind while he was upon his bed dreaming, and the things which were represented to his fancy in his brain, he remembered when awake, gave him a great deal of trouble and uneasiness, what should be the meaning of them, and what would be the issue and event of these things.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I saw a dream - That is, he saw a representation made to him in a dream. There is something incongruous in our language in saying of one that he saw a dream.

Which made me afraid - The fear evidently arose from the apprehension that it was designed to disclose some important and solemn event. This was in accordance with a prevalent belief then (comp. Daniel 2:1), and it may be added that it is in accordance with a prevalent belief now. There are few persons, whatever may be their abstract belief, who are not more or less disturbed by fearful and solemn representations passing before the mind in the visions of the night. Compare Job 4:12-17; Job 33:14-15. So Virgil (Aen. iv. 9):

“Anna soror, quae me suspensam insomnia terrent!”

And the thoughts upon my bed - The thoughts which I had upon my bed; to wit, in my dream.

And the visions of my head - What I seemed to see. The vision seemed to be floating around his head.

Troubled me - Disturbed me; produced apprehension of what was to come; of some great and important event.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Daniel 4:5. I saw a dream — See this dream circumstantially explained in the following verses.