Daniel 4:4

Schlachter Bibel

Alsbald kamen die Schriftkundigen, Wahrsager, Chaldäer und Sterndeuter herbei, und ich erzählte vor ihnen den Traum; aber sie konnten mir die Deutung nicht kundtun,

Parallel Translations

Lutherbible (1912)
Ich, Nebukadnezar, da ich gute Ruhe hatte in meinem Hause und es wohl stand auf meiner Burg,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I Nebuchadnezzar: After he had successfully finished his wars in Syria, Egypt, etc., and the immense improvements and buildings at Babylon, and in the enjoyment of uninterrupted peace and prosperity in his palace.

was: Psalms 30:6, Psalms 30:7, Isaiah 47:7, Isaiah 47:8, Isaiah 56:12, Jeremiah 48:11, Ezekiel 28:2-5, Ezekiel 28:17, Ezekiel 29:3, Zephaniah 1:12, Luke 12:19, Luke 12:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 17:1 - as David Esther 1:2 - sat Daniel 4:19 - let

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house,.... Being returned from his wars, and having obtained victory over the Egyptians, and other nations, and made himself an universal monarch; and now was in entire rest from all his enemies; enjoying himself in his family, and among his courtiers, and nothing to disturb him from any quarter. Josephus b says this was a little after the history of the former chapter; but it must be many years after that: he reigned forty five years; one year after this dream, it came to pass; it was seven years fulfilling, and he lived after his restoration a year or two; so that this must be about the thirty fifth year of his reign. Bishop Usher c and Mr. Whiston d place it in the year of the world 3434 A.M., and before Christ 570; and so Dr. Prideaux e. Mr. Bedford f puts it in the year 569:

and flourishing in my palace: in health of body, in rigour of mind, abounding with riches; indulging himself in all sensual pleasures; adored by his subjects, caressed by his courtiers, and in fame throughout the whole world: a new palace was built by him, of which Daniel 4:30, being, as Dr. Prideaux g says, four times as large as the old one; eight miles in compass; surrounded with three walls; and had hanging gardens in it, he made for his wife.

b Joseph. Antiqu. l. 10. c. 10. sect. 6. c Annales Vet. Test. A. M. 3434. d Chronological Tables, cent. 10. e Connexion, p. 92. f Scripture Chronology, p. 710. g Connexion, &c. par. 1, B. 2. p. 102.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest - Some manuscripts in the Greek add here, “In the eighteenth year of his reign Nebuchadnezzar said.” These words, however, are not in the Hebrew, and are of no authority. The word rendered “at rest” (שׁלה sh^elēh) means, to be secure; to be free from apprehension or alarm. He designs to describe a state of tranquility and security. Greek, “at peace” - εἰρηνέυων eirēneuōn: enjoying peace, or in a condition to enjoy peace. His wars were over; his kingdom was tranquil; he had built a magnificent capital; he had gathered around him the wealth and the luxuries of the world, and he was now in a condition to pass away the remainder of his life in ease and happiness.

In mine house - In his royal residence. It is possible that the two words here - house and palace - may refer to somewhat different things: the former - house - more particularly to his own private family - is domestic relations as a man; and the latter - palace - to those connected with the government who resided in his palace. If this is so, then the passage would mean that all around him was peaceful, and that from no source had he any cause of disquiet. In his own private family - embracing his wife and children; and in the arrangements of the palace - embracing those who had charge of public affairs, he had no cause of uneasiness.

And flourishing in my palace - Greek, εὐθηνῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου μου euthēnōn epi tou thronou mou - literally, “abundant upon my throne;” that is, he was tranquil, calm, prosperous on his throne. The Chaldee word (רענן ra‛ănan) means, properly, “green;” as, for example, of leaves or foliage. Compare the Hebrew word in Jeremiah 17:8; “He shall be as a tree planted by the waters - her leaf shall be green.” Deuteronomy 12:2, “under every green tree,” 2 Kings 16:4. A green and flourishing tree becomes thus the emblem of prosperity. See Psalms 1:3; Psalms 37:35; Psalms 92:12-14. The general meaning here is, that he was enjoying abundant prosperity. His kingdom was at peace, and in his own home he had every means of tranquil enjoyment.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Daniel 4:4. I - was at rest — I had returned to my palace in Babylon after having subdued Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Egypt, and Arabia. It was probably these great conquests that puffed him up with pride, and brought that chastisement upon him which he afterwards describes. See the dream of the emblematical tree explained.