Daniel 3 – Related to Head of Gold in Dan. 2

“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.” (Dan. 3:1)

Daniel 3:1-25 – the pride and power of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon is growing

vv. 16-25 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego saved in fiery furnace. 

Daniel 3:26-30 – God confronts and convicts Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 4 – Related to Lion with Wings in Dan. 7

Daniel 4:1-9 – Introduction to Dream

  • V. 1 – God’s testimony against Nebuchadnezzar/Babylon spread to “all peoples, nations, and languages” (compare Rev. 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 17:15)
  • V. 3 – God’s Kingdom triumphed over kingdom of Babylon – foreshadows Kingdom of Christ triumphing over other kingdoms, including the spiritual Babylon of Rev. 16:19; 17:5; 18:10,21.
  • Vv. 7-8 – the Spirit of God proved wiser than the wisdom of the world (see 1 Cor. 2:6-16)

Daniel 4:10-18 – The Dream & 

Daniel 4:19-27 – The Interpretation

  • V. 10 – A tall tree in the earth = Nebuchadnezzar/Babylon (vv. 20-22)
  • V. 11 – The tree grew even stronger and taller = Nebuchadnezzar’s power and glory growing (v. 22)
    • Its glory was known to the whole world (see 2:37-38)
  • V. 12 – The tree was glorious and full of life.
    • All lived underneath its dominion = Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion (v. 22)
  • Vv. 13-14 – Angel delivers God’s judgment (compare Rev. 14:17-20; 16:1)
    • Angel commands the tree to be chopped down = Nebuchadnezzar would be driven away from men (v. 25)
      • Those who lived under its power would be freed 
  • V. 15 – The foundation of the tree would remain = Nebuchadnezzar would still have a kingdom after this humbling happened (v. 26)
    • It was bound with iron and bronze in tender grass.
    • It was wet with heaven’s dew = Nebuchadnezzar being wet by dew.
    • It was humbled, eating food with animals = Nebuchadnezzar lived with animals, even eating grass with oxen (v. 25)
  • V. 16 – His heart was changed from a man’s to a beast’s
    • This lasted for 7 “times” = Happened to Nebuchadnezzar for 7” times” (v. 25)
      • “time” = 1 year (see study on little horn of Dan. 7) 
  • V. 17 – These events will happen to prove that God is true King

Daniel 4:28-37 – Fulfillment of Dream (in Bible):

A year after this dream (v. 29), when Nebuchadnezzar was filled with pride (v. 30), a voice from heaven spoke to him and warned of his punishment of insanity (vv. 31-32).  Soon after the voice spoke, Nebuchadnezzar became insane (v.33), specifically living outside and eating grass and vegetables with animals (v.33), and this lasted, presumably, for 7 years (v. 34).  Then, his sanity was restored (v. 34,36) and he had a revelation that God is the true King (vv.34-35).  He also regained his position as king (v. 36).

Fulfillment of Dream in Secular History:

In one of Nebuchadnezzar’s inscriptions giving an account of his buildings and accomplishments occurs this as read by Sir Henry Rawlinson: “For four years the residence of my kingdom did not delight my heart.  In no one of my possessions did I erect any important building by my might.  I did not put up buildings in Babylon for myself and the honor of my name.  In the worship of Merodach my god I did not sing his praise, nor did I provide his altar with sacrifices, nor clean the canals.”  This is thought by some possibly, to be a euphemistic reference to his insanity, though ancient kings in having their inscriptions made avoided recording such things. (Halley’s Bible Handbook, 344)