Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar* — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Babylonian king (605–562 BC) who captured and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. He was the son of Nabopolassar and the foremost ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (612–539 BC); his name is alternately spelled Nebuchadrezzar in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (see NLT mg).

Nebuchadnezzar states that he conquered all of “Hatti-country,” which is a term used for all of Palestine and Syria, including Judah. Jehoiakim had been made king of Judah by Pharaoh Neco (2 Kgs 23:34) and initially submitted to Nebuchadnezzar (24:2; cf. Dn 1:1-2), but three years later rebelled. Jehoiakim died and his son Jehoiachin succeeded to the throne (2 Kgs 24:6); however, he reigned for only three months. Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem in 598 BC and took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon (vv 10-17). He replaced Jehoiachin with his Uncle Mattaniah, whom he renamed Zedekiah (2 Kgs 24:17; 2 Chr 36:10).

Show passage in OET: KI2 23:34

OET-RV KI2 23:34

34 Then Nekoh appointed Yoshiyah’s (Josiah’s) son Elyakim as the new king but changed his name to Yehoyakim. Then he took Yehoahaz to Mitsrayim (Egypt) where he eventually died.

OET-LV KI2 23:34

34 And_ Parˊoh Nəkoh _he _made _king DOM ʼElyāqīm the _son _of Yoʼshiy^yāh/(Josiah) in _place _of Yoʼshiy^yāh his/its_father and_he _changed DOM his/its_name Yəhōyāqīm/(Jehoiakim) and_DOM Yəhōʼāḩāz he _took and_he _came Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_he/it _died there.

Show passage in OET: KI2 24:2

OET-RV KI2 24:2

2 Then Yahweh sent troops of Kasdim (Chaldeans), troops from Aram (Syria), troops from Moav (Moab), and Amoni troops against Yehudah (Judah) at different times to destroy them, just as Yahweh had said through his servants the prophets.

OET-LV KI2 24:2

2 And_ YHWH _he _sent in/on/over_him/it DOM the _marauding _bands _of the_ones_from _Kasdiy and_DOM the _marauding _bands _of ʼArām and_DOM the _marauding _bands _of Mōʼāⱱ and_DOM the _marauding _bands _of the _people _of ˊAmmōn and_he_sent _them on_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) to_destroy_it according_to _the _message _of YHWH which he _had _spoken by_the _hand _of his _servants _of_his the_prophets.

Show passage in OET: DAN 1:1–2

OET-RV DAN 1:1

1 In the third year of Yehudah’s (Judah’s) King Yehoyakim’s reign, Bavel’s (Babylon’s) King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) came to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and besieged the city.

OET-RV DAN 1:2

2 After two years, the master allowed King Yehoyakim to be defeated by Nevukadnetsar who then took some of the items out of the temple and took them to Shin’ar where he placed them in his god’s temple storerooms.

OET-LV DAN 1:1

1 In_year three of_(the)_reign of _Yəhōyāqīm/(Jehoiakim) the _king _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) Nəⱱūkadneʦʦar the _king _of Bāⱱel he _came Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_he/it _laid _siege on_it.

OET-LV DAN 1:2

2 And_ my_master _he/it _gave in_his/its_hand DOM Yəhōyāqīm the _king _of Yəhūdāh and_from_(the)_sum of _the _vessels _of of _the _house _of the_ʼElohīm and_he/it _brought_them the _land _of Shinˊār the _house _of his/its_god and_DOM the_vessels he _brought the _house _of the _treasury _of his/its_god.

Show passage in OET: KI2 24:6

OET-RV KI2 24:6

6 Then Yehoyakim died and his son Yehoyakin replaced him as king.

OET-LV KI2 24:6

6 And_ Yəhōyāqīm _he _lay _down with ancestors _of_his and_ Yəhōyākīn/(Jehoiachin) his/its_son _he _became _king in_place _of _him.

Show passage in OET: KI2 24:10–17

OET-RV KI2 24:10

10 At that time, the Babylonian king Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) sent his army to besiege Yerushalem,

OET-RV KI2 24:11

11 and Nevukadnetsar himself travelled there to observe the operation.

OET-RV KI2 24:12

12 Yehudah’s (Judah’s) King Yehoyakin went out to surrender to the Babylonian king, along with his mother, his servants, his captains, and his officials. So the Babylonian king took him captive in the eighth year of his reign.

OET-RV KI2 24:13

13 Then all the valuables were brought out of Yahweh’s temple and the palace. All the gold furnishings that had been made for the temple by King Shelomoh (Solomon) were cut into pieces.

OET-RV KI2 24:14

14 Then all the army leaders and officials, and all the craftsmen and blacksmiths from Yerushalem (some ten thousand people) were taken into exile, leaving only the poorer people behind.

OET-RV KI2 24:15

15 King Yehoyakin was exiled from Yerushalem to Bavel (Babylon), along with his mother and wives, his officials,

OET-RV KI2 24:16

16 seven thousand top soldiers, and a thousand skilled craftsmen and blacksmiths—leaving no one behind to fight or make weapons.

OET-RV KI2 24:17

17 Then the Babylonian king appointed Yehoyakin’s uncle Matanyah as king in his place and he changed his name to Tsidkiyah (Zedekiah).

OET-LV KI2 24:10

10 At_time (the)_that they _went _up the _servants _of Nebuchadnezzar the _king _of Bāⱱel Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_ the_city _it _came in _(the)_siege.

OET-LV KI2 24:11

11 And_ Nebuchadnezzar the _king _of Bāⱱel _he _came to the_city and_servants _of_his were_laying _siege on_it.

OET-LV KI2 24:12

12 And_he/it _went _out Yəhōyākīn the _king _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) to the _king _of Bāⱱel he and_mother _of_his and_servants _of_his and_officials _of_his and_court-officials _of_his and_ the _king _of Bāⱱel _he/it _took DOM_him/it in_year eight of_reigning_his.

OET-LV KI2 24:13

13 And_he _brought _out from_there DOM all _of the _treasures _of the _house _of YHWH and_the _treasures _of the _house _of the_king and_he _cut _up DOM all _of the _articles _of the_gold which Shəlomoh/(Solomon) the _king _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _had _made in_(the)_palace of_YHWH just_as YHWH he _had _spoken.

OET-LV KI2 24:14

14 And_he _took _into _exile DOM all _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_DOM all _of the_officials and_DOM all _of the _mighty_men_of (the)_strength ten _of thousand(s) exile[s] and_all (the)_craftsman and_(the)_smith not except the _poor _people _of the _people _of the_earth/land anyone _was _left.

OET-LV KI2 24:15

15 And_he _took _into _exile DOM Yəhōyākīn/(Jehoiachin) to_Bāⱱel and_DOM the _mother _of the_king and_DOM the _wives _of the_king and_DOM his/its_officials and_DOM the _leaders _of the_earth/land he _led _away exile[s] from_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) to_Bāⱱel.

OET-LV KI2 24:16

16 And_DOM all _of the _men _of (the)_strength seven _of thousand(s) and_the_craftsman and_the_smith one _thousand (the)_everyone were_warriors makers _of war and_he/it _brought_them the _king _of Bāⱱel exile[s] to_Bāⱱel.

OET-LV KI2 24:17

17 And_ the _king _of Bāⱱel _he _made _king DOM Mattan^yāh uncle _of_his in_place _of _him and_he _changed DOM his/its_name Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah).

Show passage in OET: KI2 24:17

OET-RV KI2 24:17

17 Then the Babylonian king appointed Yehoyakin’s uncle Matanyah as king in his place and he changed his name to Tsidkiyah (Zedekiah).

OET-LV KI2 24:17

17 And_ the _king _of Bāⱱel _he _made _king DOM Mattan^yāh uncle _of_his in_place _of _him and_he _changed DOM his/its_name Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah).

Show passage in OET: CH2 36:10

OET-RV CH2 36:10

10 At the beginning of the next year, King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) sent soldiers to bring him to Bavel (Babylon), bringing valuable items from the temple, and he made his younger brother Tsidkiyah (Zedekiah) king over Yehudah (Judah) and Yerushalem.

OET-LV CH2 36:10

10 And_to_the _return _of the _year the_king Nebuchadnezzar he _sent and_he_brought _him to_Bāⱱel with the _articles _of preciousness _of the _house _of YHWH and_he _made _king DOM Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah) his/its_brother over Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem).

Jump to OET KI2 23:34 section.

Jump to OET KI2 24:2 section.

Jump to OET DAN 1:1–2 section.

Jump to OET KI2 24:6 section.

Jump to OET KI2 24:10–17 section.

Jump to OET KI2 24:17 section.

Jump to OET CH2 36:10 section.

Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon (2 Kgs 24:20). Nebuchadnezzar’s armies besieged the city of Jerusalem and captured Zedekiah. He was brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where Zedekiah’s sons were slain before his eyes. He was then blinded, bound, and taken captive to Babylon (25:6-7). The temple was looted and burned, the city walls were dismantled, and the city was plundered and razed (vv 9-17). The leading people of the nation were either killed or taken into captivity.

Show passage in OET: KI2 24:20

OET-RV KI2 24:20

20 Because Yahweh was still very angry, he had the people of Yerushalem and all Yehudah (Judah) driven away out of his sight.
¶ Then Tsidkiyah rebelled against the Babylonian king.

OET-LV KI2 24:20

20 If/because on the _anger of_YHWH it _happened in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_in_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) until he_threw _out DOM_them from_under his/its_faces/face and_ Tsidqiy^yāh _he _rebelled against_the _king _of Bāⱱel.

Show passage in OET: KI2 25:6–7

OET-RV KI2 25:6

6 King Tsidkiyah was captured and taken to the Babylonian king at Rivlah, where he was sentenced—

OET-RV KI2 25:7

7 He was forced to watch as his sons were slaughtered, then his eyes were gouged out and he was taken to Bavel (Babylon) restrained with two bronze chains.

OET-LV KI2 25:6

6 And_they _seized DOM the_king and_they _brought _up DOM_him/it to the _king _of Bāⱱel to_Riⱱlāh and_they _spoke with_him/it judgement.

OET-LV KI2 25:7

7 And_DOM the _sons _of Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah) they _slaughtered to_eyes _of_his and_DOM the _eyes _of Tsidqiy^yāh he _made _blind and_he_bound _him with _(the)_fetters and_he_brought _him Bāⱱel.

Show passage in OET: KI2 25:9–17

OET-RV KI2 25:9

9 He set fire to Yahweh’s temple and the palace, and all of Yerushalem’s houses, so no important building remained.

OET-RV KI2 25:10

10 Then the army under the command of Nevuzar-Adan tore down the walls surrounding Yerushalem.

OET-RV KI2 25:11

11 He exiled all the rest of the people from the city, all the surrendered soldiers, and the rest of the population,

OET-RV KI2 25:12

12 but he let some of the poorest people remain on the land to look after the vineyards and as farmers.

OET-RV KI2 25:13

13 The Babylonians smashed the bronze pillars and the bases and the bronze ‘sea’ from the temple, and took all the bronze to Bavel (Babylon).

OET-RV KI2 25:14

14 They also took the pots and shovels, the snuffers and spoons, and all the bronze utensils used in the temple activities.

OET-RV KI2 25:15

15 They took the fire-pans and the gold and silver bowls.

OET-RV KI2 25:16

16 The bronze from the two pillars, the ‘sea’, and the bases that had been made for the temple by Shelomoh (Solomon) was too heavy to be weighed.

OET-RV KI2 25:17

17 Each pillar was over eight metres high, plus a bronze capital on top that was over a metre high. They were decorated with latticework with bronze pomegranates all around.

OET-LV KI2 25:9

9 And_he _burnt DOM the _house _of YHWH and_DOM the _house _of the_king and_DOM all _of the _houses _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_DOM every _of house _of a _great_person he _burnt with_fire.

OET-LV KI2 25:10

10 And_DOM the _walls _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) all _around all _of the _army _of the_ones_from _Kasdiy which was_the_chief _of the_bodyguards they _pulled _down.

OET-LV KI2 25:11

11 And_DOM the _rest _of the _people which_remained in_city and_DOM those_who _had_fallen who they _had _fallen on the_king of _Bāⱱel and_DOM the _rest _of the _multitude Nəⱱūzarʼₐdān the_chief _of the_bodyguards he _took _into _exile.

OET-LV KI2 25:12

12 And_some_of _the _poor _of the_earth/land the_chief _of the_bodyguards he _left _behind to_vinedressers and_to_husbandmen.

OET-LV KI2 25:13

13 And_DOM the _pillars _of (the)_bronze which were_the _house _of YHWH and_DOM the_stands and_DOM the _sea _of (the)_bronze which in_house _of YHWH the_ones_from _Kasdiy they _broke and_they _carried _off DOM bronze _of_their to_Bāⱱel.

OET-LV KI2 25:14

14 And_DOM the_pots and_DOM the_shovels and_DOM the_snuffers and_DOM the_pans and_DOM all _of the _articles _of (the)_bronze which people _served with_them they _took _away.

OET-LV KI2 25:15

15 And_DOM the_fire-pans and_DOM the_bowls which were_gold gold and_which were_silver silver the_chief _of the_bodyguards he _took _away.

OET-LV KI2 25:16

16 The_pillars two the_sea the_one and_the_stands which Shəlomoh/(Solomon) he _had _made for_the _house _of YHWH not it _belonged weight to_the _bronze _of all _of the_vessels the_these.

OET-LV KI2 25:17

17 Was_eight- teen cubit[s] the _height _of the _pillar the_one and_a _capital on/upon/above_him/it bronze and_the _height _of the _capital was_three cubits and_a _network and_pomegranates were_on the_capital all _around (the)_everything was_bronze and_like_these belonged_to_pillar the_second with the_network.

Jump to OET KI2 24:20 section.

Jump to OET KI2 25:6–7 section.

Jump to OET KI2 25:9–17 section.

The remnant of the people in Judah were put under the charge of Gedaliah, the appointed governor. After his treacherous murder, the Jews fled to Egypt. Both Jeremiah (Jer 43:8-13; 46:13-24) and Ezekiel (Ez 29–32 OET EZE 29:1–21 · OET EZE 30:1–26 · OET EZE 31:1–18 · OET EZE 32:1–32) prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would invade Egypt. Josephus gives the date as the 23d year of Nebuchadnezzar (582/581 BC), but a fragmentary historical inscription dating to the 37th year of Nebuchadnezzar (568/567 BC) indicates that the defeat of Egypt occurred during the reign of Amasis.

Show passage in OET: JER 43:8–13

OET-RV JER 43:8

8 In Tahfanhes, Yahweh gave Yirmiyah a message:

OET-RV JER 43:9

9 Get some large stones and while the people from Yehudah are watching, push them into the mortar in the pavement at the entrance to Par’oh’s (Pharaoh’s) palace at Tahfanhes.

OET-RV JER 43:10

10 Then tell the Yehudim (Jews) that Yisrael’s (Israel’s) god, Commander-in-chief says: Listen, I’m about to send messengers to my servant the Babylonian King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), to summon him here. I’ll place his throne over the top of those hidden stones, and he’ll spread his royal tent over them.

OET-RV JER 43:11

11 He’ll come here to attack Mitsrayim and he’ll kill those that I’ve assigned to die, and similarly for those to be taken captive or run through with a sword.

OET-RV JER 43:12

12 Then he’ll light a fire in the temples of Mitsrayim’s gods. Nevukadnetsar will either burn them or carry them away. He’ll clean Mitsrayim out just like shepherds pick lice off their clothes, and then he’ll quietly leave

OET-RV JER 43:13

13 after smashing the stone pillars at Beyt -Shemesh (Heliopolis) and burning the temples of Mitsrayim’s gods.

OET-LV JER 43:8

8 And_ the _message _of YHWH _he/it _was to Yirmə^yāh in_Taḩpanḩēş to_say.

OET-LV JER 43:9

9 Take in_hand _of_your stones large and_you_will _hide _them in_mortar in_brick-terrace which is_at_the _entrance _of the _house _of Parˊoh in_Taḩpanḩēş to_the_eyes _of the_people Yəhūdī/(Judeans).

OET-LV JER 43:10

10 And_you _will _say to_them thus YHWH soldiers/messengers the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says HERE_I am_about _to _send and_I _will _fetch DOM Nəⱱūkadneʦʦar the _king _of Bāⱱel servant _of_my and_I _will _set throne _of from_above (to)_stones the_these which I _have _hidden and_he _will _spread _out DOM mmm over_them.

OET-LV JER 43:11

11 And and_he _will _attack DOM the _land _of Miʦrayim/(Egypt) those_who are_for_death to_death and_which are_for_captivity to_captivity and_which are_for_sword to_sword.

OET-LV JER 43:12

12 And_I _will _kindle fire in_the _houses _of the _gods _of Miʦrayim and_he_will _burn _them and_he_will _take _them _captive and_he _will _delouse DOM the _land _of Miʦrayim just_as the_shepherd he _delouses DOM garment _of_his and_he _will _go _out from_there in_peace.

OET-LV JER 43:13

13 And_he _will _break DOM the _sacred _pillars _of Bēyt Shemesh which in_land of _Miʦrayim and_DOM the _houses _of the _gods _of Miʦrayim he _will _burn with_fire.

Show passage in OET: JER 46:13–24

OET-RV JER 46:13

13 ⇔When the Babylonian King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) was coming to attack Mitsrayim (Egypt), Yahweh gave the prophet Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) this message:

OET-RV JER 46:14

14 Announce in Mitsrayim, and proclaim it in Migdol, Nof (Memphis), and Tahfanhes:
⇔ ‘Take your station and prepare to defend yourself,
⇔ because everyone around you will be killed.’

OET-RV JER 46:15

15 Why are your powerful warriors lying face down on the ground?
⇔ They can’t stand against the enemy,
⇔ because I Yahweh, have pushed them to the ground.

OET-RV JER 46:16

16 He increases the numbers of those who stumble.
⇔ Each soldier falls against the next one.
⇔ They’re saying, ‘Get ready.
⇔ Let’s go back to our own people, to our native land.
⇔ Let’s leave this oppressive war.

OET-RV JER 46:17

⇔  17 There in Mitsrayim (Egypt) they’ll call out,
⇔ ‘Our King Par’oh (Pharaoh) is all noise—
⇔ he’s let his opportunity slip away.

OET-RV JER 46:18

18 The king whose name is Commander-in-chief Yahweh declares:
⇔ ‘As surely as I live
⇔ an invader is coming
⇔ who’s as tall as Mt. Tavor among the mountains,
⇔ ≈ and like Mt. Karmel by the sea.

OET-RV JER 46:19

19 You inhabitants of Mitsrayim,
⇔ pack your own baggage to carry into exile,
⇔ because Nof (Memphis) will become a wasteland—
⇔ it will lie in ruins and no one will live there.

OET-RV JER 46:20

20 Mitsrayim is a very beautiful young cow,
⇔ but a stinging insect is coming from the north.
⇔ It’s on its way.

OET-RV JER 46:21

21 Its hired soldiers are like calves that have been protected and well-fed,
⇔ but they’ll also turn away and run away.
⇔ They won’t stand together, because the day of their disaster is coming against them—
⇔ it’s time for their punishment.

OET-RV JER 46:22

22 Mitsrayim hisses like a snake and crawls away,
⇔ because her enemies are coming with a show of strength.
⇔ They’re coming toward her like woodcutters with axes.

OET-RV JER 46:23

23 Yahweh declares that they’ll cut down the forest
⇔ so there’ll be nowhere to hide
⇔ because their soldiers will be more numerous than locusts
⇔ and no one will even be able to count them.

OET-RV JER 46:24

24 Mitsrayim’s inhabitants will be humiliated—
⇔ they’ll be handed over to those northern people.

OET-LV JER 46:13

13 The_message which YHWH he _spoke to Yirmə^yāh/(Jeremiah) the_prophet of_ of _Nəⱱūkadneʦʦar the _king _of of _Bāⱱel _the _coming to_attack DOM the _land _of Miʦrayim.

OET-LV JER 46:14

14 Declare in_Miʦrayim and_make _a _proclamation in_Migdōl and_make _a _proclamation in_Nof/(Memphis) and_in_Taḩpanḩēş say take _your _stand and_prepare to/for_you(fs) if/because the_sword it _will _devour around _of_you.

OET-LV JER 46:15

15 Why your _mighty _of_ones will _he _be _prostrated not he _will _stand if/because YHWH he_will _drive _him _out.

OET-LV JER 46:16

16 He _will _multiply one _who_stumbles also each he _will _fall to his/its_neighbour and_they _said arise and_let _us _return to people _of_our and_near/to the _land _of our _kindred _of_our from_face/in _front _of the _sword _of the _oppressor.

OET-LV JER 46:17

17 People _will _call _out there Parˊoh the _king _of Miʦrayim is_a _noise he _has _let _pass _by the _appointed_time.

OET-LV JER 46:18

18 By_the _life of _me the _utterance _of the_king is_YHWH soldiers/messengers his/its_name if/because like_Tāⱱōr among_mountains and_like_Karmel/(Carmel) at_sea he _will _come.

OET-LV JER 46:19

19 Baggage(s)_of exile make to/for_you(fs) Oh _inhabitant[s]_of (of)_the _daughter _of Miʦrayim/(Egypt) if/because Nof (into)_a_waste it _will _become and_it _will _become _ruined from_not an _inhabitant.

OET-LV JER 46:20

20 Is_a _heifer very beautiful Miʦrayim a _gadfly from_the_north is_about _to _come is_about _to _come.

OET-LV JER 46:21

21 Also soldiers _of_its _hired in_midst _of_its are_like_calves _of the_stall if/because also they they _will _turn they _will _flee together not they _will _stand _their _ground if/because the _day _of their _disaster _of_their it _will _come on_them the _time _of their _punishment _of_their.

OET-LV JER 46:22

22 Sound _of_its is_like_snake which_it _goes if/because in_strength they _will _come and_with_axes they _will _come to/for_her/it like_cutters _of wood(s).

OET-LV JER 46:23

23 They _will _cut _down forest _of_its the _utterance _of YHWH if/because not it _will _be _searched if/because they _will _be _many more_than _locust[s] and_there_was_not to/for_them number.

OET-LV JER 46:24

24 The _daughter _of Miʦrayim it _will _be _put _to _shame it _will _be _given in_the_hand _of the_people the_north.

Jump to OET JER 43:8–13 section.

Jump to OET JER 46:13–24 section.

Nebuchadnezzar’s military successes were in many respects overshadowed by his building activities in Babylon. The king voiced his pride when he declared, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dn 4:30, rsv). The hanging gardens were acclaimed as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. They were built on terraces in an effort to cure his Median queen of her homesickness for the mountains of her homeland.

Show passage in OET: DAN 4:30

OET-RV DAN 4:30

30 when he looked across and said, “Isn’t that the great Bavel, which I’ve built as a royal residence by the strength of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

OET-LV DAN 4:27

27  Oh/the_king was_replying and_saying(ms) not is_this it Bāⱱel (the)_great which I I_built _it to_a _house _of a _kingdom by_the _strength _of my _power and_for_the _honour _of my _majesty.

Jump to OET DAN 4:30 section.

The events of the book of Daniel center on Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was among the captives taken to Babylon in 605 BC. Nebuchadnezzar became aware of Daniel when the king had a dream that none of his occult experts could interpret (ch 2). The Lord gave to Daniel the interpretation of the dream; the human image that the king saw in his dream represented the various governments from the New Babylonian Empire to the reign of the Messiah.

Nebuchadnezzar set up a large human statue that was 90 feet (27.4 meters) high and 9 feet (2.7 meters) wide. Failure to worship the image would incur death by fire. The three compatriots of Daniel refused and were thrown into a furnace from which the Lord delivered them unhurt (ch 3).

The king had another dream about a great tree that was cut down but later sprouted from the stump (4:4-27). Again the “wise men of Babylon” could not give the interpretation, but Daniel informed the king that the dream prophesied a humbling experience lasting seven years as a consequence of the king’s pride (vv 28-33).