DAN 4:17 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–37: God judged King Nebuchadnezzar

The author of Daniel 4 wrote in the Aramaic language. These Notes are based on the BSB, which is based on the Aramaic text called the MT (Masoretic Text). However, the early Greek translation known as the Septuagint is different from the Aramaic text in many places in Daniel 4. Scholars are uncertain why the two are so different. It may be that the Greek translators worked from an Aramaic text that was different from that of the MT. The Notes will discuss the differences between the two texts for certain important passages.

The verse numbers of the BSB and most English versions are different from the verse numbers in the Aramaic text. The NJPS and NJB are two exceptions. They follow the verse numbers in the Aramaic text.Baldwin (p. 107) notes that the chapter divisions in the present Aramaic text were not necessarily those of the original text. The difference in numbering can cause confusion when citing verses in different translations. For example, Daniel 4:1 in the BSB is 3:31 in the NJPS and NJB. Daniel 4:4 is 4:1 in the NJB and NJPS, and so on. When these Notes cite verses in the NJPS and the NJB, they will give both the verse numbers in those versions and the corresponding BSB verse numbers.

Versions give different headings to Daniel 4. For example:

Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream (NRSV)

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a tree (NLT)

A letter from Nebuchadnezzar about his insanity (GW)

In some languages it may be more natural that the heading be a full sentence. For example:

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a second dream

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about a tree

Nebuchadnezzar wrote a letter about how he became insane

Special Problems:

1. Change of Speaker: In Daniel 4, the person who tells the story varies between the king and the narrator. For example:

A. In 4:1–18 the king told what happened to him in the first person.

B. In 4:19–27 the narrator told the story of how Daniel interpreted the king’s dream.

C. In 4:28–33 the narrator told what happened to Nebuchadnezzar.

D. In 4:34–37 the king again spoke directly in the first person.

The Notes will inform you when there is a change of speaker and suggest how to translate these passages.

2. Repetition: When Daniel interpreted the king’s dream (4:19–27), he repeated parts of what the king had previously told him (in 4:10–16). Later, when the narrator told what happened to the king (4:28–33), he repeated what Daniel had said would happen (in 4:25). This kind of repetition creates suspense in the story. Repetition also helps to emphasize the main theme of the account. For example, at the end of the account, the king repeated information from the beginning (4:3, 34). This information is the theme of the chapter: God is sovereign over human rulers.

3. Synonyms: The author liked to use synonyms, different words with the same or similar meaning. In some cases, he used synonyms to emphasize an idea. For example, in 4:37 the king used three synonyms in the same sentence to emphasize the idea of praise. In some languages this may not be natural. The Notes will suggest other ways you can translate synonyms.

4. Commands: In the dream, the angel made a number of commands. The text does not usually say to whom the angel was giving these commands. Sometimes the angel commanded non-living objects to do something. In all these cases, the angel was speaking a message from God. And when God commands that something happen, it will certainly happen. In some languages it may not be natural to use commands in this way. If that is true in your language, you may be able to translate these commands as authoritative declarations. The Notes will give examples of how you may do this.

5. Poetic Parallelism: The author of Daniel 4 liked to use poetic form to communicate ideas. In Aramaic poetry, authors often used pairs of clauses to say the same thing in two different ways. This type of poetry has many different functions. Sometimes the author used poetry to emphasize themes. Other times he used poetry to mark the climax of a section. This kind of poetry may not be natural in your language. The Notes will describe the function of the poetic speech in Daniel. They will also suggest some options on how you might translate this type of poetry in your own language.

6. Form: The author wrote Daniel 4 in the form of a royal proclamation. This proclamation form gives authority to the account. The style of the proclamation is similar to that of a letter, and the beginning of the chapter is similar to other Aramaic letters. The king first identifies himself. Second, he indicates to whom he is writing, that is, those he intends to read his letter. Third, he greets his readers. In your language, people may have a different way of identifying the author or addressee of a letter. The Notes will suggest some options on how to translate this letter style.

7. Key Terms: Two key terms in Daniel 4 are “earth” and “heaven.” Both words have more than one meaning. The Aramaic word that the BSB generally translates as “earth” can mean either “ground,” “land,” or “world.” The Aramaic word that the BSB generally translates as “heaven” can mean either “sky” or “where God lives.” In 4:26 the author used the word “Heaven” to refer to God himself. The author plays on these two words and their meanings to highlight the main theme of the chapter: “God in heaven rules over the affairs of men on earth.” The Notes will explain the meaning of these two key terms in each context.

Paragraph 4:17

In this verse, the watchers spoke about themselves in the third person. This way of speaking indicated their authority. If this is unnatural in your language, you may translate using first-person pronouns. For example:

^a We , the watchers, have declared this sentence for God.

^b We , God’s holy ones, announce what he has decided.

4:17a–b

Biblical authors often wrote poetry in pairs of clauses. The two lines often communicate the same thing in two different ways. Daniel 4:17a–b forms a pair of clauses in poetic speech. You may wish to indent the lines to show that this is poetic speech.

These verse parts are more literally

The command is by the decree of the watchers,

and the verdict is by the word of the holy ones

The Aramaic text does not explicitly include the verb “is.” In some languages that may be natural and acceptable. In other languages it may be natural to supply verbs or translate the nouns “decree” and “word” as verbs. Most English versions supply one or more verbs. For example:

This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers

And the decision is a command of the holy ones. (NASB)

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones. (RSV)

For this has been decreed by the messengers;

it is commanded by the holy ones. (NLT)

The observers gave this command;

the holy ones declared the sentence. (NCV)

See also the suggestions in the notes that follow.

4:17a

This decision is the decree of the watchers,

¶ “The watchers proclaim this verdict.
¶ “We the watchful angels announce what God has decided,

This decision is the decree of the watchers: This verse part refers back to the decision that the messengers had just announced to the king in his dream. The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as is the decree of is a noun meaning “by the decree of.” A decree is an official order or decision. There are several ways to translate this:

Using a passive verb. For example:
Such is the sentence proclaimed by the watchers (NJB)
Using an active verb. For example:
The observers gave this command (NCV)
The guardians have announced the decision (GW)
We^(excl) who are watchers proclaim this punishment
Using a noun. For example:
The sentence is by the decree of the watchers. (ESV)

Translate this using the form that is most natural in your language.

This decision: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as decision implies a formal verdict or judgment. The messengers were announcing the verdict against someone. The content of the verdict was given in 4:14–16 in the form of angelic commands. Other ways English versions translate this are:

This sentence (RSV)

this punishment (CEV)

In some languages it may be necessary to say who made the decision or verdict. In those languages you may indicate that it was God. He told the messengers what to say. For example:

God’s decision

the watchers: See the Notes on “watcher” at 4:13b. Note that the word is plural here. The messengers or watchers spoke about themselves in the third person, emphasizing a formal statement. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that the watchers were speaking of themselves by using a first-person pronoun. See the note above on Paragraph 4:17. For example:

we ^(excl) the watchers

4:17b

the verdict declared by the holy ones,

These angels declare this punishment
and how God will punish him.

Daniel 4:17b begins with the common connector that is often translated as “and.” Here it introduces a clause that says the same thing as 4:17a but in a different way. This was common in Hebrew and Aramaic poetry. The BSB has not translated this connector. Introduce this next command in a way that is natural in your language.

the verdict declared by the holy ones: God’s holy angels declared the verdict by giving the commands recorded in 4:14–16. It may be natural to make this clearer by saying:

The holy ones declare this verdict

The holy ones have announced this (GW)

this is the sentence pronounced by the holy angels

the holy ones: See the Notes at 4:13b. This expression is a synonym of “watchers” in 4:17a. In this context, it refers to the same angelic beings as coming from God and belonging to God. So it may again be natural to use a first-person plural pronoun. For example:

we, the holy ones

we, God’s holy ones

the verdict: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as verdict is a synonym of the word “decision” in 4:17a. It refers to the decision of a judge that someone is guilty and will receive punishment. Use the expression that is natural for such a decision. Here is another way to translate this:

the sentence (REB)

General Comment on 4:17a–b

The two clauses in 4:17a and 4:17b have the same meaning and refer to the same thing. In some languages it may be more natural to combine them. For example:

God’s watchful angels announce this verdict

This punishment is given at the command of the holy angels. (CEV)

4:17c

so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind

so that every living person may know that the Most High God is lord/king over all earthly kingdoms.
God's purpose is to show everyone that he, the Supreme One, rules over all the nations of the world.

The purpose of the angels’ decree was that everyone would know that God is sovereign over all men.

so that: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as so that here introduces the purpose of the decree, that is, of the punishment. Here is another way to translate this:

the purpose of this decree is that (NLT96)

In some languages it may not be possible to speak of an object like a decree as having a purpose. It may be more natural to follow the CEV and indicate result:

It will show to all who live that… (CEV)

Since the decree was given by God through his holy angels, its purpose was the angels’ purpose and ultimately God’s purpose. So it may be natural to say:

the angels ordered this so that…

God ordered this decree so that…

the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind: The holy angels wanted all people to recognize that God has power over all the nations and peoples of the world. He rules over all earthly kings and rulers. Other ways to translate this include:

let all people everywhere know that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms (GNT)

everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world (NLT)

It will show to all who live that God Most High controls all kingdoms. (CEV)

the living: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as the living means “all living beings.” In this context it refers primarily to human beings, who are able to know and understand who God is. There is no contrast implied with dead human beings. See how you translated this word in the singular in 2:30b. Here is another way to translate this:

all people everywhere (GNT)

will know: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as know here means realize or understand. People will know something they did not know before. For example:

may understand (NET)

may learn (NJB)

may recognize

that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind: This is what God wanted people to understand: that he is in control over all the earth and is more powerful than any human authority.

the Most High: See the Notes at 4:2b. Here, however, the expression does not occur with the word “God.” In some languages it may be necessary to make the word “God” explicit. For example:

the Supreme God (GNT)

God Most High (CEV)

Most High God (NCV)

rules over: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as rules is literally “powerful, mighty” or “lord over.” English versions translate this as:

rules (RSV)

has power over (GNT)

controls (CEV)

the kingdom of mankind: The Aramaic expression that the BSB translates as the kingdom of mankind is more literally “the kingdom of man,” in the singular. It probably refers to human rule in general. That is, it refers to all the many kingdoms that exist or have existed. For example:

human sovereignty (NJB)

human kingdoms (GNT)

every kingdom on earth (NCV)

the kingdom: See the Notes at 4:3c. The rulers of nations may be called kings, emperors, or have other titles such as president or chancellor. It is good to use a word that refers to any human unit of government ruled by a single powerful man.

4:17d

and gives it to whom He wishes,

He can give authority to rule the kingdoms to whomever he wants,
He can choose/place anyone he wants to be their king.

and gives it to whom He wishes: The phrase gives it to whom He wishes here indicates that God is able to give authority over nations to whomever he wants. For example:

he can give them to anyone he chooses (GNT)

God gives those kingdoms to anyone he wants (NCV)

and chooses for their rulers whoever he wants

4:17e

setting over it the lowliest of men.’

choosing/appointing even the least important man to be their king.”
If he wishes, he can make the most insignificant person their ruler.”

setting over it the lowliest of men: This expression indicates that there are no limits for God. He can choose unlikely people, people of humble backgrounds, to rule nations. Other ways to translate this include:

even to those who are least important (GNT)

He places the lowest of people in charge of them

He can even choose the most humble man

setting over: The Aramaic verb that the BSB translates as setting literally means “raises” (NJB). In this context, the phrase setting over means to make someone ruler of a nation. Other ways to translate this include:

appoint over (REB)

place…in charge (GW)

the lowliest of men: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as lowliest means “humble.”HALOT, 2001 In this context, it probably refers to people of low social status. Other ways to translate this include

those who are least important (GNT)

those who are most inferiorGeCL97

the most insignificant of menLa Bible du Semeur

General Comment on 4:17d–e

4:17d–e indicates that God is able to choose people of low rank to rule nations. He has full power to appoint whoever he wishes, including a poor or low-status person. In some languages it may be natural to indicate the unexpected nature of such a choice by following the GNT:

he can give them to anyone he chooses—even to those who are least important (GNT)

General Comment on 4:17a–e

In the Aramaic, as in the BSB, 4:17a–e forms one long sentence. In some languages it may be natural to break this up into several shorter sentences. For example:

^17aThe guardians have announced this decision. ^17bThe holy ones have announced this ^17cso that every creature will know that the Most High has power over human kingdoms. ^17dHe gives them to whomever he wishes. ^17eHe can place the lowest of people in charge of them. (GW)

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.

OET interlinear DAN 4:17

Hebrew word order