DAN 4:14 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) He shouted loudly, ‘Chop that tree down and cut its branches off, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals run away from under it and the birds from its branches.

4:14 Note: KJB: Dān.4.17

4:14 OSHB variant note: עלי/א: (x-qere) ’עִלָּאָ֜/ה’: lemma_5943 n_0.1.1.0 morph_ANcmsd/Td id_27bjL עִלָּאָ֜/ה

4:14 OSHB variant note: אנוש/א: (x-qere) ’אֲנָשָׁ֗/א’: lemma_606 n_0.1.1 morph_ANcmsd/Td id_27xLT אֲנָשָׁ֗/א

4:14 OSHB note: Yathir readings in L which we have designated as Qeres when both Dothan and BHS list a Qere.

4:14 OSHB variant note: עלי/ה: (x-qere) ’עֲלַֽ/הּ’: lemma_5922 n_0 morph_AR/Sp3fs id_27EHX עֲלַֽ/הּ

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT He shouted aloud and said thus, ‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.

UST The angel shouted, “Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Strip off all of its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Chase away the animals that are lying in the shade of the tree, and the birds that are in its branches.

BSB He called out in a loud voice:
⇔ ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
⇔ strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
⇔ Let the beasts flee from under it,
⇔ and the birds from its branches.

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE He cried aloud and said this: ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals get away from under it and the birds from its branches.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET He called out loudly as follows:
⇔ ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches!
⇔ Strip off its foliage
⇔ and scatter its fruit!
⇔ Let the animals flee from under it
⇔ and the birds from its branches!

LSV He is calling mightily, and thus has said, Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its budding, move away let the beast from under it, and the birds from off its branches;

FBV He cried out in a loud voice, ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Drive the animals away from its shade, and scare off the birds from its branches.

T4T The angel shouted, “Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Strip/Shake off all of its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Chase away the animals that are lying in the shade of the tree, and the birds that are in its branches.

LEB He cried _⌊aloud_⌋[fn] and so he said:
• “Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;
• shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit.
• Let the animals flee from under it,
• and the birds from its branches.

4:14 Literally “in strength”

BBE Crying out with a loud voice; and this is what he said: Let the tree be cut down and its branches broken off; let its leaves be taken off and its fruit sent in every direction: let the beasts get away from under it and the birds from its branches:

Moff and called aloud, “Hew the tree down, hack away its branches, lop off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the animals remove from underneath it, and the birds from its boughs.

JPS (4-11) He cried aloud, and said thus: Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.

ASV He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.

DRA This is the decree by the sentence of the watchers, and the word And demand of the holy ones; till the living know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; and he will give it to whomsoever it shall please him, and he will appoint the basest man over it.

YLT He is calling mightily, and thus hath said, Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its budding, move away let the beast from under it, and the birds from off its branches;

Drby he cried aloud, and said thus: Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the birds from its branches.

RV He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches.
(He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts/animals get away from under it, and the fowls/birds from his branches. )

SLT He called with strength, and thus he said, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its foliage and scatter its fruit: the beasts shall flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

Wbstr He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts escape from under it, and the fowls from its branches.

KJB-1769 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:[fn]
(He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts/animals get away from under it, and the fowls/birds from his branches: )

4.14 aloud: Chaldee, with might

KJB-1611 [fn]He cryed aloude, and said thus; Hew downe the tree, and cut off his branches; shake off his leaues, and scatter his fruite; let the beasts get away from vnder it, and the foules from his branches.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

4:14 Cald. with might.

Bshps And cryed mightily, saying thus: Hew downe the tree, breake of his braunches, shake of his leaues, & scatter his fruite abroade: that the beastes may get them away from vnder hym, and the foules from his braunches.
(And cried mightily, saying thus: Hew down the tree, break of his branches, shake of his leaves, and scatter his fruit abroad: that the beasts/animals may get them away from under him, and the fowls/birds from his branches.)

Gnva The sentence is according to the decree of the watchmen, and according to the word of the holy ones: the demaunde was answered, to the intent that liuing men may knowe, that the most High hath power ouer the kingdome of men, and giueth it to whomsoeuer he will, and appointeth ouer it the most abiect among men.
(The sentence is according to the decree of the watchmen, and according to the word of the holy ones: the demande was answered, to the intent that living men may know, that the most High hath/has power over the kingdom of men, and giveth/gives it to whomsoever he will, and appointeth over it the most abiect among men. )

Cvdl and cryed mightely, sayenge: Hew downe the tre, breake off his braunches, shake of his leaues, and scatre his frute abrode: that all the beestes maye get them awaye from vnder him, and the foules from his braunches.
(and cried mightely, saying: Hew down the tree, break off his branches, shake of his leaves, and scatter his fruit abroad: that all the beasts/animals may get them away from under him, and the fowls/birds from his branches.)

Wycl In the sentence of wakeris it is demed, and it is the word and axyng of seyntis, til lyuynge men knowe, that hiy God is Lord in the rewme of men; and he schal yyue it to whom euere he wole, and he schal ordeyne on it the mekeste man.
(In the sentence of wakeris it is judged, and it is the word and asking of saints, till living men know, that high God is Lord in the realm of men; and he shall give it to whom ever he will, and he shall ordain on it the mekeste man.)

Luth Solches ist im Rat der Wächter beschlossen und im Gespräch der Heiligen beratschlaget, auf daß die Lebendigen erkennen, daß der Höchste Gewalt hat über der Menschen Königreiche und gibt sie, wem er will, und erhöhet die Niedrigen zu denselbigen.
(Such is in_the advice the/of_the watchman/keeper decided and in_the conversation the/of_the saints/holy_ones beratschlaget, on/in/to that the living_(ones) recognise/realise, that the/of_the highest_(one) violence has above the/of_the people kingdoms and gives they/she/them, whom he will, and increased/enhanced the low/humble_(one) to/for the_same.)

ClVg In sententia vigilum decretum est, et sermo sanctorum, et petitio: donec cognoscant viventes quoniam dominatur Excelsus in regno hominum, et cuicumque voluerit, dabit illud, et humillimum hominem constituet super eum.
(In opinion vigilum decretum it_is, and speech holy_place, and asksio: until let_them_know living since/because dominates High/Lofty in/into/on kingdom of_men, and cuicumque wanted, will_give it/this/that, and humillimum man constituet over him. )

SOTN 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 4:13–16

In this paragraph the king continued to tell Daniel his dream.

4:14–16

In these verses the messenger/watcher made a number of commands. He was speaking with authority as a holy one from God. The text implies that the things that he commanded were certain to happen. However, the text does not identify to whom he was talking. The notes will suggest ways to translate these commands.

Compare the commands in Genesis 1:9, 11, 20, 22, 24. Here God gave commands to non-human creatures and non-living objects. His commands were authoritative: the commands themselves caused the actions to take place.

4:14a

He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;

He shouted, ‘Cut^(plur) down the tree and cut off its branches.
In a loud voice he declared, ‘They must cut down the tree and remove its branches.
He spoke with strength and said, ‘The tree must be chopped down and its branches cut off.

He called out in a loud voice: The Aramaic literally has two verbs, as in the RSV (“He cried aloud and said thus”). The two verbs of speech emphasize that this was an important announcement. The holy one spoke with authority. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this idea using only one verb, as the BSB has done. For example:

He shouted (NJB)

He proclaimed in a loud voice (GNT)

Cut down the tree: The holy one did not say who was to cut down the tree. There are at least two ways to translate this command:

Translate it as a direct command. The holy one gave an order to cut down the tree. The command is in the plural. The addressee is not in focus. For example:
Chop^(plur) the tree down!
Let the tree be cut down!Compare Genesis 1:3, 9, 11, and throughout Genesis 1.
Translate it as an authoritative statement. The holy one was telling what must happen because God had decided that it would happen.
They (indefinite) must chop down the tree.
The tree is to be cut down.
The tree will be cut down.

Translate this idea in a way that is natural in your language.

and: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as and here introduces the next command.

chop off its branches: There are at least two ways to translate this expression:

Translate it as a command. The holy one commanded some people to cut off the branches from the tree. Again, the text does not say who the watcher was speaking to. For example:
trim off its branches (NIV)
Translate it as an authoritative statement. For example:
They (indefinite) must cut its branches off.
Its branches are to be cut off.
Its branches will be lopped off.

Translate this idea in a way that is natural in your language.

4:14b

strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.

Tear^(plur) off all its leaves and scatter/waste its fruit.
They must pull off its leaves and throw its fruit to the ground.
Its leaves must be torn off and its fruit thrown/tossed away.

strip off its leaves: The holy one continued to issue commands that further destroy the tree. The Aramaic verb that the BSB translates as strip off means to shake or tear off the leaves.HALOT, 1936. This word only occurs here in Daniel 4:14. Again there are at least two ways to translate this:

Translate it as a direct command. The holy one commanded others to shake off or remove the leaves from the tree. For example:
shake off its leaves (NLT)
Translate it as an authoritative declaration. For example:
They (indefinite) must strip off its leaves.
Its leaves are to be torn off.
Its leaves will be stripped away.

Translate this idea in a way that is natural in your language. Again, the people being addressed are not in focus.

and scatter its fruit: The action is destructive. There are two ways to translate this idea:

Translate it as a command. The watcher commanded others to take the fruit off the tree and to throw it in different directions. Again, the text does not say who the watcher was talking to. For example:
Scatter the fruit (REB)
pull off the fruit and throw it all over
Translate it as an authoritative statement.
They (indefinite) must scatter the fruit
The fruit is to be scattered (passive)
Its fruit will be scattered.

scatter: The word that the BSB translates as scatter means “disperse, throw in different directions.” It is implied that the fruit will be wasted. No one will collect it for food. Here is another way to translate this:

throw away (NJB)

4:14c

Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

Make the animals flee from its shelter and make the birds flee from its branches.
The animals must run away from their homes under the tree. The birds must fly away from their nests in its branches.
They (indefinite) must drive the animals from under the tree. They (indefinite) must cause the birds to fly away from its branches.

Let the beasts flee from under it: The watcher continued to shout commands. This command is addressed to the wild animals that were sheltering under the tree. They were told to run away from their homes or shelters under the tree.

There are different ways to translate this command:

Translate this as a command. The holy one ordered that the wild animals not stay under the shelter of the branches of the tree. Address these animals in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
Flee from under the tree, all you wild animals!
Leave your homes/shelter, creatures of the forest!

In some languages it may be natural to address this command to people, rather than the animals themselves. For example:

Drive the animals from under it (GNT)

Chase the animals from its shade (NLT)

Make the animals under it run away (GW)

Translate this as an authoritative statement
The wild animals must leave their homes under the tree.
The animals will have to flee from the shelter of the tree.

Translate this idea in a way that is natural in your language.

the beasts: See the Notes at 4:12c, where the Aramaic phrase used is “the beasts/animals of the field.” Although the phrase “of the field” is not used here, the meaning is the same. Translate it so that is clear.

and the birds from its branches: The context implies the same verb as the one in the previous clause: “let flee.” There are at least two ways to translate this expression.

Translate it as a command. The watcher ordered the birds to leave the branches of the tree and fly away. For example:
escape from its branches, all you birds!
make the birds fly away from its branches (GW)
send the birds flying from its branches (CEV)
Translate it as an authoritative statement:
The birds must fly away from the branches.
The birds will be driven away from the branches of the tree.
The birds will have to flee their nests.

Translate this idea in a way that is natural in your language.

the birds: The phrase the birds refers to the same creatures as in 4:12d. See the note there. The Aramaic here does not contain the words “of the sky,” but there is no difference in the meaning.

General Comment on 4:14a–c

The birds and animals would have to run away from their homes because the tree would be cut down. In some languages it may be helpful to make this clear by changing the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

^14cDrive the animals and birds away from the tree ^14aby cutting it down. Yes, cut it down and chop off the branches. ^14bStrip off the leaves and take away its fruit.Translator’s Handbook on Daniel.

Parallel DAN 4:14

Section 4:1–37: God judged King Nebuchadnezzar

Paragraph 4:13–16

4:14–16

4:14a

4:14b

4:14c

General Comment on 4:14a–c