DAN 4:3 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=important (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) The miracles he does are incredible,
⇔ ≈ and his acts of creation are powerful.
⇔ His kingdom will last forever,
⇔ ≈ and his authority goes from one generation to another.

Key: .
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 How great are his signs,
⇔ and how mighty are his wonders!
⇔ His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
⇔ and his dominion is from generation to generation.”

UST He performs great miracles,
⇔ and does wonderful things.
⇔ His kingdom will last forever;
⇔ his rule over people will never end.

BSB How great [are] His signs,
⇔ how mighty His wonders!
⇔ His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
⇔ His dominion endures from generation to generation.

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE How great are his signs!
⇔ How mighty are his wonders!
⇔ His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
⇔ His dominion is from generation to generation.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET “How great are his signs!
⇔ How mighty are his wonders!
⇔ His kingdom will last forever,
⇔ and his authority continues from one generation to the next.”

LSV How great His signs! And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom [is] a continuous kingdom, and His rule [is] with generation and generation.

FBV His signs are incredible. His wonders are amazing! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his rule will last for all generations!

T4T He performs great miracles,
⇔ and does wonderful things.
⇔ His kingdom will last forever;
⇔ his rule over people will never end.

LEB How great are his signs and wonders, how strong is his kingdom, _⌊an everlasting kingdom_⌋;[fn] and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.

4:3 Literally “a kingdom of eternity”

BBE How great are his signs! and how full of power are his wonders! his kingdom is an eternal kingdom and his rule goes on from generation to generation.

Moff How great are his portents, how awful his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion lasts from age to age.

JPS (3-33) How great are His signs! and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.

ASV How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

DRA Then I set forth a decree, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before me, and that they should shew me the interpretation of the dream.

YLT His signs how great! and His wonders how mighty! His kingdom [is] a kingdom age-during, and His rule [is] with generation and generation.

Drby How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

RV How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

SLT His signs, how many! and his wonders, how mighty! his kingdom, an eternal kingdom, and his dominion with generation and generation.

Wbstr How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

KJB-1769 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

KJB-1611 How great are his signes? and how mighty are his wonders? his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome, and his dominion is frō generation to generation.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps O how great are his signes, and howe mightie are his wonders? his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome, & his dominion is fro generation to generation.
(Oh how great are his signs, and how mighty are his wonders? his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.)

Gnva Therefore made I a decree, that they should bring all the wise men of Babel before mee, that they might declare vnto me the interpretation of the dreame.
(Therefore made I a decree, that they should bring all the wise men of Babel before me, that they might declare unto me the interpretation of the dream. )

Cvdl O how greate are his tokes, & how mightie are his wonders? His kyngdome is an euerlastinge kyngdome, and his power lasteth for euer and euer.
(Oh how great are his tokes, and how mighty are his wonders? His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his power lasteth for ever and ever.)

Wycl And a decre was set forth bi me, that alle the wise men of Babiloyne schulden be brouyt in bifor my siyt, and that thei schulden schewe to me the soilyng of the dreem.
(And a decree was set forth by me, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before my sight, and that they should show to me the soiling of the dream.)

Luth Und ich befahl, daß alle Weisen zu Babel vor mich heraufgebracht würden, daß sie mir sageten, was der Traum bedeutete.
(And I commanded/ordered, that all ways/manners to/for Babel before/in_front_of me upgebracht would, that they/she/them to_me saysen, what/which the/of_the dream bedeutete.)

ClVg Et per me propositum est decretum ut introducerentur in conspectu meo cuncti sapientes Babylonis, et ut solutionem somnii indicarent mihi.
(And through me propositum it_is decretum as to_introducentur in/into/on in_sight mine all wise_people Babylonis, and as solutionem somnii to_indicidatent to_me. )

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 4:1–3

This chapter is in the form of a royal proclamation or announcement. In this first paragraph the king introduced himself as the person who was making the proclamation. He mentioned whom he was addressing and greeted them.

The king’s scribes would have written a proclamation like this on a stone or wooden slab. His servants would then have placed it where people could see and read it easily.

The verse numbers in the BSB differ from the numbers in the NJB and the NJPS.These versions begin the account at 3:31, and the paragraph ends at 3:33. So in these versions chapter 4 does not begin until 4:4 in the BSB. 4:4 in the BSB is 4:1 in the NJB. See the discussion in the Introduction to these Notes.

4:3

This verse is written in poetic form. If you have a special way of indicating that this is poetic speech, you can use it here. For example, some versions indent these lines or use different kinds of type.

There are two pairs of parallel lines in this verse. The first part of each pair is followed by a second part that says the same thing in a different way.

4:3a

How great are His signs,

The signs he has given/performed are very great!
I praise him for his wonderful signs!
He has shown me amazing signs!

How great are His signs: The king praised God for the signs that God had showed him. These signs were great. That is, they were very impressive or wonderful. Other ways to translate this include:

His wonderful acts are great (NCV)

Your language may have a different way to express this kind of praise. It may be natural to supply a verb. For example:

I praise him because he performs great signs

Praise him for his great miracles!

great: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as great in this context means “imposing, amazing, unusual.” Here is another way to translate this:

impressive (GW)

signs: See the Notes at 4:2. The GW says explicitly:

miraculous signs (GW)

4:3b

how mighty His wonders!

The miracles he has done are powerful!
I praise him for his wonderful works!
He has performed mighty miracles!

how mighty His wonders!: The king praised God for the wonderful things God had done. This is very similar in meaning to 4:3a. Other ways to translate it include:

and his miracles are mighty (NCV)

He uses his power to do amazing things (GW)

I praise God for his powerful wonders/miracles!

mighty: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as mighty means “strong.” Here is another way to translate this:

powerful (NLT)

wonders: See the Notes at 4:2b, where the same word is used. In some languages it may be natural to use a verb here. For example:

the wonderful/miraculous things he has done

General Comment on 4:3a–b

In Aramaic, the repetition of ideas makes a natural poetic form suitable for songs or exclamations of praise. But in some languages it may not be natural to repeat the same idea in two different ways. If that is true in your language, you may be able to combine 4:3a–b into one clause. For example:

His miracles are mighty and marvelous. (CEV)

4:3c

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;

He has authority to rule forever.
He will reign forever,

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom: The king continued to praise God. He exclaimed that God’s kingdom will last forever. God will never cease to rule as king over his people. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the idea kingdom as a verb. For example:

He will rule forever (CEV)

His kingdom: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as His kingdom in this context refers to God’s authority to rule. God will always have the power and authority to reign.

eternal: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as eternal in this context means “for limitless, unending time.” Here is another way to translate this:

everlasting (RSV)

4:3d

His dominion endures from generation to generation.

He reigns over each new generation of people.
the lord/king over us and our children and their children and all who are yet to come/live.

The Aramaic text connects this verse part to the previous verse part with the common conjunction that is often translated as “and.” In this context it introduces a parallel line of poetry that says the same thing in a different way. The BSB has not translated it. Introduce this parallel line of poetry in a way that is natural in your language.

His dominion endures from generation to generation: This line repeats the meaning of the previous line, but with a different emphasis. Here the king emphasized that God will continually rule people, from one generation of people to the next, now and forever.

His dominion: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates His dominion means “God’s rule.” It is synonymous with “His kingdom.” See the Notes at 4:3c. It may be natural to translate this with a verb phrase. For example:

he will rule

he will reign

generation: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as generation refers to an age group. Parents are one generation, their children another, and their grandchildren another. God will rule over each new age group that is born. There are at least two ways to say this:

General Comment on 4:3c–d

Translate literally. For example:
God will reign over each new generation
His sovereignty endures through all generations (REB)
Translate the meaning. For example:
he will rule for all time (GNT)

In some languages it may not be natural to repeat the same idea in two different ways. If that is true in your language, you may be able to combine Daniel 4:3c–d into one clause. For example:

^3c-dGod will rule forever over each new generation

Parallel DAN 4:3