Daniel 4:24 — Word Study
WLCדְּנָ֥ה פִשְׁרָ֖א מַלְכָּ֑א וּגְזֵרַ֤ת עִלָּאָה֙ הִ֔יא דִּ֥י מְטָ֖ת עַל־ מָרִ֥י מַלְכָּֽא׃
BSAO kingmelek [ruler, monarch] againstʻal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דְּנָ֥ה | this | Particle |
| פִשְׁרָ֖א | [is] interpretation the | Noun common both singular determined, particle |
| מַלְכָּ֑א | king O | Noun common both singular determined, particle |
| וּגְזֵרַ֤ת | and [is] [the] decree of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| עִלָּאָה֙ | Most High the | Particle |
| הִ֔יא | it | Pronoun |
| דִּ֥י | which | Conjunction |
| מְטָ֖ת | it has reached | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| עַל־ | to | Preposition |
| מָרִ֥י | lord my | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| מַלְכָּֽא׃ | king the | Noun common both singular determined, particle |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king: |
| KJV | This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: |
| ASV | this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: |
| YLT | 'This [is] the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High it [is] that hath come against my lord the king: |
| WEB | “This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: |
| BBE | This is the sense of it, O King, and it is the decision of the Most High which has come on my lord the king: |
All translations agree on the interpretation of the decree.
The main clause presents the interpretation, with additional phrases elaborating on the decree and its authority.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבְּ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Daniel 4:24
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Interpretation of the King's Dreamgenerated
Daniel 4:24 presents the interpretation of a dream experienced by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel reveals that the Most High has issued a decree against the king, indicating a significant change in his circumstances. This interpretation serves as a warning about the consequences of pride and the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 4:17 | This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’ |
| 2 | Job 20:29 | This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.” |
| 3 | Psalm 2:7 | I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. |
| 4 | Psalm 148:6 | He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away. |
| 5 | Isaiah 14:24–27 | The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פִשְׁרָ֖א, fish.Ra'generated
פְּשַׁר (pshar) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'interpretation,' specifically in the context of dreams. It is derived from a root that relates to the concept of interpretation and is often used to describe the explanation of a mystery or enigma.
The parsing as a noun indicates that it is a subject or object in the sentence. In this verse, it serves as the subject of the interpretation being given to the king, emphasizing the importance of understanding the divine message behind the dream.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of פִשְׁרָ֖א as 'interpretation'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb מְטָ֖ת (it has reached) governs the main clause, indicating the action of the decree. The structure includes a noun phrase that identifies the subject, followed by additional clauses that clarify the interpretation and decree.
The sentence is constructed with a clear subject-verb relationship, emphasizing the interpretation as a critical element of the king's dream.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the key term פִשְׁרָ֖א as ἁμαρτιῶν, which carries the connotation of sin or transgression, suggesting an interpretative nuance that highlights the moral implications of the decree.
This choice reflects a broader understanding of the consequences of the king's actions and the divine judgment he faces.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 4:24 presents the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, revealing that the Most High has issued a decree against him. Daniel explains that this decree signifies a significant change in the king's life, serving as a warning about pride and the authority of God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The interpretation signifies a warning about the consequences of pride and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms.
The decree represents divine judgment, emphasizing that God has authority over kings and nations.
Daniel's interpretation showcases God's ability to control the fate of rulers and the course of history.
The decree teaches the importance of humility and recognizing God's sovereignty in our lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I acknowledge God's authority in my own life?
- How can I practice humility in my daily interactions with others?
- What does it mean to recognize the consequences of pride in my life?
- How can I apply the lessons from Daniel's interpretation to my own challenges?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, drawing lessons about authority and humility from Daniel's interpretation.
Verses 24, 25. "'This is the interpretation of the sentence of the Most High which has come upon my lord the king. They shall cast thee forth from among men and thy habitation shall be with cattle and wild beasts...'" Daniel moderates the…Early Church Fathers on Daniel 4 →
At this point it is possible to learn the value of the apostolic teaching, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities”;Early Church Fathers on Daniel 4 →
Often, when means are abundant, and many things can be done for subordinates to admire, the mind exalts itself in thought, and fully provokes to itself the anger of the judge, though not breaking out in overt acts of iniquity.Early Church Fathers on Daniel 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 4:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis is the interpretation, O king,.... Of this part of the dream, namely, what follows in the two next verses: and this is the decree of the most High; called before the decree of the watchers,
Read John Gill on Daniel 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThis is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: This is the decree of the Most High.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy saying these words, my lord the king, he endeavours to sweeten the bitterness of this cup of God’ s displeasure as much as he can.
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 4:24 This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:Ver. 24. This is the interpretation.] See Daniel 4:19.
Read John Trapp on Daniel 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(24) Which is come upon.—See Note on Daniel 4:13.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Daniel 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges24. and it is the decree of the most High, &c.] cf. Daniel 4:17 a.
Read Cambridge on Daniel 4 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThis is the decree of the Most High - Daniel here designs evidently to direct the attention of the monarch to the one living and true God, and to show him that he presides over all.
Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
“This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
this is the interpretation, O king! It is the decision of the Most High that this has happened to my lord the king.
Tyndale line
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
Wherefore, O King, let my counsell be acceptable vnto thee, and breake off thy sinnes by righteousnes, and thine iniquities by mercy toward the poore: lo, let there be an healing of thine errour.
Strictly literal
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which cometh upon my lord the king:
'This [is] the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High it [is] that hath come against my lord the king:
This [is] the interpretation, O king, and it [is] the decree of the Most High that has come against my lord the king:
(4:21) This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the resolve of the Most High, which will come over my lord the king:
This is the interpretation, king. It is a decree of the Most High that has reached you, my master the king.
From the Latin
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and redeem thou thy sins with alms, and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor: perhaps he will forgive thy offences.
Simplified
This is what it means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has decreed will happen to my lord the king.
This is the sense of it, O King, and it is the decision of the Most High which has come on my lord the king:
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in the overall message, though the Septuagint's wording and structure differ. The Septuagint captures the essence of the interpretation but does not match the exact phrasing of the Masoretic Text.
דְּנָ֥ה פִשְׁרָ֖א מַלְכָּ֑א וּגְזֵרַ֤ת עִלָּאָה֙ הִ֔יא דִּ֥י מְטָ֖ת עַל־ מָרִ֥י מַלְכָּֽא׃
6 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 4:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דְּנָה (denah) is an Aramaic word meaning 'this' and is used as a demonstrative pronoun. It can also imply 'therefore' or 'on account of this.' The entries indicate that it is an orthographical variation of another word, דָּן (dan), but do not provide specific Old Testament references.
דְּנָה 57 demonstr.pr.comm. this
base
H1836 דְּנָה, דֵּן
1836 den dane
(Aramaic) an orthographical variation of 1791; this:--
(afore-)time, + after this manner, here (-after),
one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), +
thus, where(-fore), which.
see HEBREW for 01791
דְּנָה (de.nah) — this.
demons pron
1) this, on account of this
adv
2) therefore
ATm — ParticleATm
פְּשַׁר (pshar) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'interpretation,' specifically referring to the interpretation of dreams. It is derived from a root that also relates to the concept of interpretation. The entries consistently emphasize its use in the context of dream interpretation.
פְּשַׁר 31 n.m. interpretation (of dream)
base
H6591 פְּשַׁר
6591 pshar pesh-ar'
(Aramaic) from 6590; an interpretation:--interpretation.
see HEBREW for 06590
פְּשַׁר (pe.shar) — interpretation.
interpretation (of dream)
Aramaic of pit.ron (פִּתְרוֹן "interpretation" H6623)
ANcbsd/Ta — Noun common both singular determined · particleANcbsd/Ta
in-tur-pre-ta'-shun:
1. General Principles:
Is a generic term and may refer to any work of literature. Referred specifically to the sacred Scriptures, the science of interpretation is generally known as hermeneutics, while the practical application of the principles of this science is exegesis. In nearly all cases, interpretation has in mind the thoughts of another, and then, further, these thoughts expressed in another language than that of the interpreter. In this sense it is used in Biblical research. A person has interpreted the thoughts of another when he has in his own mind a correct reproduction or photograph of the thought as it was conceived in the mind of the original writer or speaker. It is accordingly a purely reproductive process, involving no originality of thought on the part of the interpreter. If the latter adds anything of his own it is eisegesis and not exegesis. The…
Revealing the true meaning of supernatural dreams, Ge 41:1-57 Da 2:4, unknown tongues, etc., 1Co 12:12,30 14:5,13.
For the right interpretation of the word of God, the chief requisites are, a renewed heart, supremely desirous to learn and do the will of God; the aid of the Holy Spirit, sought and gained; a firm conviction that the word of God should rule the erring season and heart of man; a diligent comparison of its different parts, for the light they throw upon each other; all reliable information as to the history and geography, the customs, laws, and languages, the public, domestic, and inner life of Bible times. Thus to study the Bible for one’s self is the privilege and duty of every one.
→ See TONGUES
מֶ֫לֶךְ (melek) means 'king' in Hebrew and is also noted in Aramaic. The entries confirm its singular meaning related to royalty, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 178 n.m. king
base
H4430 מֶ֫לֶךְ
4430 melek meh'-lek
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4428; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04428
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
king
Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428)
§ 1) king
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particleANcbsd/Ta
גְּזֵרָה (gzerah) means 'decree' and is derived from the root meaning 'to cut.' It appears in Aramaic and is linked to Strong's H1504. The entries consistently define it as a decree without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[גְּזֵרָה] n.f. decree
base
H1510 גְּזֵרָה
1510 gzerah ghez-ay-raw'
(Aramaic) from 1505 (as 1504); a decree:--decree.
see HEBREW for 01505
see HEBREW for 01504
גְּזֵרָה (ge.ze.rah) — decree.
decree
Aramaic of ga.zar (גָּזַר "to cut" H1504)
AC/Ncfsc — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructAC/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עִלַּי (illay) is an Aramaic word meaning 'Most High' or 'highest.' It is derived from a related term that also conveys the idea of being 'upper.' The entries consistently emphasize its use in a supreme context, particularly referring to God.
[עִלַּי] adj. highest
base
H5943 עִלַּי
5943 `illay il-lah'-ee
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5942; supreme (i.e. God):--(most)
high.
see HEBREW for 05942
עִלַּי (il.lay) — Most High.
highest, the Most High
Aramaic of il.li (עִלִּי "upper" H5942)
AAabsd/Ta — ParticleAAabsd/Ta
הוּא is a pronoun meaning 'he,' 'she,' or 'it,' with variations in usage based on gender. It serves to emphasize or resume the subject, anticipate the subject, or affirm existence. The word appears in both masculine and feminine forms, with 14 occurrences for the masculine and 7 for the feminine.
הוּא 14 m. הִיא 7 f. pron. of 3s. he, she, it
base
H1932 הוּא, הִיא
1932 huw hoo
(Aramaic) or (feminine) hiyo (Aramaic) {he}; corresponding to
1931:--X are, it, this.
see HEBREW for 01931
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
1) he, she, it
1a) (emphasising and resuming subject)
1b)(anticipating subj)
1c) as demons pron
1d) (relative)
1e) (affirming existence)
APp3fs — PronounAPp3fs
דִּי (diy) is an Aramaic word meaning 'that,' functioning as a relative conjunction and a preposition in various contexts. It can indicate relationships such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'because,' and is used in adverbial phrases. The entries highlight its role in connecting clauses and marking possession.
דִּי part. of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of gen. and conj. that, because
base
H1768 דִּי
1768 diy dee
(Aramaic) apparently for 1668; that, used as relative
conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial
phrases; also as preposition of:--X as, but, for(-asmuch +), +
now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what
(-soever), when, which, whom, whose.
see HEBREW for 01668
דִּי (di) — that.
part of relation
1) who, which, that
mark of genitive
2) that of, which belongs to, that
conj
3) that, because
AC — ConjunctionAC
מְטָא (mta') means to reach or attain. It covers the ideas of coming upon, extending, or arriving. The word is used in an intransitive sense in Aramaic, suggesting a sense of presence or occurrence. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
מְטָא, מְטָה vb. reach, attain
base
H4291 מְטָא, מְטָה
4291 mta' met-aw'
(Aramaic) or mtah (Aramaic) {met-aw'}; apparently
corresponding to 4672 in the intransitive sense of being found
present; to arrive, extend or happen:--come, reach.
see HEBREW for 04672
מְטָא (me.ta) — to reach.
1) to reach, come upon, attain
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to reach, come to
1a2) to reach, extend
1a3) to come upon
AVqp3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularAVqp3fs
עַל (al) is a preposition meaning 'upon,' 'over,' or 'against.' It covers a range of uses, including direction, comparison, and causation. The entries indicate it can express relationships concerning location, purpose, or authority. There is a note that it corresponds to the Aramaic term related to another Hebrew word, עַל (H5921), but no significant disagreement among lexicons is noted.
עַל prep. upon, over, on account of, above, to, against
base
H5922 עַל
5922 `al al
(Aramaic) corresponding to 5921:--about, against,
concerning, for, (there-)fore, from, in, X more, of, (there-,
up-)on, (in-)to, + why with.
see HEBREW for 05921
עַל (al) — since.
1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against
1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of
1b) over (with verbs of ruling)
1c) above, beyond (in comparison)
1d) to, against (of direction)
Adj | Suff — PrepositionAR
מָרֵא (mare') is an Aramaic word meaning 'lord' or 'master,' derived from a root related to the concept of domineering. It can refer to a king or God, indicating authority and leadership.
H4756 מָרֵא
4756 mare' maw-ray'
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 4754 in the sense of
domineering; a master:--lord, Lord.
see HEBREW for 04754
מָרֵא (ma.re) — lord.
1) lord
1a) of king
1b) of God
ANcbsc/Sp1bs — Noun common both singular construct · suffixANcbsc/Sp1bs
מֶ֫לֶךְ (melek) means 'king' in Hebrew and is also noted in Aramaic. The entries confirm its singular meaning related to royalty, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 178 n.m. king
base
H4430 מֶ֫לֶךְ
4430 melek meh'-lek
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4428; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04428
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
king
Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428)
§ 1) king
ANcbsd/Ta — Noun common both singular determined · particleANcbsd/Ta
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…