Daniel 4:17
"This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

This matter is by the decree of the watchers,.... That is, the cutting down the tree, and what is signified by it, was with the advice, consent, and approbation of the watchers, by whom is generally understood angels; not that they were the authors of this decree, but approvers of it; and were ready, not only to subscribe it, but to execute it; it being against a wicked man, and an oppressor of the Lord's people: they are represented as assessors with God; called into a consultation with him; alluding to the manner of kings and princes, who have their privy council, whom they advise with on occasion; though, properly speaking, nothing of this nature is

to be attributed to God, only after the manner of men; see Kg1 22:19 . and the demand by the word of the Holy Ones; the same as before, in other words; watchers and Holy Ones being the same, the holy angels; See Gill on Dan 4:13 , and the decree and the demand the same; or the request (o), or petition; which shows what concern they had in the decree; they only requested it might pass, or be carried into execution; though some understand this of saints on earth, who, in their prayers and supplications, requested for the judgments of God to come down upon this proud monarch: though, after all, it may be best to interpret the whole of the three Persons in the Godhead, who are perfectly pure and holy, essentially and inderivatively; and may be called watchers, because they watch over the good, to bring it upon the Lord's people; and over the evil, to bring it upon their enemies: and to them well agree the decree and the demand; and the rather this may be thought to be the true sense, since this decree is called the decree of the most High, Dan 4:24 , and who is expressed in the next clause: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; though men have kingdoms on earth, and multitudes subject to them, yet they are not absolute sovereigns; there is a God that is higher than they, at whose control they are, and does whatsoever he pleases in their kingdoms, of which the event signified in this dream was a proof; and would be brought about on purpose to make it appear that those that live on earth (for, as for the dead, they know nothing what is done on it), both princes and people, might be sufficiently convinced of the truth of it: and giveth it to whomsoever he will; that is, the kingdom; he takes it from one, and gives it to another; pulls down one, and sets up another, as he pleases; see Dan 2:21 , and setteth up over it the basest of men; or, "the lowest of men" (p); men of the meanest and lowest rank and condition of life, as David was taken from the sheepfold, and made king of Israel; perhaps respect is had to Nebuchadnezzar himself; not to his person, as Saadiah, who says he was short, and low of stature; but to his llater state and condition, when he was taken from among the beasts of the field, and restored to his throne and kingdom. (o) "petitio", Pagninus, Montanus; "postulatio", Munster; "hoc postulatum", Junius & Tremellius; "petitio haec", Piscator. (p) "humliem hominum". Montanus, Grotius; "humilem inter homines", Pagninus; "humilem virorum", Michaelis; "humillimum hominum", Cocceius.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (12 words)

H0363 אִילָן
Definition:

7tree(ᵑ7אִילָן, Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrewאֵלָה,אֵלוֺן); — absolute׳אDaniel 4:7; emphaticנָא-Daniel 4:8;Daniel 4:11;Daniel 4:17;Daniel 4:20;Daniel 4:23.Topical LexiconOverviewאִילָן occurs six ti 7tree(ᵑ7אִילָן, Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrewאֵלָה,אֵלוֺן); — absolute׳אDaniel 4:7; emphaticנָא-Daniel 4:8;Daniel 4:11;Daniel 4:17;Daniel 4:20;Daniel 4:23.Topical LexiconOverviewאִילָן occurs six ti

H1768 דִּי
Definition:

of same origin as Arabicpossessor of[compare below Biblical Hebrewזֶה]. Properly a demonstrativethat[compareזֶה; in Ethiopiczeis 'this',za'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preced of same origin as Arabicpossessor of[compare below Biblical Hebrewזֶה]. Properly a demonstrativethat[compareזֶה; in Ethiopiczeis 'this',za'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preced

Possible Meanings:
  • who (semantic_range)
  • because (semantic_range)
H2370 חֲזָא
Definition:

20;Daniel 5:1; 2masculine singularתֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:43+,תָה-Daniel 2:41.2: 41; 1singularחֲזֵיתDaniel 2:46+; 2 masculine pluralתֲוֵיתוּןDaniel 2:8;Pe`alInfinitiveמְֶָחֱזֵז֑אEzra 4:14;Participle activeחָ 20;Daniel 5:1; 2masculine singularתֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:43+,תָה-Daniel 2:41.2: 41; 1singularחֲזֵיתDaniel 2:46+; 2 masculine pluralתֲוֵיתוּןDaniel 2:8;Pe`alInfinitiveמְֶָחֱזֵז֑אEzra 4:14;Participle activeחָ

H1768 דִּי
Definition:

of same origin as Arabicpossessor of[compare below Biblical Hebrewזֶה]. Properly a demonstrativethat[compareזֶה; in Ethiopiczeis 'this',za'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preced of same origin as Arabicpossessor of[compare below Biblical Hebrewזֶה]. Properly a demonstrativethat[compareזֶה; in Ethiopiczeis 'this',za'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preced

Possible Meanings:
  • who (semantic_range)
  • because (semantic_range)
H7236 רְבָה
Definition:

8+; 3 feminine singularרְבָתDaniel 4:19; 2masculine singularרְבַיְתָKt ( >רְבַתQr K§ 47, Beisp. 1)a))Daniel 4:19; —grow tall and large, of treeDaniel 4:8;Daniel 4:17;grow long, of hairDaniel 4:30; fig 8+; 3 feminine singularרְבָתDaniel 4:19; 2masculine singularרְבַיְתָKt ( >רְבַתQr K§ 47, Beisp. 1)a))Daniel 4:19; —grow tall and large, of treeDaniel 4:8;Daniel 4:17;grow long, of hairDaniel 4:30; fig

Possible Meanings:
  • grow great (semantic_range)
  • make great (semantic_range)
H8631 תְּקֵף
Definition:

11, 20, 22; 5:20; 6:7). In the first three texts the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is pictured as a tree that “grew large and strong” (Daniel 4:11), its vigor towering until God cuts it down. 11, 20, 22; 5:20; 6:7). In the first three texts the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is pictured as a tree that “grew large and strong” (Daniel 4:11), its vigor towering until God cuts it down.

Possible Meanings:
  • might (semantic_range)
H7314 רוּם
Definition:

7height; — suffixרוּמֵהּ, of templeEzra 6:3, imageDaniel 3:1, tree in visionDaniel 4:7;Daniel 4:8;Daniel 4:17.Topical LexiconOverview of UsageStrong’s Hebrew 7314 appears five times, each time describ 7height; — suffixרוּמֵהּ, of templeEzra 6:3, imageDaniel 3:1, tree in visionDaniel 4:7;Daniel 4:8;Daniel 4:17.Topical LexiconOverview of UsageStrong’s Hebrew 7314 appears five times, each time describ

H4291 מְטָא
Definition:

25,ָ  הDaniel 7:13,22; 3feminine singularמְטַתDaniel 4:19,מְטָתDaniel 4:21Qr (Kt, erroneous,מטיתK§ 47, Beisp. 1)a)); 3 masculine pluralמְטוֺDaniel 6:25;Imperfect3masculine singularיִמְטֵאDaniel 4:8;Da 25,ָ  הDaniel 7:13,22; 3feminine singularמְטַתDaniel 4:19,מְטָתDaniel 4:21Qr (Kt, erroneous,מטיתK§ 47, Beisp. 1)a)); 3 masculine pluralמְטוֺDaniel 6:25;Imperfect3masculine singularיִמְטֵאDaniel 4:8;Da

Possible Meanings:
  • reach (semantic_range)
  • attain (semantic_range)
H8065 שָׁמַיִן
Definition:

11.Occurrences in Scripture• Daniel: 2:18, 19, 28, 37 (LXX v. 38), 44, 45; 3:25; 4:13 (v. 10), 15 (v. 12), 17 (v. 14), 23 (v. 20), 26 (v. 23), 31 (v. 28), 34 (v. 31), 35 (v. 32); 5:21, 23; 6:27 (v. 26 11.Occurrences in Scripture• Daniel: 2:18, 19, 28, 37 (LXX v. 38), 44, 45; 3:25; 4:13 (v. 10), 15 (v. 12), 17 (v. 14), 23 (v. 20), 26 (v. 23), 31 (v. 28), 34 (v. 31), 35 (v. 32); 5:21, 23; 6:27 (v. 26

Possible Meanings:
  • heavens (semantic_range)
H2379 חֲזוֹת
Definition:

8, 17.Topical LexiconMeaning and nuanceThe noun conveys the idea of what is seen or looked upon—an “appearance,” “spectacle,” or “visible aspect.” In Daniel it is tied to the capacity of human eyes to 8, 17.Topical LexiconMeaning and nuanceThe noun conveys the idea of what is seen or looked upon—an “appearance,” “spectacle,” or “visible aspect.” In Daniel it is tied to the capacity of human eyes to

Possible Meanings:
  • sight (semantic_range)
  • visibility (semantic_range)
H3606 כֹּל
Definition:

“God saw all that He had made” (Genesis 1:31). From the outset, kol proclaims that nothing lies outside the Creator’s ownership.• This theme continues: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, “God saw all that He had made” (Genesis 1:31). From the outset, kol proclaims that nothing lies outside the Creator’s ownership.• This theme continues: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,

Possible Meanings:
  • the whole (semantic_range)
H0772 אֲרַע
Definition:

35,39 16t. Daniel;Ezra 5:11;Jeremiah 10:11b;אַ֫רְעָא(D§§ 9, 5 a; 44, 1 n) =אֲרַע+ָ֯of direction,earthward, i.e.downward,אַרְעָא מִנָּחDaniel 2:39Ktlower than thou, i.e. inferior to thee Qrאֲרַע(compar 35,39 16t. Daniel;Ezra 5:11;Jeremiah 10:11b;אַ֫רְעָא(D§§ 9, 5 a; 44, 1 n) =אֲרַע+ָ֯of direction,earthward, i.e.downward,אַרְעָא מִנָּחDaniel 2:39Ktlower than thou, i.e. inferior to thee Qrאֲרַע(compar

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