Nebuchadnezzar continues recounting his dream, repeating what the angelic watcher told him.
King Nebuchadnezzar has had another dream that disturbed him and that his wise men were unable to interpret. He has been recounting what his dream was about. He saw a mighty tree that was beautiful, large, and healthy, and provided for many animals. Now he will learn the fate of the tree.
The angel shouted out and spoke to Nebuchadnezzar. He told him what would happen to the large and abundant tree that Nebuchadnezzar had seen: Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit; let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. Although the tree was to be destroyed and cease to provide for bird and beast, the stump was to be left with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field.
We will find out through Daniel’s interpretation of this dream that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar and his mighty rule in his realm, providing for his people. Indicating that his reign would not only end but that he would be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth. This would indicate that he would live among the animals. His mind would even be changed from that of a man, and let the beasts’ mind be given to him. The angel also indicated that seven periods of time would pass over him in this state of living as an animal. It is no wonder that the king was frantic to have his dream interpreted.
Biblical Text
14 ‘He shouted out and spoke as follows:
Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 “Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 “Let his mind be changed from that of a man
And let a beast’s mind be given to him,
And let seven periods of time pass over him.
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