v.
13: “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a
holy one, came down from heaven.”
o
“watcher…” (cf., vv. 17 & 23); a “wakeful one;”
i.e., one who is (or stays) awake, or one who is watchful; thus,
a reference to one who is supremely competent to operate as a guardian, protector,
sentinel, or as an agent or administrator of God’s sovereign will.
o
The
basic emphasis of the terminology focuses upon the Watcher’s
perpetual wakefulness and his extraordinary powers of observation.
o
Ancient
Babylon’s political culture recognized the concept of a special role for
those who functioned as royal “watchers” (i.e., the eyes & ears of the
king), with some operating in the capacity of political informants, border patrol
agents, marketplace observers, etc.
o
It
has also been observed that the concept of celestial “watchers” was also not unknown
to various ancient Mesopotamian & Middle Eastern religious traditions. However,
this does NOT represent an unacceptable and inaccurate accommodation to
Nebuchadnezzar’s polytheistic notions.
o Regardless of
Nebuchadnezzar’s underlying cultural understanding of this reference, the term
here undoubtedly refers to the Biblical reality of angels; note
the NASB rendering: “an angelic watcher”—perhaps an overly interpretive,
but nonetheless accurate understanding.
o
Fanciful
ancient extrabiblical literature (e.g., the so-called “Books of
Enoch”) has generated much interest in our day (cf., the 2014 Russel Crowe
vehicle Noah) focusing upon the “Watchers” and their supposed connection
to Gen. 6:1-4.
o “Holy one”
specifies that the angelic beings mentioned here are elect angels,
confirmed in their holiness and devoted unto the service of God—as opposed to fallen
angels.
o
The
ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) has defined
the Watchers as angelic servants of God who “possess a certain joint authority
to speak the decrees of God, and apparently form a heavenly council who listen
to God’s word and then act as divine messengers to bring these commands and
revelations to human beings.”
o
In
the end, it must be understood that it “is the decree of the Most High”
that ultimately prevails here (v. 24), and that God is the Sovereign Authority
that stands behind all angelic agencies & intermediaries.
o
This
passage introduces a number of subsequent references within Daniel to
angelic participation in the unfolding & revelation of God’s Plan (e.g.,
Dan. 7:15-28, 8:13-27, 9:20-27, etc.). Daniel foreshadows Revelation,
which contains an extraordinary number of references to the service and
ministry of angels!
o
Angels
are indeed elsewhere depicted as the eyes and ears of the Lord, who, as
pure & immaterial spirit-beings, stand watchful & attentive—ready to
serve Him at all times, without having to concern themselves with the
limitations of various physical concerns that preoccupy corporal beings (e.g.,
food & drink, sleep, etc.).
Ezek. 10:12: And their [i.e., the
cherubim] whole body, their rims, and their spokes, their wings, and the
wheels were full of eyes all around—the wheels that the four of them had. [cf.,
Ezek. 1:18]
Rev 4:6-8: “…and
before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around
the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes
in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second
creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and
the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures,
each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day
and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the
Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.’”
Ever-ready servants & ministers of Divine judgment
(cf., the Trumpet & Bowl Judgments of Revelation), who never slumber!
Ps. 103:20-21: Bless the LORD,
O you his angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His
word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.
Heb. 1:7: And of the
angels He says, "Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of
fire." [Ps.
104:4]
In this sense, they are like God Himself, who
never slumbers nor sleeps… but in His unique omniscience and omnipresence,
truly is perpetually watching everywhere!
Ps. 121:4: “Behold, He who
keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Prov. 5:21: For the ways of
a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths.
Prov. 15:3: The eyes of the
LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
Peter & Paul refers to our life’s
performances being enacted before an audience of Heavenly Dignitaries who long
to witness the unfolding of the drama human redemption:
1Pet. 1:12: “This Good News
has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit
sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly
watching these things happen.” NLT
Eph 3:10: “…so that
through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the
rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” ESV
We are indeed being “watched” by all manner of
celestial “watchers”—sinless beings who have never experienced the Divine Grace
of redemption in Jesus Christ in the manner of us sinful sons of Adam. Let us
put on a good & graciously enacted show for them!
v.
14a: “He shouted out…”
o
LITV:
“He cried with might;” i.e., a forceful shout (recalling the
King’s herald of Daniel 3:4) which serves to highlight the resolved purpose and
potent authority that lies behind the command.
o
In
Rev. 18:1-2, another angelic herald of great authority will likewise pronounce
the doom of a Future Babylon during the Tribulation Period, crying out in a
mighty voice “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!”
v.
14b: "Chop down the tree and cut off its branches…”
o
Destructive,
catastrophic Divine judgment (cf., v. 23). The King will be deprived of his glory,
might, authority, dignity, etc. (Dan. 5:20); his subjects will no longer enjoy
the benefits and protection of his enlightened despotism.
v.
15a: "Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground…”
o
Yet,
within this word of judgment, there is a word of mercy. There
is hope for a hewn tree, if its stump & root system remains;
there resides the potential for both restoration, and ultimate regeneration
and rebirth!
Job 14:7-9 ESV: “For there is hope for a tree, if
it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.
Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet
at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.”
o
Daniel interprets (v. 26) that Nebuchadnezzar’s reign will be astonishingly
preserved throughout the extended time of his affliction, and that he will
ultimately return to his place of authority. He will be maintained and
protected in a remarkable and utterly unprecedented fashion from the normally
anticipated coups, rebellions, and usurpations that would ordinarily attend the
byzantine world of court politics under such vulnerable circumstances.
o
While
Nebuchadnezzar will personally be restored to the Throne after enduring
his great hour of calamity, his Neo-Babylonian Empire—an extension of
himself—will never again flourish in the fashion of its former glory once the
mighty Head of Gold passes off the scene and is followed by a series of
inferior rulers. The Breast and Arms of Silver must arise and supplant
(Dan. 2:32, 39)!
o
Similar imagery is also used of the Messiah,
the Branch: “a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots
shall bear fruit” (Isa. 11:1). Also cf.
v.
15b: “…but with a band of iron and bronze around it…”
o
Though
variously interpreted, the symbol of the band, within context, seems
indicative of the idea that a metaphorical fence or hedge of protection
would be placed around Nebuchadnezzar during his time of helplessness and
vulnerability.
o
Other
commentators have pointed to the idea that the King’s madness was a form
of binding in-and-of itself, or that the King would literally be bound
or fenced-in by materials made of iron and bronze for his own protection, as
well as for the well-being of other people (cf., Mark 5:4). However, none of
this is spelled-out in Daniel’s interpretation.
v.
15c: “And let him…”
o
“him…” Note the transition:
no longer does the Watcher speak of a tree, but rather, of what the tree
symbolizes—a man (cf., vv. 16, 22)—constituting a partial
interpretation of the King’s dream.
v. 16: “Let his mind be
changed from that of a man…”
>cf., Daniel’s interpretation: v. 22: “it is you,
O king…”
Frequently, dreams are, by their very nature,
somewhat surreal and incongruous in character, having their own peculiar sense
of internal logic!
v.
15d: “…be drenched with the
dew of heaven… share with the beasts in the grass of
the earth.”
o
Nebuchadnezzar
would soon be driven from the society of other men and the comforts of the palace,
and thus be found lying in the open fields, setting aside his customary
delicacies (cf., 1:5) and grazing upon grass in the absurd manner of some
witless bovine (cf., v. 25, 33; 5:21).
v.
16a: "Let his mind be changed from that of a man…”
o “mind.”
Or, “heart,” as with the KJV, ASV, LITV, NKJV, WEB, etc.
o “Heart” (Heb., leḇaḇ;
Gk., kardia), generally speaking, a figurative term for the
innermost part of man’s being; the inner-self as the seat of moral inclination,
as well as thought, understanding, and reflection; the spiritual core, or
center, of our inner life and being; the source and dwelling place of our
emotions, inclinations, and desires.
Gleason Archer, “Daniel;” The Expositor’s
Bible Commentary:
The word for “mind” is leḇaḇ
(lit., “heart,” a term that in Scripture refers to the inner self as the seat
of moral reflection, choice of the will, and pattern of behavior). It includes
not only the mental processes but also the feelings, affections, and emotions,
along with all the motivational factors leading to decisions and responses to
life situations.
v.
16b: “…and let a beast's mind be given to him…”
o
“Beast;”
Heb., chêyvâ'; this terminology is used in Daniel of both ordinary
beasts (e.g., 2:38, 4:12) as well as the symbolic beasts of prophetic vision (e.g.,
7:3, 5, 6, 12, 17)—including the antichrist-associated Roman Beast of 7:6-7, 11,
19, 23.
o
“…a beast's mind.” The King would lose his powers of reason
and function in the likeness and manner of a subhuman beast, shunning
the world of men and living a sort of mindless animal-existence. Utterly
deprived both of his sense of memory and purpose, he would be found destitute
of all rational faculties, and instead be governed by brutish desires and instincts.
v.
17a: "This sentence is by the decree of the watchers…”
o
The
picture presents Angels as serving as members of a sort of Royal Privy
Council, with the Lord, the Great King, presiding in majesty (cf., Job 1:6,
2:1; 1 Kings 22:19-22).
o
Angels (both those evil & elect) are connected to various nations,
and are associated with their governance and oversight, exercising dignitary
functions over the realms of mankind (cf., Dan. 10:13, 20; Eph. 1:21, 3:10,
6:12).
o
During
the Millennium, incredibly, the Church will enjoy such a high
state and exercise high dignitary functions! (cf., Dan. 7:27; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; 2
Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-28, 20:4, 6.
Dan. 7:27: Then the sovereignty, the
dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be
given to the people of the saints of the Highest One…
Luke 19:17: “And he said to him, ‘Well
done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall
have authority over ten cities.’”
I Cor. 6:2: “Or do you not know that the
saints will judge the world?”
2 Tim. 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign
with Him…”
Rev. 2:26-28: “He who overcomes, and he who
keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and
he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken
to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give
him the morning star.”
Rev. 20:6: Blessed and holy is the one who
has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a
thousand years.
o
The
decree is ultimately the Lord’s (v. 24)—but the heavenly Council
stands in whole-hearted agreement. The Lord’s decree is thus their
decree.
v.
17b: “…and the demand by the word of the holy ones…”
o
The
Heavenly Council not only stands in unison and agreement with the Lord’s righteous
sentence, but also has been demanding through their prayers that
Nebuchadnezzar, the prideful would-be usurper of God’s glory and sovereignty,
be humbled and brought-down low.
o
What
a fearful message unto Nebuchadnezzar: all of God’s holy Angels stand in
opposition to him, demanding through their righteous petitions that he be
judged!
v.
17c: “…to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules…”
o
Through His just judgments, God’s unlimited sovereignty
and Personal attributes of holiness and righteousness are
displayed and revealed unto all of Creation. Judgment imparts knowledge!
Ezek. 6:7: “And the slain shall fall in your
midst, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”
Ezek. 25:5: “I will make Rabbah a pasture for
camels and Ammon a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the
LORD.”
Ezek. 25:11: “…and I will execute judgments
upon Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Ezek. 25:17: “I will execute great vengeance
on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the
LORD, when I lay my vengeance upon them.”
Rom. 9:17, 22: 17“For the Scripture
says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate
My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the
whole earth." 22“What if God, although willing to demonstrate
His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels
of wrath prepared for destruction?”
v.
17d: “…and gives it to whomever He will…”
o
Outside
of God’s all-embracing sovereign will (Gen. 50:20; Isa. 45:7; Amos 3:6; Acts
2:23), no earthly ruler possesses their throne or authority.
John 19:10-11a: So Pilate said to Him, "You
do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I
have authority to crucify You?" Jesus answered, "You would have no
authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…”
Rom. 13:11: Every person is to be in
subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from
God, and those which exist are established by God.
o
This
truth applies unto all rulers—from the noblest and most pious,
unto the basest and most perverse. All rulers—whether it be George Washington,
Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joseph Stalin, or Adolf Hitler—are
ordained of God in accordance with His eternal purposes for the nations.
o
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them” (Shakespeare; Twelfth Night; Act II, Scene 5)—but a
King’s Throne, ultimately, is founded not upon his native
cleverness, talents, wealth, social position, etc. Rather, it is founded upon
the good pleasure of God.
v.
17e: “…and sets up over it the lowest of men.”
o
Or,
“basest” of men (KJV), as in the sense of having originated from the lowest
and most humble social station.
o
This
same truth is reflected in Hannah’s Song (1 Sam. 2:7-8), as well as in the
similarly focused Magnificat, sung by the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:51-52):
1 Sam. 2:7-8: "The LORD makes poor and
rich; He brings low, He also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts
the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of
honor; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and He set the world on
them.”
Luke 1:51-52: "He has done mighty deeds
with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their
heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who
were humble.”
o
Interestingly,
Nebuchadnezzar’s own father, Nabopolassar, the founder of the Dynasty,
was a man of obscure origins, testifying to being the “son of a nobody.”
o Nebuchadnezzar was born
to greatness and achieved greatness in his own right—but would soon find
himself the lowest of the low!
o
His story will be one of riches-to-rags-to-riches!!!
