SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:17
Por sentencia de los centinelas se acuerda el negocio, y por dicho de los santos la demanda: para que conozcan los vivientes que el Altísimo se enseñorea del reino de los hombres, y que a quien él quiere lo da, y constituye sobre él al más bajo de los hombres.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Daniel 4:17
Verse 17. This matter is by the decree of the watchers] See on ver. 13. The Most High ruleth] He never leaves the government of the world to man, to second causes, or to fortuitous occurrences. What are thus called are his agents; they are no moving causes.
And setteth up-the basest of men.] "Tyrants and kings from Jove proceed Those are permitted, these decreed." The throne ennobles no man: to be properly filled, the man must be noble.
Some of the greatest and some of the meanest of men have sat on the throne. Kings differ in education, seldom in intellect, from the common mass of men; the power and authority are from God. The king himself may be given either in mercy or in wrath. When James 2 ruled this kingdom, it might well be said, God hath set up over it the basest of men.
His successor was one of the best. The former nearly ruined it both in a civil and religious point of view; the latter was the means of restoring it in both these respects.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. This matter is by the decree of the watchers , etc.] 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 1 Kings 22:19-22) 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 “ Daniel 4:13”): and the decree and the demand the same; or the request f157 , 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, ( Daniel 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 Daniel 2:21): and setteth up over it the basest of men ; or, “the lowest of men” f158 ; 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of Jehovah. (Dan. 4:1-18) Danie interprets his dream. (Dan. 4:19-27) The fulfilment of it. (Dan 4:28-37)
Dan. 4:1-18 The beginning and end of this chapter lead us to hope, tha Nebuchadnezzar was a monument of the power of Divine grace, and of the riches of Divine mercy. After he was recovered from his madness, he told to distant places, and wrote down for future ages, how God ha justly humbled and graciously restored him. When a sinner comes to himself, he will promote the welfare of others, by making known the wondrous mercy of God. Nebuchadnezzar, before he related the Divin judgments upon him for his pride, told the warnings he had in a drea or vision. The meaning was explained to him. The person signified, wa to be put down from honour, and to be deprived of the use of his reaso seven years. This is surely the sorest of all temporal judgments Whatever outward affliction God is pleased to lay upon us, we have cause to bear it patiently, and to be thankful that he continues the use of our reason, and the peace of our consciences. Yet if the Lor should see fit by such means to keep a sinner from multiplying crimes or a believer from dishonouring his name, even the dreadful preventio would be far preferable to the evil conduct. God has determined it, a a righteous Judge, and the angels in heaven applaud. Not that the grea God needs the counsel or concurrence of the angels, but it denotes the solemnity of this sentence. The demand is by the word of the holy ones God's suffering people: when the oppressed cry to God, he will hear Let us diligently seek blessings which can never be taken from us, an especially beware of pride and forgetfulness of God.
Dan. 4:19-27 Daniel was struck with amazement and terror at so heavy judgment coming upon so great a prince, and gives advice with tenderness and respect. It is necessary, in repentance, that we no only cease to do evil, but learn to do good. Though it might not wholl prevent the judgment, yet the trouble may be longer before it comes, or shorter when it does come. And everlasting misery will be escaped by all who repent and turn to God.
Dan. 4:28-37 Pride and self-conceit are sins that beset great men. The are apt to take that glory to themselves which is due to God only While the proud word was in the king's mouth, the powerful word cam from God. His understanding and his memory were gone, and all the powers of the rational soul were broken. How careful we ought to be not to do any thing which may provoke God to put us out of our senses God resists the proud. Nebuchadnezzar would be more than a man, but God justly makes him less than a man. We may learn to believe concernin God, that the most high God lives for ever, and that his kingdom i like himself, everlasting, and universal. His power cannot be resisted When men are brought to honour God, by confession of sin an acknowledging his sovereignty, then, and not till then, they may expec that God will honour them; not only restore them to the dignity the lost by the sin of the first Adam, but add excellent majesty to them from the righteousness and grace of the Second Adam. Afflictions shal last no longer than till they have done the work for which they wer sent. There can be no reasonable doubt that Nebuchadnezzar was a tru penitent, and an accepted believer. It is thought that he did not liv more than a year after his restoration. Thus the Lord knows how to abase those that walk in pride, but gives grace and consolation to the humble, broken-hearted sinner who calls upon Him __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
בגזרת 1510 עירין 5894 פתגמא 6600 ומאמר 3983 קדישׁין 6922 שׁאלתא 7595 עד 5705 דברת 1701 די 1768 ינדעון 3046 חייא 2417 די 1768 שׁליט 7990 עליא 5943 במלכות 4437 אנושׁא 606 ולמן 4479 די 1768 יצבא 6634 יתננה 5415 ושׁפל 8215 אנשׁים 606 יקים 6966 עליה׃ 5921
