He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

DANIEL 4:14KJV
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Daniel 4:14 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:14 mean?

Daniel 4:14 describes a heavenly messenger loudly commanding that a great tree be cut down, its branches and leaves removed, and its fruit scattered, so that the animals and birds sheltering under it must flee. This signals a sudden and thorough removal of something powerful and protective.

In the story, King Nebuchadnezzar is hearing a vision he received, and the "tree" represents his own rule and majesty. The command comes from a "watcher," a type of angelic being, speaking with authority before witnesses. The verse marks a turning point in the vision, shifting from describing the tree's greatness to announcing its downfall and the scattering of all who depended on it.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:14

  • "cried" (קָרָא, qaraʾ): This word means to call out or proclaim loudly. The use of this word emphasizes the urgency and public nature of the command.
  • "aloud" (חַיִל, ḥayil): This word often means "with strength" or "might," showing that the command is forceful and cannot be ignored.
  • "hew down" (גְּזַר, gezar): This word means to cut down decisively, not just to trim. It highlights that the removal is total and not partial.
  • "scatter" (פְּרוּס, perus): This word means to disperse or spread out, stressing that the fruit and those who benefit from the tree will be driven away and separated.

Why Daniel 4:14 matters

  • Daniel 4:14 makes clear that the judgment is not just against the tree itself, but also affects all who found shelter and provision in it, showing the wide-reaching impact of Nebuchadnezzar’s coming downfall.
  • The verse signals a dramatic shift in the vision, from prosperity to sudden destruction, helping readers understand the seriousness of the warning.
  • By using vivid commands and imagery, Daniel 4:14 sets up the rest of the chapter, where the meaning of the vision and its consequences for Nebuchadnezzar are revealed.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H1414 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“branches” Hebrew H6056 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
  • Daniel 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

“leaves” Hebrew H6074 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
  • Daniel 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

“fruit” Hebrew H4 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
  • Daniel 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: