This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

DANIEL 4:24KJV
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Daniel 4:24 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:24 mean?

Daniel 4:24 explains that Daniel is giving King Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his troubling dream, declaring that what is about to happen to the king is a direct decision from the highest authority, God. Daniel makes it clear that this is not just his own interpretation, but a decree from "the most High" that will soon affect the king personally.

In this verse, Daniel is speaking directly to Nebuchadnezzar in the royal court after the king has asked for help understanding a disturbing dream. Daniel tells the king that the dream’s message is a settled matter from God, not open to negotiation or change. This sets the stage for the coming explanation that Nebuchadnezzar will lose his power and sanity for a time as a result of his pride.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:24

  • "decree" (גְּזֵר H1510, gezēr): This word means a fixed decision or judgment, emphasizing that what will happen to Nebuchadnezzar is settled and cannot be avoided or changed.
  • "the most High" (עֶלְיוֹן H5943, ʿelyôn): This title for God stresses His supreme authority over all earthly rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar, highlighting that God alone has the power to issue such decrees.
  • "come" (אֲתָה H4291, ʾăthā): This verb means to arrive or happen, showing that the decree is not just theoretical but is actually about to take place in the king’s life.

Why Daniel 4:24 matters

  • Daniel 4:24 clarifies that Daniel is not acting as a mere dream interpreter but as a messenger of God’s will, giving weight and seriousness to his words.
  • The verse highlights the theme that even the greatest earthly kings are subject to God’s authority, a key message throughout the book of Daniel.
  • Understanding that this is a divine decree helps the reader see the following events as part of God’s plan, not random misfortune or political intrigue.

Where else these words appear

“decree” Hebrew H1510 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“lord” Hebrew H4756 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
  • Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
  • Daniel 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

“this” Hebrew H1932 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 6:15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
  • Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
  • Daniel 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

“come” Hebrew H4291 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
  • Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
  • Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.