And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

DANIEL 4:35KJV
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Daniel 4:35 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:35 mean?

Daniel 4:35 says that compared to God, all people on earth are insignificant, and God does whatever He chooses both in heaven and on earth; no one can oppose His actions or question His decisions. The verse emphasizes God's absolute power and authority over all creation.

In this verse, King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking after his sanity is restored, acknowledging God's supremacy following a period of personal humiliation. The statement comes at the end of Nebuchadnezzar's ordeal, where he realizes that neither humans nor heavenly beings can challenge or stop God's will. The verse highlights the lesson Nebuchadnezzar learned: God's rule is unquestionable and unchallengeable.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:35

  • "all" (כֹּל, kol): This word means "every" or "all," stressing the totality of humanity in comparison to God. It shows that no one is exempt from this truth—everyone is included.
  • "reputed" (חֲשַׁב, chashav): This word means "regarded as" or "considered." Here, it shows that all people are seen as nothing in terms of power or significance when compared to God.
  • "army" (חֵיל, cheil): This word can mean "host" or "army," and in this context, it refers to the heavenly beings or angels. The verse is saying that God is in control not just of people, but also of all spiritual beings.
  • "none can stay his hand" (אֵין דִּי יְדֵהּ מְצַבָּא, eyn di yedeh metzabba): This phrase means "no one can hold back his hand," picturing the idea that no one can interfere with or prevent God's actions.

Why Daniel 4:35 matters

  • Daniel 4:35 clears up the idea that anyone—whether human or angelic—can limit or question God's authority, showing that His will is final and unchallengeable.
  • The verse is a turning point in the story, marking Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of God's sovereignty after his pride led to his downfall; it connects personal experience with a universal truth about God's rule.
  • This verse helps explain the theme of Daniel 4, where human pride is contrasted with God's unmatched power, reminding readers that even the greatest earthly rulers are subject to God’s will.

Where else these words appear

“stay” Hebrew H4223 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
  • Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
  • Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

“inhabitants” Hebrew H1753 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
  • Daniel 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
  • 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:

“army” Hebrew H2429 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Daniel 3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
  • Daniel 4:14 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:

“will” Hebrew H6634 · used in 7 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.
  • Daniel 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
  • Daniel 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.