Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

DANIEL 4:37KJV
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Daniel 4:37 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:37 mean?

Daniel 4:37 describes King Nebuchadnezzar publicly praising, exalting, and honoring the God of heaven, declaring that all God’s works are true and just, and warning that God is able to humble those who live with pride. This verse marks Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of God’s authority after his period of humiliation.

In this verse, Nebuchadnezzar himself is speaking, addressing his people after being restored to his throne. The setting is the end of a dramatic story where Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and kingdom due to his pride, then was restored after acknowledging God’s power. The verse highlights Nebuchadnezzar’s personal change and his public confession that God’s ways are right and that pride leads to being humbled by God.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:37

  • "Extol" (רְומֵם, rumem) means to lift up or exalt. Nebuchadnezzar is not only praising but also elevating God above all others, showing a shift from his former self-exaltation.
  • "Pride" (גָּאֹון, ga’on) refers to arrogance or self-importance. The verse directly addresses the danger of pride, which was Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall.
  • "Abase" (שְׁפֵל, shefel) means to bring low or humble. The word emphasizes God’s power to humble even the greatest rulers, as Nebuchadnezzar personally experienced.

Why Daniel 4:37 matters

  • Daniel 4:37 clears up any idea that Nebuchadnezzar’s change was private or partial; he openly acknowledges God’s supremacy before his entire kingdom.
  • The verse draws a strong connection between pride and downfall, using Nebuchadnezzar’s own story as a warning to others.
  • Daniel 4:37 serves as the conclusion to the chapter’s narrative arc, showing that true honor comes from recognizing God’s authority, not from human achievement.

Where else these words appear

“truth” Hebrew H7187 · used in 2 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.

“ways” Hebrew H735 · used in 2 verses

  • 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:

“honour” Hebrew H1922 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
  • 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:

“walk” Hebrew H1981 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
  • Daniel 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.