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Daniel 4:16-18
New English Translation
Daniel 4:16-18
New English Translation
16 Let his mind[a] be altered from that of a human being,
and let an animal’s mind be given to him,
and let seven periods of time[b] go by for[c] him.
17 This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels;
this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones,
so that[d] those who are alive may understand
that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms,[e]
and he bestows them on whomever he wishes.
He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its[f] interpretation, for none of the wise men in[g] my kingdom are able to make known to me the interpretation. But you can do so, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.
- Daniel 4:16 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.
- Daniel 4:16 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).
- Daniel 4:17 tc The present translation follows an underlying reading of עַל־דִּבְרַת (ʿal divrat, “so that”) rather than MT עַד־דִּבְרַת (ʿad divrat, “until”).
- Daniel 4:17 tn Aram “the kingdom of man”; NASB “the realm of mankind”; NCV “every kingdom on earth.”
- Daniel 4:18 tc The present translation, as also in the next verse, reads פִּשְׁרֵהּ (pishreh, “its interpretation”) with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss; the Kethib is פִּשְׁרָא (pishraʾ, “the interpretation”).
- Daniel 4:18 tn Aram “of.”
Daniel 4:16-18
New International Version
Daniel 4:16-18
New International Version
16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times[a] pass by for him.(A)
17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(B) is sovereign(C) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(D) of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.(E) But you can,(F) because the spirit of the holy gods(G) is in you.”(H)
Footnotes
- Daniel 4:16 Or years; also in verses 23, 25 and 32
New English Translation (NET)
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