Daniel 4:10-12

Daniel 4:10-12

[10] Thus were the visions  of mine head  in  my bed;  I saw,  and behold  a tree  in the midst  of the earth,  and the height  thereof was great.  [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:  [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. 

What does Daniel 4:10-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The king described what he had seen in poetic language. His words therefore appear as a prophetic oracle. The ancients frequently used trees to describe rulers of nations (cf. Isaiah 2:12-13; Isaiah 10:34; Ezekiel 31:3-17). [1] Thus Nebuchadnezzar may have anticipated that the tree in his dream represented himself. What happened to the tree in his dream then could account for his fear ( Daniel 4:5). This tree was similar to Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. [2] The beasts and birds probably represent the many types of people who benefited from Nebuchadnezzar"s reign (cf. Ezekiel 31:6; Matthew 13:32).