English Standard Version
Daniel 4:20
20The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,
Daniel 4:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
- New International Version (NIV)The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,
- New King James Version (NKJV)“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,
- New Living Translation (NLT)The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see.
Context of Daniel 4:20
18This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you." 19Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth.
Read all of Daniel 4Daniel 4:20 word by word
אִֽילָנָא֙ דִּ֣י חֲזַ֔יְתָ דִּ֥י רְבָ֖ה וּתְקִ֑ף וְרוּמֵהּ֙ יִמְטֵ֣א לִשְׁמַיָּ֔א וַחֲזוֹתֵ֖הּ לְכָל־אַרְעָֽא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The treeאִילָן'îylân · treeH363
- that thou sawestחֲזָהchăzâ' chăzâh · to seeH2370
- which grewרְבָהrebâh · to grow greatH7236
- and was strongתְּקֵףteqêph · to grow strongH8631
- whose heightרוּםrûm · heightH7314
- reachedמְטָאmeţâ' meţâh · to reachH4291
- unto the heavenשָׁמַ֫יִןshâmayin · heavenH8065
- and the sightחֲזוֹתchăzôth · visibilityH2379
- thereof to allכֹּלkôl · allH3606
- the earthאֲרַע'ăra‛ · earth: soilH772
Cross-references for Daniel 4:20
Commentaries on Daniel 4:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The tree that thou sawest - The dream is so fully interpreted in the following verses that it needs no comment.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The tree that thou sawest - In these two verses Daniel refers to the leading circumstances respecting the tree as it appeared in the dream, without any allusion as yet to the order to cut it down. He probably designed to show that he had clearly understood what had been said, or that he had attended to the most minute circumstances as narrated. It was important to do this in order to show clearly that it referred to the king; a fact which probably…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-27Verses 19-27 Daniel was struck with amazement and terror at so heavy a judgment coming upon so great a prince, and gives advice with tenderness and respect. It is necessary, in repentance, that we not only cease to do evil, but learn to do good. Though it might not wholly prevent the judgment, yet the trouble may be longer before it comes, or shorter when it does come. And everlasting misery will be escaped by all who repent and turn to God.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-37King Nebuchadnezzar was full of pride and believed he had built Babylon by himself (Daniel 4:30; see Genesis 11:1–9). He ignored the warning from the Most High God (Daniel 4:24–27). He had not learned the lesson that God was teaching him, that the God of Daniel exists beyond time and space, and no human is his equal. So, God's judgment came upon Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:17, 25–26; see Proverbs 16:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. The tree is the king. The branches, the princes. The leaves, the soldiers. The fruits, the revenues. The shadow, the protection afforded to dependent states.Read the comment
Topics related to Daniel 4:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Daniel 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries