Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— New Living Translation It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. English Standard Version whose 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— Berean Standard Bible whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— Berean Literal Bible and whose leaves were lovely, and its fruit abundant, and food for all was in it, under which dwelt the beasts of the field, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens dwelt— King James Bible 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: New King James Version whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— New American Standard Bible and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the animals of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the sky settled— NASB 1995 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged— NASB 1977 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged— Legacy Standard Bible and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field inhabited, and in whose branches the birds of the sky dwelt— Amplified Bible whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and on which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the sky nested— Berean Annotated Bible whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— Christian Standard Bible and whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant—and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the sky lived— Holman Christian Standard Bible whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant—and on it was food for all, under it the wild animals lived, and in its branches the birds of the air lived— American Standard Version whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation: Contemporary English Version Its leaves were beautiful, and it produced enough fruit for all living creatures; animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. English Revised Version 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation It had beautiful leaves and plenty of fruit, enough to feed everyone. Wild animals lived under it, and birds made their homes in its branches. Good News Translation Its leaves were beautiful, and it had enough fruit on it to feed the whole world. Wild animals rested under it, and birds made their nests in its branches. International Standard Version with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit—enough food for everyone—and under which wild animals of the field found shelter and the birds of the air had nests in its branches— NET Bible whose foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful, and from which there was food available for all, under whose branches wild animals used to live, and in whose branches birds of the sky used to nest-- New Heart English Bible whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation. Webster's Bible Translation Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit of it abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of heaven had their habitation: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewhose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— World English Bible whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation— Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand its leaves [are] beautiful, and its budding great, and food for all [is] in it, under it the beast of the field dwells, and on its boughs the birds of the heavens sit. Berean Literal Bible and whose leaves were lovely, and its fruit abundant, and food for all was in it, under which dwelt the beasts of the field, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens dwelt— Young's Literal Translation and its leaves are fair, and its budding great, and food for all is in it, under it dwell doth the beast of the field, and on its boughs sit do the birds of the heavens. Smith's Literal Translation And its foliage beautiful, and its fruit great, and food for all in it; under it the beast of the open field will dwell, and in its branches the birds of the heavens will dwell: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the branches thereof were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much, and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and the birds of the air had their abode in its branches. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible here is its meaning, O king, here is the sentence that the Most High has passed upon my lord king: New Revised Standard Version whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and which provided food for all, under which animals of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air had nests— Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all flesh; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the air rested, and from it fed all flesh; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant and food for everybody is in it. Under it dwell all the animals of the field and in its branches nest every fowl of Heaven, and everybody was nourished from it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation; Brenton Septuagint Translation and whose leaves were flourishing, and its fruit abundant, (and it was meat for all; under it the wild beasts lodged, and the birds of the sky took shelter in its branches:) Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Daniel Interprets the Second Dream…20The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— 22you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.… Cross References whose foliage was beautiful Hosea 14:6 His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, Psalm 80:10-11 The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. / It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River. and whose fruit was abundant, Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. John 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. providing food for all, Genesis 1:29-30 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. Psalm 104:14-15 He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: / wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. Ezekiel 47:12 Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.” under which the beasts of the field lived, Ezekiel 31:6 All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade. Psalm 104:11-12 They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. / The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches. Ezekiel 31:13 All the birds of the air nested on its fallen trunk, and all the beasts of the field lived among its boughs. and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— Ezekiel 17:23 I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Matthew 13:32 Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” Ezekiel 31:12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it. Treasury of Scripture Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelled, and on whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: no references listed for this verse Jump to Previous Abundant Air Animals Beasts Beautiful Birds Branches Budding Dwelt Fair Field Foliage Food Found Fowls Fruit Habitation Heaven Leaves Meat Places Providing Resting-Places Shade Shelter Sky ThereofJump to Next Abundant Air Animals Beasts Beautiful Birds Branches Budding Dwelt Fair Field Foliage Food Found Fowls Fruit Habitation Heaven Leaves Meat Places Providing Resting-Places Shade Shelter Sky ThereofDaniel 4 1. Nebuchadnezzar confesses God's kingdom,4. makes relation of his dreams, which the magicians could not interpret. 8. Daniel hears the dream. 19. He interprets it. 28. The dream fulfilled. whose foliage was beautiful The description of the tree's beautiful foliage symbolizes the grandeur and splendor of King Nebuchadnezzar's reign. In biblical literature, trees often represent kingdoms or rulers (Ezekiel 31:3-9). The beauty of the foliage reflects the king's power and the prosperity of his empire, which was admired by many. and whose fruit was abundant providing food for all under which the beasts of the field lived and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— Persons / Places / Events 1. NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon who had a dream about a great tree, which Daniel interprets. This dream is a divine message about Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom and his eventual humbling. 2. Daniel (Belteshazzar) A Hebrew prophet and advisor to King Nebuchadnezzar, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. He explains the meaning of the king's dream. 3. Babylon The kingdom over which Nebuchadnezzar reigns. It is depicted metaphorically as a great tree in the king's dream. 4. The Great Tree Symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar's vast and powerful kingdom, providing sustenance and shelter to many. 5. The Dream A divine vision given to Nebuchadnezzar, which serves as a warning and prophecy about his future. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over KingdomsThe dream illustrates God's control over earthly kingdoms. No matter how powerful a ruler may seem, God is the ultimate authority. The Danger of Pride Nebuchadnezzar's dream serves as a warning against pride. Believers are reminded to remain humble and recognize God's hand in their successes. Provision and Protection The tree's ability to provide food and shelter reflects God's provision and protection. Christians are called to trust in God's care and to be a source of support for others. The Role of Prophets Daniel's role as an interpreter highlights the importance of listening to God's messengers. Believers should seek wisdom and guidance from Scripture and godly counsel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Daniel 4:21?2. How does Daniel 4:21 illustrate God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers? 3. What lessons can we learn from the "great tree" imagery in Daniel 4:21? 4. How does Daniel 4:21 connect with God's authority in Romans 13:1? 5. How can we apply the message of Daniel 4:21 to our leadership roles? 6. In what ways does Daniel 4:21 encourage humility before God's ultimate power? 7. How does Daniel 4:21 reflect God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 4:21? 9. How does Daniel 4:21 illustrate the theme of divine judgment? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 4? 11. What did Nebuchadnezzar dream about? 12. How do branches remain fruitful in the vine? 13. In Ezekiel 31:6, is the claim that “all the birds of the heavens” nested in its boughs to be taken literally, and if so, is it biologically plausible? 14. How does Psalm 1:3, which promises the righteous will prosper, align with the observable reality that many devout believers still suffer hardships? What Does Daniel 4:21 Mean Whose foliage was beautifulThe vision begins with eye-catching foliage, painting a picture of glory and attractiveness (Daniel 4:12). For Nebuchadnezzar, that beauty mirrors the dazzling splendor of Babylon itself (Daniel 4:30). Scripture often links lush leaves with healthy, thriving life—think of the righteous “tree planted by streams of water… whose leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:3) or the cedar of Lebanon “with beautiful branches” (Ezekiel 31:3-6). In each case, impressive outward appearance signals God-granted stature. Yet beauty alone can fade if pride enters (Proverbs 16:18), foreshadowing the king’s coming humbling. Whose fruit was abundant Abundant fruit speaks to productivity, prosperity, and blessing (Genesis 41:47; Proverbs 3:9-10). Nebuchadnezzar’s empire overflowed with resources, culture, and innovation—evidence that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). Like Joseph’s fruitful branches that “run over the wall” (Genesis 49:22), Babylon’s bounty reached far beyond its borders. Still, fruitfulness is a stewardship; when leaders forget the Giver, abundance can be withdrawn (Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 19). Providing food for all The phrase widens the lens: this tree nourished “all,” highlighting how one ruler’s policies affected countless lives. Solomon’s era offers a parallel—Judah and Israel “ate, drank, and rejoiced” under his administration (1 Kings 4:20). God intends governing authorities to be His servants for good (Romans 13:3-4). When they fulfill that role, even unbelieving nations taste common grace (Acts 14:17). But when self-exaltation displaces servant leadership, the supply chain falters (Joel 1:10-12). Under which the beasts of the field lived The image shifts from provision to protection. “Beasts” symbolize subject peoples and nations resting under imperial security, as in Ezekiel’s portrait of Assyria’s cedar: “All the great nations lived in its shade” (Ezekiel 31:6). Nebuchadnezzar had conquered wide territories (Daniel 2:38), and those regions relied on Babylon’s civil order. God grants governments the “branch” of authority so that society can dwell in relative safety (Jeremiah 27:6-7). Yet beasts scatter quickly when the tree falls (Daniel 4:14). And in whose branches the birds of the air nested Birds nesting high picture smaller kingdoms and dignitaries finding refuge in the empire’s structure—just as Jesus later applied the same metaphor to the expansive growth of God’s kingdom (Matthew 13:32). From Tyre’s merchants (Ezekiel 27:3) to Judah’s exiles (2 Kings 24:14-16), many perched in Babylon’s branches. The scene underscores how one man’s pride or humility impacts multitudes perched on his decisions (Proverbs 11:10-11). summary Daniel 4:21 portrays a majestic, fruit-laden tree that is beautiful to behold, generous in supply, sheltering in scope, and welcoming in reach. The Spirit shows Nebuchadnezzar—and every leader—that such splendor is a direct loan from the Sovereign God. Beauty, abundance, provision, protection, and influence all exist to display His glory and bless His creation. When pride eclipses gratitude, the axe is already at the root. But when rulers acknowledge “the King of heaven” (Daniel 4:37), their kingdoms can continue to be life-giving trees in God’s orchard. Hebrew whose foliageוְעָפְיֵ֤הּ (wə·‘ā·p̄ə·yêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6074: A twig, bough, foliage was beautiful שַׁפִּיר֙ (šap·pîr) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 8209: Fair, beautiful and its fruit וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ (wə·’in·bêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4: A green plant abundant, שַׂגִּ֔יא (śag·gî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7690: Great, much providing food וּמָז֨וֹן (ū·mā·zō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4203: Food for all, לְכֹ֖לָּא־ (lə·ḵōl·lā-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every under which תְּחֹת֗וֹהִי (tə·ḥō·ṯō·w·hî) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 8460: Beneath the beasts חֵיוַ֣ת (ḥê·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2423: An animal of the field בָּרָ֔א (bā·rā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 1251: (an open) field lived, תְּדוּר֙ (tə·ḏūr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1753: To reside and in whose branches וּבְעַנְפ֕וֹהִי (ū·ḇə·‘an·p̄ō·w·hî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6056: A bough the birds צִפֲּרֵ֥י (ṣip·pă·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 6853: A bird of the air שְׁמַיָּֽא׃ (šə·may·yā) Noun - mdd Strong's 8065: The sky nested— יִשְׁכְּנָ֖ן (yiš·kə·nān) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 7932: To reside, permanently stay Links Daniel 4:21 NIVDaniel 4:21 NLT Daniel 4:21 ESV Daniel 4:21 NASB Daniel 4:21 KJV Daniel 4:21 BibleApps.com Daniel 4:21 Biblia Paralela Daniel 4:21 Chinese Bible Daniel 4:21 French Bible Daniel 4:21 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Daniel 4:21 Whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit (Dan. 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