◄ Daniel 4:30 ►
the king exclaimed, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"
Study Bible
the king exclaimed
This phrase introduces us to King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, who is speaking. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was known for his extensive building projects and military conquests. The Hebrew root for "exclaimed" suggests a sense of pride and self-assurance. This sets the stage for understanding the king's mindset, which is steeped in self-glorification and hubris, a common theme in the Bible where human pride precedes a fall.

Is this not Babylon the Great
Babylon, in ancient times, was a city of immense wealth and grandeur, often symbolizing human achievement and pride. The phrase "Babylon the Great" reflects the city's status as a center of power and culture. Archaeological findings, such as the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens, underscore its magnificence. In a scriptural context, Babylon often represents worldly pride and opposition to God, as seen in Revelation. The king's rhetorical question reveals his belief in the city's greatness as a testament to his own glory.

which I myself have built
Here, Nebuchadnezzar attributes the construction of Babylon to his own efforts. The emphasis on "I myself" highlights his egocentric view, ignoring the role of God and others in his achievements. The Hebrew root for "built" implies not just physical construction but also establishing and fortifying. This reflects a common biblical theme where human leaders take credit for what is ultimately under God's sovereign control, reminding us of the importance of humility and recognition of God's hand in our successes.

by the might of my power
This phrase underscores Nebuchadnezzar's belief in his own strength and capability. The Hebrew word for "might" conveys a sense of force and valor, often used in the context of military prowess. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was a formidable military leader, expanding Babylon's empire. However, the Bible consistently teaches that true power belongs to God, and human strength is fleeting. This serves as a caution against relying solely on our abilities, encouraging us to acknowledge God's ultimate authority.

and for the glory of my majesty
The king's declaration concludes with a focus on his own glory and majesty. The Hebrew root for "glory" is often associated with weightiness or significance, while "majesty" conveys splendor and honor. Nebuchadnezzar's statement reflects a desire for personal exaltation, a direct challenge to the biblical principle that all glory belongs to God. This phrase serves as a reminder of the dangers of pride and self-idolatry, urging believers to seek God's glory above their own.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Nebuchadnezzar
The Babylonian king who is speaking in this verse. Known for his pride and the grandeur of his kingdom, he is a central figure in the Book of Daniel.

2. Babylon
The capital city of the Babylonian Empire, renowned for its impressive architecture and cultural achievements. It symbolizes human achievement and pride.

3. The Vision
Prior to this verse, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream interpreted by Daniel, warning him of the consequences of his pride.

4. Daniel
A Hebrew prophet who serves in Nebuchadnezzar's court. He interprets the king's dreams and provides counsel.

5. The Humbling of Nebuchadnezzar
Following this declaration of pride, Nebuchadnezzar is humbled by God, fulfilling the prophecy of his dream.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Pride can lead to a false sense of self-sufficiency and disconnect from God. Nebuchadnezzar's boastful statement reflects a heart that has forgotten the sovereignty of God.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human achievements, God remains in control. Nebuchadnezzar's account reminds us that all power and glory ultimately belong to God.

The Importance of Humility
Humility is essential for a right relationship with God. Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humbling serves as a powerful lesson in the necessity of recognizing God's authority.

The Consequences of Ignoring Warnings
Ignoring divine warnings can lead to severe consequences. Nebuchadnezzar had been warned through his dream, yet his pride led to his downfall.

Repentance and Restoration
God offers restoration to those who humble themselves and repent. Nebuchadnezzar's eventual restoration highlights God's mercy and grace.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Nebuchadnezzar's statement in Daniel 4:30 reflect the condition of his heart, and what can we learn about the dangers of pride from his example?

2. In what ways does the account of Nebuchadnezzar parallel the warnings found in Proverbs 16:18 and James 4:6 about pride and humility?

3. How can we apply the lesson of God's sovereignty in our own lives, especially when we are tempted to take credit for our achievements?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to cultivate humility and avoid the pitfalls of pride in our daily walk with God?

5. Reflect on a time when you ignored a warning or advice and faced consequences. How does Nebuchadnezzar's account encourage you to heed God's guidance in the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 16:18
This verse warns that pride precedes destruction, which is exemplified in Nebuchadnezzar's account.

Isaiah 14:12-15
The fall of Lucifer due to pride parallels Nebuchadnezzar's downfall, illustrating the dangers of exalting oneself.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, a principle evident in Nebuchadnezzar's experience.
Sermons
Danger of ProsperityW. A. Scott D.D.Daniel 4:30
Impious and Ruinous ExultationHomilistDaniel 4:30
Pride and its PunishmentJ. N. Norton.Daniel 4:30
Pride Goeth Before DestructionW. A.Scott, D.D.Daniel 4:30
The Pride of NebuchadnezzarH. Smith.Daniel 4:30
Moments, of AstonishmentJoseph Parker, D.D.Daniel 4:19-37
Daniel's CounselThoreau Coleman.Daniel 4:27-37
The Valley of HumiliationW. White.Daniel 4:27-37
Revelation in the World of SoulH.T. Robjohns Daniel 4:28-37
The Sudden Collapse of PrideJ.D. Davies Daniel 4:29-33
People
Belteshazzar, Daniel, Jonah, Nebuchadnezzar
Places
Babylon
Topics
Babylon, Built, Dwelling, Dwelling-place, Glory, Honor, Honour, Kingdom, Kings, Living-place, Majesty, Mighty, Myself, Power, Reflected, Residence, Royal, Spake, Spoke, Strength
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 4:30

     5399   luxury
     5476   property
     5591   treasure
     5956   strength, human
     8302   love, abuse of
     8804   pride, examples
     8827   selfishness

Daniel 4:1-37

     1443   revelation, OT

Daniel 4:19-33

     5849   exaltation

Daniel 4:24-32

     5932   response

Daniel 4:28-30

     6121   boasting

Daniel 4:28-37

     5334   health

Daniel 4:29-30

     5437   palaces
     5478   property, houses
     5776   achievement

Daniel 4:29-31

     1194   glory, divine and human

Daniel 4:29-32

     5457   power, human
     8821   self-indulgence

Daniel 4:30-31

     8761   fools, in teaching of Christ

Daniel 4:30-33

     8805   pride, results

Library
The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
Mr. Melvil, after finishing his classical studies, went abroad, and taught, for some time, both at Poictiers in France, and at Geneva. He returned to Scotland in July 1574, after having been absent from his native country near ten years. Upon his return, the learned Beza, in a letter to the general assembly of the church of Scotland, said, "That the greatest token of affection the kirk of Geneva could show to Scotland, was, that they had suffered themselves to be spoiled of Mr. Andrew Melvil." Soon …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)

Human Government.
Human governments a part of the moral government of God. In the discussion of this subject I will,-- I. Inquire into the ultimate end of God in creation. We have seen in former lectures, that God is a moral agent, the self-existent and supreme; and is therefore himself, as ruler of all, subject to, and observant of, moral law in all his conduct. That is, his own infinite intelligence must affirm that a certain course of willing is suitable, fit, and right in him. This idea, or affirmation, is law …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan. iv. 17). For in the incomprehensible dispensation of Almighty God there are alternate controlments of mortal life; and sometimes, when the sins of many are to be smitten, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Teaching of Matthew 13 Proves that no Era of Millennial Blessing Precedes Christ's Second Advent.
In Matt. 13 we have the record of seven parables--the number of completeness--which our Lord uttered consecutively. These parables are prophetic in their significance and scope. They deal with conditions which are to obtain here during the time of our Lord's absence. They are concerned with the visible profession of Christianity and they look forward to the closing scenes of the present dispensation. As there is much in them upon which we cannot now comment at length we shall content ourselves with …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
81. And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him. But he made nothing very much of the letters, nor did he rejoice at the messages, but was the same as he had been before the Emperors wrote to him. But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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