Daniel 4:17 “This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by t…”

Daniel 4:17

This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

World English Bible

“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

American Standard Version

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men.

Geneva Bible 1599

The tree that thou sawest, which was great and mightie, whose height reached vnto the heauen, and the sight thereof through all the world,

Darby Translation

This sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones: that the living may know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Young's Literal Translation

by the decree of the sifters [is] the sentence, and by the saying of the holy ones the requirement, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of men, and to whom He willeth He giveth it, and the lowest of men He doth raise up over it.

Bible in Basic English

This order is fixed by the watchers, and the decision is by the word of the holy ones: so that the living may be certain that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and gives it to any man at his pleasure, lifting up over it the lowest of men.

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Cross references

“by the”

1 Timothy 5:21 Daniel 4:13 Daniel 4:14 1 Kings 22:19 1 Kings 22:20

1 Timothy 5:21 · BSB

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

Daniel 4:13 · BSB

As I lay on my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.

Daniel 4:14 · BSB

He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

1 Kings 22:19 · BSB

Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.

1 Kings 22:20 · BSB

And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.

“the holy”

Isaiah 6:3 Isaiah 6:8 Revelation 4:8 Daniel 4:8 Daniel 4:9

Isaiah 6:3 · BSB

And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

Isaiah 6:8 · BSB

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Revelation 4:8 · BSB

And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Daniel 4:8 · BSB

But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:

Daniel 4:9 · BSB

“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

“that the living”

Psalm 9:16 Ezekiel 25:17 Psalm 83:17 Psalm 83:18

Psalm 9:16 · BSB

The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah

Ezekiel 25:17 · BSB

I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”

Psalm 83:17 · BSB

May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.

Psalm 83:18 · BSB

May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.

“the most High”

Daniel 4:25 Daniel 2:21 Daniel 5:18–21 Jeremiah 27:5–7 Daniel 4:32–35

Daniel 4:25 · BSB

You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowl…

Daniel 2:21 · BSB

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Daniel 5:18–21 · BSB

As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

Jeremiah 27:5–7 · BSB

By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.

Daniel 4:32–35 · BSB

You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of manki…

“giveth”

Psalm 75:6 Psalm 75:7

Psalm 75:6 · BSB

For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert,

Psalm 75:7 · BSB

but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

“the basest”

1 Samuel 2:8 1 Corinthians 1:28 Daniel 11:21 Exodus 9:16 1 Kings 21:25 2 Kings 21:6–18

1 Samuel 2:8 · BSB

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the wor…

1 Corinthians 1:28 · BSB

He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,

Daniel 11:21 · BSB

In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

Exodus 9:16 · BSB

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

1 Kings 21:25 · BSB

(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

2 Kings 21:6–18 · BSB

He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

16Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

18This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Read Daniel 4