Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 4:2
I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
2. I thought it good ] better (R.V.) It hath seemed good unto me.
to shew ] to declare (Dan 2:4). ‘Shew’ suggests here, at least to modern readers, a wrong sense.
signs and wonders ] similarly in Darius’s decree (Dan 4:27). Cf. ‘signs and portents,’ Deu 4:34; Deu 6:22; Deu 7:19 al. (where the Targ. of Pseudo-Jon. represents ‘portents’ by the same word ‘wonders,’ which is used here). The meaning is, significant and surprising evidences of power. The phraseology of the proclamation, both in Dan 4:2-3, and also in Dan 4:34-35 ; Dan 4:37, betrays its Jewish author.
the high God ] God Most High (Dan 3:26).
toward ] lit. with, i.e. (in dealing) with: cf. Psa 86:17 Heb.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I thought it good – Margin, it was seemly before me. The marginal reading is more in accordance with the original ( shephar qadamay). The proper meaning of the Chaldee word ( shephar) is, to be fair or beautiful; and the sense here is, that it seemed to him to be appropriate or becoming to make this public proclamation. It was fit and right that what God had done to him should be proclaimed to all nations.
To show the signs and wonders – Signs and wonders, as denoting mighty miracles, are not unfrequently connected in the Scriptures. See Exo 7:3; Deu 4:34; Deu 13:1; Deu 34:11; Isa 8:18; Jer 32:20. The word rendered signs (Hebrew: ‘oth – Chaldee: ‘ath) means, properly, a sign, as something significant, or something that points out or designates anything; as Gen 1:14, shall be for signs and for seasons; that is, signs of seasons. Then the word denotes an ensign, a military flag, Num 2:2; then a sign of something past, a token or remembrancer, Exo 13:9, Exo 13:16; Deu 6:8; then a sign of something future, a portent, an omen, Isa 8:18; then a sign or token of what is visible, as circumcision, Gen 17:11, or the rainbow in the cloud, as a token of the covenant which God made with man, Gen 9:12; then anything which serves as a sign or proof of the fulfillment of prophecy, Exo 3:12; 1Sa 2:34; and then it refers to anything which is a sign or proof of Divine power, Deu 4:34; Deu 6:22; Deu 7:19, et al.
The Hebrew word is commonly rendered signs, but it is also rendered token, ensign, miracles. As applied to what God does, it seems to be used in the sense of anything that is significant of his presence and power; anything that shall manifestly show that, what occurs is done by him; anything that is beyond human ability, and that makes known the being and the perfections of God by a direct and extraordinary manifestation. Here the meaning is, that what was done in so remarkable a manner was significant of the agency of God; it was what demonstrated that he exists, and that showed his greatness. The word rendered wonders ( temahh) means, properly, what is fitted to produce astonishment, or to lead one to wonder, and is applied to miracles as adapted to produce that effect. It refers to that state of mind which exists where anything occurs out of the ordinary course of nature, or which indicates supernatural power. The Hebrew word rendered wonders is often used to denote miracles, Exo 3:20; Exo 7:3; Exo 11:9; Deu 6:22, et al. The meaning here is, that what had occurred was fitted to excite amazement, and to lead men to wonder at the mighty works of God.
That the high God – The God who is exalted, or lifted up; that is, the God who is above all. See Dan 3:26. It is an appellation which would be given to God as the Supreme Being. The Greek translation of this verse is, And now I show unto you the deeds – praxeis – which the great God has done unto me, for it seemed good to me to show to you and your wise men – tois sophistais humon.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. I thought it good to show] A part of the decree was a recital of the wonders wrought by the hand of the true God in his kingdom and on his person.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I did upon mature thoughts judge it very becoming me, yea, it was my pleasure to let all the world know,
1. The signs and wonders,
2. Wrought by the high God,
3. Toward me, wherein I was personally concerned: these were his reasons why he made it known to the world.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. I thought it good“Itwas seemly before me” (Ps107:2-8).
signstokenssignificant of God’s omnipotent agency. The plural is used, asit comprises the marvellous dream, the marvellous interpretation ofit, and its marvellous issue.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I thought it good,…. Or, “fair” y and beautiful, highly becoming me, what was my duty, and what might be profitable and beneficial to others, and make for the glory of the great God of heaven and earth:
to show the signs and wonders the high God hath wrought toward me; to declare by writing the wonderful things God, who is above all, the most high God, had done unto him, by giving him a wonderful dream, exactly describing his future case and condition, and then as wonderful an interpretation of it, and which was as wonderfully fulfilled, and, after all, in a wonderful manner restoring him to the exercise of his reason, and the administration of his kingdom, after both had departed from him.
y “pulchrum”, Montanus, Grotius, Gejerus, Michaelis; “decet me”, Junius & Tremellius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Signs and wonders.Comp. Isa. 8:18. The appearance of various scriptural phrases in this letter leads us to believe that Daniel must have written it at the kings request.
The high God.Referring to his language (Dan. 3:26).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has wrought towards me. How great are his signs and how mighty are his wonders. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.’
A frank admission that he had been at variance with the high ruler of the gods, (the term Most High God could refer to Marduk and would later be used of Zeus), removed all shame. Indeed it would produce some reluctant admiration. Even the lord of the earth must be humbled when at variance with the king of the gods. The word for signs indicates ‘that through which lessons were learned’, the word for wonders indicated that they were of a supernatural nature. The everlastingness of the gods in general, and of their rule, was acknowledged by all, in contrast with the mortality of earthly kings.
To Daniel the words referred to the one and only God, Who was God Most High and ruled over all. That is why he included the decree in his book. But to Nebuchadnezzar, schooled all his life in polytheism and surrounded by polytheism, it would indicate the great God who was over all the gods, possibly the One Who had revealed Himself in His dealings over Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and had spoken to him in his dreams, or possibly Marduk.
It is possible that the last phrases were influenced by Psa 145:13, or alternately that Psa 145:13 was influenced by this proclamation. In the former case we must see the influence of Daniel, in the latter confirmation that the proclamation was widespread and well known.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
Ver. 2. I thought it good. ] Chald., It was meet (or seemly) before me; It was my duty, so Junius.
To show the signs and wonders.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
thought = have thought.
wonders = astonishing things.
HIGH = most HIGH.
God. Chaldee. ‘elaha’ (emphatic). App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 4:2-3
Dan 4:2 I thought it goodH8232 H6925 to shewH2324 the signsH852 and wondersH8540 thatH1768 the highH5943 GodH426 hath wroughtH5648 towardH5974 me.
Dan 4:3 HowH4101 greatH7260 are his signs!H852 and howH4101 mightyH8624 are his wonders!H8540 his kingdomH4437 is an everlastingH5957 kingdom,H4437 and his dominionH7985 is fromH5974 generationH1859 to generation.H1859
Dan 4:2-3
I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
This narrative sounds more like a line out of one of the Psalms than it does a declaration from the king of the Babylonian Empire. At this time in his life, Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth. His word was law throughout the Babylonian Empire which was at the time the most powerful world empire in existence.
At the time Nebuchadnezzar made this proclamation, there was no room in his belief structure for the existence of other gods. He had learned full well from the experience he is about to narrate that God is God and there is no other. Nebuchadnezzar was sincere in this proclamation and he wants it published throughout the earth. He fully explains the final episode which brought him to this conclusion and compels him to tell the earth about it in the following account written by Daniel at the order of the king.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
I thought it good: Chal, It was seemly before me, Jos 7:19, Psa 51:14, Psa 71:18, Psa 92:1, Psa 92:2
that: Dan 3:26, Psa 66:16, Act 22:3-16, Act 26:9-16
Reciprocal: Gen 41:16 – It is not Gen 41:41 – General Ezr 5:8 – the great God Job 9:10 – wonders Psa 72:18 – who only Psa 76:1 – his Psa 107:8 – his wonderful Isa 25:1 – thou hast Isa 28:29 – cometh Eze 36:23 – and the heathen Dan 6:27 – and he Act 2:11 – wonderful Act 16:17 – the most Heb 7:1 – the most Rev 15:1 – I saw Rev 15:3 – Great
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 4:2. I thought it good gives the purpose of Nebuchadnezzar in sending the proclamation to the nations of the world. The subject of the message is the great things the nigh God had done toward him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
"Signs" and "wonders" are common biblical words used to describe miracles (cf. Deu 6:22; Deu 7:19; Deu 13:1-2; Deu 26:8; Neh 9:10; Isa 8:18; et al.). Signs (Aram. ’atohi) refer to "natural phenomena that because of their magnitude or timing decisively evidence God’s intervention." [Note: Archer, "Daniel," p. 59.] Wonders (Aram. timhohi) are "supernatural manifestations of divine intervention in the course of nature." [Note: Ibid.] The "Most High God" is clearly Yahweh (cf. Dan 3:26). The king had great respect for Yahweh, but that does not necessarily mean that he was a monotheist, much less a convert to Judaism. The king’s praise of Yahweh opens and closes the chapter (cf. Dan 4:37), forming an inclusio around the narrative.
The effect on the reader of this introduction is to make us eager to discover what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. We now want to pay close attention to the testimony that follows.