Daniel 4:37

Authorized King James Version

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כְּעַ֞ן
Now
now
#2
אֲנָ֣ה
I
i
#3
נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר
Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#4
מְשַׁבַּ֨ח
praise
to adulate, i.e., adore
#5
וּמְרוֹמֵ֤ם
and extol
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#6
וּמְהַדַּר֙
and honour
to magnify (figuratively)
#7
לְמֶ֣לֶךְ
the King
a king
#8
שְׁמַיָּ֔א
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#9
דִּ֤י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#10
כָל
all
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
מַעֲבָד֙וֹהִי֙
whose works
an act
#12
קְשֹׁ֔ט
are truth
fidelity
#13
וְאֹרְחָתֵ֖הּ
and his ways
a road
#14
דִּ֑ין
judgment
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
#15
וְדִי֙
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#16
מַהְלְכִ֣ין
and those that walk
to walk
#17
בְּגֵוָ֔ה
in pride
exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance
#18
יָכִ֖ל
he is able
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#19
לְהַשְׁפָּלָֽה׃
to abase
to humble

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Daniel. The concept of truth reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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