And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
Daniel describes the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's God-given authority: all peoples feared him; he had absolute power of life and death ('whom he would he slew, whom he would he kept alive, whom he would he set up, whom he would he put down'). This depicts complete sovereignty—the marks of ultimate earthly authority. Yet this power came as gift ('for the majesty that he gave him'), not inherent right. The comprehensive scope ('all people, nations, and languages') emphasizes universal dominion. This historical review serves multiple purposes: reminding Belshazzar of God's sovereignty over kingdoms, establishing that even the mightiest rulers rule by divine permission, and preparing for the contrast between Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humbling/restoration and Belshazzar's coming judgment without restoration.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings wielded absolute power—no constitutional limitations, democratic checks, or judicial appeals constrained royal authority. Nebuchadnezzar's historical record confirms this: he executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes (2 Kings 25:7), destroyed Jerusalem and temple, exiled populations, and built empire through military might. Yet Daniel's interpretation reframes even this absolute power as delegated authority—'the majesty that he gave him.' This theological reading of history affirms God's sovereignty over even tyrannical rulers (Romans 13:1). For oppressed people, this provides both comfort (tyrants rule only by God's permission and only temporarily) and challenge (resisting tyranny doesn't mean denying God's sovereign purposes).
Questions for Reflection
What does God's granting absolute power to Nebuchadnezzar teach about divine sovereignty over even tyrannical rulers?
How should recognizing that rulers' authority comes as divine delegation affect our response to governmental power?
Why does Daniel emphasize that even life-and-death authority was delegated rather than inherent?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel describes the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's God-given authority: all peoples feared him; he had absolute power of life and death ('whom he would he slew, whom he would he kept alive, whom he would he set up, whom he would he put down'). This depicts complete sovereignty—the marks of ultimate earthly authority. Yet this power came as gift ('for the majesty that he gave him'), not inherent right. The comprehensive scope ('all people, nations, and languages') emphasizes universal dominion. This historical review serves multiple purposes: reminding Belshazzar of God's sovereignty over kingdoms, establishing that even the mightiest rulers rule by divine permission, and preparing for the contrast between Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humbling/restoration and Belshazzar's coming judgment without restoration.