Keraia
Daniel 4

Daniel 4:27

Daniel Interprets the Second Dream · Daniel 4:19–27
Read Daniel 4

Translations

Modern
Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
Traditional
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Literal
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; and may you break off your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, that there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Latin
Quam ob rem, rex, consilium meum placeat tibi, et peccata tua eleemosynis redime, et iniquitates tuas misericordiis pauperum: forsitan ignoscet delictis tuis.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

Notes

Daniel 4:27

  • Break away from your sins by doing what is right: Righteousness and justice make a nation strong and help keep a king’s rule stable. When righteousness and justice are missing, a nation will fall. Daniel humbly pleaded with the king to change his ways.

  • showing mercy to the oppressed: This was required by God's law (Exodus 23:6–11; Deuteronomy 15:10–11; Proverbs 29:14; 31:9) and Babylon's. Hammurabi was a former great king of Babylon. He ruled from about 1792 to 1750 BC. Hammurabi claimed to have been charged by his god Marduk to shepherd and protect the orphaned, the widowed, and the oppressed.

  • Perhaps: Daniel understood that God could choose to act or not (compare Daniel 3:16–18). Because God is merciful, he might pity the condemned king (compare Exodus 32:30; 1 Samuel 14:6; 2 Samuel 12:22; Joel 2:14; Amos 5:15; Zephaniah 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:25).

Daniel 4:1–37

King Nebuchadnezzar was full of pride and believed he had built Babylon by himself (Daniel 4:30; see Genesis 11:1–9). He ignored the warning from the Most High God (Daniel 4:24–27). He had not learned the lesson that God was teaching him, that the God of Daniel exists beyond time and space, and no human is his equal. So, God's judgment came upon Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:17, 25–26; see Proverbs 16:18).

Daniel 2:1–6:28

This section contains stories and dreams from the experiences of Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Daniel used his special gift to understand dreams and showed great skill in the study of literature and science (Daniel 1:17). Chapter 2 provides a broad overview of history until God's kingdom appears (Daniel 2:44–49). Daniel 3–6 describes the fall of Babylon and the rise of Persia. History is moving toward a clear goal. That goal is the everlasting kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44; 4:2–3, 34; 6:26).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Daniel Nebuchadnezzar II What Is Good

Events

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Daniel Book of Jeremiah Daniel (Person) Dreams Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar Prophecy

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Design of Converts: Zealous: Nebuchadnezzar Daniel: A Jewish Captive, Also Called Belteshazzar: Courage and Fidelity of Mercy: should be Shown: To the Poor Poor: Duty To Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Reproof: Faithfulness in Daniel, of Nebuchadnezzar Righteousness: The Wicked should Break off Their Sins By Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake Testimony: Religious, Exemplified The Heathen: Employed to Chastise the Church Wicked (People): Warned