Daniel

Vision of the Tree

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at peace in my house and content in my palace when I had a disturbing dream.

The nightmares I experienced while lying in bed, and the visions that went through my mind, tormented me.

So, I summoned all the wise men of Babylon to explain to me what the dream meant.

The wise men, seers, and astrologers came, and I recounted the dream to them, but they could not explain it to me.

So Daniel came in before me—he was renamed Belteshazzar after the name of my god, for in him dwells the spirit of the holy God. I told him my dream in this way:

Belteshazzar, chief of the wise men, I know that you have the spirit of the holy God and that no mystery is ever difficult for you. Examine the dream I had and explain it to me.

These were my dreams while in bed. There was a tall tree at the center of the world.

The tree grew taller; it became large and reached up to heaven, and its branches could be seen from the ends of the earth.

Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruits were abundant; there was food for everyone in it. Animals of the field found shelter in its shade, the birds of heaven nested in its branches, and all living things fed on it.

I was observing this interior vision when a watchful, holy being descended from heaven.

He loudly declared: Cut down the tree; remove its branches, strip off its leaves, and toss away its fruits. Let the animals and birds flee from beneath it.

But leave the stump and roots in the ground, bound with iron and bronze bands, in the grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him share the grass of the earth with the animals.

Let his heart stop being human; give him a beast’s heart and pass over him seven times.

This is the statement given by the watchful ones, the question settled by the holy ones, so that every living being may recognize that the Most High is above any human authority. He grants power to whomever he chooses and lifts up the humblest of mortals.

This was the dream I had, I, King Nebuchadnezzar. You, Belteshazzar, explain it to me because none of the wise men in my kingdom has been able to interpret it for me. But you can, for the spirit of the holy God dwells in you.

Then Daniel, renamed Belteshazzar, was momentarily stunned and appeared very upset. The king asked: “Belteshazzar, what is it in that dream or its interpretation that frustrates you so?” Belteshazzar replied:

“My lord, may this dream be meant for your enemies and its content refer to your foes!

The tree you saw, which grew big and strong, reaching to heaven and visible all over the earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit that provided food for all, under which animals of the field found shelter and in whose branches the birds of heaven built their nests—

this tree is you, O king, whose power has increased, reaching up to heaven; whose empire extends to the ends of the earth.

Now, regarding what the king has seen: a watchful one, a holy one, who came down from heaven and said, “Cut the tree down; destroy it, but leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with iron and bronze; let him be soaked with the dew of heaven and share the lot of the animals of the field until they pass over him seven times.”

Now I will explain it to you: This is the decree of the Most High concerning the king, my lord.

You will be driven out from among people and live among the wild animals of the field. You will eat grass like the oxen and be soaked by the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High is above all human authority and that he grants power to whomever he wishes.

The command to leave the stump and its roots signifies that you will regain your kingdom once you acknowledge that all authority comes from heaven.

May it then please the king to accept my advice: remove your sins through deeds of justice, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; then perhaps you may extend your prosperity.

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Twelve months later, while walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon,

the king said: “Is this not the great Babylon I built with the strength of my own power as my royal residence, and for the glory of my majesty?”

These words were still on the king’s lips when a voice came down from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, I speak to you: your empire is finished.

You will be driven away from people and live among wild animals; you will eat grass like oxen, and seven times will pass over you until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men and gives power to whomever he wishes.

These words were fulfilled immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from among people; he ate grass like oxen, and his body was soaked with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like eagle feathers and his nails, like the claws of a bird.

At the end of this period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High: Blessed and glorified is he who lives forever, whose dominion is everlasting and whose kingdom lasts through all generations.

All the inhabitants of the earth are before him as if they were nothing. He does whatever he chooses with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. No one can stop his hand or ask him to give an account.

At that moment, I regained my senses, reclaimed my throne, and resumed my rule for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and noblemen praised me; they restored me to my throne, and I was granted even greater power.

So now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, for all his works are true, and his ways are just; he knows how to humble those who walk in pride.