Bible Strands
Daniel 4:30
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king speaks aloud on the roof of the Babylonian royal palace twelve months after his initial decree, with no recorded human addressee. A heavenly voice interrupts immediately while his declaration remains unfinished.
The words — The Aramaic verbs עָנֵה ('a.Neh) and וְאָמַר (ve./'a.Mar) simply record the king replying and saying, while the phrase הֲלָא דָא בָבֶל רַבְתָּא (ha./La' da'- ba.Vel ra.be.Ta') literally translates to "Is not this Babylon the Great?"
The thread — The declaration parallels the scriptural pattern of rulers claiming autonomous authority, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, Isaiah 10:8, and Ezekiel 29:3.
Why it lands — The text records a monarch attributing his empire’s construction solely to his own might and majesty, establishing a direct textual contrast between human self-exaltation and the divine judgment that follows.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Isaiah 10:8 “Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.
- Ezekiel 29:3 Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Revelation 17:5 And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
- Revelation 18:10 In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.
- 2 Chronicles 2:5 The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
- Psalms 49:20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
- Psalms 73:8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.