Bible Strands
Daniel 4:31
While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A voice from heaven addresses King Nebuchadnezzar immediately after he finishes boasting about his own power and the glory of Babylon.
The words — The Aramaic phrase ע֗וֹד מִלְּתָא בְּפֻם מַלְכָּ֔א (‘od milta be-fum malka) literally means “while the word was still in the king’s mouth,” and קָל מִן־שְׁמַיָּא (qal min-shmayya) translates to “a voice from the heavens.”
The thread — This motif of divine intervention appears in Luke 12:20, where God directly addresses a fool; Acts 9:3, where a light from heaven flashes around Saul; and Revelation 16:7, where an altar responds to God’s judgments.
Why it lands — The text states that earthly rule is instantly revoked by a heavenly decree, requiring the reader to acknowledge that human authority is subordinate to divine sovereignty.
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
While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
Cross-references
- Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Acts 9:3 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
- Revelation 16:7 And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.”
- Exodus 15:9 The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’
- 1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”
- 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
- Job 20:23 When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.
- Daniel 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
- Daniel 4:34 But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
- Daniel 5:4 As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.