Bible Strands
Daniel 4:36
At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nebuchadnezzar addresses his record and audience immediately following his period of madness, marking the precise moment his royal status and mental clarity are reinstated. He speaks after acknowledging divine sovereignty in Daniel 4:35 and before offering public praise in Daniel 4:37.
The words — The Hebrew יְת֣וּב (yetuv) literally renders "it returned," describing the restoration of his understanding, while the text notes the simultaneous return of his honor (כְּבוֹדִי) and splendor (זִיוֹ). These terms record the factual reinstatement of his faculties and royal standing.
The thread — The pattern of divine humiliation followed by royal restoration appears in 2 Chronicles 33:12, where Manasseh humbles himself and is brought back to his throne. The principle that God rewards humility with honor and life is stated in Proverbs 22:4.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that political authority and personal sanity are contingent on divine permission rather than human merit. It demands a direct acknowledgment that greatness is granted by God and must be received without claiming autonomous ownership.
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
At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 22:4 The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
- 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.
- 2 Chronicles 33:12 And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
- Daniel 4:15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth.
- Daniel 4:32 You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
- Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- Job 13:12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.