Daniel 4:12
New International Version
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

New Living Translation
It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.

English Standard Version
Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

Berean Standard Bible
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

King James Bible
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

New King James Version
Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.

New American Standard Bible
‘Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The animals of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky lived in its branches, And all living creatures fed from it.

NASB 1995
Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches, And all living creatures fed themselves from it.

NASB 1977
‘Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches, And all living creatures fed themselves from it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky inhabited its branches, And all flesh fed itself from it.

Amplified Bible
‘Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky nested in its branches, And all living creatures fed themselves from it.

Christian Standard Bible
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. Wild animals found shelter under it, the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. Wild animals found shelter under it, the birds of the air lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it.”

American Standard Version
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in the branches thereof, and all flesh was fed from it.

Contemporary English Version
It was covered with leaves and heavy with fruit--enough for all nations. Wild animals enjoyed its shade, birds nested in its branches, and all creatures on earth lived on its fruit.

English Revised Version
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the branches thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It had beautiful leaves and plenty of fruit, enough to feed everyone. Wild animals found shade under it. Birds came to live in its branches. It fed every living creature.

Good News Translation
Its leaves were beautiful, and it was loaded down with fruit--enough for the whole world to eat. Wild animals rested in its shade, birds built nests in its branches, and every kind of living being ate its fruit.

International Standard Version
Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit bountiful, and its food sufficient for everyone. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it.

Majority Standard Bible
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

NET Bible
Its foliage was attractive and its fruit plentiful; on it there was food enough for all. Under it the wild animals used to seek shade, and in its branches the birds of the sky used to nest. All creatures used to feed themselves from it.

New Heart English Bible
The leaves of it were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Its leaves were fair, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field had shade under it, and the fowls of heaven dwelt among its boughs, and all flesh was fed from it.

World English Bible
Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
its leaves [are] beautiful, and its budding great, and food for all [is] in it: under it the beast of the field takes shade, and in its boughs dwell the birds of the heavens, and of it are all flesh fed.

Young's Literal Translation
its leaves are fair, and its budding great, and food for all is in it: under it take shade doth the beast of the field, and in its boughs dwell do the birds of the heavens, and of it fed are all flesh.

Smith's Literal Translation
Its foliage beautiful, and its fruit great, and food for all in it: and the beasts of the open field will be shaded under it, the buds of the heavens will dwell in its boughs, and all flesh will be nourished from it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Its leaves were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much: and in it was food for all: under it dwelt cattle, and beasts, and in the branches thereof the fowls of the air had their abode: and all flesh did eat of it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Its leaves were very beautiful, and its fruit was very abundant, and in it was food for the whole world. Under it, animals and beasts were dwelling, and in its branches, the birds of the sky were sheltered, and from it, all flesh was fed.

New American Bible
but leave its stump in the earth. Bound with iron and bronze, let him be fed with the grass of the field and bathed with the dew of heaven; let his lot be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

New Revised Standard Version
Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit abundant, and it provided food for all. The animals of the field found shade under it, the birds of the air nested in its branches, and from it all living beings were fed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant; and in it was food for all; the beasts of the field dwelt under it, and the fowls of the air rested in its boughs, and all flesh was fed from it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant and food was in it for everybody. Under it dwelt all animals of the wilderness; in its branches nested all fowl of the sky and everybody was nourished from it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, And in it was food for all; The beasts of the field had shadow under it, And the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the branches thereof, And all flesh was fed of it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
its leaves were fair, and its fruit abundant, and in it was meat for all; and under it the wild beasts of the field took shelter, and the birds of the sky lodged in the branches of it, and all flesh was fed of it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Great Tree
11The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed. 13As I lay on my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 31:6
All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade.

Ezekiel 17:23
I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.

Matthew 13:32
Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Mark 4:32
But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Luke 13:19
It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Genesis 1:29-30
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Genesis 2:9
Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Psalm 104:12
The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.

Psalm 104:16-17
The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted, / where the birds build their nests; the stork makes her home in the cypresses.

Isaiah 55:12
You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Jeremiah 17:8
He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Ezekiel 31:3-9
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. ...

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Revelation 18:24
And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelled in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

the beasts.

Jeremiah 27:6,7
And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him…

Ezekiel 17:23
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Ezekiel 31:6
All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

shadow.

Lamentations 4:20
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

the fowls.

Mark 13:32
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Luke 13:19
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Jump to Previous
Abundant Air Animals Beasts Beautiful Birds Boughs Branches Creature Creatures Dwelt Fair Fed Field Flesh Food Found Fowls Fruit Heaven Heavens Leaves Meat Shade Shadow Shelter Sky Themselves Thereof
Jump to Next
Abundant Air Animals Beasts Beautiful Birds Boughs Branches Creature Creatures Dwelt Fair Fed Field Flesh Food Found Fowls Fruit Heaven Heavens Leaves Meat Shade Shadow Shelter Sky Themselves Thereof
Daniel 4
1. Nebuchadnezzar confesses God's kingdom,
4. makes relation of his dreams, which the magicians could not interpret.
8. Daniel hears the dream.
19. He interprets it.
28. The dream fulfilled.














Its leaves were beautiful
The phrase "its leaves were beautiful" signifies the outward appearance and the glory of the tree, which in the context of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, represents his kingdom. The Hebrew word for "beautiful" (יָפֶה, yafeh) often denotes physical beauty and splendor. This imagery reflects the majesty and prosperity of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's rule. Historically, Babylon was renowned for its architectural marvels, such as the Hanging Gardens, which were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The beauty of the leaves symbolizes the allure and grandeur of the empire.

its fruit was abundant
The abundance of fruit indicates the prosperity and productivity of the kingdom. The Hebrew word for "abundant" (רַב, rav) suggests a great quantity or multitude. This abundance signifies not only material wealth but also the capacity to sustain and provide for many. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as a metaphor for the blessings and resources that God provides, which are meant to be shared generously. The fruitfulness of the tree is a testament to the divine favor and the responsibility that comes with it.

and on it was food for all
This phrase emphasizes the provision and sustenance that the kingdom offers to all its inhabitants. The tree, as a source of food for all, symbolizes the role of a righteous ruler who ensures that the needs of the people are met. In a broader biblical context, it reflects God's provision for His creation. The imagery of food for all can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the Messianic kingdom, where Christ provides spiritual nourishment to all who come to Him.

Under it the beasts of the field found shelter
The beasts of the field finding shelter under the tree represents the protection and security offered by the kingdom. The Hebrew word for "shelter" (צֵל, tzel) can also mean shade, which provides relief and comfort. This imagery is reminiscent of God's protective care over His people, as seen throughout Scripture. It highlights the responsibility of leaders to provide a safe and secure environment for their subjects, reflecting God's own nature as a refuge and fortress.

and the birds of the air nested in its branches
The nesting of birds in the branches signifies a place of rest and habitation. In biblical symbolism, birds often represent various nations or peoples. The tree's branches providing a home for the birds can be seen as an image of inclusivity and hospitality, where diverse groups find a place of belonging. This reflects the ideal of a kingdom that welcomes and accommodates all, much like the kingdom of God, where people from every tribe and nation are gathered.

all living creatures fed from it
This final phrase underscores the universal provision and sustenance that the tree offers. The Hebrew word for "fed" (זָן, zan) implies nourishment and care. It is a powerful image of God's abundant provision for all creation. In a spiritual sense, it points to the sufficiency of God's grace and the life-giving sustenance found in Him. The tree, as a source of life for all creatures, serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of creation and the divine mandate to steward and care for the earth and its inhabitants.

(12) The fruit thereof much.--By this is implied the great quantity of fruit as well as the largeness of it.

Verse 12. - The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. The Septuagint Version here is widely different: "Its branches were thirty furlongs in extent, and underneath its shadow all beasts of the earth took shelter, and in it the birds of heaven made their nests, and its fruit was much and good, and it supplied all living creatures." As already mentioned, this verse occurs before the one we have just been considering. It differs, like it, more than can be explained by a mistake in reading the Massoretic Aramaic; if it were translated from a cuneiform document, it is easily imaginable in what form the statement might be made. The reading, however, is not an unlikely one in the description of a dream, if we could have imagined the Indian banyan tree to have been known to the authors of this version, we might have understood the tree of the dream to have been like it. Theodotion is at one with the Massoretic text, as also the Peshitta. Whether we take the symbol of a tree used for the Babylonian empire, as drawn from the Babylonian tree of life, or merely devised by the poetic fancy of the monarch, inspired for the time, it must be recognized as very apt. From the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean, it stretched from the cataracts of the Nile in all probability into Asia Minor. Over all this empire the monarch maintained the attitude of an earthly providence. It was because government was strong that peaceable men could live. It is useless to carry the similitude into the minutiae of Jephet-ibn-Ali, who maintains that the wild beasts are the nomads of the deserts, and the birds the strangers that came to Nebuchadnezzar from far. In the Aramaic here there are traces of the antiquity in the language: the use of inbbaya, "fruit," instead of ibbaya, is one instance. Saggeee (with sin) is a proof that the distinction between שׂ and ס was still understood, and probably beard. It is remarked by Keil that this word does not really mean "much," but rather "great," "strong." Although it is undeniable that he is correct as to the primitive meaning of the word, it can scarcely mean anything else than "much" in the present connection. Mazon, "food," is rare as a Biblical word, but occurs in Genesis as well as Chronicles. Professor Bevan quotes Noldeke in favour of a Mandaean origin for it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Its leaves
עָפְיֵ֤הּ (‘ā·p̄ə·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6074: A twig, bough, foliage

were beautiful,
שַׁפִּיר֙ (šap·pîr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8209: Fair, beautiful

its fruit
וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ (wə·’in·bêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4: A green plant

was abundant,
שַׂגִּ֔יא (śag·gî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7690: Great, much

and upon it
בֵ֑הּ (ḇêh)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

was food
וּמָז֨וֹן (ū·mā·zō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4203: Food

for all.
לְכֹ֖לָּא־ (lə·ḵōl·lā-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

Under it
תְּחֹת֜וֹהִי (tə·ḥō·ṯō·w·hî)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8460: Beneath

the beasts
חֵיוַ֣ת (ḥê·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2423: An animal

of the field
בָּרָ֗א (bā·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1251: (an open) field

found shelter,
תַּטְלֵ֣ל ׀ (taṭ·lêl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2927: To cover with shade

in its branches
וּבְעַנְפ֙וֹהִי֙ (ū·ḇə·‘an·p̄ō·w·hî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6056: A bough

the birds
צִפֲּרֵ֣י (ṣip·pă·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6853: A bird

of the air
שְׁמַיָּ֔א (šə·may·yā)
Noun - mdd
Strong's 8065: The sky

nested,
יְדוּרָן֙ (yə·ḏū·rān)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1753: To reside

and from it
וּמִנֵּ֖הּ (ū·min·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

creature
בִּשְׂרָֽא׃ (biś·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1321: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

was fed.
יִתְּזִ֥ין (yit·tə·zîn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2110: To be plump, to nourish


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OT Prophets: Daniel 4:12 The leaves of it were beautiful (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 4:11
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