Daniel 4:15
New International Version
But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “’Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.

New Living Translation
But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.

English Standard Version
But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and 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.

King James Bible
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

New King James Version
Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, Bound with a band of iron and bronze, In the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth.

New American Standard Bible
“Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, But with a band of iron and bronze around it In the new grass of the field; And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And let him share with the animals in the grass of the earth.

NASB 1995
“Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, But with a band of iron and bronze around it In the new grass of the field; And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

NASB 1977
“Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, But with a band of iron and bronze around it In the new grass of the field; And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet leave the stump with its roots in the earth, But with a band of iron and bronze around it In the new grass of the field; And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, And let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

Amplified Bible
“Nevertheless leave the stump with its roots in the ground, Bound with a band of iron and bronze In the new grass of the field; And let him be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him feed with the animals in the grass of the earth.

Christian Standard Bible
But leave the stump with its roots in the ground and with a band of iron and bronze around it in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the plants of the earth with the animals.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the plants of the earth with the animals.

American Standard Version
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven: and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

Contemporary English Version
But leave its stump and roots in the ground, surrounded by grass and held by chains of iron and bronze. 'Make sure that this ruler lives like the animals out in the open fields, unprotected from the dew.

English Revised Version
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Secure it with an iron and bronze chain in the grass in the field. Let it get wet with the dew from the sky. And let it get its share of the plants on the ground with the animals.

Good News Translation
But leave the stump in the ground with a band of iron and bronze around it. Leave it there in the field with the grass. "'Now let the dew fall on this man, and let him live with the animals and the plants.

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, leave the stump and its roots in the ground, but bind it with iron and bronze in the field grass. Let him be drenched with dew from the sky, and let him graze with the animals in the grass of the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and 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.

NET Bible
But leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the animals in the grass of the land.

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.

World English Bible
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but the stump of its roots leave in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and with the dew of the heavens is it wet, and with the beasts [is] his portion in the herb of the earth;

Young's Literal Translation
but the stump of its roots leave in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and with the dew of the heavens is it wet, and with the beasts is his portion in the herb of the earth;

Smith's Literal Translation
But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the open field; and in the dew of the heavens it shall be wet, and its portion with the beasts in the green herb of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be tied with a band of iron, and of brass, among the grass, that is without, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Nevertheless, leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be bound with a band of iron and brass among the plants, which are close by, and let it be touched by the dew of heaven, and let its place be with the wild animals among the plants of the earth.

New American Bible
“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me its meaning. None of the wise men in my kingdom can tell me the meaning, but you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

New Revised Standard Version
But leave its stump and roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his lot be with the animals of the field in the grass of the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth; but it shall be bound with a band of iron and brass in the green grass of the field; and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his dwelling be with the beasts of the field in the grass of the earth;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But the stump of its roots leave in the earth in a band of iron and brass in the grass of the field, and it shall be wet from the dew of Heaven and its dwelling with the animals of the wilderness in the grass of the Earth!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, Even in a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; And let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Only leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and bind it with an iron and brass band; and it shall lie in the grass that is without and in the dew of heaven, and its portion shall be with the wild beasts in the grass of the field.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Great Tree
14He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. 15But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and 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. 16Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 17:22-24
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / 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. / Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

Isaiah 11:1-10
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Job 14:7-9
For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. / If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, / at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Isaiah 6:13
And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”

Ezekiel 31:4-14
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. / 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. ...

Isaiah 10:33-34
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / 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.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / 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.”

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...

Isaiah 4:2
On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Zechariah 6:12-13
And you are to tell him that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Here is a man whose name is the Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the LORD. / Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’

Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

Psalm 80:15-19
the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself. / Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. / Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

leave.

Daniel 4:25-27
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…

Job 14:7-9
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease…

Ezekiel 29:14,15
And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom…

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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.














But leave the stump and its roots in the ground
This phrase signifies hope and potential for restoration. In the Hebrew context, the "stump" (עִקָּר, 'iqqar) represents the remaining part of a tree after it has been cut down. The roots symbolize the foundation and potential for new growth. Historically, this imagery is used to convey that although Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom would be cut down due to his pride, it would not be utterly destroyed. The roots remaining in the ground suggest that God’s judgment is not final but redemptive, allowing for repentance and restoration.

and band it with iron and bronze
The use of "iron and bronze" (בַּרְזֶל וּנְחֹשֶׁת, barzel u'nechoshet) is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context. These metals were known for their strength and durability. The banding of the stump with iron and bronze implies a protective measure, ensuring that the stump remains intact and does not decay. Spiritually, this can be seen as God's protective hand over Nebuchadnezzar, preserving him for a future purpose despite his current judgment. It reflects the idea that God’s discipline is meant to preserve and not to destroy.

surrounded by the tender grass of the field
The "tender grass" (עֲשַׂב, 'eseb) symbolizes humility and simplicity. In the biblical context, grass is often used to represent the transient nature of human life (Isaiah 40:6-8). Here, it suggests that Nebuchadnezzar, once a mighty tree, would be brought low to live among the humble and simple things of the earth. This humbling experience is a divine tool for teaching the king about the sovereignty of God over the kingdoms of men.

Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven
"Drenched with the dew" (טַל שָׁמַיִם, tal shamayim) indicates exposure to the elements and a loss of royal comfort. Dew in the Bible often symbolizes blessing and life (Deuteronomy 33:28), but here it also represents the king's new vulnerable state. This phrase highlights the king's transition from a life of luxury to one of dependence on God’s provision, emphasizing the need for humility and recognition of God’s authority.

and graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth
The imagery of grazing "with the beasts" (חַיְתוֹ, chayto) underscores Nebuchadnezzar's humbling transformation. In the ancient world, kings were seen as divine or semi-divine figures, but this decree reduces Nebuchadnezzar to the level of animals, emphasizing the theme of humility before God. This experience is a divine lesson in recognizing human limitations and the supremacy of God. It serves as a powerful reminder that earthly power is temporary and subject to the will of the Almighty.

(15) The stump.--The whole tree was not to be destroyed, but just so much was to remain as could produce a new sapling. (Comp. Isaiah 11:1.) As long as the stump remained, it might be hoped that the green branches might shoot forth again. (Comp. Daniel 4:36.)

A band.--As the vision continues, the typical language is gradually laid aside, and it begins to appear that by the tree a man is intended. We must not understand by "the band" the chains by which the unfortunate king would be confined, but metaphorically trouble and affliction, as Psalm 107:10; Psalm 149:8. It has been assumed that during his malady the king wandered about at large. This is highly improbable. That his courtiers did not avail themselves of his sickness to substitute some other king in his place is sufficient proof of their regard for him. It is natural to suppose that he was confined in some court of his palace. The inscriptions of Nebuchadnezzar, and accounts of his reign written by historians, being all composed with the view of glorifying the monarch, naturally suppress all mention of his madness.

Verse 15. - Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Again the Septuagint differs considerably from the received text, "And thus he said, Leave one root of it in the earth, in order that it may with the beasts of the earth browse in the mountains on grass like an ox." As the reading is the briefer, it is on the whole to be preferred, the more so that the belt of iron and brass is got rid cf. The Septuagint assumes that the work of demolishing the tree had gone on to some extent, and then the watcher intervenes to bring forward this limitation to the completeness of the destruction at first enjoined. Theodotion is in agreement with the Massoretic text, as also the Peshitta. Moses Stuart thinks the belt of iron and brass is represented as being put round the stump of the tree in order to prevent it cracking, and so rotting, in this following yon Langerke. Keil, with more justice, thinks that this is a transition from the symbol to the person symbolized; in this view he agrees with Hengstenberg, Kliefoth, Zockler, Behrmann, Hitzig, Ewald, Kranichfeld, and others. There is a further division of opinion as to whether it symbolizes the mental darkness Nebuchadnezzar will be under, or the limitation of his kingdom, or the fact that, as a maniac, he will be bound with fetters. The fact that, while commentators have devoted so much time to this, there is no reference to it in the interpretation, confirms us in our suspicion of the whole clause. The transition to the person, if barely doubtful in regard to the belt of iron and brass, is obvious in the remaining clauses in this verse. Every tree is wet with the dew of heaven - that would indicate neither degradation nor hardship; and the browsing with the boasts is impossible to a tree. The transition from thing to person is in perfect accordance with what every one has experienced in dreams.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But
בְּרַ֨ם (bə·ram)
Conjunction
Strong's 1297: Highly, surely, however

leave
שְׁבֻ֔קוּ (šə·ḇu·qū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7662: To quit, allow to remain

the stump
עִקַּ֤ר (‘iq·qar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6136: Root, stock

with its roots
שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ (šā·rə·šō·w·hî)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8330: A root

in the ground,
בְּאַרְעָ֣א (bə·’ar·‘ā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 772: The earth, low

and a band
וּבֶֽאֱסוּר֙ (ū·ḇe·’ĕ·sūr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 613: A band, bond

of
דִּֽי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

iron
פַרְזֶ֣ל (p̄ar·zel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6523: Iron

and bronze around it,
וּנְחָ֔שׁ (ū·nə·ḥāš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5174: Copper, bronze

in the tender grass
בְּדִתְאָ֖א (bə·ḏiṯ·’ā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1883: A sprout, grass

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the field.
בָרָ֑א (ḇā·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1251: (an open) field

Let him be drenched
יִצְטַבַּ֔ע (yiṣ·ṭab·ba‘)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6647: To dip, wet

with the dew
וּבְטַ֤ל (ū·ḇə·ṭal)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2920: Dew

of heaven
שְׁמַיָּא֙ (šə·may·yā)
Noun - mdd
Strong's 8065: The sky

and graze
חֲלָקֵ֖הּ (ḥă·lā·qêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2508: Portion, possession

with
וְעִם־ (wə·‘im-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5974: With, equally with

the beasts
חֵיוְתָ֥א (ḥê·wə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 2423: An animal

on the grass
בַּעֲשַׂ֥ב (ba·‘ă·śaḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6211: A moth

of the earth.
אַרְעָֽא׃ (’ar·‘ā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 772: The earth, low


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OT Prophets: Daniel 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots (Dan. Da Dn)
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