Daniel 4:35
New International Version
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

New Living Translation
All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

English Standard Version
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

Berean Standard Bible
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

King James Bible
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

New King James Version
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

New American Standard Bible
“All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account, But He does according to His will among the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can fend off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

NASB 1995
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

NASB 1977
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What hast Thou done?’

Legacy Standard Bible
And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can strike against His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

Amplified Bible
“All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth; And no one can hold back His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

Christian Standard Bible
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and he does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can block his hand or say to him, “What have you done? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does what He wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

American Standard Version
and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Contemporary English Version
To him the nations are far less than nothing; God controls the stars in the sky and everyone on this earth. When God does something, we cannot change it or even ask why."

English Revised Version
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Everyone who lives on earth is nothing compared to him. He does whatever he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who live on earth. There is no one who can oppose him or ask him, "What are you doing?"

Good News Translation
He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does.

International Standard Version
All who live on the earth are nothing compared to him. He does what he wishes with the heavenly armies and with those who live on earth. No one can hold back his power or say to him, 'What did you do?'

Majority Standard Bible
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ?What have You done???

NET Bible
All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who inhabit the earth. No one slaps his hand and says to him, 'What have you done?'

New Heart English Bible
All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing; and he does according to his will in the host of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, "What have you done?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What doest thou?

World English Bible
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all who are dwelling on the earth are reckoned as nothing, and according to His will He is doing among the forces of the heavens and those dwelling on the earth, and there is none that claps with his hand and says to Him, What have You done?

Young's Literal Translation
and all who are dwelling on the earth as nothing are reckoned, and according to his will He is doing among the forces of the heavens and those dwelling on the earth, and there is none that doth clap with his hand, and saith to Him, What hast Thou done?

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the generations of the earth being reckoned as nothing: and doing according to his station in the army of the heavens, and the generations of the earth: and there is none that shall strike upon his hand, and say to him, What didst thou?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him: for he doth according to his will, as well with the powers of heaven, as among the inhabitants of the earth: and there is none that can resist his hand, and say to him: Why hast thou done it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him. For he acts according to his own will, with the inhabitants of the earth just as with the holy inhabitants of heaven. And there is no one who can resist his hand, or say to him, “Why have you done this?”

New Revised Standard Version
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to him, “What are you doing?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reckoned as nothing in his presence; and he does as he pleases with the hosts of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can resist his hand or say to him, What doest thou?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the inhabitants of Earth are esteemed before him as nothing, and everything whatever he pleases he does in the armies of Heaven and among the inhabitants of Earth, and there is none who will find a fault in his hand and will say to him: ‘What are you doing?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; And He doeth according to His will in the host of heaven, And among the inhabitants of the earth; And none can stay His hand, Or say unto Him: What doest Thou?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and there is none who shall withstand his power, and say to him, What has thou done?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nebuchadnezzar Restored
34But 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. 35All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” 36At 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.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:17
All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Job 9:12
If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’

Job 23:13
But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Psalm 135:6
The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” / But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Isaiah 14:27
The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?

Lamentations 3:37-38
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? / Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

Acts 17:24-28
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. / From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. ...

1 Corinthians 12:6
There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”


Treasury of Scripture

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What do you?

all.

Job 34:14,15,19-24
If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; …

Isaiah 40:15-17,22-24
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing…

and he.

1 Samuel 3:18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Job 23:13
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

Psalm 33:9-11
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast…

the inhabitants.

Psalm 33:8,14
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him…

Psalm 49:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

Isaiah 26:9
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

none.

Job 9:4,13
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? …

Job 34:29
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

Job 40:9-12
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? …

What.

Job 9:12
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

Job 33:12,13
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man…

Job 40:2
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

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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.














All the peoples of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the universality of God's sovereignty. In the Hebrew context, "peoples" (עַמְמַיָּא, 'ammayya) refers to all nations and ethnic groups, highlighting that God's dominion is not limited to Israel but extends over all humanity. Historically, this reflects the Babylonian Empire's vast reach, yet even such an empire is under God's authority. Theologically, it underscores the belief that every person, regardless of nationality, is subject to God's will.

are counted as nothing
The Hebrew word for "nothing" (כְּלָא, kela) conveys insignificance in comparison to God's majesty and power. This is not to demean humanity but to elevate the understanding of God's supreme authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings often viewed themselves as divine or semi-divine, but this phrase humbles such notions, reminding us that before God, even the greatest human achievements are insignificant.

and He does as He pleases
This phrase speaks to God's omnipotence and freedom. The Hebrew verb (עֲבֵד, 'aved) for "does" implies action and purpose. God's will is not arbitrary but is executed with divine wisdom and purpose. Historically, this would have been a radical statement in a polytheistic culture where gods were often seen as capricious. For believers, it is a comforting reminder that God's actions are always aligned with His perfect will.

with the army of heaven
The "army of heaven" (צְבָא שְׁמַיָּא, tzva' shemayya) refers to the heavenly hosts, often understood as angels or celestial beings. This phrase indicates that God's sovereignty extends beyond the earthly realm into the spiritual. In biblical times, armies were symbols of power and might, and this imagery assures us that God's command over the heavenly hosts is absolute, reinforcing His ultimate authority.

and the peoples of the earth
Reiterating the earlier phrase, this emphasizes the dual realm of God's dominion—both celestial and terrestrial. The repetition serves to reinforce the comprehensive nature of God's rule. In a historical context, it would remind the original audience of God's control over all nations, a powerful message during the Babylonian exile when Israel felt powerless.

There is no one who can restrain His hand
The imagery of God's "hand" (יָד, yad) is a common biblical metaphor for power and action. The phrase asserts that no force, human or divine, can hinder God's purposes. In the ancient world, kings often boasted of their invincible power, but this statement humbles such claims, affirming that God's power is unmatched and unchallengeable.

or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
This rhetorical question underscores God's inscrutability and the futility of questioning His actions. In the Hebrew tradition, questioning God was not uncommon, but this phrase suggests a level of reverence and trust in God's wisdom and justice. It invites believers to submit to God's will, trusting that His ways, though sometimes mysterious, are ultimately for good.

Verse 35. - And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? The rendering of the Septuagint here is very difficult to follow, from the state of confusion in which the text is. The verse that comes next in order is very short," At that time my kingdom was set up, and my glory was restored to me." This is a condensed statement of what is recorded in the following verse (ver. 36; 33 Massoretic), and we shall consider it in that connection. The verse which succeeds suits more the conclusion of such a letter or proclamation as is here represented, so far as form goes, though the matter shows traces of exaggeration and amplification natural to the Jew. At the same time, it bears a resemblance to the last verse of this chapter, according to the Massoretes, only greatly amplified. It may thus be best to regard this verse as not present in the Septuagint text. Theodotion and the Peshitta agree with the Massoretic text. The statement here is true, but Jewish, not Babylonian, in colour. This, along with its absence from the Septuagint, leads us to believe it to be the insertion of a Jewish scribe. On the other hand, it looks like a statement in brief of what we find expanded in Isaiah 40. and elsewhere. If brevity is to be regarded as an evidence of antiquity, this passage might be taken as the more ancient. It is, however, too bald and prosaic to be the original of such an impassioned passage as that in Isaiah 40.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

the peoples
דָּיְרֵ֤י (dā·yə·rê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1753: To reside

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

are counted
חֲשִׁיבִ֔ין (ḥă·šî·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2804: To think, account

as nothing,
כְּלָ֣ה (kə·lāh)
Preposition-k | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

and He does
עָבֵד֙ (‘ā·ḇêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep

as He pleases
וּֽכְמִצְבְּיֵ֗הּ (ū·ḵə·miṣ·bə·yêh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6634: To be inclined, desire, be pleased

with the army
בְּחֵ֣יל (bə·ḥêl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2429: Power, strength, army

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

and the peoples
וְדָיְרֵ֖י (wə·ḏā·yə·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1753: To reside

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

There is
אִיתַי֙ (’î·ṯay)
Adverb
Strong's 383: Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is

no
וְלָ֤א (wə·lā)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

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

can restrain
יְמַחֵ֣א (yə·ma·ḥê)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4223: To strike in pieces, to arrest, to impale

His hand
בִידֵ֔הּ (ḇî·ḏêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3028: A hand

or say
וְיֵ֥אמַר (wə·yê·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command

to Him,
לֵ֖הּ (lêh)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

‘What
מָ֥ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4101: Interrogative what?, what!, indefinitely what

have You done?’”
עֲבַֽדְתְּ׃ (‘ă·ḇaḏt)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep


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OT Prophets: Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 4:34
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