19 'Then Daniel, whose name 'is' Belteshazzar, hath been astonished about one hour, and his thoughts do trouble him; the king hath answered and said, O Belteshazzar, let not the dream and its interpretation trouble thee. Belteshazzar hath answered and said, My lord, the dream—to those hating thee, and its interpretation—to thine enemies! 20 The tree that thou hast seen, that hath become great and strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to all the land, 21 and its leaves 'are' fair, and its budding great, and food for all 'is' in it, under it dwell doth the beast of the field, and on its boughs sit do the birds of the heavens. 22 'Thou it 'is', O king, for thou hast become great and mighty, and thy greatness hath become great, and hath reached to the heavens, and thy dominion to the end of the earth; 23 and that which the king hath seen—a sifter, even a holy one, coming down from the heavens, and he hath said, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; 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 it is wet, and with the beast of the field 'is' his portion, till that seven times pass over him. 24 'This 'is' the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High it 'is' that hath come against my lord the king: 25 and they are driving thee away from men, and with the beast of the field is thy dwelling, and the herb as oxen they do cause thee to eat, and by the dew of the heavens they are wetting thee, and seven times do pass over thee, till that thou knowest that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of men, and to whom He willeth He giveth it. 26 And that which they said—to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy kingdom for thee abideth, after that thou knowest that the heavens are ruling. 27 'Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and thy sins by righteousness break off, and thy perversity by pitying the poor, lo, it is a lengthening of thine ease.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 4:19-27

Commentary on Daniel 4:19-27

(Read Daniel 4:19-27)

Daniel was struck with amazement and terror at so heavy a judgment coming upon so great a prince, and gives advice with tenderness and respect. It is necessary, in repentance, that we not only cease to do evil, but learn to do good. Though it might not wholly prevent the judgment, yet the trouble may be longer before it comes, or shorter when it does come. And everlasting misery will be escaped by all who repent and turn to God.