Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 4:22

"it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth." — Daniel 4:22 (ASV)

This helps us understand that Nebuchadnezzar had arrived at the zenith of his power. The extent of his dominions can be estimated with reasonable accuracy as follows: Northwards, he possessed Armenia and a considerable portion of Asia Minor; in the west, Syria and, at one time, Egypt; southwards, his power reached the Persian Gulf; while in the east, the Medes and Elamites were subject to him.

Possessing both the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, all the treasures of the known world were at his command.

In his first vision, he was represented as the golden head of the image. In his pride, he desired the whole image to be of gold, and himself to be that image—but this was the sin for which he was to suffer.