John Calvin Commentary Daniel 4:23-24

"And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him; this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:" — Daniel 4:23-24 (ASV)

Daniel follows up what he had begun with perseverance, showing judgment to be hanging over the king of Babylon. He calls him lord, indeed, with respect; meanwhile, as the ambassador of the Supreme King, he did not hesitate to elevate his discourse above the king’s command—as all the prophets do who rise up against mountains and hills, as Jeremiah does in Jeremiah 1:10.

Thus, this sentence is worthy of notice: “I have appointed thee over kingdoms and peoples, to pluck them up and to plant them, to build and to destroy.” God, therefore, wishes to assert so great a reverence for His Word, because there is nothing in the world so magnificent or splendid that does not yield to it.

Daniel, then, as far as concerns human events and political order, confesses the king to be his master; but meanwhile, he goes on with the embassy entrusted to him. The king then, he says, saw a watcher descend from heaven; he always speaks of an angel.

We have stated why Scripture calls angels “watchers,” since they are at hand to perform God’s commands. We know God executes His decrees by their agency. I said angels always discharge this duty and keep watch over the faithful.

But the name “watcher” is a general one and implies the promptness with which angels are endowed, enabling them to discharge with the utmost speed whatever God commands them. Thou hast seen, then, one descend from heaven, who said, Cut down the tree, and scatter it abroad. He repeats what he had said before, namely, that the time of his punishment was defined here, because God would destroy the king of Babylon and all remembrance of him.

An exception is then added: Until seven times pass over. I have said nothing about these times, but the opinion of those who take it as an indefinite number, meaning until a long time shall pass, is probable. Others think months are denoted; others, years; but I willingly incline to this interpretation, since God wishes to punish King Nebuchadnezzar for no short time.

It may not seem customary, indeed, but as He wished to set forth an example for all ages, He desired to prolong his punishment. This, therefore, seems the meaning of the "seven years"; for we know the number seven years signifies a long time in Scripture, since the number seven denotes perfection.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since You set before us our sins and at the same time announce Yourself as our judge, that we may not abuse Your forbearance and lay up for ourselves a treasure of greater wrath through our sloth and torpor. Grant, also, that we may fear You reverently and be anxiously cautious: may we be frightened by Your threats, enticed by Your sweetness, and be willing and submissive to You; may we never desire more than to consecrate ourselves entirely to obey You and to glorify Your name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.