Chapter 4

1I, Nebuchadnezzar, was tranquil in my house and flourishing in my palace.   אאֲנָ֣ה נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר שְׁלֵ֚ה הֲוֵית֙ בְּבֵיתִ֔י וְרַֽעֲנַ֖ן בְּהֵיכְלִֽי:
was tranquil in my house: [as translated,] was tranquil in my house.   שלה הוית בביתי: שליו הייתי:
2I saw a dream, and it frightened me, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my mind terrified me.   בחֵ֥לֶם חֲזֵ֖ית וִידַֽחֲלִנַּ֑נִי וְהַרְהֹרִין֙ עַֽל־מִשְׁכְּבִ֔י וְחֶזְוֵ֥י רֵאשִׁ֖י יְבַֽהֲלֻנַּֽנִי:
and it frightened me: It brought upon me fear and fright.   וידחלנני: ואיים עלי והפחדני:
3So I issued an order to bring in before me all the wise men of Babylon, that they should let me know the meaning of the dream.   גוּמִנִּי֙ שִׂ֣ים טְעֵ֔ם לְהַנְעָלָ֣ה קֳדָמַ֔י לְכֹ֖ל חַכִּימֵ֣י בָבֶ֑ל דִּֽי־פְשַׁ֥ר חֶלְמָ֖א יְהֽוֹדְעֻנַּֽנִי:
4Then the necromancers, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the demonologists entered, and I related my dream to them, but they did not tell me its meaning.   דבֵּאדַ֣יִן עָלִּ֗ין (כתיב עָלִּ֗לין) חַרְטֻמַּיָּא֙ אָֽשְׁפַיָּ֔א כַּשְׂדָּאֵ֖י (כתיב כַּשְׂדָּיאֵ֖) וְגָֽזְרַיָּ֑א וְחֶלְמָ֗א אָמַ֚ר אֲנָה֙ קֳדָ֣מֵיה֔וֹן וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ לָא־מְהֽוֹדְעִ֥ין לִֽי:
5Until, at last, Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, like the name of my god, entered before me, in whom is the spirit of holy angels, and I told him the dream.   הוְעַ֣ד אָֽחֳרֵ֡ין עַל֩ קֳדָמַ֨י דָּֽנִיֵּ֜אל דִּֽי־שְׁמֵ֚הּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙ כְּשֻׁ֣ם אֱלָהִ֔י וְדִ֛י רֽוּחַ־אֱלָהִ֥ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין בֵּ֑הּ וְחֶלְמָ֖א קֳדָמ֥וֹהִי אַמְרֵֽת:
Until, at last,: until, at last, Daniel was brought in before me.   ועד אחרן: ועד אשר באחרונה הובא לפני דניאל:
like the name of my god: The deity of Babylon was named Bel. Teshazzar is the name of an expression of wisdom in Aramaic.   כשום אלהי: עכו"ם של בבל בל שמה טשצר שם לשון חכמה הוא באומות:
6"O Belteshazzar, head of the necromancers, since I know that the spirit of holy angels is in you, and no secret is hidden from you, [this is] the vision of my dream that I saw; now tell me its interpretation.   ובֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֘ רַ֣ב חַרְטֻמַּיָּא֒ דִּ֣י| אֲנָ֣ה יִדְעֵ֗ת דִּ֠י ר֣וּחַ אֱלָהִ֚ין קַדִּישִׁין֙ בָּ֔ךְ וְכָל־רָ֖ז לָֽא־אָנֵ֣ס לָ֑ךְ חֶזְוֵ֨י חֶלְמִ֧י דִֽי־חֲזֵ֛ית וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ אֱמָֽר:
and no secret is hidden from you: No mystery is robbed [from you] or denied you.   וכל רז לא אנס לך: וכל סתום לא נאנס ולא נכחד ממך:
7And [these are] the visions of my mind [that I had] on my bed; I was looking, and behold [there was] a tree in the midst of the Earth, and its height was tremendous.   זוְחֶזְוֵ֥י רֵאשִׁ֖י עַל־מִשְׁכְּבִ֑י חָזֵ֣ה הֲוֵ֔ית וַֽאֲל֥וּ אִילָ֛ן בְּג֥וֹא אַרְעָ֖א וְרוּמֵ֥הּ שַׂגִּֽיא:
8The tree grew and became strong, and its height reached the sky, and its appearance [was seen] to the end of all the Earth.   חרְבָ֥ה אִֽילָנָ֖א וּתְקִ֑ף וְרוּמֵהּ֙ יִמְטֵ֣א לִשְׁמַיָּ֔א וַֽחֲזוֹתֵ֖הּ לְס֥וֹף כָּל־אַרְעָֽא:
The tree grew and became strong: The tree grew and became stronger and stronger.   רבה אילנא ותקיף: גדל האילן והוחזק ועצם:
reached the sky: [as translated,] reached the sky.   ימטא לשמיא: הגיע השמים:
9Its branches were beautiful and its fruit was plentiful, and on it was sustenance for all. Under it, the beasts of the field took shade, and in its branches dwelt the birds of the heavens, and all flesh was nourished from it.   טעֳפְיֵ֚הּ שַׁפִּיר֙ וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ שַׂגִּ֔יא וּמָז֥וֹן לְכֹ֖לָּא בֵ֑הּ תְּחֹת֜וֹהִי תַּטְלֵ֣ל| חֵיוַ֣ת בָּרָ֗א וּבְעַנְפ֙וֹהִי֙ יְדֻרָן֙ (כתיב יְדֻרָון֙) צִפֲּרֵ֣י שְׁמַיָּ֔א וּמִנֵּ֖הּ יִתְּזִ֥ין כָּל־בִּשְׂרָֽא:
its branches were beautiful: [as translated,] its branches were beautiful.   עפיה שפיר: ענפו נאה:
and its fruit was plentiful: [as translated,] and its fruit was plentiful.   ואנבה שגיא: פריו רב:
and on it was sustenance for all: On it was enough sustenance for all   מזון לכולא ביה: וכדי מזון לכל בריה היה בו:
took shade: Aram. תַּטְלֵל, an expression of shade.   תטלל: לשון צל:
dwelt: Aram. יְדֻרָן, an expression of dwelling and lodging.   ידורון: ל' מדור ולינה:
was nourished: Aram. יִתְּזִין, an expression of food.   יתזון: ל' מזון:
10I saw in the visions of my mind on my bed, and behold a wakeful holy one descended from the heavens.   יחָזֵ֥ה הֲוֵ֛ית בְּחֶזְוֵ֥י רֵאשִׁ֖י עַל־מִשְׁכְּבִ֑י וַֽאֲלוּ֙ עִ֣יר וְקַדִּ֔ישׁ מִן־שְׁמַיָּ֖א נָחִֽת:
I saw: lit. I was seeing.   חזה הוית: רואה הייתי:
and behold a wakeful holy one: i.e., an angel who is forever awake and holy.   ואלו עיר וקדיש: והנה מלאך שהוא ער לעולם וקדוש:
11Crying out loudly, and so he said, "Cut down the tree and cut off its branches, shake off its branches and scatter its fruit; the beasts shall wander away from beneath it and the birds from its branches.   יאקָרֵ֨א בְחַ֜יִל וְכֵ֣ן אָמַ֗ר גֹּ֚דּוּ אִֽילָנָא֙ וְקַצִּ֣צוּ עַנְפ֔וֹהִי אַתַּ֥רוּ עֳפְיֵ֖הּ וּבַדַּ֣רוּ אִנְבֵּ֑הּ תְּנֻ֚ד חֵֽיוְתָא֙ מִן־תַּחְתּ֔וֹהִי וְצִפֲּרַיָּ֖א מִן־עַנְפֽוֹהִי:
Crying out loudly: crying with might.   קרא בחיל: צועק בכח:
Cut down the tree… shake off its branches: shake off and cause its branches to fall.   גודו אילנא: קוצו האילן:
shake off its branches: shake off and cause its branches to fall.   אתרו עפייה: השירו והפילו ענפיו:
and scatter its fruit: [as translated,] and scatter its fruit.   ובדרו אנבה: הפיצו פריו:
the beasts shall wander away from beneath it: [as translated,] the beasts shall wander away from beneath it.   תנוד חיותא מן תחתוהי: ינודו החיות מתחתיו:
12But leave its main roots in the ground, and in fetters of iron and copper in the grass of the field, and with the dew of the heavens it shall be drenched, and with the beasts shall be its lot in the grass of the earth.   יבבְּרַ֨ם עִקַּ֚ר שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ בְּאַרְעָ֣א שְׁבֻ֔קוּ וּבֶֽאֱסוּר֙ דִּֽי־פַרְזֶ֣ל וּנְחָ֔שׁ בְּדִתְאָ֖א דִּ֣י בָרָ֑א וּבְטַ֚ל שְׁמַיָּא֙ יִצְטַבַּ֔ע וְעִם־חֵֽיוְתָ֥א חֲלָקֵ֖הּ בַּֽעֲשַׂ֥ב אַרְעָֽא:
But leave its main roots in the ground: but its main roots leave over.   ברם עיקר שרשוהי בארעא שבוקו: אך עיקר שרשיו הניחו:
and in fetters of iron and copper: i.e., place his feet in iron fetters as is done to a horse that is left in the meadow; so shall you chain him with fetters.   ובאסור די פרזל ונחש: כלו' תנו רגליו בכבלי ברזל כשם שעושין לסוס שמניחין אותו באפר כך כבלוהי בכבלי':
in the grass: Aram. בְדִתְאָא in the grass of the field, i.e., in the meadow, so that he should not move from there.   בדתאא: בעשב השדה כלומר באחו שלא יזוז משם:
it shall be drenched: Aram.   יצטבע: יהא שרוי תמיד לשון טבילה:
its lot: [as translated,] its lot. יִצְטַבַּע, it shall always be drenched, an expression of immersion.   חלקה: חלקו:
13They will change his heart from a man's, and the heart of a beast will be given him, and seven periods will pass over him.   יגלִבְבֵהּ֙ מִן־אֲנָשָׁ֣א (כתיב אֲנָושָׁ֣א) יְשַׁנּ֔וֹן וּלְבַ֥ב חֵיוָ֖א יִתְיְהִ֣ב לֵ֑הּ וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה עִדָּֽנִ֖ין יַחְלְפ֥וּן עֲלֽוֹהִי:
and seven periods: seven years.   ושבעה עדנין: שבע שנים:
will pass over him: will pass over him with this decree.   יחלפון עלוהי: יעברו עליו בגזרה זו:
14By the decree of the wakeful ones is the matter and by the word of the holy ones is the edict, in order that the living should know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of man, and to whom He wishes He gives it, and the lowest of men He sets upon it.   ידבִּגְזֵרַ֚ת עִירִין֙ פִּתְגָּמָ֔א וּמֵאמַ֥ר קַדִּישִׁ֖ין שְׁאֵֽלְתָּ֑א עַד־דִּבְרַ֡ת דִּֽי־יִנְדְּע֣וּן חַ֠יַּיָּא דִּֽי־שַׁלִּ֨יט עִלָּאָ֜ה (כתיב עִלָּיאָ֜) בְּמַלְכ֣וּת אֲנָשָׁ֗א (כתיב אֲנָושָׁ֗א) וּלְמַן־דִּ֚י יִצְבֵּא֙ יִתְּנִנַּ֔הּ וּשְׁפַ֥ל אֲנָשִׁ֖ים יְקִ֥ים עֲלַֽהּ (כתיב עֲלַיהּ) :
the edict: a decree, but since they take counsel from the Holy One, blessed be He, before they issue the decree, he calls it a question.   שאלתא: גזרה וע"י שנמלכין בהקב"ה קודם שיגזרו הגזרה קורא אותה שאלתא:
in order that: Aram. עַד דִּבְרַת, like לְמַעַן.   עד דברת: כמו למען:
that the living should know: in order that all the living should know.   די ינדעון חייא: שידעו כל החיים:
and to whom He wishes: [as translated,] and to whom He wishes.   ולמן די יצבא: למי שירצה:
15This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen, and you, Belteshazzar, tell [me] its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom cannot let me know the interpretation, but you can, because the spirit of holy angels is in you."   טודְּנָה֙ חֶלְמָ֣א חֲזֵ֔ית אֲנָ֖ה מַלְכָּ֣א נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֑ר וְאַ֨נְתְּ (כתיב וְאַ֨נְתְּה) בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֜ר פִּשְׁרֵ֣א| אֱמָ֗ר כָּל־קֳבֵל֙ דִּ֣י| כָּל־חַכִּימֵ֣י מַלְכוּתִ֗י לָא־יָֽכְלִ֚ין פִּשְׁרָא֙ לְהוֹדָ֣עוּתַ֔נִי וְאַ֣נְתְּ (כתיב וְאַ֣נְתְּה) כָּהֵ֔ל דִּ֛י רֽוּחַ־אֱלָהִ֥ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין בָּֽךְ:
its interpretation: [as translated,] its interpretation.   פשרא: פתרונו:
but you can: [as translated,] but you can.   ואנת כהל: ואתה יכול:
16Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was bewildered for awhile, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king spoke up and said, "Belteshazzar, let the dream and its interpretation not alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for your enemies and its interpretation for your foes.   טזאֱדַ֨יִן דָּֽנִיֵּ֜אל דִּֽי־שְׁמֵ֣הּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֗ר אֶשְׁתּוֹמַם֙ כְּשָׁעָ֣ה חֲדָ֔ה וְרַעְיוֹנֹ֖הִי יְבַֽהֲלֻנֵּ֑הּ עָנֵ֨ה מַלְכָּ֜א וְאָמַ֗ר בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙ חֶלְמָ֚א וּפִשְׁרֵא֙ אַל־יְבַֽהֲלָ֔ךְ עָנֵ֚ה בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙ וְאָמַ֔ר מָרִ֕י (כתיב מָרִ֕אי) חֶלְמָ֥א לְשָֽׂנְאָ֖ךְ (כתיב לְשָֽׂנְאָ֖יךְ) וּפִשְׁרֵ֥הּ לְעָרָֽךְ (כתיב לְעָרָֽיךְ) :
Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was bewildered: He was silent.   אדין דניאל: אשתומם שתק:
and his thoughts: [as translated,] and his thoughts.   ורעינוהי: ומחשבותיו:
alarmed him: for he was afraid to interpret the dream for him.   יבהלוניה: שהיה ירא לפתור לו חלום:
My lord: Aram. מָרִאי. Our Rabbis said (Shevu. 35b): “My Lord, may the dream be for Your enemies,” refers to God. He raised his eyes to the Holy One, blessed be He, and said, “May this dream be fulfilled upon this enemy of Yours.” But if you say that he said it to Nebuchadnezzar, was not Israel his enemy? Is it possible that he would curse them?   מרי: אדוני, אמרו רבותינו מארי חלמא לשנאך קדש הוא תלה עיניו להקב"ה ואמר חלום זה יתקיים על שנאך זה וא"ת לנבוכדנצר אמר והלא ישראל שונאו אפשר שיקללם:
for your foes: Aram. לְעָרָךְ, like (Sam. 28:16): “and has become [the supporter of] your foes (עָרֶךָ).”   לערך: לשונאך כמו ויהי ערך (שמואל א כה):
17The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, and whose height reached the sky, and whose appearance [was seen] by the entire Earth.   יזאִֽילָנָא֙ דִּ֣י חֲזַ֔יְתָ דִּ֥י רְבָ֖ה וּתְקִ֑ף וְרוּמֵהּ֙ יִמְטֵ֣א לִשְׁמַיָּ֔א וַֽחֲזוֹתֵ֖הּ לְכָל־אַרְעָֽא:
18And whose branches were beautiful, and whose fruit was plentiful, and on which was sustenance for all, under which dwelt the beasts of the field, and in whose branches dwelt the birds of the heavens.   יחוְעָפְיֵ֚הּ שַׁפִּיר֙ וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ שַׂגִּ֔יא וּמָז֥וֹן לְכֹ֖לָּא בֵ֑הּ תְּחֹת֗וֹהִי תְּדוּר֙ חֵיוַ֣ת בָּרָ֔א וּבְעַנְפ֕וֹהִי יִשְׁכְּנָ֖ן צִפֲּרֵ֥י שְׁמַיָּֽא:
19That is you, O king, for you have become great and strong, and your greatness has increased and reached the heaven and your dominion [extends] to the end of the Earth.   יטאַנְתְּ־ (כתיב אַנְתְּה) ה֣וּא מַלְכָּ֔א דִּ֥י רְבַ֖ת (כתיב רְבַ֖ית) וּתְקֵ֑פְתְּ וּרְבוּתָ֚ךְ רְבָת֙ וּמְטַ֣ת לִשְׁמַיָּ֔א וְשָׁלְטָנָ֖ךְ לְס֥וֹף אַרְעָֽא:
20And what the king saw-a holy wakeful one descending from heaven, and he said, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave its main roots in the ground, and [chain him] with fetters of iron and copper in the grass of the field, and with the dew of the heavens he shall be drenched, and with the beasts of the fields shall be his lot, until seven periods pass over him.'   כוְדִ֣י חֲזָ֣ה מַלְכָּ֡א עִ֣יר וְקַדִּ֣ישׁ נָחִ֣ת| מִן־שְׁמַיָּ֡א וְאָמַר֩ גֹּ֨דּוּ אִֽילָנָ֜א וְחַבְּל֗וּהִי בְּרַ֨ם עִקַּ֚ר שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ בְּאַרְעָ֣א שְׁבֻ֔קוּ וּבֶֽאֱסוּר֙ דִּֽי־פַרְזֶ֣ל וּנְחָ֔שׁ בְּדִתְאָ֖א דִּ֣י בָרָ֑א וּבְטַ֧ל שְׁמַיָּ֣א יִצְטַבַּ֗ע וְעִם־חֵיוַ֚ת בָּרָא֙ חֲלָקֵ֔הּ עַ֛ד דִּֽי־שִׁבְעָ֥ה עִדָּנִ֖ין יַחְלְפ֥וּן עֲלֽוֹהִי:
21This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which befalls my lord, the king.   כאדְּנָ֥ה פִשְׁרָ֖א מַלְכָּ֑א וּגְזֵרַ֚ת עִלָּאָה֙ (כתיב עִלָּיאָ֙) הִ֔יא דִּ֥י מְטַ֖ת עַל־מָרִ֥י (כתיב מָרִ֥אי) מַלְכָּֽא:
which befalls my lord, the king: [as translated,] which befalls my lord, the king.   די מטת על: מרי מלכא: אשר הגיע על אדוני המלך:
22And they will banish you from mankind, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they will feed you grass like the cattle, and with the dew of the heavens you shall be drenched, and seven periods shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men, and to whom He wishes He gives it.   כבוְלָ֣ךְ טָֽרְדִ֣ין מִן־אֲנָשָׁ֡א וְעִם־חֵיוַ֣ת בָּרָא֩ לֶֽהֱוֵ֨ה מְדֹרָ֜ךְ וְעִשְׂבָּ֣א כְתוֹרִ֣ין| לָ֣ךְ יְטַֽעֲמ֗וּן וּמִטַּ֚ל שְׁמַיָּא֙ לָ֣ךְ מְצַבְּעִ֔ין וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה עִדָּֽנִ֖ין יַחְלְפ֣וּן עֲלָ֑יךְ עַ֣ד| דִּ֣י תִנְדַּ֗ע דִּֽי־שַׁלִּ֚יט עִלָּאָה֙ (כתיב עִלָּיאָ֙) בְּמַלְכ֣וּת אֲנָשָׁ֔א וּלְמַן־דִּ֥י יִצְבֵּ֖א יִתְּנִנָּֽהּ:
And they will banish you from mankind: [as translated,] and they will banish you from mankind.   ולך טרדין מן אנשא: ואותך יטרדו מבני אדם:
and with the dew of the heavens you shall be drenched: They will immerse you.   לך מצבעין: אותך יטבלו:
and seven periods shall pass over you: We may say that this is the recompense for the Temple, which he destroyed, which was built in seven years.   ושבעה עדנין יחלפון עלך: יש לומר גמול בה"מ שהחריב שנבנתה בשבע שנים:
23And what they said to leave, the main roots of the tree, your kingdom will remain yours, as soon as you know that Heaven rules.   כגוְדִ֣י אֲמַ֗רוּ לְמִשְׁבַּ֞ק עִקַּ֚ר שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ דִּ֣י אִֽילָנָ֔א מַלְכוּתָ֖ךְ לָ֣ךְ קַיָּמָ֑ה מִן־דִּ֣י תִנְדַּ֔ע דִּ֥י שַׁלִּטִ֖ן שְׁמַיָּֽא:
And what they said, etc.: What they said-to leave the roots of the tree-this is the interpretation: מַלְכוּתָךְ, your kingdom-will remain yours. Your kingdom will ultimately be restored to you.   ודי אמרו וגו': אשר אמרו להניח שרשוהי של אילן והוא הפתרון מלכותא לך קיימת. המלכות עומדת לך סופך שתשוב לך מלכותך:
as soon as you know that Heaven rules: as soon as you know that the heavenly beings rule over the world.   מן די תנדע די שליטין שמיא: מאחר שתדע שהעליונים מושלים בעולם:
24Indeed, O king, may my counsel please you, and with charity you will remove your sin and your iniquity by showing mercy to the poor; perhaps your tranquility will last."   כדלָהֵ֣ן מַלְכָּ֗א מִלְכִּי֙ יִשְׁפַּ֣ר עֲלָ֔יךְ וַֽחֲטָאָךְ֙ (כתיב וַֽחֲטָיָךְ֙) בְּצִדְקָ֣ה פְרֻ֔ק וַֽעֲוָֽיָתָ֖ךְ בְּמִחַ֣ן עֲנָ֑יִן הֵ֛ן תֶּֽהֱוֵ֥ה אַרְכָ֖א לִשְׁלֵֽוְתָֽךְ:
Indeed, O king: Indeed, O king, hearken to my counsel.   להן מלכא: באמת אתה מלך שמע לעצתי:
my counsel: Aram. מִלְכִּי, my counsel, like (Num. 24:14): “I shall advise you (אִיעָצְךְ),” which is translated: אֲמַלְּכִינָךְ.   מלכי: עצתי כמו איעצך אמלכינך:
please you: May my counsel please you that you hearken to my words.   ישפר עלך: עצתי תיטב בעיניך לשמוע מילי:
and with charity you will remove your sin: With charity, break your sin off your neck.   וחטאך בצדקה פרוק: וחטאתך בצדקה פרוק מעל צוארך:
and your iniquity by showing mercy to poor: and remove your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.   ועויתך במחן ענין: ועונותיך פרוק בחנינת עניים:
perhaps your tranquility will last: Perhaps there will be time for your tranquility, that the evil should not come swiftly. Now what did Daniel see to give Nebuchadnezzar good advice? He saw the Jews poor and humbled by the exile, going from door to door begging for alms, and he gave him advice to deal mercifully with them. He said to him, “These poor people whom you exiled are hungry; nourish them.” And so he did. He opened his storehouses and fed them for a full twelve months.   הן תהוה ארכא לשלותך: אולי תהא שהות לשלומך שלא תמהר הרעה לבא ומה ראה דניאל להשיא עצה טובה לנבוכדנצר ראה ישראל עניים שפלי גולה מחזירין על הפתחים והשיאו עצה לחננם אמר לו עניים אלו שהגליתם רעבים הם פרנסם וכן עשה פתח אוצרותיו והיה מפרנסם כל י"ב חדש:
25All this befell King Nebuchadnezzar.   כהכֹּ֣לָּא מְטָ֔א עַל־נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מַלְכָּֽא:
All this befell: The entire interpretation befell Nebuchadnezzar.   כלא מטא: כל הפתרון הגיע על נבוכדנצר:
26At the end of twelve months, he was walking upon the royal palace of Babylon.   כולִקְצַ֥ת יַרְחִ֖ין תְּרֵֽי־עֲשַׂ֑ר עַל־הֵיכַ֧ל מַלְכוּתָ֛א דִּ֥י בָבֶ֖ל מְהַלֵּ֥ךְ הֲוָֽה:
he was walking: [as translated,] he was walking.   מהלך הוה: הולך היה:
27The king raised his voice and said, "Is this not the great Babylon, which I built for a royal palace with the strength of my power and for the honor of my glory?"   כזעָנֵ֚ה מַלְכָּא֙ וְאָמַ֔ר הֲלָ֥א דָא־הִ֖יא בָּבֶ֣ל רַבְּתָ֑א דִּֽי־אֲנָ֚ה בֱנַיְתָהּ֙ לְבֵ֣ית מַלְכ֔וּ בִּתְקָ֥ף חִסְנִ֖י וְלִיקַ֥ר הַדְרִֽי:
Is this not: He heard poor people coming to the door and crying out. He said, “What is the sound of this multitude in my ears?” His servants said to him, “These are the poor for whom you arranged a time to feed.” He said, “Is this not the great Babylon, etc. If I had squandered my storehouses, from where would I have built all these palaces? From now on, I shall not feed them.” Rabbi Tanhuma (Mishpatim 4) explained it in this manner.   הלא דא היא: שמע עניים באים על הפתח וצועקים אמר מה קול ההמון הזה באזני אמרו לו עבדיו אלו העניים שקבעת להם עת פרנסתם אמר הלא דא היא בבל רבתא וגומר ואלמלא ביזבזתי אוצרותי לפרנסת עניים מהיכן הייתי בונה כל הפלטרין הללו מעתה איני מפרנסם כך דרש רבי תנחומא:
and for the honor of my glory: [as translated,] and for the honor of my glory.   וליקר הדרי: ולכבוד תפארתי:
28The word was still in the king's mouth, [when] a voice fell from heaven, [which said] "To you they said 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, your kingdom has turned away from you.   כחע֗וֹד מִלְּתָא֙ בְּפֻ֣ם מַלְכָּ֔א קָ֖ל מִן־שְׁמַיָּ֣א נְפַ֑ל לָ֚ךְ אָֽמְרִין֙ נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר מַלְכָּ֔א מַלְכוּתָ֖א עֲדָ֥ת מִנָּֽךְ:
has turned away from you: [as translated,] has turned away from you.   עוד מלתא בפום מלכא,: עדת מנך: סרה מנך:
29From man they will banish you, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field; like cattle, they will feed you grass, and seven periods will pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of man, and to whom He wishes, He gives it."'   כטוּמִן־אֲנָשָׁא֩ לָ֨ךְ טָֽרְדִ֜ין וְֽעִם־חֵיוַ֧ת בָּרָ֣א מְדֹרָ֗ךְ עִשְׂבָּ֚א כְתוֹרִין֙ לָ֣ךְ יְטַֽעֲמ֔וּן וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה עִדָּֽנִ֖ין יַחְלְפ֣וּן עֲלָ֑ךְ (כתיב עֲלָ֑יךְ) עַ֣ד דִּֽי־תִנְדַּ֗ע דִּֽי־שַׁלִּ֚יט עִלָּאָה֙ (כתיב עִלָּיאָ֙) בְּמַלְכ֣וּת אֲנָשָׁ֔א וּלְמַ֥ן דִּֽי־יִצְבֵּ֖א יִתְּנִנָּֽהּ:
they will banish: Aram. טָרְדִין. an expression of driving away.   טרדין: לשון גירושין:
30At that time, the matter was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar, and he was banished from man, he ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of the heavens, until his hair grew like [the feathers of] eagles and his nails like [the claws of] birds.   לבַּ֣הּ שַֽׁעֲתָּ֗א מִלְּתָא֘ סָ֣פַת עַל־נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֒ וּמִן־אֲנָשָׁ֣א טְרִ֔יד וְעִשְׂבָּ֚א כְתוֹרִין֙ יֵאכֻ֔ל וּמִטַּ֥ל שְׁמַיָּ֖א גִּשְׁמֵ֣הּ יִצְטַבַּ֑ע עַ֣ד דִּ֥י שַׂעְרֵ֛הּ כְּנִשְׁרִ֥ין רְבָ֖ה וְטִפְר֥וֹהִי כְּצִפֲּרִֽין:
was fulfilled: The decree was executed upon him.   ספת: הגזירה כלתה עליו:
  גשמה: גופיה:
his hair grew like [the feathers of] eagles: His hair grew over his entire body like eagles’ feathers.   שערה כנשרין רבה: שערותיו ככנפי נשרים גדלו על כל גופו:
and his nails like birds: and his nails were like a bird’s [talons].   וטפרוהי כצפרין: וצפרניו כצפור:
31And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding was restored to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified Him Who lives to Eternity, Whose dominion is an eternal dominion, and Whose kingdom is with every generation.   לאוְלִקְצַ֣ת יֽוֹמַיָּא֩ אֲנָ֨ה נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר עַיְנַ֣י| לִשְׁמַיָּ֣א נִטְלֵ֗ת וּמַנְדְּעִי֙ עֲלַ֣י יְת֔וּב וּלְעִלָּאָה֙ (כתיב וּלְעִלָּיאָ֙) בָּֽרְכֵ֔ת וּלְחַ֥י עַלְמָ֖א שַׁבְּחֵ֣ת וְהַדְּרֵ֑ת דִּ֚י שָׁלְטָנֵהּ֙ שָׁלְטַ֣ן עָלַ֔ם וּמַלְכוּתֵ֖הּ עִם־דָּ֥ר וְדָֽר:
And at the end of the days: at the end of the days that were set for him; at the end of the seven years.   ולקצת יומיא: לקץ הימים שקבעו לו לסוף ז' השנים:
raised: [as translated,] raised.   נטלת: נשאתי:
and my understanding was restored to me: [as translated,] and my understanding was restored to me.   ומנדעי עלי יתיב: ודעתי עלי חזרה:
and I blessed the Most High: [as translated,] and I blessed the Most High.   ולעלאה ברכת: ואת העליון ברכתי:
32And all the inhabitants of the Earth are reckoned as nothing, and according to His will, He foes with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the Earth, and no one can stop His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"   לבוְכָל־דָּֽיְרֵ֚י (כתיב דָּֽאְרֵ֚י) אַרְעָא֙ כְּלָ֣ה חֲשִׁיבִ֔ין וּכְמִצְבְּיֵ֗הּ עָבֵד֙ בְּחֵ֣יל שְׁמַיָּ֔א וְדָֽיְרֵ֖י (כתיב וְדָֽאְרֵ֖י) אַרְעָ֑א וְלָ֚א אִיתַי֙ דִּֽי־יְמַחֵ֣א בִידֵ֔הּ וְיֵ֥אמַר לֵ֖הּ מָ֥ה עֲבַֽדְתְּ:
are reckoned as nothing: Aram. כְּלָה. Our Rabbis said (Yoma 20b): The dust of the sun is called לָא i.e., the dust that appears in the sun.   כלה חשיבין: רבותינו אמרו האי חירגא דיומא לא שמיה אבק הנראה בשמש:
and according to His will, He does with the host of heaven: [as translated,] and according to His will, He does with the host of heaven.   וכמצביה עבד בחיל שמיא: וכרצונו עושה בצבא השמים:
and no one can stop His hand: Aram. בִידֵהּ וְלָא אִיתַי דִּי יְמַחֵא. And there is none who will stop His hand.   ולא איתי די ימחא בידיה: ולא יש שימחה בידו:
33At that time, my understanding was restored to me, and I returned to the glory of my kingdom, and my splendor was restored to me; and my leaders and my dignitaries were seeking me, and I was established upon my kingship and excessive greatness was added to me.   לגבֵּֽהּ־זִמְנָ֞א מַנְדְּעִ֣י| יְת֣וּב עֲלַ֗י וְלִיקַ֨ר מַלְכוּתִ֜י הַדְרִ֚י וְזִיוִי֙ יְת֣וּב עֲלַ֔י וְלִ֕י הַדָּֽבְרַ֥י וְרַבְרְבָנַ֖י יְבָע֑וֹן וְעַל־מַלְכוּתִ֣י הָתְקְנַ֔ת וּרְב֥וּ יַתִּירָ֖ה הֽוּסֲפַת־לִֽי:
At that time: [as translated,] at that time.   ביה זמנא: באותו זמן:
and I returned to the glory of my kingdom: [as translated,] and I returned to the glory of my kingdom.   וליקר מלכותי הדרי: ולכבוד מלכותי חזרתי:
and my splendor: the features of my face.   וזיוי: ותואר פני:
my leaders and my dignitaries were seeking me: and My advisers and my princes were seeking me and hoping for my return.   ולי הדברי ורברבני יבעון: ואותי יועצי ושרי היו מבקשים וחפצים שאשוב:
and I was established: [as translated,] and I was established.   התקנת: הוכנתי:
and excessive greatness was added to me: and more greatness than the earlier [kings] was added to me. Our Rabbis said (Shab. 150a) that he rode astride a lion and tied a serpent to its head.   ורבו יתירה הוספת לי: וגדולה יתירה מן הראשונה נתוספת לי, אמרו רבותינו שרכב על ארי וקשר תנין בראשו:
34Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, Whose works are all true and Whose ways are just and Who can humble those who walk with arrogance.   לדכְּעַ֞ן אֲנָ֣ה נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר מְשַׁבַּ֨ח וּמְרוֹמֵ֚ם וּמְהַדַּר֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ שְׁמַיָּ֔א דִּ֚י כָל־מַֽעֲבָד֙וֹהִי֙ קְשׁ֔וֹט וְאֹֽרְחָתֵ֖הּ דִּ֑ין וְדִי֙ מַהְלְכִ֣ין בְּגֵוָ֔ה יָכִ֖ל לְהַשְׁפָּלָֽה:
and Whose ways are just: His ways are just.   וארחתה דין: ודרכיו משפט:
who walk with arrogance: Those who walk with arrogance He can humble.   ודי מהלכין בגוה: ואשר מהלכין בגאוה יכול להשפיל: