📖 Biblical Definition
Nebuchadnezzar II was the great Babylonian king (605-562 BC) who conquered Jerusalem in three campaigns (605, 597, 586 BC), destroyed Solomon’s temple, and deported Judah to Babylon. He is the central figure of Daniel 1-4: his dream of the colossal statue (Daniel’s interpretation predicting the succession of four world empires, ch. 2); his erection of the ninety-foot golden image and the fiery furnace into which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown (ch. 3); his dream of the great tree, his seven years of bestial madness, and his restoration. His final confession is one of the most extraordinary in Scripture: "those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Daniel 4:37). Even the king of kings of his age bows.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Nebuchadnezzar — the great king of Babylon and instrument of Judah's exile.
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Nebuchadnezzar built Babylon to its imperial height, with hanging gardens and massive walls. Daniel records his journey from pagan tyrant to humbled worshipper: he saw the fourth man in the furnace, ate grass like an ox seven years, and at last lifted up his eyes and blessed the Most High.
📖 Key Scripture
Daniel 2:47 — "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings."
Daniel 3:25 — "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire... the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Daniel 4:30 — "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built... by the might of my power?"
Daniel 4:37 — "Those that walk in pride he is able to abase."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to fairy-tale tyrant; the genuine conversion arc is missed.
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Nebuchadnezzar is one of Scripture's most extended portraits of pride humbled into worship. Daniel 4 is his own first-person decree, broadcast to all peoples and nations.
The most powerful man on earth was reduced to grazing on grass until he lifted his eyes to heaven. The lesson is plain: God can humble any height, and worship is the only sane response when He does.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Akkadian Nabu-kudurri-usur — 'Nabu, protect the heir.'
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H5019 — Nebukadnetstsar — Nebuchadnezzar
H1347 — ga'on — pride, majesty, swelling
H8214 — shephal — to be low, humbled
Usage
"Seven years on grass for one sentence of pride."
"The Most High humbles whom He pleases — and converts whom He humbles."
"Babylon's greatest king bowed before the God of Daniel."