Why did God humble Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)?

Whosoever Will, The God Who Answers: “those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” (Daniel 4:37) That is Nebuchadnezzar, the clearest case in all Scripture of God bringing a pagan king low. And the cause sits one verse before the humbling, in the king's own mouth: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built by the might of my power?” (Daniel 4:30) He boasted, and while the word was still in his mouth, God brought him down. And watch how it finishes, because this is what ends the argument. “mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High... and excellent majesty was added unto me.” (Daniel 4:34-36) God humbled him, and then restored him, and added to him. That is not reprobation. Reprobation ends in nothing. This ends in a man restored and praising God. Scripture, King James Version: Daniel 4:37, "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."; Daniel 4:30, "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?"; Daniel 4:34-36, "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.".

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.

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Why did God humble Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)? → wsb.bible/answers/why-did-god-humble-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

This answer is the short form. The argument is made at length in The God Who Answers: Exhibit three: even when God brings a man low, He tells you why.

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