and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar, walking through his magnificent city, doesn't just boast about Babylon; he claims building it as the ultimate proof of his power and glory. This isn't merely pride in an accomplishment, but a bold assertion that he is the source of his kingdom's greatness, utterly eclipsing God's role.
and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
A year after receiving a dire prophecy from Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is walking through his magnificent capital, Babylon. He proudly surveys the city he attributes entirely to his own power and glory, completely forgetting the divine warning he had been given. This boastful declaration marks the climax of his unrepentant pride, just before God’s judgment falls upon him.
We all build things – careers, families, reputations. But what happens when our identity gets tangled up in what we've built?
Nebuchadnezzar stands on the walls of Babylon, his magnificent creation, and declares, 'Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power...' He sees the city as a direct reflection of his own strength and glory. It’s a natural human tendency to find our worth in our accomplishments. We might not build empires, but we build resumes, impressive homes, or carefully curated social media profiles. When we pour our entire sense of self into these external achievements, we risk the same downfall. Our worth becomes fragile, dependent on external validation and susceptible to the winds of change.
Pride whispers that we are the architects of our success. But what happens when that 'I' overshadows the One who truly enables?
Nebuchadnezzar's declaration is more than just boasting; it's a direct affront to God. By saying 'I have built... by my mighty power... for the honor of my majesty,' he strips God of His rightful glory. He attributes to himself the power, wisdom, and provision that belong to the Creator. This isn't just a small oversight; it’s a fundamental misrepresentation of reality. The Bible is clear: all power and ability come from God. When we take credit for ourselves, we essentially declare God irrelevant in our lives. This 'I' – this self-sufficiency – is a dangerous illusion that leads to spiritual blindness and divine discipline.
Ask a follow-up
God often gives us time to see our sin before the consequences hit. Nebuchadnezzar was given a year. What does that say about God's patience?
The narrative reveals that Nebuchadnezzar’s boast came a year after Daniel had interpreted a dream warning him of this very pride and its consequences. God, in His incredible mercy, granted the king a full year. This wasn't a year for Nebuchadnezzar to consolidate his power or admire his city further; it was a window of opportunity for repentance. Yet, here he stands, a year later, more entrenched in his pride than ever. This highlights the stubbornness of the human heart. God’s patience is not an excuse for complacency, but an invitation to humility. When God gives us time after a warning, it's a sign of His loving desire for us to turn back to Him, not to dig our heels in deeper.
Understand the original words
yeqar · Aramaic Noun
The inherent dignity, grandeur, and brilliance associated with kingship; when applied to God, it refers to His incomparable splendor and divine excellence.
Nebuchadnezzar's proud declaration about building Babylon occurs at the height of his empire's power and his city's glory. This verse captures a pivotal moment where his immense pride, fueled by his architectural and military achievements, directly precedes his divine judgment and subsequent humiliation.
~700 BC
Babylonian Empire Expansion
Under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar I and later Nabopolassar, the Neo-Babylonian Empire began a period of resurgence and expansion, laying the groundwork for its later glory.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar II Ascends Throne
Nebuchadnezzar II, son of Nabopolassar, becomes king and begins a massive building program in Babylon, greatly expanding and beautifying the city.
c. 605-562 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Reign and Building Projects
This period saw Nebuchadnezzar undertake extensive construction in Babylon, including palaces, temples, the famous Hanging Gardens, and strengthening city walls, making it a magnificent capital.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalem Elites
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem and deports a portion of its nobility and skilled workers to Babylon, a significant event in the history of the Jewish people and their relationship with the Babylonian empire.
c. 587-586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, with a further deportation of the population to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
c. 562 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Pride and Humiliation
According to Daniel's account, Nebuchadnezzar, after boasting about his magnificent city, is struck with madness and lives like an animal for seven years, eventually regaining his sanity and acknowledging God's sovereignty.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
The Neo-Babylonian Empire falls to Cyrus the Great of Persia, marking the end of Babylonian dominance and a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
This passage describes the fall of the 'morning star, son of the dawn,' who exalted himself to the heavens, mirroring Nebuchadnezzar's pride and subsequent downfall in his self-proclaimed greatness.
Proverbs 16:18This proverb directly states 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' which is the exact principle at play as Nebuchadnezzar boasts about his achievements.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool who hoards his wealth and boasts about his abundant possessions, only to have his life demanded of him that night; this echoes Nebuchadnezzar's misplaced trust in his material achievements.
1 Corinthians 4:7The Apostle Paul asks, 'What do you have that you did not receive?' This directly challenges the kind of self-sufficiency and pride Nebuchadnezzar displays, reminding us that all gifts and abilities ultimately come from God.
Psalm 115:1This psalm declares, 'Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,' which is the counter-testimony to Nebuchadnezzar's declaration, highlighting the importance of ascribing glory to God alone.
clarkeDaniel 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?"
Is not this great Babylon - Here his heart was inflated with pride; he attributed every thing to himself, and acknowledged God in nothing. The walls, hanging gardens, temple of Bel, and the royal palace, all built by Nebuchadnezzar, made it the greatest city in the world.
calvinDaniel 4:28-32: "All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Et ex hominibus to ejicient, et cum bestia agri habitatio tua: herbam sicuti bores gustare to facient: [230] aet septem tempora transibunt super to, done…
Nebuchadnezzar, walking through his magnificent city, doesn't just boast about Babylon; he claims building it as the ultimate proof of his power and glory. This isn't merely pride in an accomplishment, but a bold assertion that he is the source of his kingdom's greatness, utterly eclipsing God's role.
A year after receiving a dire prophecy from Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is walking through his magnificent capital, Babylon. He proudly surveys the city he attributes entirely to his own power and glory, completely forgetting the divine warning he had been given. This boastful declaration marks the climax of his unrepentant pride, just before God’s judgment falls upon him.
A year after receiving a dire prophecy from Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is walking through his magnificent capital, Babylon. He proudly surveys the city he attributes entirely to his own power and glory, completely forgetting the divine warning he had been given. This boastful declaration marks the climax of his unrepentant pride, just before God’s judgment falls upon him.
"and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”" — Nebuchadnezzar, walking through his magnificent city, doesn't just boast about Babylon; he claims building it as the ultimate proof of his power and glory. This isn't merely pride in an accomplishm…
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Last reviewed October 2026