Daniel 4:35 (BSB)

All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

From Daniel 4. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Daniel 4:35

  • John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Daniel 4:35: Now the opposite clause is added to complete the contrast, because though it follows that nothing is firm or solid in mankind, yet this principle flourishes, namely, God is eternal; yet few reason thus, because in words all allow God to be firm and everlasting, yet they do not descend into themselves and seriously weigh their own frailty. Thus, being unmindful of their own lot, they rage against God himself.
  • Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Daniel 4:34-37: We have here Nebuchadnezzar's recovery from his distraction, and his return to his right mind, at the end of the days prefixed, that is, of the seven years. So long he continued a monument of God's justice and a trophy of his victory over the children of pride, and he was made more so by being struck mad than if he had been in an...
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Daniel 4:35: all . . . as nothing-- (Isa 40:15, Isa 40:17). according to his will in . . . heaven-- (Psa 115:3; Psa 135:6; Mat 6:10; Eph 1:11). army--the heavenly hosts, angels and starry orbs (compare Isa 24:21). none . . . stay his hand--literally, "strike His hand." Image from striking the hand of another, to check him in doing anything (Isa 43:13; Isa 45:9).
  • Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Daniel 4:35: 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?