The Great Tree of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

In chapter two of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a great image which we learn represents four empires that will have dominion over Israel and many other nations for an undetermined period of time. The head of the image represented Babylonian followed by Persia, Greece and Rome. In Daniel chapter four Nebuchadnezzar has a second dream of a great tree whose height reached to heaven and spreads its branches over the earth. The tree is cut down with a band of gold placed around its trunk until 7 times pass. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar “It is thou” Dan. 4:22. The dream was a warning to Nebuchadnezzar that his present course of life would bring punishment. Daniel counsels the king to change. “…break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility” Dan. 4:27.
Next we read in Daniel 4:29 “At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 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? 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 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”.
In its great pride the tree is toppled with a band of gold place on the stump. The King is driven from men eating grass like an ox. After seven times passed Nebuchadnezzar cames to his right mind and returned to power.
Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream in chapter two Daniel says “thou are the head”. We take this to mean Nebuchadnezzar being the king represents the entire Babylonian empire. Can we apply this to the second dream? In chapter four Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar the tree represents you. Does Nebuchadnezzar here also represent the entire empire of Babylon? Or could Nebuchadnezzar in this dream represent all four empires pictured in the king’s first dream?
The tree’s height and spreading nature reflect the reach of the kingdom of Babylon which Nebuchadnezzar ruled. But in this dream there seems to be a more personal application. It is not the empire that is cut down, it is the ruler and his influence in the kingdom. The empire was not toppled but merely a temporary change of rulers. There seems to be no reason to extend the 7 times to the entire Babylonian kingdom nor is there reason to connect 7 times to the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream. Daniel’s position in the kingdom does not seem to be in jeopardy, nor the poison of the Jews in captivity. If we take the dream and its interpretation as we read it. The Tree represents a heathen gentile king who has become tyrannical. God first warns the king with a dream then God in his mercy for the poor, cuts the tree down. The king becomes incapable of ruling, the king is deposed. After 7 times the king comes to his right mind and receives his kingdom back.
Dan 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
If Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree in chapter four cannot be linked to his dream of the image in chapter two, can we find support for the expression “seven times of the gentiles”?