Daniel 4:17

“This matter is by the decree of the watchers, etc.] That is, the cutting down the tree, and what is signified by it, was with the advice, consent, and approbation of the watchers, by whom is generally understood angels; not that they were the authors of this decree, but approvers of it; and were ready, not only to subscribe it, but to execute it; it being against a wicked man, and an oppressor of the Lord’s people: they are represented as assessors with God; called into a consultation with him; alluding to the manner of kings and princes, who have their privy council, whom they advise with on occasion; though, properly speaking, nothing of this nature is to be attributed to God, only after…”

“demand--that is, determination; namely, as to the change to which Nebuchadnezzar is to be doomed. A solemn council of the heavenly ones is supposed (compare Job 1:6; Job 2:1), over which God presides supreme. His "decree" and "word" are therefore said to be theirs (compare Dan 4:24, "decree of the Most High"); "the decree of the watchers," "the word of the holy ones." For He has placed particular kingdoms under the administration of angelic beings, subject to Him (Dan 10:13, Dan 10:20; Dan 12:1). The word "demand," in the second clause, expresses a distinct idea from the first clause. Not only as members of God's council (Dan 7:10; Kg1 22:19; Psa 103:21; Zac 1:10) do they subscribe to His…”

“This matter is by the decree of the watchers - See the notes at Daniel 4:13. They are described here not only as watching over the affairs of men, but as entrusted wth the execution of high and important designs of God. The representation is, that one of these heavenly beings was seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his visions, and that this one stated to him that he had come to execute what had been determined on by his associates, or in counsel with others. The idea would seem to be, that the affairs of the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar had been in important respects placed under the administration of these beings, and that in solemn council they had resolved on this measure. It is not said that this…”

“Of the holy ones - The decree was God's, and the demand was of the holy angels; if God enact it, the angels had the dispensation of it put into their hands, and they all consent to it as a just judgment of God to be executed by them according to the will of God. The most high ruleth - Nebuchadnezzar and his flatterers conceded he was a god in earth unaccountable to any. But the great God will make all men know he rules all in earth too, and sets up at his pleasure whom he will, and plucks them down again. Daniel 4:19”

“4:17 the Most High rules: God distributes kingship and kingdoms to whomever he will, even to the lowliest (e.g., Joseph, Gen 41:41-57; David, 1 Sam 16—2 Sam 5).”

“by the: Dan 4:13, Dan 4:14; Kg1 22:19, Kg1 22:20; Ti1 5:21 the holy: Dan 4:8, Dan 4:9, Dan 4:13; Isa 6:3, Isa 6:8; Rev 4:8 that the living: Psa 9:16, Psa 83:17, Psa 83:18; Eze 25:17 the most High: Dan 4:25, Dan 4:32-35, Dan 2:21, Dan 5:18-21; Jer 27:5-7 giveth: Psa 75:6, Psa 75:7 the basest: Dan 4:25, Dan 11:21; Exo 9:16; Sa1 2:8; Kg1 21:25; Kg2 21:6-18; Ch2 28:22; Psa 12:8, Psa 113:7, Psa 113:8; Eze 7:24; Co1 1:28 Daniel 4:18”

“(4:14) The divine messenger concludes his announcement with the words that the matter was unchangeably decreed, for this purpose, that men might be led to recognise the supremacy of the Most High over the kings of the earth. The first two passages have no verb, and thus the verb. substant. must be supplied. Accordingly we must not translate: by the decree of the watchers is the message, i.e., is it delivered (Kran.), nor: the decree is included in the fate, the unalterable will of Heaven (Hv.); but בdenotes the department within which the גּזרה lies, and is to be translated: "the message consists in, or rests on, the decree of the watchers." גּזרה, the unchangeable decision, the decretum…”