What is the context?
While comfortable in his palace, Nebuchadnezzar has another frightening dream. This time he tells it to the wise men, but they cannot explain it. He then turns to Daniel.
The dream shows a vast tree supplying food and shelter to creatures throughout the land. A holy watcher comes down from heaven and commands that it be cut down, leaving the stump and roots bound with iron and bronze.
The description turns from the tree to a man: his mind is to become like a beast’s, and seven times are to pass over him. The stated purpose is that people know the Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives authority to whom He wishes.
The Aramaic word עִיר, ir (eer), means a wakeful one and is used here for an angel; see Brown–Driver–Briggs. The watcher brings a heavenly decree, which Daniel identifies in verse 24 as the decree of the Most High.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley understands the watcher as an angel carrying out God’s judgment, and Cambridge also explains the term as a wakeful heavenly being. The messenger’s role belongs under the Most High’s rule.
Both Wesley and Cambridge understand the seven times as seven years. The BSB retains times in the passage itself; the interpretation’s central purpose is the humbling of the king until he recognizes who rules.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.