What does Daniel 4:1 mean?

This passage is in the form of an official document released by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. His tone is calm, in contrast to his prior moments of uncontrolled rage (Daniel 2:5; 3:19–20). This shows how God had changed Nebuchadnezzar through the humbling experience described in the chapter. Commentators suggest the incident with the furnace and Daniel's three friends (Daniel 3:28) may have occurred as long as thirty years prior to this declaration. Most suggest this decree was given shortly before the king's death in 562 BC. The language of the statement suggests that Daniel helped the king prepare his statement. It is also part of the segment of Daniel recorded in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4—7:28), rather than in Hebrew.

The Babylonian king refers to the Lord as "the Most High God" (Daniel 4:2). Earlier, Nebuchadnezzar bragged about himself, but now he gives credit to God for doing great things for him. In this chapter, the Babylonian ruler will be humbled and then restored, as predicted by his dream and Daniel's interpretation (Daniel 4:5–6).