“The holy watcher
Cried aloud.
He said.
‘Cut down
The tree!
Chop off
Its branches!
Strip off
Its foliage!
Scatter its fruit!
Let the animals flee
From under it!
Let the birds flee
From its branches!’”
This holy watcher or angel from heaven told the king in a loud commanding voice to chop the tree down, cut off its branches, and strip it of all its leaves. The fruit of the tree was to be scattered all over the place. The animals should no longer lay under its shade. The birds should leave its branches. Thus, the beautiful tree would be cut down and be no more.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 