Skip to main content

Daniel 4:28-33 & meaning

He 

was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

Daniel 4:33

Context

Daniel 4 [20.] The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation: it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth. Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots 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 the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him; this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: 

Daniel 4 [25.] that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility. All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 

Daniel 4 [30.] The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you. You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.” This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.


Meaning:

Daniel 4:28-33 recounts the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful Babylonian ruler who, in his pride, believed that his kingdom was a result of his own strength and greatness. This passage is a powerful lesson about the dangers of pride and the sovereignty of God. Nebuchadnezzar is warned in a dream that his pride would lead to his downfall, yet he does not heed the warning, and the consequences are dramatic.


  • The Story in the Passage

In this section of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar is walking on the roof of his palace, admiring the grandeur of Babylon and attributing all its glory to himself. He says, “Isn’t this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). His words reveal his heart: he is taking credit for the greatness of his kingdom, forgetting that it is God who sets up and brings down kings.

Immediately, as he is speaking, a voice from heaven interrupts him. The message is clear: "The kingdom has departed from you" (Daniel 4:31). The prophecy given to him earlier, where he was warned that he would be driven away from people and live like an animal, comes to pass. He is driven out into the wilderness, living among the animals, and eating grass like cattle. His mind is taken from him, and for a period of seven years, he experiences life as a beast, rather than as a man.


  • The Dangers of Pride

This story is a profound illustration of the destructive power of pride. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was not simply a matter of being confident in his achievements, but a deeper, more dangerous form of arrogance: he believed that he was in control of his own destiny, and that his power and glory were entirely self-made. He had forgotten that God is the one who grants authority and dominion, and that all earthly power is temporary.

The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of pride. Proverbs 16:18 famously states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Nebuchadnezzar's fall is a literal embodiment of this truth. His kingdom and authority are stripped away from him the moment he boasts about his accomplishments. Pride, at its core, is a denial of our dependence on God. It blinds us to the truth that everything we have—our talents, resources, and even our breath—comes from God.

This theme of pride and its consequences is not unique to Nebuchadnezzar. It echoes the fall of Lucifer, who, in his pride, sought to elevate himself above God and was cast down from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15). Pride is a universal human struggle, and Nebuchadnezzar’s story serves as a stark reminder of its dangers.


  • God’s Sovereignty Over All

Another key lesson from this passage is the sovereignty of God. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was the architect of his own success, but God’s intervention shows that He is the one who controls the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms. Daniel 4:32 states: "You shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will."


God’s message to Nebuchadnezzar is clear: the Most High is the ultimate authority. No matter how powerful a ruler might seem, their power is always subject to God’s will. Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this lesson the hard way—by losing everything and being reduced to living like an animal. His experience in the wilderness was not just about punishment; it was also about revelation. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to understand His supreme rule over all creation.

This idea of God’s sovereignty is also found in Romans 13:1, where Paul writes, "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God." No matter how powerful someone might appear, they are only in their position because God has allowed it, and He can remove them at any time.


  • Humility and Restoration

Nebuchadnezzar’s story doesn’t end in permanent exile and madness. After the seven years have passed, his sanity is restored, and he finally acknowledges God’s sovereignty. In Daniel 4:34, Nebuchadnezzar lifts his eyes to heaven and praises the Most High, saying, "His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation." His heart is changed, and with it, his kingdom is restored.

This restoration is a beautiful picture of God’s grace. Even after Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and rebellion, God does not abandon him. Instead, God allows him to experience humility and then brings him back to his throne. This shows that no one is beyond redemption, no matter how far they have fallen. When we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging His authority over our lives, He is gracious to restore us.

James 4:6 echoes this truth: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humility opened the door for God’s grace to restore not just his mind but his position as king. This transformation from pride to humility is at the heart of our relationship with God. Only when we acknowledge our dependence on Him can we truly experience His power and grace in our lives.


Conclusion: Daniel 4:28-33 is a vivid illustration of the dangers of pride and the sovereignty of God. Nebuchadnezzar, in his arrogance, believed he was the source of his kingdom's greatness, but he quickly learned that God is the true ruler of all. His experience of living like an animal for seven years is a dramatic depiction of how far pride can bring us down, but it also shows the grace that awaits us when we humble ourselves before God.

We can learn from Nebuchadnezzar's story that pride is dangerous and leads to downfall, but when we recognize God’s sovereignty and submit to His authority, we open ourselves to His grace, restoration, and the true fulfillment that comes from acknowledging Him as Lord. Let us strive to guard our hearts against pride, remembering that everything we have comes from God, and it is only through Him that we are truly blessed.


angels - wonder - yes-men
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible


 

Chat    Topics     Index     WorldWideWitness