Daniel 4:16

Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Let his heart {H3825} be changed {H8133} from {H4481} man's {H606}, and let a beast's {H2423} heart {H3825} be given {H3052} unto him; and let seven {H7655} times {H5732} pass {H2499} over {H5922} him.

let his heart and mind cease to be human and become those of an animal; and let seven seasons pass over him.

Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Daniel 4:16 is a pivotal verse within King Nebuchadnezzar's second prophetic dream, interpreted by the prophet Daniel. It describes a severe, transformative judgment decreed by God upon the proud Babylonian king.

Context

This verse is part of the interpretation of a dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar. In the dream, he saw a great tree that reached to heaven, symbolizing himself and his vast kingdom. A "watcher" or "holy one" descended from heaven and commanded that the tree be cut down, leaving only its stump. This specific verse (Daniel 4:16) details the decree concerning the tree's symbolic representation of the king: his human understanding and heart would be replaced with that of an animal, and he would endure this state for a significant period. This judgment was a direct consequence of Nebuchadnezzar's immense pride and his failure to acknowledge God as the supreme ruler over all earthly kingdoms, as detailed in Daniel 4:30.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's absolute control over all human affairs and rulers. This verse powerfully illustrates that even the most powerful kings are subject to God's will and judgment, reinforcing the message found throughout Daniel, such as in Daniel 2:21.
  • Humiliation of Pride: God opposes the proud. Nebuchadnezzar's transformation from a mighty king to a beast-like creature is the ultimate symbol of divine judgment against arrogance and self-exaltation. This serves as a timeless warning against pride, a concept echoed in verses like Proverbs 16:18.
  • Transformative Judgment: The change from a "man's heart" to a "beast's heart" signifies a loss of human reason, dignity, and perhaps sanity, leading to a period of living like an animal. This was not merely punishment but a means to bring the king to a place of humility and recognition of God's true power, as eventually seen in Daniel 4:34-37.

Linguistic Insight: "Seven Times"

The phrase "seven times" (Aramaic: shib`ah iddanin) is widely understood to refer to a period of seven years. While the word "times" here doesn't explicitly mean "years" in English, in the context of prophetic literature and Aramaic usage, it is commonly interpreted as such. This duration was sufficient for Nebuchadnezzar to experience complete detachment from human society and to learn the crucial lesson that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:25).

Practical Application

Daniel 4:16 serves as a powerful reminder for all people, especially those in positions of authority, that true power belongs to God alone. It underscores the danger of pride and self-sufficiency, urging humility and acknowledgment of divine sovereignty. For believers, it highlights God's justice and His ability to humble the proud, ultimately for His glory and often for the individual's eventual redemption. It encourages us to live with a humble heart, recognizing that our abilities, successes, and positions are gifts from God, and to give Him the glory He deserves.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 4:23

    And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

  • Isaiah 6:10

    Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

  • Daniel 4:25

    That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

  • Revelation 12:14

    And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

  • Daniel 7:25

    And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

  • Mark 5:4

    Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any [man] tame him.

  • Mark 5:5

    And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
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