Daniel 4:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This presents a chilling divine decree against King Nebuchadnezzar, foretelling a radical transformation of his nature and a period of profound humiliation. This verse, central to the king's second prophetic dream, details that his human understanding and heart would be replaced with that of an animal, and this state of degradation would endure for "seven times." It encapsulates God's sovereign judgment upon the king's immense pride, designed to bring him to a humble recognition of the Most High's absolute rule over all earthly kingdoms and human affairs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, recorded in [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Humiliation"). The dream itself, recounted in [Daniel 4:10-17](/daniel/4-10-17 "Daniel 4:10-17 - The Dream of the Great Tree"), depicts a magnificent tree reaching to heaven, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar's vast and powerful kingdom. A "watcher" or "holy one" descends from heaven, issuing a decree to cut down the tree, leaving only its stump. [Daniel 4:16](/daniel/4-16 "Daniel 4:16 - The Decree of Transformation") specifically articulates the nature of the king's impending judgment: a loss of human reason and dignity, replaced by an animalistic existence for a set period. This judgment is a direct consequence of Nebuchadnezzar's self-exalting pride, which he articulates later in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast"), and it sets the stage for his eventual humbling and restoration in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nebuchadnezzar was arguably the most powerful monarch of his time, ruling the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had conquered Judah and exiled its people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often claimed divine favor or even divine status, and their power was seen as absolute. Nebuchadnezzar's pride, therefore, was not merely personal arrogance but a direct challenge to the true God's universal sovereignty. The concept of a king being humbled to the state of an animal would have been utterly shocking and humiliating, undermining every aspect of his perceived divine authority and human dignity. This divine intervention served as a stark demonstration that even the mightiest earthly ruler was utterly subject to the God of Israel, who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings")).

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven throughout [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony") and powerfully underscored by [Daniel 4:16](/daniel/4-16 "Daniel 4:16 - The Decree of Transformation") include **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute control over all human affairs, rulers, and kingdoms. Even the most powerful kings are subject to His will and judgment, a truth consistently highlighted throughout the book of Daniel. Another crucial theme is the **Humiliation of Pride**, as God actively opposes the arrogant. Nebuchadnezzar's transformation from a mighty king to a beast-like creature is the ultimate symbol of divine judgment against self-exaltation, serving as a timeless warning against hubris, a principle echoed in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"). Finally, the passage highlights **Transformative Judgment**, where the change from a "man's heart" to a "beast's heart" signifies not merely punishment, but a profound, divinely orchestrated process intended to bring the king to a place of humility and recognition of God's true power, ultimately leading to his restoration and praise of the Most High, as seen in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heart (Aramaic, _lᵉbab'_):** This term (H3825) refers to the innermost being, the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. In this context, it signifies Nebuchadnezzar's human understanding, reason, and capacity for governance. The decree is to change this core essence, stripping him of his human rationality and dignity.
* **changed (Aramaic, _shᵉnâʼ'_):** The verb (H8133) means "to alter" or "to be diverse." It conveys a fundamental, radical alteration of Nebuchadnezzar's very nature. This is not a superficial modification but a deep, internal transformation from a rational, ruling human being to something entirely different, reflecting a profound shift in his mental and spiritual state.
* **pass (Aramaic, _chălaph'_):** This word (H2499) means "to pass on" or "to go by," specifically in reference to time. It indicates the duration of Nebuchadnezzar's judgment. The "seven times" are not to be endured indefinitely but will elapse, signifying a finite period designed to achieve God's purpose of humbling and teaching the king.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let his heart be changed from man's":** This clause pronounces a divine decree that Nebuchadnezzar's human intellect, will, and moral capacity—the very essence of his humanity and kingship—will be fundamentally altered. This change implies a loss of rational thought, self-awareness, and the ability to rule or even function as a human being in society.
* **"and let a beast's heart be given unto him":** This is the direct consequence and nature of the change. Instead of human understanding, he will receive an "animal's heart," signifying a descent into an instinct-driven, irrational, and undignified existence. This is not merely a metaphor for madness but a literal, divinely imposed transformation that strips him of his regal and human identity.
* **"and let seven times pass over him":** This specifies the duration of Nebuchadnezzar's altered state. The phrase "seven times" (Aramaic: _shibʻâh ʻiddânîn_) is widely interpreted by scholars as "seven years," a period long enough to ensure complete detachment from his former life and a thorough experience of humility, allowing the divine lesson to be deeply ingrained.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Symbolism**. The "man's heart" symbolizes human reason, dignity, and the capacity for dominion given by God, while the "beast's heart" symbolizes irrationality, degradation, and a loss of human identity. This transformation is a powerful visual metaphor for Nebuchadnezzar's fall from grace due to his pride. There is also profound **Irony** at play: the most powerful king on earth, who boasts of his accomplishments and believes himself to be supreme, is humbled to the lowest possible state, stripped of his humanity and forced to live like the animals he once ruled over. This reversal of fortune underscores the ultimate sovereignty of God. The entire verse functions as a **Divine Decree**, an authoritative pronouncement from heaven that is absolute and unchangeable, highlighting God's direct intervention in human history and His control over the destinies of nations and their rulers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:16 profoundly illustrates God's active and unwavering sovereignty over all earthly powers. It serves as a stark reminder that no human authority, however vast or seemingly invincible, can stand against the will of the Most High. Nebuchadnezzar's humbling demonstrates that God's justice is not merely punitive but often redemptive, designed to bring the proud to a place of humility and recognition of His supreme authority. This divine intervention underscores the theological truth that true power and glory belong to God alone, and any human attempt to usurp that glory will inevitably lead to a fall. The verse also highlights God's patience and His desire for all, even the most arrogant, to acknowledge Him.

* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalm/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Humbles")
* [Proverbs 29:23](/proverbs/29-23 "Proverbs 29:23 - Humility Precedes Honor")
* [Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - God Casts Down the Mighty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 4:16 offers a timeless and potent lesson for all individuals, particularly those in positions of influence or power. It compels us to examine the state of our own hearts, asking whether we attribute our successes and achievements to our own strength and wisdom, or to the gracious hand of God. The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's fall and subsequent restoration is a powerful call to humility, reminding us that pride is an affront to God and inevitably leads to a fall, while humility opens the door to divine favor and true wisdom. It challenges us to acknowledge God's sovereignty in every area of our lives, trusting in His ultimate control even when circumstances are beyond our understanding. For believers, it reinforces the comforting truth that God is just and works all things, even severe judgments, for His glory and the ultimate good of those He seeks to transform.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to pride, subtly or overtly taking credit for what God has enabled?**
* **How does the story of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling challenge my understanding of power, success, and human achievement?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more humble heart and consistently acknowledge God's sovereignty in my daily life?**
* **How can I apply the lesson of God's transformative judgment to my own spiritual growth, recognizing that difficult seasons may be designed to humble and refine me?**

### FAQ
**What does "seven times" mean in Daniel 4:16?**

Answer: The phrase "seven times" (Aramaic: _shibʻâh ʻiddânîn_) is widely understood by biblical scholars to refer to a period of seven years. While the Aramaic word for "times" (_ʻiddân_) can denote a set period or season, in this prophetic context, especially given the severity and duration implied by Nebuchadnezzar's transformation, "seven years" is the most common and accepted interpretation. This duration was sufficient for the king 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](/daniel/4-25 "Daniel 4:25 - The Fulfillment of the Decree")).

**Was Nebuchadnezzar literally transformed into an animal?**

Answer: The text describes a profound change where Nebuchadnezzar's "heart" (his mind, reason, and human understanding) was "changed from man's" and a "beast's heart" was "given unto him." This suggests a severe form of mental illness, likely a condition known as clinical lycanthropy or boanthropy, where a person believes they are an animal and behaves accordingly. While he may not have physically transformed into a four-legged beast, his mental state and behavior were reduced to an animalistic level, causing him to live in the fields, eat grass, and grow hair and nails like a bird's claws, as described in [Daniel 4:33](/daniel/4-33 "Daniel 4:33 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation"). The change was a literal, divinely orchestrated degradation of his human faculties, manifesting in a beast-like existence.

**What was the ultimate purpose of this severe judgment on Nebuchadnezzar?**

Answer: The primary purpose of this judgment was to humble King Nebuchadnezzar and bring him to a profound recognition of God's absolute sovereignty. Throughout the narrative, the repeated message is that "the Most High rules in the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will" ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - The Purpose of the Decree")). Nebuchadnezzar's immense pride and self-exaltation had blinded him to this truth. The severe humbling was a necessary, albeit painful, process to strip away his arrogance and lead him to acknowledge and praise the true God, as he eventually does in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise"). It was a transformative judgment, designed for his spiritual redemption and for the glory of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The humbling of Nebuchadnezzar, as decreed in [Daniel 4:16](/daniel/4-16 "Daniel 4:16 - The Decree of Transformation"), foreshadows profound Christological truths. While Nebuchadnezzar was brought low from a position of earthly glory due to his pride, Jesus Christ, the King of kings, willingly emptied Himself of divine glory, taking on the form of a servant, and humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). Where Nebuchadnezzar's "heart was changed from man's" to a beast's due to sin, Christ, the perfect Man, came to restore humanity's true heart, to give us a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - The Promise of a New Heart")). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of humility and obedience, reversing the curse of pride and sin that afflicts humanity. Through His atoning work, we are offered a transformation not into a beast-like state, but into the likeness of God, renewed in knowledge after the image of our Creator ([Colossians 3:10](/colossians/3-10 "Colossians 3:10 - Renewed in Christ's Image")). The "seven times" of Nebuchadnezzar's judgment point to a finite period of divine discipline, but Christ's reign is eternal, and His work of salvation offers an everlasting transformation of the heart, leading to eternal life for all who humble themselves and believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.