Daniel 4:33

KJV

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].

KJV (with Strong's)

The same hour {H8160} was the thing {H4406} fulfilled {H5487} upon {H5922} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020}: and he was driven {H2957} from {H4481} men {H606}, and did eat {H399} grass {H6211} as oxen {H8450}, and his body {H1655} was wet {H6647} with the dew {H2920} of heaven {H8065}, till {H5705} his hairs {H8177} were grown {H7236} like eagles {H5403}' feathers, and his nails {H2953} like birds {H6853}' claws.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Within the hour the word was fulfilled. N'vukhadnetzar was driven from human society, he ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.

Berean Standard Bible

At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

American Standard Version

The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair was grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 4:33 records the precise and immediate fulfillment of God's judgment upon King Nebuchadnezzar, transforming him from the mighty ruler of Babylon into an animalistic state. This verse dramatically illustrates the absolute sovereignty of the Most High God over all earthly power, demonstrating that even the most exalted human authority is utterly dependent on and subject to divine will. It marks the climax of Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, a direct consequence of his unbridled pride and refusal to acknowledge God's dominion, serving as a powerful object lesson for all who would claim self-sufficiency apart from the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 4:33 serves as the climactic fulfillment of the prophetic dream and its interpretation detailed earlier in the chapter. Immediately preceding this verse, King Nebuchadnezzar, filled with self-adulation, boasts about his magnificent kingdom, built by his "mighty power" and for "the honour of [his] majesty" as recorded in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast"). This act of profound pride directly triggers the divine judgment that Daniel had warned him about, as recorded in [Daniel 4:25-27](/daniel/4-25-27 "Daniel 4:25-27 - Daniel's Prophecy to Nebuchadnezzar"). The phrase "The same hour" in verse 33 emphasizes the instantaneous and undeniable nature of God's intervention, highlighting the direct cause-and-effect relationship between the king's hubris and his sudden downfall, leaving no room for doubt about the divine origin of his affliction. This swift retribution underscores the immediate consequences of defying the Most High.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful monarch of his time, ruling the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had conquered Judah and exiled its people. In the ancient Near East, kings often claimed divine lineage or divine favor, seeing themselves as supreme arbiters of their realms. Babylon itself was a symbol of human achievement and power, with its impressive architecture and military might, often boasting of its impregnable walls and Hanging Gardens. Within this context, Nebuchadnezzar's public humiliation was an unprecedented event, designed to shatter the prevalent notion of absolute human authority and to demonstrate to a pagan world, through its most prominent leader, that there is a God in heaven who truly rules over the kingdoms of men. This divine intervention challenged the very foundations of pagan kingship and polytheistic beliefs, asserting monotheistic supremacy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several central themes within the book of Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over human affairs and earthly rulers, as explicitly stated in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - The Most High Rules"). The immediate and dramatic judgment on Nebuchadnezzar highlights the **Consequences of Pride**, serving as a stark warning against self-exaltation and the failure to acknowledge God as the source of all power and blessing. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction") and [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud"). Furthermore, the verse initiates the theme of **Humiliation as a Prerequisite for Restoration**, as Nebuchadnezzar's profound degradation is the necessary precursor to his eventual repentance and re-establishment on the throne, detailed in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise"). This divine discipline, though severe, ultimately served a redemptive purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hour (Aramaic, _shâʻâh'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "a look," signifies a precise, immediate moment or a glance of time. Its use here emphasizes the swiftness and directness of God's judgment. The "same hour" underscores that the fulfillment of the prophecy was not a gradual decline but an instantaneous, divinely orchestrated event, leaving no doubt about its supernatural origin and the direct connection to Nebuchadnezzar's boast. It highlights the immediate and decisive nature of divine intervention.
* **driven (Aramaic, _ṭᵉrad'_):** Corresponding to the Hebrew root for "to expel" or "to chase away," this term implies a forceful removal or being cast out. It vividly describes Nebuchadnezzar's involuntary and violent expulsion from human society and royal authority. It suggests a complete and sudden separation from his former life, status, and environment, highlighting the severity and totality of his divine punishment, signifying a loss of both physical place and mental faculty.
* **body (Aramaic, _geshem'_):** While primarily meaning "body," the Strong's data notes a peculiar sense, possibly related to the idea of "hard rain" or "storm." This subtle nuance might allude to the physical exposure and degradation of Nebuchadnezzar's body, which was "wet with the dew of heaven," enduring the elements like an animal rather than being sheltered in royal comfort. It emphasizes the complete physical manifestation of his humiliation, stripped of all royal adornment and protection, subjected to the harsh realities of nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar":** This opening clause establishes the immediate and undeniable execution of the divine decree. The "thing" refers to the specific prophecy given by Daniel regarding Nebuchadnezzar's seven years of madness and animalistic existence. The emphasis on "the same hour" highlights God's perfect timing and the direct causality between the king's prideful boast and the instantaneous onset of his judgment, leaving no room for human intervention or natural explanation.
* **"and he was driven from men":** This signifies Nebuchadnezzar's complete social ostracization and profound loss of human reason. He was no longer fit for human society, indicating a profound mental and behavioral regression from a rational king to a wild, untamed creature. This expulsion underscores the loss of his human dignity, his regal status, and his very identity as a human being.
* **"and did eat grass as oxen":** This clause vividly describes his animalistic behavior. Eating grass, the common food of cattle, is a powerful image of his degradation, symbolizing his loss of human diet, intelligence, and self-awareness. He was reduced to the level of a beast, fulfilling the prophecy that he would live "with the beasts of the field," demonstrating the utter reversal of his former royal lifestyle.
* **"and his body was wet with the dew of heaven":** This detail emphasizes his exposure to the elements, further illustrating his complete abandonment of human comforts and his forced existence in the wild. His body, once adorned in royal robes and protected within a palace, was now subjected to the harsh realities of nature, mirroring his loss of protection, privilege, and personal care.
* **"till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]":** This final descriptive phrase paints a stark picture of his physical transformation over time, indicating the duration of his affliction. The imagery of "eagles' feathers" and "birds' claws" conveys wild, untamed growth, indicating a complete neglect of personal hygiene and a regression to a primal, unkempt state. This hyper-realistic imagery underscores the severity and prolonged nature of his divinely imposed affliction, making his transformation utterly unmistakable and visually horrifying.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 4:33 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the depth of Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation. The most prominent is **Imagery**, which paints a vivid and visceral picture of the king's transformation: "eat grass as oxen," "body was wet with the dew of heaven," "hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers]," and "nails like birds' [claws]." This rich sensory language allows the reader to viscerally experience the king's degradation and the severity of his plight. The pervasive use of **Simile** ("as oxen," "like eagles' [feathers]," "like birds' [claws]") explicitly compares Nebuchadnezzar's behavior and physical appearance to animals, underscoring his complete loss of human dignity, reason, and control. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the king's fate; the one who boasted of his magnificent kingdom and power is reduced to the lowest form of existence, highlighting the stark contrast between human pride and divine sovereignty. The swiftness indicated by "The same hour" also functions as **Dramatic Pacing**, emphasizing the immediate and undeniable consequence of his pride and the omnipotence of God's decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:33 profoundly illustrates God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and rulers. It serves as a powerful theological statement that no human authority, however vast or impressive, can stand against the will of the Most High. Nebuchadnezzar's dramatic fall is a divine object lesson, demonstrating that pride precedes destruction and that true power resides not in human might but in humble submission to God. This narrative reinforces the biblical principle that God "removes kings and sets up kings" as stated in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"), and that He is able to abase those who walk in pride, ultimately exalting the humble. The king's suffering, though severe, was a necessary crucible for his spiritual transformation, leading to his eventual acknowledgment of God's eternal dominion and a profound shift in his worldview.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - Humility and Exaltation")
* [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid account of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling in Daniel 4:33 offers a timeless and profound lesson for all people, especially those entrusted with leadership or influence. It serves as a stark reminder that all authority, talent, and success ultimately derive from God. When we attribute our achievements solely to our own strength, wisdom, or effort, we fall into the same trap of pride that ensnared Nebuchadnezzar. This verse challenges us to cultivate a spirit of humility, acknowledging God's hand in every blessing and circumstance. It calls us to recognize that true security and lasting honor come not from self-exaltation, but from a reverent and dependent relationship with the Almighty. By learning from Nebuchadnezzar's painful experience, we are encouraged to proactively humble ourselves before God, giving Him the glory due His name, thereby avoiding the painful, corrective lessons that pride inevitably brings. This narrative compels us to constantly examine our hearts for any trace of self-sufficiency that might obscure God's rightful place as the source of all good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to pride, attributing success or ability solely to myself rather than to God?**
* **How does Nebuchadnezzar's immediate and dramatic humbling challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty and justice, particularly His willingness to intervene in human affairs?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God in my daily life, especially when I experience success or recognition?**
* **How can I better acknowledge and give glory to God for the blessings and opportunities He has given me, ensuring my words and actions reflect His ultimate dominion?**

### FAQ

**What was Nebuchadnezzar's specific affliction described in this verse?**

Answer: Daniel 4:33 describes Nebuchadnezzar's affliction as a complete and instantaneous transformation from a human king to an animal-like state. He was "driven from men," indicating social isolation and a profound loss of human reason, and began to "eat grass as oxen," adopting the diet and behavior of cattle. His body was exposed to the elements, becoming "wet with the dew of heaven," and his physical appearance regressed dramatically, with his "hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]." This condition is often interpreted by scholars as a form of clinical lycanthropy or zoanthropy, a rare psychological disorder where a person believes they are an animal and behaves accordingly, though in Nebuchadnezzar's case, it was divinely imposed and perfectly fulfilled the prophecy given in [Daniel 4:25](/daniel/4-25 "Daniel 4:25 - Daniel's Interpretation of the Dream").

**Why did God inflict such a severe punishment on Nebuchadnezzar?**

Answer: God inflicted this severe punishment on Nebuchadnezzar as a direct consequence of his profound pride and his failure to acknowledge God's supreme sovereignty. Despite Daniel's clear interpretation of his dream and warning to humble himself and show mercy to the poor as stated in [Daniel 4:27](/daniel/4-27 "Daniel 4:27 - Daniel's Counsel to Nebuchadnezzar"), Nebuchadnezzar continued in his self-exaltation. This culminated in his boast about his own power and glory in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast"), which immediately preceded his judgment. The punishment was designed to teach him, and all who would hear his story, 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 - God's Rule Over Kingdoms")). It was a humbling necessary for his eventual repentance and restoration, demonstrating that God alone is the source of all authority and blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic humbling of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:33, though a historical event, powerfully foreshadows and contrasts with the ultimate display of divine sovereignty and humility found in Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar, a proud earthly king, was brought low by divine judgment to learn humility and acknowledge God's rule. In stark contrast, Jesus, the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords, willingly humbled Himself not through compulsion but through perfect love. He "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). While Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men to become like a beast, Christ, though fully God, entered human frailty, enduring rejection and suffering, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). His humiliation was not a punishment for pride, but a redemptive act to reconcile humanity to God, demonstrating the depths of divine love and obedience. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was eventually restored to his throne after acknowledging God, Christ, after His ultimate act of humility and sacrifice, was "highly exalted, and given a name which is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")), and He will return to reign forever as the true King of all ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). Thus, Nebuchadnezzar's story, a testament to God's power to humble the proud, ultimately points to the infinitely greater humility of Christ, through whom God's kingdom is established forever, not by force, but by grace and self-sacrificial love.

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 4:32

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

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.

Daniel 5:5

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

Isaiah 30:14

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit.

Daniel 5:21

And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

1 Thessalonians 5:2

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.