Daniel 4:33
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].
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Cross-References
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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.
Commentary
Daniel 4:33 (KJV) vividly describes the immediate and dramatic fulfillment of God's judgment upon King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This verse marks the climactic moment of the king's prophesied humiliation, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers and kingdoms.
Context
This verse directly follows King Nebuchadnezzar's proud boast about the grandeur of his Babylonian kingdom. Daniel had previously interpreted the king's dream, warning him of a period of madness and isolation if he did not humble himself before God (as seen in Daniel 4:25-27). The phrase "the same hour" emphasizes the swift and direct nature of divine judgment, highlighting that God's word is precise and unfailing.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights & Imagery
The KJV's descriptive language, "hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]," paints a stark picture of Nebuchadnezzar's transformed state. While the bracketed words are KJV additions for clarity, the original Aramaic conveys the same idea of wild, untamed growth, emphasizing his regression from human civility to an animalistic existence. This imagery powerfully conveys the severity of his divinely orchestrated mental and physical affliction.
Practical Application
Daniel 4:33 serves as a timeless reminder for all, especially those in positions of power, that true authority belongs to God alone. It calls for humility, urging individuals to acknowledge God's hand in their successes and to avoid the perils of pride. Recognizing that all blessings and abilities come from a higher power fosters a spirit of gratitude and dependence, rather than self-sufficiency. This narrative encourages us to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's painful lesson and to always give glory to God, who "is able to abase those that walk in pride."
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