Daniel 5:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he was driven {H2957} from {H4481} the sons {H1123} of men {H606}; and his heart {H3825} was made {H7739} like {H5974} the beasts {H2423}, and his dwelling {H4070} was with the wild asses {H6167}: they fed {H2939} him with grass {H6211} like oxen {H8450}, and his body {H1655} was wet {H6647} with the dew {H2920} of heaven {H8065}; till {H5705} he knew {H3046} that the most high {H5943} God {H426} ruled {H7990} in the kingdom {H4437} of men {H606}, and that he appointeth {H6966} over {H5922} it whomsoever {H4479} he will {H6634}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He was driven from human society, his heart was made like that of an animal, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed with grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky; until he learned that the Most High God rules in the human kingdom and sets up over it whomever he pleases.

Berean Standard Bible

He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.

American Standard Version

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; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he setteth up over it whomsoever he will.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:21 recounts the profound humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar, detailing his expulsion from human society, the degradation of his mind to that of a beast, and his exposure to the elements, until he finally acknowledged the supreme sovereignty of the Most High God over all earthly kingdoms and rulers. This verse serves as a stark historical precedent, presented by Daniel to King Belshazzar, underscoring God's absolute authority to establish and depose rulers according to His divine will, and warning against the peril of pride and rebellion against Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of Daniel's divinely inspired interpretation of the mysterious handwriting on the wall (Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin) for King Belshazzar. It immediately follows Daniel's direct accusation of Belshazzar's pride and sacrilege, particularly his defilement of the sacred temple vessels. Daniel uses Nebuchadnezzar's well-known, albeit extraordinary, experience as a powerful object lesson, reminding Belshazzar that even the mightiest earthly ruler is subject to God's ultimate authority. The account of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling is fully detailed in [Daniel chapter 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Humbling"), making Daniel 5:21 a concise summary designed to highlight the core theological lesson for Belshazzar's immediate judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Babylon, the dominant empire of the ancient Near East, renowned for its power, wealth, and sophisticated culture. Kings in this era often viewed themselves as divine or divinely appointed, wielding absolute authority. Nebuchadnezzar, as the builder of the magnificent city of Babylon and conqueror of nations, embodied this humanistic pride. His transformation into a beast-like state, eating "grass like oxen" and being "wet with the dew of heaven," signifies a complete stripping away of all human dignity, reason, and royal splendor. This public and prolonged degradation would have been a shocking and unforgettable event, a direct divine judgment against the king's hubris, intended to demonstrate to all that the God of Israel, not the Babylonian deities or the king himself, held ultimate dominion over human affairs and destinies.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Sovereignty**, powerfully articulated by the declaration that "the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will." This asserts God's absolute control over history, nations, and individual rulers, a recurring motif throughout the book of Daniel. Closely related is the theme of the **Consequences of Pride**, exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar's fall from power and reason due to his self-exaltation (as seen in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast")). The verse also highlights the theme of **Humility and Recognition of God's Dominion**, as Nebuchadnezzar's suffering continued "till he knew" this foundational truth. His eventual restoration (recounted in [Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise")) underscores that divine judgment, while severe, often serves a redemptive purpose, aiming to bring about a saving knowledge and humble submission to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **driven (Aramaic, _ṭᵉrad'_):** This word (H2957) means "to expel" or "to drive." It emphasizes the forceful, involuntary nature of Nebuchadnezzar's removal from his throne and from human society. It was not a voluntary retreat but a divine expulsion, highlighting the irresistible power of God's judgment.
* **heart (Aramaic, _lᵉbab'_):** The term (H3825) refers to "the heart (as the most interior organ)," signifying the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. When Nebuchadnezzar's heart was "made like the beasts," it indicates a profound mental and spiritual transformation, a loss of human reason and moral understanding, reducing him to a state dominated by primal instincts.
* **knew (Aramaic, _yᵉdaʻ'_):** This word (H3046) means "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)." In this context, it signifies a deep, experiential, and transformative understanding—not merely intellectual assent, but a profound recognition and acknowledgment of God's absolute rule, which was the ultimate purpose of his humbling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he was driven from the sons of men;":** This clause describes the immediate and dramatic consequence of Nebuchadnezzar's pride: his expulsion from human society and his royal court. He was removed from his position of authority and separated from fellowship with other humans, marking the beginning of his degradation.
* **"and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses:":** This part details the internal and external aspects of his transformation. His "heart" (mind/intellect) became animalistic, reflecting a loss of human rationality and dignity. His "dwelling" with "wild asses" underscores his complete removal from civilization and his forced existence in the wilderness, living like a wild animal.
* **"they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven;":** These vivid descriptions emphasize the utter humiliation and exposure Nebuchadnezzar endured. He was reduced to eating the diet of grazing animals and was subjected to the elements, signifying his vulnerability and loss of royal protection and comfort.
* **"till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.":** This final, crucial clause reveals the divine purpose behind Nebuchadnezzar's suffering. The duration of his affliction was "till he knew"—until he gained a profound, experiential understanding and acknowledgment that God, the "Most High," possesses ultimate, unchallenged sovereignty over all human kingdoms and has the absolute prerogative to raise up or cast down rulers as He wills.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is prominent, as Nebuchadnezzar's transformation into a beast-like state symbolizes the dehumanizing effect of unchecked pride and the loss of divine favor. His eating "grass like oxen" and being "wet with the dew of heaven" are symbolic of extreme degradation and vulnerability. The narrative employs **Irony**, contrasting Nebuchadnezzar's former immense power and self-proclaimed divinity with his utter helplessness and animalistic existence, highlighting the fleeting nature of human glory when divorced from God. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Foreshadowing** for King Belshazzar, implying that a similar, if not more severe, judgment awaits him due to his own defiant pride. The entire account serves as a **Didactic Narrative**, a story told specifically to teach a profound spiritual and theological lesson about divine sovereignty and the consequences of human arrogance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:21 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's absolute and uncontested sovereignty over all earthly affairs, particularly over the rise and fall of nations and their leaders. Nebuchadnezzar's dramatic humbling serves as a timeless object lesson that no human power, no matter how vast or seemingly invincible, can stand against the will of the Most High God. This divine judgment, while severe, was ultimately redemptive, aimed at bringing the proud king to a saving knowledge of God's supreme authority. It underscores that true wisdom and lasting peace come only through humble submission to the Creator, who alone "appointeth over it whomsoever he will." This principle challenges human autonomy and self-sufficiency, calling all, especially those in positions of authority, to acknowledge their dependence on and accountability to God.

* [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-35 - Nebuchadnezzar's Restoration and Praise")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Abases")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - All Authority from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling in Daniel 5:21 offers timeless lessons for every individual, regardless of their station in life. It serves as a stark reminder that pride is a dangerous spiritual disease, capable of distorting our perception of reality, blinding us to God's hand, and ultimately leading to degradation and ruin. For those in positions of leadership, it is a potent warning against self-exaltation and the illusion of absolute power; all authority is delegated, and accountability to God is inevitable. For all believers, it calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing that every gift, talent, and success comes from God. Furthermore, the phrase "till he knew" offers immense hope: even in the midst of severe consequences for our pride or rebellion, God's ultimate purpose is often redemptive, aiming to bring us to a deeper, more profound knowledge of His character and sovereignty, leading to true repentance and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to pride, subtly or overtly taking credit for what belongs to God?**
* **How does the story of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling challenge my understanding of human power and divine authority in the world today?**
* **What "dew of heaven" or humbling experiences might God be using in my life to bring me to a deeper "knowing" of His sovereignty?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of humility and submission to God's will, even when it means relinquishing control or prestige?**

### FAQ
**What was Nebuchadnezzar's specific sin that led to his humbling?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's primary sin was profound pride and self-exaltation. As detailed in [Daniel 4:30](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30 - Nebuchadnezzar's Boast"), he boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" He attributed his vast accomplishments and the glory of his empire solely to his own strength and wisdom, failing to acknowledge God as the true source of his authority and success. This direct challenge to God's sovereignty resulted in his immediate judgment.

**How long did Nebuchadnezzar's madness last, and was it a literal transformation?**

Answer: The text states that Nebuchadnezzar's madness lasted for "seven times" or "seven periods" ([Daniel 4:16](/daniel/4-16 "Daniel 4:16 - Nebuchadnezzar's Prophecy of Seven Times")). While the exact duration is debated (whether it refers to seven days, months, or years), the common scholarly interpretation, supported by the severity of the description, is seven years. The transformation was likely a form of clinical lycanthropy or boanthropy, a rare psychological disorder where a person believes they are an animal and behaves accordingly. The biblical account emphasizes the literal nature of his expulsion, his animalistic behavior, and his physical exposure, all divinely orchestrated to humble him.

**What is the significance of "wild asses" and "dew of heaven" in describing his state?**

Answer: The mention of "wild asses" (H6167, _ʻărâd'_) emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar's complete removal from human civilization and his forced existence in the untamed wilderness. Wild asses are known for their untamed nature and dwelling in desolate places, symbolizing his utter degradation. Being "wet with the dew of heaven" (H2920, _ṭal'_) highlights his exposure to the elements, signifying his loss of royal protection, shelter, and comfort. It underscores his vulnerability and the completeness of his debasement, as he was stripped of all kingly dignity and reduced to the level of a wild creature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 5:21, while recounting a historical judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sovereignty of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar's humbling was a temporary, punitive measure to teach a proud king that "the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will." This divine prerogative finds its ultimate and perfect expression in Christ. He is the one through whom and for whom all things were created, and in whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy in Creation and Rule")). Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who was humbled *by* God, Christ willingly humbled Himself, taking "the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), even to the point of death on a cross. This ultimate act of humility, not pride, led to His exaltation, where God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, the truth that God appoints whom He wills culminates in the universal reign of Christ, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Nebuchadnezzar came to "know" God's rule through suffering; humanity comes to know God's ultimate rule through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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 4:25

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.

Ezekiel 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done [it].

Daniel 4:17

This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Job 30:3

For want and famine [they were] solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.

Job 30:7

Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.

Psalms 83:17

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: