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 4:25KJV
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Daniel 4:25 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:25 mean?

Daniel 4:25 means that King Nebuchadnezzar will be driven away from people and forced to live like an animal, eating grass and being exposed to the weather, for a period of "seven times" until he recognizes that the Most High God is truly in control of all human kingdoms and gives power to whomever He wishes. The verse is a warning that Nebuchadnezzar’s pride will be humbled until he learns this lesson.

The verse is spoken by Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar after the king has a troubling dream. Daniel explains that God will humble the king by taking away his royal authority and making him live among animals, showing that human power is not ultimate. The phrase "seven times" is often understood as a symbolic period of time, emphasizing that the experience will last until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God's sovereignty.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:25

  • "drive" (יְטָרְדֻנָּךְ, yəṭārədunnāḵ): This word means to forcefully remove or expel. It highlights that Nebuchadnezzar’s separation from people is not voluntary but imposed upon him.
  • "seven times" (שִׁבְעָה עִדָּנִין, shiv‘a ‘iddānīn): The word for "times" (‘iddānīn) can mean periods or seasons, not necessarily literal years. This suggests the duration is set by God and is meant to be understood as a complete, divinely appointed period.
  • "ruleth" (שַׁלִּיט, shallit): This word means to have authority or dominion. The verse stresses that ultimate authority over kingdoms belongs to God, not to earthly rulers.
  • "giveth" (יְהִב, yəhiv): This word means to give or grant. It underscores that any power or kingdom a person has is given by God’s decision, not earned or seized independently.

Why Daniel 4:25 matters

  • Daniel 4:25 clears up the misunderstanding that earthly power is permanent or self-earned, showing that all authority is subject to God’s will.
  • The verse emphasizes the theme that pride leads to downfall, especially for those in high positions, and that humility before God is necessary.
  • This verse connects to the wider story in Daniel 4, where Nebuchadnezzar’s personal experience becomes a lesson for all about recognizing God’s ultimate authority over human affairs.

Where else these words appear

“eat” Hebrew H2939 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 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.

“drive” Hebrew H2957 · used in 4 verses

  • 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 4:33 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.
  • 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.

“dwelling” Hebrew H4070 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
  • 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 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.

“pass” Hebrew H2499 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • 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;
  • 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.