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.
Daniel 4:33 nkjv
That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
Daniel 4:33 niv
Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. 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.
Daniel 4:33 esv
Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Daniel 4:33 nlt
"That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles' feathers and his nails were like birds' claws.
Daniel 4 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 4:33 | That very hour the word was fulfilled... | Fulfillment of judgment for pride |
| Psa 75:7 | God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another. | God's sovereign control over rulers |
| Psa 50:14-15 | Offer God thanksgiving... Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you... | True worship and reliance on God |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | General principle of pride's downfall |
| Prov 18:12 | Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. | Humility as prerequisite for honor |
| Isa 10:12 | When the Lord has finished all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will punish the talk of the arrogant king of Assyria and the loftiness of his high looks. | Divine judgment on arrogant kings |
| Jer 27:5 | I have made the earth, the men and the beasts that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed right to Me. | God's sovereign appointment of rulers |
| Luke 1:52 | He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree. | Mary's Magnificat echoing divine reversal |
| Luke 14:11 | For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. | Jesus' teaching on humility and exaltation |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. | Principle of reaping what is sown |
| 1 Pet 5:5-6 | Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” | Application of God's resistance to the proud |
| Rom 9:20-21 | But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Or does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one a vessel for honor and another for dishonor? | God's sovereign authority as the Potter |
| John 3:30 | He must increase, but I must decrease. | John the Baptist's humility |
| Dan 2:21 | And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who understand. | God's direct power over earthly kingdoms |
| Dan 7:25 | He shall speak, …….and they shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. | Divine power to set and change times of kingdoms |
| Deut 8:17-18 | Else you should say in your heart, ‘My power and might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. | Warning against attributing success to self |
| Psa 33:8-9 | Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. | God's creative and declarative power |
| Acts 12:22-23 | Then the people gave a shout, saying: “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. | Herod's judgment for receiving divine honor |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. | Consequences of ignorance of God's sovereignty |
Daniel 4 verses
Daniel 4 33 Meaning
At that very hour, the declaration against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled, leading to his dethronement and a period of wildness as predicted. This signifies the immediate and direct consequence of his pride, illustrating God's sovereign judgment.
Daniel 4 33 Context
This verse concludes the account of Nebuchadnezzar's profound transformation, following his defiant pride despite the prophetic dream and interpretation in Daniel chapter 4. After experiencing divine madness for seven "times" (likely years), Nebuchadnezzar's reason was restored. Daniel 4:34 marks his return to sanity and his humble acknowledgment of God's supreme authority. This verse specifically states the immediate consequence of his proud declaration, highlighting the swiftness of God's judgment. Historically, this signifies the climax of a divine intervention designed to humble a powerful monarch and demonstrate the sovereignty of the God of Israel over all earthly kingdoms.
Daniel 4 33 Word Analysis
וּבְעִדָּנָה (u·ve·‘i·dan·na): "And at that time" or "And at that hour."
- וְ (u·): "and" – conjunction connecting this action to the previous state of restored sanity.
- בְּ (ve): "in" or "at" – preposition indicating time or circumstance.
- עִדָּן (‘i·dan): "time," "season," "appointed time," "period." This emphasizes the precise timing of the fulfillment.
- נָא (na): A suffix indicating certainty or emphasis, essentially meaning "at that very time."
קְרִי (ke·re): "decree," "word," "announcement," "utterance."
- Refers to the prophetic decree spoken concerning Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation. This word signifies an authoritative statement with an inevitable outcome.
שָׁלִּיט (sha·lit): "rule," "dominion," "authority," "control."
- In the passive construct (implied by the verb), it indicates that the decree was made effective or was ruling/acting.
עֲלוֹהִי (‘a·lo·hi): "upon him."
- A postpositional suffix directly linking the decree's execution to Nebuchadnezzar.
וּשְׁפַר (u·she·far): "and it was pleasing" or "and it was well-pleasing."
- While this phrase often denotes pleasure, in this context, it refers to the acceptance and ratification of the divine decree, or that it was effectively executed according to God's will. Some interpretations suggest "it was approved" or "it was established." The underlying root relates to beauty or approval.
קבל (kab·bel): "received," "accepted," "carried out."
- This verb, in the passive voice, indicates that the sentence or judgment was carried out or received by Nebuchadnezzar. It signifies the completion of the decreed punishment.
גְּמִיר (ge·mir): "completion," "accomplishment," "fulfillment."
- This noun emphasizes that the predicted sentence was fully carried out, its end reached. It points to the finality of the divine decree.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
"וּבְעִדָּנָה קְרִי שָׁלִּיט עֲלוֹהִי" (u·ve·‘i·dan·na ke·re sha·lit ‘a·lo·hi): "And at that time the decree was ruling/effective upon him." This phrasing underscores the precise, appointed moment for the decree to be executed. God's timing is perfect, and His word has inherent authority.
"וּשְׁפַר קְבֵל גְּמִיר" (u·she·far qe·vel ge·mir): "and it was accepted/approved/established and carried out to completion." This segment powerfully conveys that God's word of judgment was not only spoken but was enacted in its entirety, leading to the ultimate fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar's humbled state. The structure emphasizes the active carrying out of the established verdict.
Daniel 4 33 Bonus Section
The narrative arc here parallels several biblical accounts where pride leads to immediate or swift divine correction. For example, in Acts 12, Herod Agrippa I was struck down by an angel because he accepted worship due only to God. Like Nebuchadnezzar, his demise was directly linked to his inflated self-importance and refusal to glorify God. This verse also reinforces the theological principle that God's judgment, while sometimes delayed, is certain and will be executed at the appointed time. It underscores the vulnerability of even the most powerful earthly rulers to the will of the Creator.
Daniel 4 33 Commentary
This verse marks the decisive turning point in Nebuchadnezzar's experience, transitioning from divine judgment to a demonstration of God's mercy and power. The phrase "at that very hour" signifies the immediate and precise execution of God's pronouncement. Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogant boast, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built... for my royal honor and glory?" (Dan 4:30), is directly contrasted with the swift and complete fulfillment of the judgment announced earlier. The focus shifts from human pride to divine sovereignty, illustrating that rulers are ultimately accountable to the Most High. Nebuchadnezzar’s subsequent praise for God highlights the redemptive purpose behind the judgment – to bring him to a saving knowledge of God’s power.