[[Dan-04]] Prev: [[Prophecies in Dan-03]] | Next: [[Prophecies in Dan-05]] --- ### you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Daniel predicts that King Nebuchadnezzar will lose his sanity and live as an animal for seven 'times' (often interpreted as years) as a divine judgment for his pride. *Historical context*: Theological and historical analysis often links this to a psychological condition known as boanthropy, where a person believes they are a bovine. While direct Babylonian records of this madness are scarce due to the tendency of ancient kings to omit failures, some scholars point to a significant gap in detailed records for Nebuchadnezzar's later reign and the 'Prayer of Nabonidus' found in the Dead Sea Scrolls as potential external references to a similar event. *Related to*: ### This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: Nebuchadnezzar is struck with insanity immediately following a prideful boast and begins to live in the wild exactly as predicted. *Historical context*: The condition described matches the symptoms of clinical lycanthropy or boanthropy. Some historians note that Babylonian administrative documents show a 'lull' or a transition to a regent during periods of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, which aligns with a potential incapacitation. *Related to*: Daniel's interpretation of the tree dream predicting the king's abasement ([[Dan-04#v25|Daniel 4:25]]). ### Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you will have known that the heavens do rule. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Daniel predicts that the king's period of madness will not end his reign permanently; his kingdom will be preserved and restored to him once he humbles himself. *Historical context*: This prophecy implies that despite a total loss of capacity, no usurper would successfully seize the throne permanently during the king's absence—a rare occurrence in ancient Near Eastern politics. *Related to*: ### At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity is restored, and he is reinstated as king with his former advisors seeking him out. *Historical context*: Cuneiform records such as the Babylonian Chronicle and various building inscriptions (like the East India House Inscription) confirm that Nebuchadnezzar ruled successfully until his death in 562 BCE, indicating a resumption of his administrative and architectural activities after the period of silence in his middle reign. *Related to*: The prophecy concerning the stump of the roots ([[Dan-04#v26|Daniel 4:26]]). --- #ai_prophecy