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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.
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.
NASB Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
CSB At that moment the message against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
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.
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.
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.

What does Daniel 4:33 mean?

Nebuchadnezzar was spared from his humiliating judgment for a full year (Daniel 4:28–29). As he bragged about himself on the roof of his palace (Daniel 4:30), a heavenly voice declared that there would be no more reprieve (Daniel 4:31–32). Without further delay, God carried out His predicted sentence against Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:22–27). The once powerful king was reduced to an animal-like madness. Whether he thought of himself as an animal, or merely acted like one, Scripture does not specify.

The text does not say who drove Nebuchadnezzar away from others, or how it was done. It was the custom in Bible times to shun mentally ill persons, or to ignore them as much as possible (1 Samuel 21:12–15). Mark 5:1–5 reports that a demon-possessed man roamed among tombs and mountains. Given that the king eventually regained his position (Daniel 4:36), it seems likely he was kept in some form of isolation or custody, albeit outside and much like livestock. This description, given after Nebuchadnezzar had been restored (Daniel 4:1, 34), suggests the king was wandering with untamed, wild animals.

In isolation Nebuchadnezzar ate food vastly different from his usual fare. The word used for "grass" here more generally means "fodder" or "plants," as in those consumed by livestock. He was exposed to the elements, including mud, dew, and rain as he foraged about in the open air. No doubt his hair was perfectly groomed when he lived in his palace, but now it became matted and tangled. He likely received manicures as king, but now his nails were overgrown and claw-like.

Fortunately for the king, his madness was temporary. At the end of the full sentence imposed by God (Daniel 4:34), "seven periods of time" (Daniel 4:32), Nebuchadnezzar's mind and throne were restored (Daniel 4:36).
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