Daniel 5:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

NIV: He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

NASB: He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.

CSB: He was driven away from people, his mind was like an animal’s, he lived with the wild donkeys, he was fed grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky until he acknowledged that the Most High God is ruler over human kingdoms and sets anyone he wants over them.

NLT: He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.

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.

NKJV: Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. 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 rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

This summarizes the punishment which God sent on Babylon's prior king, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28–33). To humble the arrogant ruler, the Lord drove him into insanity and an animal-like state. He no longer thought like a man, instead he thought like an animal. He no longer ate like a human being, instead he ate like an animal. While living and eating like an animal, with animals, his body was exposed to the elements. This debased condition continued until he recognized that the Most High God rules the world and gives power to whomever He chooses (Daniel 4:34–37). The prior chapter explained how God's humbling of Nebuchadnezzar accomplished His purpose.

Daniel is reiterating this history (Daniel 5:18–20) for a reason. The current king, Belshazzar, summoned Daniel in panic after seeing a frightening event. In the middle of a drunken, profane celebration (Daniel 5:1–4), he saw ethereal fingers writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5). Daniel was summoned to explain this (Daniel 5:16). Daniel refuses any reward then begins this history lesson, leading up to an incredibly blunt—and very courageous—rebuke of Belshazzar's foolishness (Daniel 5:23). What makes the current king's actions so absurd is that he knows what happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:22) and should have learned, accordingly (Proverbs 19:25; 21:11).

After Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, a succeeding ruler, Belshazzar, fails to learn the proper lesson. During a drunken party, he brings out Jewish objects to use in idolatry. The celebration is interrupted by disembodied fingers leaving strange markings on the wall. Daniel is summoned when no one else can read or interpret these. After boldly rebuking Belshazzar's immorality, Daniel explains the event as a prophecy of doom. That same night, Belshazzar dies, and the kingdom eventually comes under a new leader.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.