Daniel 5:21
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes. | 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; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he setteth up over it whomsoever he will. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAt Belshazzar's feast, Daniel reminds the king what happened to his father Nebuchadnezzar. When Nebuchadnezzar grew proud, God drove him out to live like a beast until he knew that the most high God rules over the kingdoms of men. Daniel tells this to show Belshazzar he knew all this and still did not humble himself. Daniel 5:18Daniel 5:20Daniel 5:21Daniel 5:22
SpeakingDaniel, a captive from Judah, called in to read the writing on the wall. Daniel 5:13Daniel 5:17
ToKing Belshazzar, before his lords, wives and concubines at the feast. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:22Daniel 5:23
Also involvedNebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar's father, whose humbling is retold here. Belshazzar is the one now being judged. Daniel 5:18Daniel 5:20Daniel 5:22
Daniel recounts how Nebuchadnezzar was driven from people, had a beast's heart, lived with wild asses, ate grass like oxen and was wet with dew. This lasted until he learned that God rules over human kingdoms and appoints whomever he will. It repeats what Daniel 4 foretold. Daniel 5:21Daniel 4:25Daniel 4:17
The banquet house of the king's palace in Babylon. Daniel 5:5Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:10Daniel overview
The eventsDaniel speaks on the night Babylon fell, when Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Median took the kingdom. He looks back on Nebuchadnezzar's humbling told in chapter 4. Daniel 5:30Daniel 5:31Daniel overview
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the final form to about 167-164 BC, while others hold the traditional date. Daniel overview
HereNebuchadnezzar's story is the charge against Belshazzar. He knew what pride had cost his father, yet he lifted himself up against the Lord of heaven. He drank from the temple vessels and praised idols. Daniel 5:22Daniel 5:23
In the whole of ScriptureThis is the book's main message: the most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. God sets up kings and brings them down. Daniel overviewDaniel 4:17Daniel 4:35Ezekiel 17:24
For readersNo ruler holds power on his own. Pride before God leads to a fall. Knowing God's past dealings without humbling oneself brings judgment, as it did for Belshazzar that same night. Daniel 5:20Daniel 5:22Daniel 5:30Psalms 83:18
- ruledשַׁלִּיט
The word means having mastery or authority, ruling. The lesson Nebuchadnezzar learned was that God, not the king, holds real mastery over human kingdoms. Strong's H7990Daniel 4:17
- appointethקוּם
In this form the verb means to set up, establish or appoint. It echoes Daniel 5:19, where Nebuchadnezzar set up and put down whom he would. In fact God was the one setting up rulers. Strong's H6966IDaniel 5:19Daniel 4:17
- willצְבָא
The word means to desire or be pleased. It is used of God willing without hindrance. That matches Daniel 4:35, which says none can stay his hand. Strong's H6634Daniel 4:35
- tillעַד
The word means until, up to the time that. The humbling had an end point: it lasted until the king knew God's rule, as Daniel 4:25 foretold. Strong's H5705Daniel 4:25
Takeaway
The most high God rules over every human kingdom and gives power to whom he will. Pride brought down Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar knew this and would not humble himself, and his kingdom was ended that night. Daniel 5:21Daniel 5:22Daniel 5:26Daniel 5:30Daniel 4:17
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Aramaic words
This passage was written in Aramaic, the common language of the Babylonian and Persian empires, which the Jews of the exile also spoke. It uses the same alphabet as Hebrew.
| English | Aramaic | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and away from | וּמִן־ | u-min- | H4481 | fromמִן־ (min) 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons) |
| [the] sons of | בְּנֵי֩ | be-NEI | H1247I | sonבַּר (bar) son Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121) |
| the humankind | אֲנָשָׁ֨א | 'a-na-SHA' | H0606 | manאֱנָשׁ (e.nash) 1) man, human being 2) mankind (collective) Aramaic of e.nosh (אֱנוֹשׁ "human" H0582) |
| he was chased | טְרִ֜יד | te-RID | H2957 | to chase awayטְרַד (te.rad) (P'al) to drive away, drive from, chase away Aramaic of ta.rad (טָרַד "to pursue" H2956) |
| and heart his | וְלִבְבֵ֣הּ׀ | ve-li-VEH | H3825 | heartלְבַב (le.vav) heart, mind Aramaic of le.vav (לֵבָב "heart" H3824) |
| with | עִם־ | 'im- | H5974 | withעִם (im) 1) with 1a) together with, with 1b) with, during |
| animal[s] the | חֵיוְתָ֣א | cheiv-TA' | H2423 | beastחֵיוָא (che.va) beast, animal Aramaic of chay.yah (חַיָּה "living thing" H2416C) |
| they made | שַׁוִּ֗יְו | she-vi | H7739A | be likeשְׁוָה (she.vah) (Pael) to become like Aramaic of sha.vah (שָׁוָה "be like" H7737A) |
| and [was] with | וְעִם־ | ve-'im- | H5974 | withעִם (im) 1) with 1a) together with, with 1b) with, during |
| wild donkeys the | עֲרָֽדַיָּא֙ | 'a-ra-dai-YA' | H6167 | wild donkeyעֲרָד (a.rad) wild ass Aramaic of a.rod (עָרוֹד "wild donkey" H6171) |
| dwelling place his | מְדוֹרֵ֔הּ | me-do-REH | H4070A | dwellingמְדוֹר (me.dor) dwelling place Aramaic of ma.gur (מָגוֹר "sojourning" H4033) |
| the grass | עִשְׂבָּ֤א | 'is-BA' | H6211B | grassעֲשַׂב (a.sav) herbage, grass Aramaic of e.sev (עֵ֫שֶׂב "vegetation" H6212) |
| like oxen | כְתוֹרִין֙ | khe-to-RIN | H8450 | bullockתּוֹר (tor) bull, young bull, ox (for sacrifice) Aramaic of shor (שׁוֹר "cattle" H7794) |
| they fed him | יְטַ֣עֲמוּנֵּ֔הּ | ye-TA-'a-mu-NEH | H2939 | to feedטְעֵם (te.am) (P'al) to feed, cause to eat Aramaic of ta.am (טָעַם "to taste" H2938) |
| and from [the] dew of | וּמִטַּ֥ל | u-mi-TAL | H2920 | dewטַל (tal) dew Aramaic of tal (טַל "dew" H2919) |
| heavens the | שְׁמַיָּ֖א | she-mai-YA' | H8065 | heavenשָׁמַ֫יִן (sha.ma.yin) 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible sky 1b) Heaven (as abode of God) |
| body his | גִּשְׁמֵ֣הּ | gish-MEH | H1655 | bodyגְּשֵׁם (ge.shem) body |
| it became wet | יִצְטַבַּ֑ע | yitz-ta-BA' | H6647 | to drenchצְבַע (tse.va) 1) to dip, wet (something) 1a) (Pael) to wet 1b) (Ithpael) to be wet |
| until | עַ֣ד | 'ad | H5705 | tillעַד (ad) prep 1) even to, until, up to, during conj 2) until, up to the time that, ere that |
| that | דִּֽי־ | di- | H1768 | thatדִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because |
| he knew | יְדַ֗ע | ye-DA' | H3046 | to knowיְדַע (ye.da) 1) to know 1a) (P'al) to know 1b) (Aphel) to let someone know, communicate, inform, cause to know |
| that | דִּֽי־ | di- | H1768 | thatדִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because |
| [was] having mastery | שַׁלִּ֞יט | sha-LIT | H7990 | rulingשַׁלִּיט (shal.lit) 1) having mastery, having authority, ruling 1a) having or exercising mastery, ruling 1b) ruler (subst) 1c) having authority 1c1) it is authorised |
| the God | אֱלָהָ֤א | 'e-la-HA' | H0426 | godאֱלָהּ (e.lah) 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel) |
| Most High the | עִלָּאָה֙ | i-la-ya' | H5943 | Most Highעִלַּי (il.lay) highest, the Most High Aramaic of il.li (עִלִּי "upper" H5942) |
| over [the] kingdom of | בְּמַלְכ֣וּת | be-mal-KHUT | H4437 | kingdomמַלְכוּ (mal.khu) 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time) |
| the humankind | אֲנָשָׁ֔א | 'a-na-SHA' | H0606 | manאֱנָשׁ (e.nash) 1) man, human being 2) mankind (collective) Aramaic of e.nosh (אֱנוֹשׁ "human" H0582) |
| and to whomever | וּלְמַן־ | u-le-man- | H4479 | who?מָן (man) who?, what?, whoever, whosoever Aramaic of mah (מָה "what?" H4100) |
| whom | דִּ֥י | di | H1768 | thatדִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because |
| he will be pleased | יִצְבֵּ֖ה | yitz-BEH | H6634 | to willצְבָא (tse.va) 1) to desire, be inclined, be willing, be pleased 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to desire 1a2) to be pleased 1a3) to will (without hindrance) (of God) |
| he will appoint | יְהָקֵ֥ים | ye-ha-KEIM | H6966I | to stand: riseקוּם (qum) : rise/get_going 1) to arise, stand 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to arise from 1a2) to come on the scene (fig) 1a3) to arise (out of inaction) 1a4) to stand 1a5) to endure 1b) (Pael) to set up, establish 1c) (Aphel) 1c1) to set up 1c2) to lift up 1c3) to establish 1c4) to appoint 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand |
| over it | עֲלַֽהּ׃ | a-la-yeh | H5922 | sinceעַל (al) 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.