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Daniel 5:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 5:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Daniel 5:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
19and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.
20But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21and 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.
22And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, though thou knewest all this,
23but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.
24Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he was driven from the sons of men, etc.] From their company, and from conversation with them; his madness was of that kind, that he chose rather to be with beasts than men; it drove him from men, and made him more desirous of being with beasts; or it was so intolerable, that his family, friends, and courtiers, were obliged to remove him from them, from his palace and court, and from all conversation with men, which he was incapable of through his frenzy and madness: and his heart was made like the beasts; to have the same affections and desires as they have; to crave the same things they did, and like what they liked, and live as they lived: or, “he put his heart with the beasts”f214;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“heart was made like . . . beasts--literally, "he made his heart like the beasts," that is, he desired to dwell with them.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he was driven ... - See this fully explained in Daniel 4:25-33. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:21 the Most High God rules . . . and appoints anyone he desires: God had taught Nebuchadnezzar this lesson, and it was the heart of God’s message to Belshazzar. God would appoint a new ruler that very night (5:30-31).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he was driven: Dan 4:25, Dan 4:32, Dan 4:33; Job 30:3-7 his heart was made like: or, he made his heart equal, etc. till. Dan 4:17, Dan 4:25, Dan 4:32, Dan 4:35, Dan 4:37; Exo 9:14-16; Psa 83:17, Psa 83:18; Eze 17:24 Daniel 5:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification