“But when his heart
Was lifted up,
His spirit
Was hardened.
Thus,
He acted proudly.
He was deposed
From his kingly throne.
His glory
Was stripped
From him.
He was driven
From human society.
His mind was made
Like that of an animal.
His dwelling was
With the wild asses.
He was fed grass
Like an ox.
His body was bathed
With the dew of heaven.
Finally,
He learned
That the Most High God
Has sovereignty
Over the kingdom
Of mortals.
The Most High God
Sets over it
Whomever he will.”
Daniel reminded this King Belshazzar of what had happened in the preceding chapter of this work to his father or grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar, with his hard-prideful heart. Thus, the Most High God deposed him of his kingly throne and stripped him of his glory. The king was driven from human society, as his mind was like that of an animal, living among wild asses. He ate grass like an ox. He was bathed with a heavenly dew. He finally learned that the Most High God ruled over the kingdom of mortals, because God decides who will be in charge.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 