Daniel 4:16 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Let his heart be changed from man's and a beast's heart be given unto him’ – nothing literally happened to his heart. The heart here seems to indicate, in line with the rest of it, his thinking, his mind. So we can read, ‘Let his mind, his thinking, be changed from man's, and a beast’s mind be given unto him.’ You notice the tree has become a man as the dream proceeds. Sliding in from verses 15 to 16, the tree gradually turns into a man. ‘And let seven times pass over him.’ It was a long period of time, exactly how long we cannot say. It may be seven years, though it is unrealistic to make it seven weeks, given the growth of his hair and nails. The exact period probably remains a mystery, for anything could happen if the time was known. This matter is by decree of angels. Of course it is the decree of God, and he is going to be mad until the moment that God restores his sanity, and makes him aware that he is dealing with the living God, the one true and living God, and causes him to recognise him fully. All this is to teach Nebuchadnezzar, and all to whom he now wrote, that God is overall, sovereign, disposing of all as he likes. So Nebuchadnezzar asks for the interpretation of the dream; he is confident that Daniel will understand it.