Daniel 4:16

4:16 Let his mind 1  be altered from that of a human being,

and let an animal’s mind be given to him,

and let seven periods of time 2  go by for 3  him.

Daniel 4:26

4:26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven 4  rules.

Daniel 4:32

4:32 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and seven periods of time will pass by for you before 5  you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes.”

1 tn Aram “its heart.” The metaphor of the tree begins to fade here and the reality behind the symbol (the king) begins to emerge.

2 sn The seven periods of time probably refer to seven years.

3 tn Aram “over” (also in vv. 23, 25, 32).

4 sn The reference to heaven here is a circumlocution for God. There was a tendency in Jewish contexts to avoid direct reference to God. Cf. the expression “kingdom of heaven” in the NT and such statements as “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” (Luke 15:21).

5 tn Aram “until.”