King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:20 Mean?

Daniel 5:20 in the King James Version says “But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took h...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: in pride: or, to deal proudly deposed: Cald. made to come down”

Daniel 5:20 · KJV

Context

18

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

19

And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, 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 set up ; and whom he would he put down .

20

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: in pride: or, to deal proudly deposed: Cald. made to come down

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. his heart: or, he made his heart equal, etc

22

And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar's fall: 'But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.' This traces the causal sequence: pride led to judgment. The 'heart lifted up' and 'mind hardened in pride' depict settled arrogance—not momentary lapse but ingrained attitude. The result was forcible removal ('deposed,' 'they took his glory')—divine judgment executed through circumstantial means (madness). This historical precedent warns Belshazzar: God judges pride consistently. The reference to chapter 4's events reminds Belshazzar of what he should know—his grandfather's experience should have taught humility. That Belshazzar failed to learn this lesson (v.22) seals his judgment. This demonstrates that historical examples serve as warning; ignoring them compounds guilt.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's seven years of madness (chapter 4) became public knowledge—court officials, subsequent rulers, and certainly royal family knew this history. Belshazzar's failure to learn from it represents willful blindness. Ancient Near Eastern cultures highly valued learning from predecessors' experiences—wisdom literature repeatedly urged learning from history. Belshazzar's disregard of his grandfather's hard-learned lesson demonstrated contempt for both God and wisdom itself. Church history shows similar patterns: every generation must learn anew, often through hard experience, truths previous generations discovered. Yet Scripture preserves these lessons precisely so subsequent generations might learn without repeating destructive patterns.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Nebuchadnezzar's heart being 'lifted up' and mind 'hardened in pride' teach about pride's progressive nature?
  2. How does God's consistent pattern of judging pride provide both warning and assurance of His character's unchangeability?
  3. Why is failing to learn from historical examples (especially family history) particularly culpable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּכְדִי֙1 of 13
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

רִ֣ם2 of 13

“was lifted up”

H7313

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לִבְבֵ֔הּ3 of 13

“But when his heart”

H3825

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְרוּחֵ֖הּ4 of 13

“and his mind”

H7308

mind, spirit

תִּֽקְפַ֣ת5 of 13

“hardened”

H8631

to become (causatively, make) mighty or (figuratively) obstinate

לַהֲזָדָ֑ה6 of 13

“in pride”

H2103

to be proud

הָנְחַת֙7 of 13

“he was deposed”

H5182

to descend; causatively, to bring away, deposit, depose

מִנֵּֽהּ׃8 of 13

“from”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

כָּרְסֵ֣א9 of 13

“throne”

H3764

a throne

מַלְכוּתֵ֔הּ10 of 13

“his kingly”

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

וִֽיקָרָ֖ה11 of 13

“his glory”

H3367

value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity

הֶעְדִּ֥יוּ12 of 13

“and they took”

H5709

to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)

מִנֵּֽהּ׃13 of 13

“from”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 5:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 5:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 9:172 Kings 17:14Hebrews 3:132 Chronicles 36:13Jeremiah 13:18Proverbs 16:18

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