Definition: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really interesting and somewhat dramatic passage about God’s plan for Daniel. Here's what it essentially means, explained in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where Daniel is being treated like an animal – completely removed from human society and placed in a very basic, almost primitive existence. It's a way for God to test his faith and show us how powerful He is. Let’s unpack each part: “That they shall drive thee from men…” - This means Daniel is being treated like a wild animal, far away from people and society. He’s no longer in the comfortable position of a king or a servant. “…and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field…” – His home, his shelter, becomes part of a herd of animals – cows, sheep, etc. It's a very basic, uncomfortable situation. “They shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven…” - This is the most striking part. God is essentially giving Daniel a very simple diet. He’s being fed grass and watered by rain – basically, he's living like an animal! It's a symbolic representation of humility and recognizing our dependence on God. “Seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” - This is the key part – Daniel is being repeatedly brought back to God. He’s given a chance to understand God's plan and how He controls everything. After seven repetitions, Daniel will finally realize that God’s ultimate rule is supreme. What it means on a deeper level: Test of Faith: The verse was written after Daniel had been tricked into a lie by a serpent. It’s essentially a test to see if he could maintain his faith even in the most difficult and uncomfortable situation. God's Sovereignty: It emphasizes that God is in control completely . He doesn’t interfere with our lives, but rather, He is always watching and guiding us. Humility: It highlights the importance of recognizing our dependence on God – we are not self-sufficient. In short, this verse describes a challenging period for Daniel that ultimately demonstrates God's absolute control and ultimately leads to his understanding of His divine plan. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?