This is a detailed investigation into the nature of Nebuchadnezzar's animalising affliction in Daniel 4 and the degree to which he is depicted as actually becoming an animal. PeterAtkins examines two predominant lines of interpretation: either Nebuchadnezzar undergoes a physical metamorphosis of some kind into an animal form; or diverse other readings that specifically preclude or deny an animal transformation of the king. By providing an extensive study of these interpretative opinions, alongside innovative assessments of ancient Mesopotamian divine-human-animal boundaries, Atkins ultimately demonstrates how neither of these traditional interpretations best reflect the narrative events. While there have been numerous metamorphic interpretations of Daniel 4, these are largely reliant upon later developments within the textual tradition and are not present in the earliest edition of Nebuchadnezzar's animalising affliction. Atkins' study displays that when Daniel 4 is read in the context of Mesopotamian texts, which appear to conceive of the human-animal boundary as being indicated primarily in relation to possession or lack of the divine characteristic of wisdom, the affliction represents a far more significant categorical change from human to animal than has hitherto been identified.

Ask the animals, and they will tell you. Birds, beasts, and creeping things swarm throughout the Bible’s pages. Despite their prevalence, most biblical scholars have viewed them merely as metaphors, passive objects, or background embellishment to the human experience. This collection seeks to move beyond this traditional view of biblical animals by engaging the growing interdisciplinary field of animal studies. Contributors Peter Joshua Atkins, Jared Beverly, William P. Brown, Margaret Cohen, Jacob R. Evers, Michael J. Gilmour, William “Chip” Gruen, Dong Hyeon Jeong, Brian Fiu Kolia, Anne Létourneau, Robert R. MacKay, Suzanna R. Millar, Timothy J. Sandoval, Robert Paul Seesengood, Ken Stone, Brian James Tipton, Arthur W. Walker-Jones, and Jaime L. Waters showcase the breadth and depth of inquiry that animal studies can foster in biblical studies as well as what animal studies can gain from a more rigorous engagement with biblical texts. Together the essays offer an animal hermeneutic that supports the flourishing of all creatures.

In this work Henry Smith explains, verse by verse, Daniel 4:29-34 concerning the life and actions of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Though this work is insightful into the manner of kings and magistrates, as Nebuchadnezzar was, it is also extremely helpful on the sin of pride, which every Christian struggles to overcome. Nebuchadnezzar boasts, and demonstrates his pride over the "city he built" and then is brought low like a beast until God graciously delivers him. His deliverance is marked with looking up to heaven while spending time in the wilderness among the animals as a beast, and acknowledges that God is the one true Most high above all men. A classic work that will humble the Christian, and should not be missed. This is not a scan or facsimile, has been updated in modern English for easy reading and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.

This study of Nebuchadnezzar's madness in Daniel 4 demonstrates how the elements which the biblical author borrowed from Ancient Near Eastern myth commanded the attention of early Jewish and Christian exegetes.

This commentary on the Biblical Book of Daniel answers crucial questions about the significance of his prophecy, and of the culture he lived among. Not content with simply interpreting the prophecy of Daniel, Robert Dick Wilson delves into the social, historical and cultural aspects of ancient Babylonia. The significance of Nebuchadnezzar II in the story of Daniel, how his dreams were interpreted to become some of the most significant aspects of Old Testament prophecy, is discussed. Other chapters focus on the Chaldeans and their society, the opposition that Babylon had to Israel - Daniel himself being a captive Hebrew man, taken from his homeland as a child - and the possibility that Nebuchadnezzar was mentally ill. The allusions to the events at the King's court in the Book of Daniel are examined in detail, with conclusions drawn to the most reasonable extent possible.

Here is an excellent and up-to-date commentary on Daniel that can be unreservedly commended. There is a good, though brief, introduction, in which especial attention is paid to the discussion of the literary affinities of Daniel. The original translation takes account of all relevant recent work, while the commentary is full and first class. The author has read and digested a considerable amount of modern literature on Daniel and brought to it his own careful and balanced judgement. His critical positions are rarely new, but in the reviewer's opinion they are sound - and sound judgement is better than novelty! On many of the problems of the book an incredible amount has been written, expressing an enormous variety of opinions. Professor Porteous is not concerned with the history of interpretation, and contents himself with a brief treatment of such questions, presenting his own considered view or suspending judgement where a decision between competing views cannot be made with confidence ... More important than all such matters is the religious and theological value of the book, and it is his attention to this that gives Professor Porteous's commentary its special quality, and makes it a notable addition to the series for which it has been written' (Society for Old Testament Study Book List).

This commentary on the Biblical Book of Daniel answers crucial questions about the significance of his prophecy, and of the culture he lived among. Not content with simply interpreting the prophecy of Daniel, Robert Dick Wilson delves into the social, historical and cultural aspects of ancient Babylonia. The significance of Nebuchadnezzar II in the story of Daniel, how his dreams were interpreted to become some of the most significant aspects of Old Testament prophecy, is discussed. Other chapters focus on the Chaldeans and their society, the opposition that Babylon had to Israel - Daniel himself being a captive Hebrew man, taken from his homeland as a child - and the possibility that Nebuchadnezzar was mentally ill. The allusions to the events at the King's court in the Book of Daniel are examined in detail, with conclusions drawn to the most reasonable extent possible.