DAN 4:16 Interlinear View

1. Hebrew word
2. Hebrew lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. Gloss
8. CAPS codes
9. OET tags
10. OET word #
2. 513035
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. S
9. -
10. 358806
1. אֱדַיִן
2. 513036
3. then
4. -
5. 116
6. S-D
7. then
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358807
1. דָּנִיֵּאל
2. 513037
3. Dāniyyʼēl
4. -
5. 1841
6. S-Np
7. Daniel
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358808
1. דִּי
2. 513038
3. who
4. -
5. 1768
6. S-Tr
7. who
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358809
2. 513039
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 358810
1. שְׁמֵ,הּ
2. 513040,513041
3. his/its name
4. -
5. 8036
6. S-Ncmsc,Sp3ms
7. his/its=name
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358811
1. בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר
2. 513042
3. +was Bēləţəshaʼʦʦar
4. -
5. 1096
6. P-Np
7. [was]_Belteshazzar
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358812
1. אֶשְׁתּוֹמַם
2. 513043
3. he was appalled
4. -
5. 8075
6. V-Vzp3ms
7. he_was_appalled
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358813
1. כְּ,שָׁעָה
2. 513044,513045
3. about a moment
4. -
5. 8160
6. S-R,Ncfsa
7. about,a_moment
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358814
1. חֲדָה
2. 513046
3. one
4. -
5. 2298
6. S-Acfsa
7. one
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358815
1. וְ,רַעְיֹנֹ,הִי
2. 513047,513048,513049
3. and thoughts of his
4. -
5. 7476
6. S-C,Ncmpc,Sp3ms
7. and,thoughts_of,his
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358816
1. יְבַהֲלֻנֵּ,הּ
2. 513050,513051
3. they alarmed him
4. him
5. 927
6. VO-Vpi3mp,Sp3ms
7. they,alarmed_him
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358817
1. עָנֵה
2. 513052
3. +was replying
4. -
5. 6032
6. V-Vqrmsa
7. [was]_replying
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358818
1. מַלְכָּ,א
2. 513053,513054
3. Oh/the king
4. -
5. 4430
6. S-Ncmsd,Td
7. Oh/the=king
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358819
1. וְ,אָמַר
2. 513055,513056
3. and saying(ms)
4. -
5. 560
6. SV-C,Vqrmsa
7. and=saying(ms)
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358820
1. בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר
2. 513057
3. Oh Bēləţəshaʼʦʦar
4. -
5. 1096
6. S-Np
7. O_Belteshazzar
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358821
1. חֶלְמָ,א
2. 513058,513059
3. the dream
4. -
5. 2493
6. S-Ncmsd,Td
7. the=dream
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358822
1. וּ,פִשְׁרֵ,א
2. 513060,513061,513062
3. and its interpretation
4. -
5. 6591
6. S-C,Ncmsd,Td
7. and,its,interpretation
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358823
1. אַֽל
2. 513063
3. not
4. -
5. 409
6. S-Tn
7. not
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358824
2. 513064
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 358825
1. יְבַהֲלָ,ךְ
2. 513065,513066
3. let it alarm you
4. -
5. 927
6. VO-Vpi3ms,Sp2ms
7. let,it_alarm_you
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358826
1. עָנֵה
2. 513067
3. +was replying
4. -
5. 6032
6. V-Vqrmsa
7. [was]_replying
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358827
1. בֵלְטְשַׁאצַּר
2. 513068
3. Bēləţəshaʼʦʦar
4. -
5. 1096
6. S-Np
7. Belteshazzar
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358828
1. וְ,אָמַר
2. 513069,513070
3. and saying(ms)
4. -
5. 560
6. SV-C,Vqrmsa
7. and=saying(ms)
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358829
1. מרא,י
2. 513071,513072
3. Oh of my master
4. -
5. 4756
6. -Ncmsc,Sp1cs
7. O_of,my_lord
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358830
2. 513073
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 358831
1. חֶלְמָ,א
2. 513074,513075
3. the dream
4. -
5. 2493
6. S-Ncmsd,Td
7. the=dream
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358832
1. ל,שנאי,ך
2. 513076,513077,513078
3. +be for enemy of your
4. -
5. 8131
6. S-R,Vqrmpc,Sp2ms
7. [be]_for,enemy_of,your
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358833
2. 513079
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 358834
1. וּ,פִשְׁרֵ,הּ
2. 513080,513081,513082
3. and its interpretation
4. -
5. 6591
6. -C,Ncmsc,Sp3ms
7. and=its=interpretation
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358835
1. ל,ערי,ך
2. 513083,513084,513085
3. +be for adversaries of your
4. -
5. 6146
6. P-R,Ncmpc,Sp2ms
7. [be]_for,adversaries_of,your
8. -
9. TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 358836
2. 513086
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 358837
2. 513087
3. -
4. -
6. -x-sof-pasuq
8. -
9. -
10. 358838

4:16 Note: KJB: Dān.4.19

4:16 OSHB variant note: מרא/י: (x-qere) ’מָרִ֕/י’: lemma_4756 n_0.1 morph_ANcmsc/Sp1cs id_27hEY מָרִ֕/י

4:16 OSHB variant note: ל/שנאי/ך: (x-qere) ’לְ/שָֽׂנְאָ֖/ךְ’: lemma_l/8131 n_0.0 morph_AR/Vqrmpc/Sp2ms id_27NzX לְ/שָֽׂנְאָ֖/ךְ

4:16 OSHB variant note: ל/ערי/ך: (x-qere) ’לְ/עָרָֽ/ךְ’: lemma_l/6146 n_0 morph_AR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms id_27otL לְ/עָרָֽ/ךְ

4:16 It seems now that the tree represented a man.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–37: God judged King Nebuchadnezzar

The author of Daniel 4 wrote in the Aramaic language. These Notes are based on the BSB, which is based on the Aramaic text called the MT (Masoretic Text). However, the early Greek translation known as the Septuagint is different from the Aramaic text in many places in Daniel 4. Scholars are uncertain why the two are so different. It may be that the Greek translators worked from an Aramaic text that was different from that of the MT. The Notes will discuss the differences between the two texts for certain important passages.

The verse numbers of the BSB and most English versions are different from the verse numbers in the Aramaic text. The NJPS and NJB are two exceptions. They follow the verse numbers in the Aramaic text.Baldwin (p. 107) notes that the chapter divisions in the present Aramaic text were not necessarily those of the original text. The difference in numbering can cause confusion when citing verses in different translations. For example, Daniel 4:1 in the BSB is 3:31 in the NJPS and NJB. Daniel 4:4 is 4:1 in the NJB and NJPS, and so on. When these Notes cite verses in the NJPS and the NJB, they will give both the verse numbers in those versions and the corresponding BSB verse numbers.

Versions give different headings to Daniel 4. For example:

Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream (NRSV)

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a tree (NLT)

A letter from Nebuchadnezzar about his insanity (GW)

In some languages it may be more natural that the heading be a full sentence. For example:

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a second dream

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about a tree

Nebuchadnezzar wrote a letter about how he became insane

Special Problems:

1. Change of Speaker: In Daniel 4, the person who tells the story varies between the king and the narrator. For example:

A. In 4:1–18 the king told what happened to him in the first person.

B. In 4:19–27 the narrator told the story of how Daniel interpreted the king’s dream.

C. In 4:28–33 the narrator told what happened to Nebuchadnezzar.

D. In 4:34–37 the king again spoke directly in the first person.

The Notes will inform you when there is a change of speaker and suggest how to translate these passages.

2. Repetition: When Daniel interpreted the king’s dream (4:19–27), he repeated parts of what the king had previously told him (in 4:10–16). Later, when the narrator told what happened to the king (4:28–33), he repeated what Daniel had said would happen (in 4:25). This kind of repetition creates suspense in the story. Repetition also helps to emphasize the main theme of the account. For example, at the end of the account, the king repeated information from the beginning (4:3, 34). This information is the theme of the chapter: God is sovereign over human rulers.

3. Synonyms: The author liked to use synonyms, different words with the same or similar meaning. In some cases, he used synonyms to emphasize an idea. For example, in 4:37 the king used three synonyms in the same sentence to emphasize the idea of praise. In some languages this may not be natural. The Notes will suggest other ways you can translate synonyms.

4. Commands: In the dream, the angel made a number of commands. The text does not usually say to whom the angel was giving these commands. Sometimes the angel commanded non-living objects to do something. In all these cases, the angel was speaking a message from God. And when God commands that something happen, it will certainly happen. In some languages it may not be natural to use commands in this way. If that is true in your language, you may be able to translate these commands as authoritative declarations. The Notes will give examples of how you may do this.

5. Poetic Parallelism: The author of Daniel 4 liked to use poetic form to communicate ideas. In Aramaic poetry, authors often used pairs of clauses to say the same thing in two different ways. This type of poetry has many different functions. Sometimes the author used poetry to emphasize themes. Other times he used poetry to mark the climax of a section. This kind of poetry may not be natural in your language. The Notes will describe the function of the poetic speech in Daniel. They will also suggest some options on how you might translate this type of poetry in your own language.

6. Form: The author wrote Daniel 4 in the form of a royal proclamation. This proclamation form gives authority to the account. The style of the proclamation is similar to that of a letter, and the beginning of the chapter is similar to other Aramaic letters. The king first identifies himself. Second, he indicates to whom he is writing, that is, those he intends to read his letter. Third, he greets his readers. In your language, people may have a different way of identifying the author or addressee of a letter. The Notes will suggest some options on how to translate this letter style.

7. Key Terms: Two key terms in Daniel 4 are “earth” and “heaven.” Both words have more than one meaning. The Aramaic word that the BSB generally translates as “earth” can mean either “ground,” “land,” or “world.” The Aramaic word that the BSB generally translates as “heaven” can mean either “sky” or “where God lives.” In 4:26 the author used the word “Heaven” to refer to God himself. The author plays on these two words and their meanings to highlight the main theme of the chapter: “God in heaven rules over the affairs of men on earth.” The Notes will explain the meaning of these two key terms in each context.

Paragraph 4:13–16

In this paragraph the king continued to tell Daniel his dream.

4:16a

Let his mind be changed from that of a man,

Change^(plur) his mind from a human mind
He will no longer think like a human
His thinking/mind must no longer be that of a human being.

Let his mind be changed from that of a man: This verse part has the form of a command. However, this is not a command to someone to do something. It functions as an authoritative declaration. The man’s mind was going to change. This must happen. There are at least two ways to translate this:

Translate it as a command. For example:
Let him have the mind of an animal (NLT)
Give him the mind of an animal (CEV)
Let him not think like a human any longer (NCV)
Translate it as an authoritative statement. For example:
His mind will cease to be human (REB)
He is to receive the mind of an animal

Translate this idea in the way that is most natural in your language. Note that the expression does not mean that the man received an animal’s brain. It means that he lost the ability to think clearly and rationally, like a human being, and he acted as if he was an animal.

Let his mind be changed: This is a passive clause. There are at least two ways to translate it:

Using a passive verb.
His thinking must be changed
Let his mind be altered (NET)
Using an active verb. For example:
Let his mind change
He will no longer think like a man
he will not have a human mind (GNT)

his mind: This phrase makes it clear that the speaker was now referring to a human being, not a tree stump. The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as mind is literally “heart.” In the Aramaic language, the heart was the place in the body where people thought, made decisions, and felt emotions. It referred to the source of thoughts and desires. Use the expression that is natural in your language. For example:

a human heart (NJB)

think like a human (NCV)

man: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as man can refer to any human being, male or female. The king was a man, not a woman, but that is not the point here. The contrast here is between man and animal. So in most languages it is good to follow the NRSV and say:

human (NRSV)

4:16b

and let him be given the mind of a beast

to an animal mind.
but/and he will think like an animal.
Instead, his mind/thinking must become that of a wild beast/creature.

and: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates and in this context introduces the second part of the angel’s command. It involves a contrast between a human and an animal mind. In some languages it may therefore be natural to follow the GNT and say:

but (GNT)

let him be given the mind of a beast: This is a command. Like the earlier commands, it functions as an authoritative declaration of what must happen. There are at least two ways to translate this:

Translate it as a command. The angel commanded that the man begin to think and act like an animal. For example:
and give it the mind of an animal (GW)
Translate it as an authoritative statement. For example:
and he will think like an animal
and he is to begin thinking like a beast

be given the mind of a beast: The verb be given is passive. In some languages it may be more natural to use an active verb. For example:

let him have the mind of an animal (NCV)

he must/will receive the mind/thinking of a wild creature

he is to start thinking like an animal thinks

the mind of a beast: The Aramaic expression that the BSB translates as the mind of a beast is literally “animal’s heart.” See the Notes on “mind” at 4:16a. Here is another way to translate this:

the heart of a beast (NJB)

General Comment on 4:16a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to combine Daniel 4:16a–b into one clause with one verb. For example:

Give him the mind of a wild animal instead of the mind of a human

In place of his human mind, he must receive an animal’s mind.

He must/will think like an animal instead of a human

4:16c

till seven times pass him by.

Cause him to be like this for seven periods of time.
He will/must stay in this condition until seven time periods are complete/over.
This will last for seven years.

till seven times pass him by: The holy one commanded that the man remain in this condition, with the mind of an animal, for seven periods of time. He did not say how long these time periods were. There are several different interpretations. For example:

It refers to a definite but unspecified period of time, as in 2:8. For example:
seven time periods (GW) (BSB, RSV/NRSV, NIV, NJB, KJV, REB, GW, NLT, NET)
It refers to a year.The Translator’s Handbook on Daniel. See the ancient Greek translation LXX. HALOT has “years” and cites Daniel 4:13, 20, 22, 29, and 7:25 “three and a half years.” Josephus, Jerome and medieval Jewish commentators follow this view. The duration of Nabonidus’s sickness in 4QPrNab is seven years. For example:
for seven years (GNT) (GNT, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In some languages it may not be possible to refer to an indefinite period of time. If that is the case in your language, you can follow interpretation (2). However, if you follow the second interpretation, you should put interpretation (1) in a footnote.

pass him by: The Aramaic verb that the BSB translates as pass him means “come in turns, succeed each other.” In this context, the seven periods of time would happen one after another while the man lived in the field with the animals. Other ways to translate this include:

pass over him (NRSV)

go by for him (NET)

General Comment on 4:16a–c

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in 4:16a–c, translating the time periods involved first. For example:

^16cFor seven periods of time, ^16blet him have the mind of a wild animal ^16ainstead of the mind of a human. (NLT)

^16cFor seven years ^16ahe will not have a human mind, ^16bbut the mind of an animal. (GNT)

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)