Daniel 5:20
New International Version
But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

New Living Translation
But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

English Standard Version
But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

Berean Standard Bible
But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.

New American Standard Bible
But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit became so overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him.

NASB 1995
“But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.

NASB 1977
“But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him.

Legacy Standard Bible
But when his heart was raised up and his spirit became so strong that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him.

Amplified Bible
But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.

Christian Standard Bible
But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him.

American Standard Version
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Contemporary English Version
But when he became proud and stubborn, his glorious kingdom was taken from him.

English Revised Version
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But when he became so arrogant and conceited that he became overconfident, he was removed from the royal throne. His honor was taken away from him.

Good News Translation
But because he became proud, stubborn, and cruel, he was removed from his royal throne and lost his place of honor.

International Standard Version
But when he became arrogant and his spirit hardened, he was removed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.

Majority Standard Bible
But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

NET Bible
And when his mind became arrogant and his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and his honor was removed from him.

New Heart English Bible
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was removed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and when his heart was high, and his spirit was strong to act proudly, he has been caused to come down from the throne of his kingdom, and his glory they have caused to pass away from him,

Young's Literal Translation
and when his heart was high, and his spirit was strong to act proudly, he hath been caused to come down from the throne of his kingdom, and his glory they have caused to pass away from him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was strong for pride, he was brought down from the throne of his kingdom, and they took away his honor from him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit hardened unto pride, he was put down from the throne of his kingdom, and his glory was taken away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened in arrogance, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom and his glory was taken away.

New American Bible
But when his heart became proud and his spirit hardened by insolence, he was put down from his royal throne and deprived of his glory;

New Revised Standard Version
But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he acted proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory was stripped from him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when his heart was lifted up and his pride increased, he was deposed from his kingly throne and his glory passed away from him;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when his heart was lifted up and his spirit prevailed to exalt itself, he fell from the throne of his kingdom and his glory passed from him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was emboldened to act proudly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his honour was taken from him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
19Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished. 20But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.…

Cross References
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Isaiah 2:11
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.

Ezekiel 31:10
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,

2 Chronicles 26:16
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 32:25
But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Kings 19:22
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 50:31-32
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”

Acts 12:21-23
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.


Treasury of Scripture

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:

when.

Daniel 4:30-33,37
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? …

Exodus 9:17
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

Exodus 18:11
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

hardened.

1 Samuel 6:6
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

2 Kings 17:14
Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Chronicles 36:13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

in pride.

Isaiah 47:1
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

Jeremiah 13:18
Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

Jeremiah 48:18
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

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Act Arrogant Arrogantly Behaved Caused Dealt Deposed Glory Hardened Heart High Kingdom Kingly Lifted Mind Presumption Pride Proud Proudly Royal Spirit Strong Throne
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Act Arrogant Arrogantly Behaved Caused Dealt Deposed Glory Hardened Heart High Kingdom Kingly Lifted Mind Presumption Pride Proud Proudly Royal Spirit Strong Throne
Daniel 5
1. Belshazzar's impious feast.
5. A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king.
10. At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought.
17. He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry,
25. reads and interprets the writing.
30. The monarchy is translated to the Medes














But when his heart became arrogant
The phrase "heart became arrogant" refers to the inner disposition of King Nebuchadnezzar, whose account is recounted in Daniel 4. The Hebrew word for "heart" (לֵב, lev) often signifies the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Arrogance here is a translation of the Hebrew word גָּבַהּ (gavah), which means to be high or exalted. This suggests a self-elevation above others and, more importantly, above God. In a biblical context, arrogance is a grave sin, as it reflects a departure from recognizing God's sovereignty. The heart's arrogance is a cautionary tale for believers to remain humble and acknowledge God's ultimate authority.

and his spirit was hardened with pride
The "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) in Hebrew can denote breath, wind, or spirit, often indicating one's inner life or disposition. A "hardened" spirit suggests a stubbornness or resistance to change, akin to the hardening of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus. The word "pride" (זִיד, zid) implies presumptuousness or insolence. This hardening is not merely an emotional state but a spiritual condition that leads to downfall. In the biblical narrative, pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18), serving as a warning to maintain a posture of humility before God.

he was deposed from his royal throne
The term "deposed" indicates a removal from power, a common theme in the Bible where God humbles the proud and exalts the humble (1 Samuel 2:7). The "royal throne" symbolizes authority and dominion, which in Nebuchadnezzar's case, was granted by God. The historical context of Babylonian kingship, with its grandeur and might, underscores the dramatic nature of this divine intervention. This serves as a reminder that all earthly power is temporary and subject to God's will.

and stripped of his glory
"Stripped" conveys a forceful removal, indicating that what was once possessed is now taken away. "Glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) in Hebrew often refers to weightiness or honor, suggesting the king's reputation and splendor. In biblical theology, true glory belongs to God alone, and human glory is but a reflection of divine favor. Nebuchadnezzar's loss of glory illustrates the futility of human pride and the transient nature of worldly honor. It calls believers to seek the glory that comes from God, which is eternal and unshakeable.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But when
וּכְדִי֙ (ū·ḵə·ḏî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

his heart
לִבְבֵ֔הּ (liḇ·ḇêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3825: The heart

was exalted
רִ֣ם (rim)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7313: To be high, to rise, raise

and his spirit
וְרוּחֵ֖הּ (wə·rū·ḥêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7308: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

hardened
תִּֽקְפַ֣ת (tiq·p̄aṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8631: To become, mighty, obstinate

in pride,
לַהֲזָדָ֑ה (la·hă·zā·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2103: To be presumptuous

he was deposed
הָנְחַת֙ (hā·nə·ḥaṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5182: To descend, to bring away, deposit, depose

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

his royal
מַלְכוּתֵ֔הּ (mal·ḵū·ṯêh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

throne,
כָּרְסֵ֣א (kā·rə·sê)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3764: A throne

and his glory
וִֽיקָרָ֖ה (wî·qā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3367: Value, wealth, costliness, dignity

was taken
הֶעְדִּ֥יוּ (he‘·di·yū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5709: To advance, pass on, continue, to remove, to bedeck

from him.
מִנֵּֽהּ׃ (min·nêh)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than


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OT Prophets: Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up (Dan. Da Dn)
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