What does “seven times” mean in Daniel 4?
Question:
I have a question that someone may be able to help with. Daniel 4:23 mentions that Nebuchadnezzar would graze with the beast of the field until seven times pass over him. We are studying Daniel on Wednesday evening and some seem to think that the 7 times are seasons, some think months, and a couple think they are years. I read that the seven times were not necessarily seasons, but the 7 times is not any specific duration of time, but a definite period of indefinite length.
Could someone please give me some insight into what this means?
Answer:
In Daniel, the Aramaic word 'iddan appears several times: Daniel 2:8,9,21; 3:5,15; 4:16,23,25,32; 7:12,25. The word means time or a year, depending on the context. When it is used with a definite article or a fixed amount, it refers to years.
Thus, "And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him" (Daniel 4:23), it is speaking of seven years since seven is a fixed amount.
"He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time" (Daniel 7:25) refers to three and a half years (a time (1) and times (2) and half a time (0.5)).
