The answer is: He went mad and lived as a beast before being restored as king

Daniel 4:31-37

King Nebuchadnezzar's story is fascinating and rich with themes of humility and grace that resonate throughout the Biblical narrative. In Daniel 4, we find a powerful ruler whose arrogance leads to his dramatic downfall—a very human situation, wouldn’t you say? Nebuchadnezzar had been tyrannical, filled with pride about his achievements, notably the towering statue of gold that represented his glory. Yet, right in the middle of that windy proclamation about his vast empire, God intervened.

The king’s madness isn’t just a bizarre twist in an ancient story; it speaks to the biblical truth about the perils of hubris. This has echoes throughout the Scriptures. Think of King Herod, who met a similarly dire fate when he accepted praise due only to God (Acts 12:21-23).

Interestingly, the descriptors in Daniel 4 where the king lives like a wild animal highlight themes of natural vs. unnatural—his humanity stripped away, roaming in a world intended for “beasts”, underlining a striking physical manifestation of his inward spiritual turmoil.

After enduring this profound change over seven years, Nebuchadnezzar's restoration demonstrates a redemptive arc. When he finally turns his gaze back to the heavens, acknowledging God's sovereignty, he’s restored to his throne and regains not only his mind but his praise. This back-and-forth of downfall and elevation teaches us something valuable about the balance between human power and responsibility, reminding us that our strengths must always be tethered to a broader, divine order.