While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 31. Heaven: God having looked on me with pity. Saint Augustine (ep. 111. Calmet. or 122. Worthington.) seems to think that he was saved; and the author of the B. on Pred. & grace, (chapter 15) attributes to him, remarks that his repentance was different from that of Pharao. Hence none must despair. Saint Jerome ep. vii. to Læta.—See Theod. A. Lap. and so forth who maintain that same opinion: but Saint Thomas expresses his doubts. Isaias (14:9) seems to condign him to hell; and the king here manifests his adhesion to Bel, (verse 5) and great inconstancy. Calmet. 2:47 and 3:15. His conviction seems therefore to have been only in speculation, ( Calmet.) or momentary, like that of the philosophers, (Romans 1) which would render them more criminal; and we must confess, ( Bible.) that this conversion is very equivocal. Sanctius. verse 24 and 34. Bible.