Neb understandably didn't believe that God would do something so ridiculous as make him think he was a cow, but God always keeps his promises. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was a cow for seven years before finally he knuckled under. "You're the greatest, God. Oh look, a dandelion."
Neb was probably kept in a private wood by his loyal aides, in hopes that some day he would stop believing himself to be a cow, and return to rule his kingdom with an iron hoof. Today, 'Discovery Magazine' uses the story of Neb the Cow to convince children of the scientific veracity of the bible:
Some people who do not believe the Bible is God’s Word have said that this story could not be true. But today we know that there is a rare medical condition that can cause people to act just like Nebuchadnezzar. It even has a name: boanthropy (bo-AN-thra-pee). When people are sick with boanthropy, they do not like to be indoors; in fact, they will spend almost all of their time outdoors, if allowed to do so. Further, they gladly will eat grass (like an ox or cow), and even will drink from muddy puddles (like a dog, or other animal). The hair on their body becomes coarse, and their fingernails and toenails become thick and long.
See kiddies, the Bible never lies! It was right about the existence of compulsive moo-ers, and it’s right about everything else. Why, it’s only a matter of time before we discover the pre-historic wind machines which caused the parting of the Red Sea.
Boanthropy Today
Boanthropy diagnoses have largely ceased. People with the disease are now simply ‘loonies.’ Still, if you have ever wondered what grass tastes like, you have experienced a symptom of boanthropy. If you have ever ingested grass or even mooed, you could be classified a low-grade boanthrope. Boanthropy is a condition that affects all of our lives. Inexplicably, there is no charitable foundation established to research and cure this disease, which causes more than -1 fatalities every ten years. If you would like to help the cause, simply help a cow. Look a cow in the eye, and say, "I understand. Oh, I understand." Then give that cow a hug. And eat some grass.
Article comments
1 - anonymous
Peabody institute is an actual conservatory and preparatory school located in the Mount Vernon area of Baltimore, Maryland. It is a branch off of John Hopkins U.
2 - halarious!
hahahahaha
3 - Mary
Thanks for the knowledge. Nebuchadnezzar's Madness is intresting. There is a foot note in my Bible that says that "In antiquity insanity was looked upon as possession by a deity." I read, demon. I wonder about the guy who tattoed spots all over himself and lives in the wilds, I think in England, as a leopard and of the Carnaval worker who split His tongue up the middle and got snake tatooes all over his body.... I think he may even wear contacts so his eyes look diamond shaped...
I, of course, naturally look like a werewolf in the morning, but not because I want to. ha ha...no, actually - scary stuff!...
sorry for the mispelled words, I went to a community college...for about a year and a half...yeah,so.(shrugs shoulders)
Thanks!
Mary
4 - Linda
You missed the fact why Nebuchadnezzar became a person with this problem. In Daniel 4:30, he took all the credit for the great things done in Babylon, instead of giving God the praise for his great feats. In Daniel 2:21, Daineal told the king that God sets up kings and takes them down. God gives us our very life. After 7 years,Nebuchadnezzar blessed the most high God and gave Him honur.(Daniel 4:34) At which time Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his place as king of Babylon.
5 - James
Does anyone know more detailed articles about boanthropy? Any clinical cases documented?
6 - neil
Actually if you read the whole story in Daniel chapter four you see that God was very gracious to Nebuchadnezzar. He repeatedly warned him of his pride and arrogance and gave him several opportunities to change. Then when he finally did, God restored his kingdom to him and then some. Nebuchadnezzar realized truth from his encounter with the power of Jesus Christ. He realized that the Most High is sovereign and man is "nothing." God is good and full of love, mercy and patience. He loves you too.
7 - Amster
HAHA UMMM k God did not say that. way to be completely incorrect. Misleading others is not cool. you may not believe it, but don't bring people down with you, give them a chance to decide for themselves based on what the bible does actually say "Either heed my words and commands or I will turn you into a cow." Then he said, "No, better yet, I will make you think that you're a cow, and leave you as a man! Oh, I even surprise myself sometimes, omnipotence be damned."
8 - Amster
the bible does not say either heed my words......no better yet I will make you think that you're a cow, and leave you a....oh I even surprise myself, omnipotence be damned.
this is wrong
9 - Thomas
The passage in Daniel 4 re: Nebuchadnezzar does not picture God as a malevolent, punishment-oriented deity. The action flows thusly: 1. God gives Neb a dream; 2. The dream, interpreted by Daniel says that Neb can fall into boanthropy if he gets arrogant, but predicts that he will come out of it nevertheless; 3. Neb doesn't heed the warning, defies God and descends into madness; and 4. Recovers after perhaps seven years with greater glory, after acknowledging the sovereignty of God. A mean god would have just wiped him out: whereas God here not only disciplines him harshly but effecting complete restoration, but additionally provides an opportunity to avoid it all by giving him a preview of the possibilities and a chance to change before, rather than after.
10 - Bobby
Only a fool would have no respect for the God of the universe and His decisions. Never mock God.
11 - Christopher Rose
At first glance I would have thought Boanthropy was where people come to think of themselves as a certain kind of snake!
It was undoubtedly one of those so afflicted who first coined the expression "I've got a crush on you"...