The case of King Nebuchadnezzar’s animal episode in Daniel 4 has typically been read in ways that pathologize animality. I argue, however, that the Hebrew Bible demonstrates at least two views of animals and knowledge: one which casts them as ignorant and stupid and one which celebrates their knowledge, especially knowledge of the divine. Rather than reading Nebuchadnezzar’s experience through the former tradition, I offer an alternative reading in which nonhuman animals are seen as having knowledge, even a special knowledge of the divine. Nebuchadnezzar’s animalization need not be read as punishment or madness, but rather it is meant to educate him. When Nebuchadnezzar is given the ‘mind of an animal’ (4.13), the goal is to reach a better knowledge of God through this animal mind. Finally, I conclude with thoughts about how this interpretation avoids the pitfalls of conflating animality with madness and its relevance for animal ethics today.

中文翻译：

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尼布甲尼撒和动物的心智（但以理书 4）

在但以理书第 4 章中，尼布甲尼撒王的动物情节通常被解读为将动物性病态化。然而，我认为，希伯来圣经至少展示了两种关于动物和知识的观点：一种认为动物无知和愚蠢，另一种赞美他们的知识，尤其是对神圣的知识。我没有通过以前的传统来阅读尼布甲尼撒的经历，而是提供了另一种阅读方式，其中非人类动物被视为具有知识，甚至是对神圣的特殊知识。尼布甲尼撒的动物化不需要被解读为惩罚或疯狂，而是为了教育他。当尼布甲尼撒被赋予“动物的头脑”（4.13）时，目标是通过这种动物的头脑更好地了解上帝。最后，