דניאל, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ג

A dramatic heavenly decree completely strips a man of his human nature, plunging him into a prolonged, predetermined state of existence as a wild beast. This profound transformation removes his human consciousness entirely. The consensus among commentators is that his mind and heart are completely replaced by those of an animal [יוסף אבן יחיא]. This shift is not merely an internal state of mind but brings clear practical results. Stripped of human instincts, he loses all natural fear of wild beasts, choosing instead to live among them, behave exactly like them, and become an integrated member of their pack [מלבי״ם].

This harsh reality is set to run its course over a specific duration. The process of time passing over him is compared to rain that falls and eventually moves on, indicating that he will endure this severe condition until the decree has fully swept past him [אבן עזרא, רש״י, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ].

When determining the exact length of this experience, the primary approach among commentators is that it refers to a span of seven full years [רש״י, מצודת דוד, יוסף אבן יחיא], or perhaps seven distinct seasons [שטיינזלץ]. However, a unique perspective suggests that these periods represent more than just the passage of time. Instead, they refer to seven distinct phases within the madness itself. According to this view, the illness will shift and change its character over time, evolving through different stages until the seventh and final phase, at which point he will be completely healed [מלבי״ם].