The scene described in this passage may be one of the most humiliating passages in Scripture, yet humiliation is not what is described there, but rather a humbling from the mighty but gentle hand of our graciously sovereign Father. Humiliation is the reduction of a person in the eyes of another, whereas humbling is the reduction of a person's pride in their own estimation. Humiliation seeks to degrade a fellow human made in the image of God, humbling seeks to reduce pride in the heart of a fellow human while maintaining the image of God in both their understanding of themselves as well as ours. Humiliation is primarily external and may actually increase pride in someone's heart, humbling is primarily internal and always decreases pride in someone's heart. It is always best when we humble ourselves (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6) but frequently we need the compassionate hand of God to humble us as in the case of Nabonidus.

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