Daniel 4:18

18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O 1Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because 2all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for 3the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

Daniel 4:18 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 4:18

This dream I King Nebuchadnezzar have seen
So things were represented to him by a vision in a dream: now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof;
at once, directly; as he was well assured he could, by what he had already done; having both told him his dream when forgotten by him, and the meaning of it; and therefore doubted not but he could interpret his dream, being told him: forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known
unto me the interpretation;
he had sent for them, even all of them; he had told them his dream, but they could not interpret it; see ( Daniel 4:6 Daniel 4:7 ) : but thou art able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee;
he not only knew his ability from former experience, but for the reason here given; of which he might have more proofs than one, that the Spirit, not of impure deities, of the gods and demons of the Heathens, but of the one true, living, and holy God, who knows all things, dwelt in him; see ( Daniel 4:9 ) .

Daniel 4:18 In-Context

16 Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him.
17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.'
18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!
20 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,

Cross References 3

  • 1. See Daniel 1:7
  • 2. [ver. 7; Daniel 5:8, 15; Genesis 41:8]
  • 3. See ver. 8
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.