Daniel 4:18

18 "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods."

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 that of a human, and let the mind of an animal be given to him. And let seven times pass over him.
17 The sentence is rendered by decree of the watchers, the decision is given by order of the holy ones, in order that all who live may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals; he gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of human beings.'
18 "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are unable to tell me the interpretation. You are able, however, for you are endowed with a spirit of the holy gods."
19 Then Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was severely distressed for a while. His thoughts terrified him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation terrify you." Belteshazzar answered, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies!
20 The tree that you saw, which grew great and strong, so that its top reached to heaven and was visible to the end of the whole earth,

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or [a holy, divine spirit]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.