This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise [men] of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou [art] able; for the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee.
This {H1836} dream {H2493} I {H576} king {H4430} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} have seen {H2370}. Now thou {H607}, O Belteshazzar {H1096}, declare {H560} the interpretation {H6591} thereof, forasmuch as {H6903} all {H3606} the wise {H2445} men of my kingdom {H4437} are not {H3809} able {H3202} to make known {H3046} unto me the interpretation {H6591}: but thou {H607} art able {H3546}; for the spirit {H7308} of the holy {H6922} gods {H426} is in thee.
"'This is the dream which I, King N'vukhadnetzar, saw. Now you, Belt'shatzar, tell me its interpretation. None of the sages of my kingdom can tell me the interpretation, but you can do it, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'
This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
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Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. -
Daniel 5:15
And now the wise [men], the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: -
Daniel 4:7
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. -
Daniel 4:9
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods [is] in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. -
Daniel 5:8
Then came in all the king's wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. -
Genesis 41:15
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. -
Isaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
In Daniel 4:18, King Nebuchadnezzar addresses Daniel, whom he calls Belteshazzar, acknowledging Daniel's unique ability to interpret a troubling dream that has baffled all the wise men of Babylon. This verse sets the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic accounts of divine sovereignty over earthly rulers.
Context
This verse follows Nebuchadnezzar's recounting of his second significant dream, a vivid vision of a great tree that is cut down, leaving only a stump. The king is profoundly disturbed because none of his court magicians, astrologers, or sorcerers could interpret its meaning. This recalls an earlier instance where Daniel also received divine revelation to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's first dream. The king's plea to Daniel underscores his desperation and his grudging recognition that Daniel possesses a wisdom far superior to that of his own learned men, attributing it to a supernatural source.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "the spirit of the holy gods" (KJV) reflects Nebuchadnezzar's polytheistic understanding. While he attributes Daniel's wisdom to a plurality of "holy gods," Daniel himself, a devout monotheist, knew that his ability came from the one true God of Israel. This phrase indicates Nebuchadnezzar's awe and recognition of a powerful, divine influence, even if his theological framework was flawed. It's a pagan king's way of acknowledging what Daniel would understand as the singular Spirit of the Lord, emphasizing that God alone reveals deep and secret things.
Significance and Application
Daniel 4:18 reminds believers that God often works through individuals equipped with divine wisdom, even in secular or hostile environments. It encourages us to rely on God for understanding and guidance, especially when human wisdom fails. Just as Daniel's unique gift set him apart, believers today are called to demonstrate a wisdom that originates from God, providing answers and insights that the world cannot. This verse also serves as a powerful preamble to the theme of humility, as the dream's interpretation will directly address Nebuchadnezzar's pride and the necessity of acknowledging God's supreme authority.