Daniel 4:19

¶ Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

Then {H116} Daniel {H1841}, whose name {H8036} was Belteshazzar {H1096}, was astonied {H8075} for one {H2298} hour {H8160}, and his thoughts {H7476} troubled {H927} him. The king {H4430} spake {H6032}, and said {H560}, Belteshazzar {H1096}, let not {H409} the dream {H2493}, or the interpretation {H6591} thereof, trouble {H927} thee. Belteshazzar {H1096} answered {H6032} and said {H560}, My lord {H4756}, the dream {H2493} be to them that hate {H8131} thee, and the interpretation {H6591} thereof to thine enemies {H6146}.

"Dani'el, whose name was Belt'shatzar, was in shock awhile, frightened by his thoughts. The king said, 'Belt'shatzar, don't let the dream or the interpretation frighten you.' Belt'shatzar answered, 'My lord, if only the dream were about those who hate you, and the interpretation about your enemies!

For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine adversaries.

Commentary

Context of Daniel 4:19

This verse is a pivotal moment in the fourth chapter of Daniel, which recounts King Nebuchadnezzar's second great dream. Having previously interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue representing world empires (Daniel 2:1-49), Daniel is once again called upon after the king's own wise men fail. The dream, which involves a great tree being cut down, deeply troubles the king, and its interpretation is equally unsettling. Daniel, also known by his Babylonian name Belteshazzar, is faced with the daunting task of delivering a message of impending judgment to the most powerful ruler of his time. His initial reaction—being "astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him"—reveals the gravity of the revelation and his deep concern for the king, despite Nebuchadnezzar being a foreign oppressor.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation and Interpretation: The passage highlights God's ability to reveal future events through dreams and His unique empowerment of servants like Daniel to understand and communicate divine truth. This reinforces the theme of God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in the lives of rulers.
  • The Weight of Truth: Daniel's profound emotional response to the dream's interpretation underscores the heavy burden of delivering unwelcome but necessary truth. His distress is not for himself, but for the king, knowing the severe consequences that await him.
  • Compassion and Empathy: Despite the king's oppressive rule over Judah, Daniel demonstrates remarkable compassion. His wish, "My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies," expresses a genuine desire for the king to avoid the impending judgment, even while acknowledging its divine origin and necessity. This reflects a profound spiritual maturity and adherence to a higher moral standard.
  • God's Sovereignty over Rulers: The entire narrative of Daniel 4, leading up to this interpretation, serves to powerfully demonstrate God's ultimate dominion over earthly kingdoms and kings (Daniel 4:17). Daniel's reluctance to deliver the message emphasizes the stark contrast between human power and divine authority.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's use of "astonied" vividly captures Daniel's state. This word conveys being struck with great dismay, astonishment, or consternation, often implying a sense of being overwhelmed or bewildered by something profound and disturbing. It's more than mere surprise; it suggests a deep, unsettling realization of the severity of the coming events. His "thoughts troubled him" further emphasizes the mental and emotional distress he experienced, grappling with the implications of the interpretation before speaking.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:19 offers several practical lessons for believers today:

  1. Courage to Speak Truth: Like Daniel, we are sometimes called to share difficult truths, whether in personal relationships or broader contexts. This verse reminds us that such tasks can be heavy and require courage, but are essential when divinely prompted.
  2. Compassion in Confrontation: Daniel's compassion for Nebuchadnezzar illustrates that even when delivering uncomfortable messages, our attitude should be one of empathy and concern for the other person's well-being. This aligns with the biblical principle of speaking the truth in love.
  3. Reliance on Divine Wisdom: Daniel's ability to interpret the dream came from God (Daniel 2:19). This encourages us to seek divine wisdom and guidance when faced with challenging situations or when needing to understand complex truths.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 8:27

    And I Daniel fainted, and was sick [certain] days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood [it].

  • Daniel 7:28

    Hitherto [is] the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

  • 1 Samuel 3:17

    And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide [it] not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

  • Daniel 10:16

    And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

  • Daniel 10:17

    For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

  • Jeremiah 4:19

    ¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

  • Daniel 4:24

    This [is] the interpretation, O king, and this [is] the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
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