Daniel 4:19

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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!

Berean Standard Bible

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!

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Daniel 4:19 vividly captures the profound internal conflict of Daniel, also known as Belteshazzar, as he grapples with the terrifying implications of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. His initial hour of stunned silence and deeply troubled thoughts reveal the immense weight of the divine revelation he is about to deliver—a message of impending judgment upon the most powerful monarch of the ancient world. Despite the king's oppressive rule, Daniel's compassionate response, wishing the dire interpretation upon Nebuchadnezzar's enemies rather than himself, underscores his deep empathy and unwavering spiritual integrity in the face of a difficult, divinely ordained truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 4 stands as a unique and pivotal chapter within the book, presented primarily as King Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony and confession. It recounts a profound dream, its subsequent interpretation by Daniel, and its eventual fulfillment, leading to the king's humbling and restoration. This narrative builds upon Daniel's established prophetic credibility from his earlier interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great statue in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's First Dream and Daniel's Interpretation"), reinforcing Daniel's unique position as God's chosen messenger. The dream in chapter 4, involving a magnificent tree cut down, symbolizes the king's impending humiliation and temporary madness due to his pride. Verse 19 marks the critical juncture where Daniel, having received the divine understanding of the dream, must now deliver its devastating interpretation. His visible emotional reaction sets the solemn stage for the difficult truth he is about to speak, a truth that culminates in Nebuchadnezzar's seven years of animalistic existence and eventual restoration, as detailed in [Daniel 4:20-37](/daniel/4-20-37 "Daniel 4:20-37 - The Fulfillment and Restoration of Nebuchadnezzar").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Nebuchadnezzar was the formidable ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605-562 BC), renowned for his military conquests, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the subsequent exile of the Judeans, including Daniel. His reign was characterized by monumental building projects, immense wealth, and a pervasive polytheistic culture centered on Babylonian deities such as Marduk. In the ancient Near East, dreams were widely believed to be divine communications, and their interpretation was a specialized skill often performed by court astrologers, diviners, or priests. These interpretations typically aimed to flatter the monarch or offer auspicious outcomes. Daniel, however, operates under the authority of Yahweh, the one true God, delivering unvarnished truth, even when it directly challenges the king's absolute authority and foretells his humiliation. This historical setting profoundly highlights the stark contrast between human power and divine sovereignty, a central theological theme woven throughout the entire book of Daniel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating unequivocally that God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly kingdoms and kings, a truth explicitly declared in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Secondly, it highlights the pervasive theme of **Humility vs. Pride**, as Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation directly address his overweening pride and the absolute necessity for him to acknowledge God's supreme authority. Daniel's emotional reaction also underscores the **Burden of Truth-Telling**, revealing the profound emotional weight involved in faithfully delivering God's challenging messages, particularly to those in positions of immense power. Finally, Daniel's remarkable **Compassion and Intercession** for an oppressive ruler foreshadows a broader biblical principle of loving even one's enemies, a truly extraordinary display of spiritual maturity and grace in a hostile environment, echoing the sentiment found in [Proverbs 24:17](/proverbs/24-17 "Proverbs 24:17 - Do Not Rejoice When Your Enemy Falls").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **astonied (Aramaic, _shᵉmam'_):** This Aramaic term, derived from a root meaning "to stun" or "grow numb," conveys a state of profound shock, dismay, or bewilderment. It suggests that Daniel was not merely surprised, but deeply overwhelmed and perhaps momentarily paralyzed by the immense gravity and disturbing nature of the dream's interpretation. It implies a sense of being stupefied or devastated by the revelation of what was to befall the king.
* **troubled (Aramaic, _bᵉhal'_):** This word signifies being terrified, agitated, or put into a state of haste or confusion. When applied to Daniel's "thoughts," it indicates a deep mental and emotional distress, a profound disquietude that went far beyond simple worry. His mind was in turmoil, grappling with the severe and unpleasant consequences the dream foretold for Nebuchadnezzar.
* **interpretation (Aramaic, _pᵉshar'_):** This term denotes the explanation, unraveling, or solution of the dream's symbolic meaning. Daniel's unique, God-given gift enables him to provide this divine insight, revealing the hidden truth and the specific, divinely ordained judgment awaiting Nebuchadnezzar, which no other wise man in Babylon could discern.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him."**: This clause vividly portrays Daniel's immediate and profound reaction to the dream's content. Despite his extensive experience with divine revelations and his established role as an interpreter, the specific nature of this dream—which concerns the severe humiliation of a powerful king—causes him deep shock and intense mental distress. The phrase "for one hour" emphasizes the significant duration and intensity of his internal struggle, highlighting the immense gravity and solemnity of the message he has received and is tasked to deliver.
* **"The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee."**: Observing Daniel's visible distress, King Nebuchadnezzar, perhaps accustomed to fearful reactions from his own wise men or sensing the unpleasant nature of the revelation, attempts to reassure Daniel. This shows a degree of concern or perhaps an impatient desire from the king to hear the interpretation without further delay, unaware that Daniel's trouble is born of genuine compassion for him, rather than fear for himself.
* **"Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies."**: This is Daniel's compassionate, tactful, and deeply empathetic response. He expresses a profound wish that such a terrible fate would befall the king's adversaries rather than the king himself. This statement, while a polite and empathetic opening, also subtly reinforces the dire and unwelcome nature of the interpretation he is about to deliver, gently preparing the king for the unpleasant truth. It powerfully underscores Daniel's character as a man of God who genuinely cares for even his oppressors, demonstrating a remarkable spiritual maturity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Foreshadowing** is prominently evident in Daniel's prolonged astonishment and troubled thoughts, which immediately signal the dire and unpleasant nature of the interpretation he is about to deliver. This creates suspense and prepares both the king and the reader for the severity of the impending divine judgment. **Juxtaposition** is used effectively by contrasting Daniel's deep empathy and distress with the king's initial unawareness of the dream's true severity. The king's attempt to comfort Daniel ("let not the dream... trouble thee") stands in stark contrast to Daniel's genuine anguish over what he knows awaits the monarch. Furthermore, Daniel's wish, "My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies," functions as a form of **euphemism** or **polite circumlocution**. This allows him to express the severity of the judgment without directly stating its target at that precise moment, while simultaneously demonstrating his profound compassion and tact in addressing a powerful, volatile ruler.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 4:19 serves as a profound testament to the compassionate nature of God's messengers, even when tasked with delivering difficult and unwelcome truths. Daniel's deep emotional response—his "astonied" state and troubled thoughts—is not born of fear for his own safety or personal animosity, but rather of genuine concern and empathy for King Nebuchadnezzar, despite the king being an oppressor of God's people. This highlights a crucial theological principle: divine truth, even when it brings judgment or correction, is often delivered with a heart of empathy and a sincere desire for the recipient's repentance and ultimate restoration. Daniel's wish that the dream's interpretation fall upon the king's adversaries rather than himself underscores the biblical call to love even those who might be considered enemies, reflecting a higher standard of spiritual maturity and compassion that transcends personal grievances or national conflicts. This moment emphasizes that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of pride, serving as a powerful call to humble acknowledgment of His ultimate sovereignty.

* [Proverbs 24:17](/proverbs/24-17 "Proverbs 24:17 - Do Not Rejoice When Your Enemy Falls")
* [Luke 6:27-28](/luke/6-27-28 "Luke 6:27-28 - Love Your Enemies")
* [Romans 12:14](/romans/12-14 "Romans 12:14 - Bless Those Who Persecute You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's reaction in this verse offers a profound and timeless model for how believers should approach the often-difficult task of speaking truth, especially when that truth is challenging, unwelcome, or carries severe implications. His initial "astonied" state and troubled thoughts reveal the immense weight, solemnity, and even sorrow that should accompany the delivery of God's message, particularly when it involves correction or judgment. It teaches us that compassion must always temper conviction; we are called to speak the truth in love, not with glee, self-righteousness, or a desire to condemn. Daniel's empathy for Nebuchadnezzar, an oppressive and pagan ruler, challenges us to extend grace, concern, and a genuine desire for the well-being of others, even to those who may be hostile, difficult, or seemingly undeserving. This verse reminds us that our primary concern should be the spiritual well-being and ultimate repentance of others, even when delivering a message that might bring temporary discomfort or pain, with the ultimate hope of their recognition of God's sovereignty and their restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you found it difficult to speak a necessary truth to someone, and what was your emotional state during that experience?**
* **How can Daniel's profound compassion for Nebuchadnezzar inform and shape our approach to confronting others with difficult truths today?**
* **In what ways might our own pride, fear, or self-interest hinder us from delivering God's message with the right heart and appropriate empathy?**
* **How does acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty (as powerfully demonstrated in [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation and Restoration")) empower us to speak truth without undue fear of human repercussions or the reactions of others?**

### FAQ

**Why was Daniel so troubled by the dream's interpretation if he was used to receiving divine revelations?**

Answer: Daniel's distress was not due to a lack of understanding or fear for his own safety, but rather a profound and empathetic concern for King Nebuchadnezzar. The dream's interpretation revealed a severe and humiliating judgment—the king's temporary loss of sanity and expulsion from his kingdom—which was a terrifying prospect for such a powerful and proud ruler. Daniel, as a righteous man with a heart for God's justice and mercy, felt the immense weight of delivering such a devastating message to another human being, even an oppressive one. His compassion for the king, despite their differing allegiances and Nebuchadnezzar's role in the exile of Daniel's people, highlights his deep spiritual maturity and genuine concern for the king's soul, hoping for his repentance and restoration rather than his downfall. This mirrors the heart of God, who declares through the prophet Ezekiel, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live" ([Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's profound empathy and his willingness to bear the burden of a difficult truth for an unrighteous king beautifully foreshadow the ultimate compassionate truth-teller, Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel wished the dream's harsh interpretation upon Nebuchadnezzar's enemies rather than the king himself, so Jesus, the ultimate prophet and Lamb of God, came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save the World")). He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and the Father's righteous wrath, becoming "troubled" in spirit in Gethsemane ([John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus Troubled in Spirit")) as He contemplated the cup of suffering that awaited Him. Daniel's compassion for Nebuchadnezzar, an earthly king, points to Christ's boundless compassion for all humanity, even those who were His enemies and persecutors. Jesus delivered the ultimate "interpretation" of humanity's fallen state and the divine judgment it deserved, but then, in ultimate love, took that judgment upon Himself on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His prayer from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness")), echoes Daniel's desire for mercy, but on a cosmic scale, offering reconciliation and restoration to all who believe, thereby fulfilling the very purpose of God's patient dealings with proud rulers like Nebuchadnezzar, which ultimately point to the need for a Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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: