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.

O Belteshazzar {H1096}, master {H7229} of the magicians {H2749}, because I {H576} know {H3046} that the spirit {H7308} of the holy {H6922} gods {H426} is in thee, and no {H3606}{H3809} secret {H7328} troubleth {H598} thee, tell {H560} me the visions {H2376} of my dream {H2493} that I have seen {H2370}, and the interpretation {H6591} thereof.

'Belt'shatzar, chief of the magicians! Because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the meaning of the visions I saw in my dream.

“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

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.

Commentary on Daniel 4:9

In Daniel 4:9, King Nebuchadnezzar addresses Daniel by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar, acknowledging Daniel's unique spiritual gift. This verse sets the stage for the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's second significant prophetic dream, further revealing God's sovereignty over human affairs.

Context

This verse is part of King Nebuchadnezzar's personal account, recorded in Daniel chapter 4, detailing a terrifying dream he experienced. Unlike his previous dream in Daniel chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar remembers this dream clearly but is troubled by its meaning. His usual court magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers have failed to provide an interpretation, just as they failed to even reveal the content of his first dream. Frustrated by their inadequacy, the king turns specifically to Daniel, recalling his extraordinary ability and the divine wisdom evident in him. This highlights Daniel's established reputation within the Babylonian court, earned through God's power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wisdom and Revelation: The verse underscores that true wisdom and the ability to understand hidden things come from God alone, not from human ingenuity or pagan practices. Nebuchadnezzar's statement, "the spirit of the holy gods is in thee," recognizes a supernatural source for Daniel's insight.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even a powerful pagan king is dependent on God's chosen servant for understanding divine messages. This theme reinforces God's ultimate control over all earthly kingdoms and events, a central message throughout the book of Daniel.
  • Daniel's Unique Position: Daniel is clearly set apart from the other wise men of Babylon. His ability to interpret dreams and understand "secrets" is not a learned skill but a direct endowment from God, making him indispensable to the king. This echoes sentiments later expressed by King Belshazzar about Daniel's extraordinary insight (Daniel 5:11).

Linguistic Insights

  • "O Belteshazzar": This is Daniel's Babylonian name, given to him upon his arrival in Babylon (Daniel 1:7). The king uses this name, reflecting Daniel's integration into the court, yet he simultaneously acknowledges Daniel's connection to a higher power.
  • "Spirit of the holy gods": Nebuchadnezzar, a polytheistic monarch, uses plural language ("gods"), consistent with his pagan worldview. However, his recognition of a "spirit" that grants unparalleled understanding points to the singular, true God of Daniel. The KJV's "holy gods" reflects the king's perception of a divine, pure, and distinct spiritual power at work in Daniel, contrasting with the limited, often deceptive, spirits invoked by his own magicians. This phrase implicitly refers to the Spirit of God working through Daniel.
  • "No secret troubleth thee": This phrase emphasizes Daniel's unparalleled ability to discern and interpret mysteries. It implies that Daniel possesses an insight beyond human capacity, indicating a divine anointing that allows him to grasp truths that remain hidden from others.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:9 reminds us that God equips His servants with unique gifts for His purposes. Like Daniel, believers today are called to walk in discernment and wisdom, relying not on worldly knowledge but on the Spirit of God to understand and navigate life's complexities. This verse encourages us to seek God for understanding and to trust that He can reveal profound truths through His chosen vessels, even in challenging or seemingly impossible situations. It also highlights the reality that even those outside the faith can recognize the presence and power of God at work in the lives of His people.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 2:48

    Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon.

  • Daniel 5:11

    There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, [I say], thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, [and] soothsayers;

  • Daniel 4:8

    But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, [saying],

  • Daniel 1:20

    And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

  • Ezekiel 28:3

    Behold, thou [art] wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

  • Daniel 4:5

    I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

  • Genesis 41:38

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?

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