Daniel 5:14

I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods [is] in thee, and [that] light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

I have even heard {H8086} of thee, that the spirit {H7308} of the gods {H426} is in thee {H5922}, and that light {H5094} and understanding {H7924} and excellent {H3493} wisdom {H2452} is found {H7912} in thee.

I've heard about you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have been found to have light, discernment and extraordinary wisdom.

I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in thee.

Commentary

Daniel 5:14 captures the Queen Mother's recognition of Daniel's extraordinary spiritual gifts, urging King Belshazzar to consult him regarding the mysterious handwriting on the wall. This verse highlights Daniel's established reputation for divine insight, even among pagan rulers.

Context of Daniel 5:14

This verse is spoken by the Queen Mother (likely Nebuchadnezzar's widow or mother of Belshazzar) during a chaotic feast held by King Belshazzar in Babylon. The king and his nobles were drinking from sacred vessels plundered from the temple in Jerusalem, an act of sacrilege. Suddenly, a disembodied hand appeared and wrote an inscrutable message on the palace wall (Daniel 5:5). When all the king's astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers failed to interpret the writing, the Queen Mother entered, recalling Daniel's unique ability to interpret dreams and mysteries from previous reigns, particularly under King Nebuchadnezzar. Her words serve as a crucial turning point, leading to Daniel being summoned to the royal court.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Wisdom Recognized: Even in a pagan court, Daniel's wisdom is acknowledged as supernatural, not merely human intellect. The Queen Mother, though speaking from a polytheistic worldview ("spirit of the gods"), instinctively points to a divine source for Daniel's exceptional abilities. This echoes Nebuchadnezzar's earlier recognition of Daniel's spirit.
  • God's Sovereignty in Pagan Settings: This verse underscores how God raises up and uses His servants in positions of influence, even within hostile or ungodly environments, to display His power and wisdom. Daniel's reputation for revealing secrets through God was widely known.
  • Contrast with Human Inability: The failure of Babylon's own wise men to interpret the writing starkly contrasts with Daniel's God-given insight, emphasizing that true understanding comes from God alone.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the spirit of the gods" (KJV) reflects the Queen Mother's polytheistic understanding, yet the underlying reality is that Daniel was endowed by the one true God. In the Hebrew/Aramaic context of Daniel, this often refers to a divine spirit, and for the monotheistic reader, it points to the Spirit of God. The terms "light and understanding and excellent wisdom" are comprehensive descriptions of the profound, divinely-sourced insight Daniel possessed, enabling him to discern truth and interpret complex matters beyond human capacity.

Practical Application

Daniel 5:14 reminds us that God can equip His followers with unique gifts and wisdom, even placing them in unexpected or challenging circumstances for His purposes. Our walk with God and the gifts He bestows can make a profound impact and be recognized by those around us, regardless of their own beliefs. It encourages believers to cultivate a deep reliance on God for true wisdom, knowing that He can use us to reveal His truth and provide solutions when human efforts fall short. This verse also speaks to the power of a consistent, godly testimony, which can earn respect and open doors for divine influence.

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 5:11 (1 votes)

    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 5:12 (1 votes)

    Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.