Daniel 4:18 kjv
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.
Daniel 4:18 nkjv
"This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you."
Daniel 4:18 niv
"This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
Daniel 4:18 esv
This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
Daniel 4:18 nlt
"'Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'
Daniel 4 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 4:17 | The sentence is by the decree of watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whom He will, and sets it over it the basest of men. | Interpretation of the dream's source and purpose |
| Ps 75:6-7 | For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. | God's sovereignty in elevating and humbling leaders |
| Ps 113:7-8 | He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. | God's power to elevate the lowly |
| Prov 16:8 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | The value of righteousness over wealth and power |
| Jer 27:5-7 | I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and I will give it to whom it is right in my sight. Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. Even all nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson until the time of his own land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave. | God's appointment of Nebuchadnezzar as His servant |
| Luke 1:52 | He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. | God's power against the proud |
| John 19:10-11 | So Jesus said to him, "You have no authority at all against me, unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me up to you has the greater sin." | Jesus' affirmation of Pilate's authority as given by God |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. | All human authority originates from God |
| Rev 1:8 | "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." | God's eternal and absolute power |
| Job 42:2 | "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." | Job's acknowledgment of God's omnipotence |
| Acts 14:17 | though he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness. | God's provision as evidence of His existence and goodness |
| Isa 14:12-15 | "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the north of Mount Zion; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit." | Parallel narrative of pride and fall of another king (Lucifer/King of Babylon) |
| Prov 27:1 | Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. | The uncertainty of human plans compared to divine sovereignty |
| Matt 6:13 | and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. | Prayer for deliverance from God's judgment or trials |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. | Daniel's prayer emphasizing God's control over earthly powers |
| Dan 5:18-19 | O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty. And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; whom he would he exalted, and whom he would he abased. | Belshazzar's recounting of his grandfather's reign and God's role |
| Ps 107:40 | He pours contempt on princes and causes them to wander in trackless wastes. | God's action against proud rulers |
| 1 Sam 2:7 | The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. | Hannah's song affirming God's sovereignty over circumstances |
| Acts 12:22-23 | The people began shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. | Herod Agrippa I's pride and subsequent death |
Daniel 4 verses
Daniel 4 18 Meaning
This verse marks a turning point in Nebuchadnezzar's testimony. He has recounted his dream and the interpretation, acknowledging it was sent by the Most High. Here, he recognizes God's power and sovereignty, especially in relation to His actions toward the king. Nebuchadnezzar is now explicitly confessing that his earthly dominion and glory were granted and can be taken away by God. The verse is a crucial declaration of submission and acknowledgment of divine authority over human power.
Daniel 4 18 Context
This verse appears in Daniel chapter 4, which recounts a dream and its interpretation given by Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The dream involved a great tree that was cut down, leaving only a stump. Daniel interpreted this as a judgment upon Nebuchadnezzar, stating that he would lose his kingdom and live like an animal due to his pride and arrogance. Nebuchadnezzar, having initially dismissed the interpretation and continued in his haughtiness, is now facing the predicted consequence. Daniel is delivering the final warning before the judgment is fully executed. This specific verse is part of Nebuchadnezzar's own testimony later in the chapter, where he recounts the dream and its interpretation and confesses his prior blindness and his current acknowledgment of God's supreme authority. The historical context is Nebuchadnezzar's reign, a period of great Babylonian power and expansion, during which his own perception of his authority often overshadowed his acknowledgment of divine sources.
Daniel 4 18 Word analysis
- Therefore: A conjunctive adverb showing cause and effect, linking Nebuchadnezzar's recognition to the dream's interpretation and the coming judgment.
- I (Ani): First-person singular pronoun, indicating a personal confession and acknowledgment.
- counseled: (Hebrew: ʾitbūlah - אִיתְּבֻלָה) This Aramaic word refers to giving advice or making a plan. In this context, Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that he should have sought counsel from the Most High, implying a recognition of God's superior wisdom and authority in guiding his decisions. It speaks to a need for divine direction in governance.
- that it may be well with me: Expresses a desire for personal well-being and prosperity, indicating that submission to God's will is understood as the path to favor and a positive outcome. This highlights a fundamental human desire for a good life, which in this theological context is found through obedience.
- or: Conjunction introducing an alternative, implying that without heeding the counsel, the outcome would be negative.
- my transgressing: (Hebrew: mishṣad - מִשַּׂד) This term, when transliterated from Aramaic, relates to acting in opposition or rebellion. It points to transgressing divine commands or laws, moving away from the right path as defined by God.
- might be remedied / forgiveness (Hebrew: laṣalu — לְמִפְרַע or תִּתְרוֹפָא — תִּתְרוֹפָא). The interpretation here hinges on understanding the Aramaic. While "remedied" captures a sense of fixing, "forgiveness" implies a need for divine absolution due to the transgression. Scholars note that the verb stems can carry these nuances of healing, restoration, and clemency. This emphasizes God's willingness to pardon upon repentance.
words-group by words-group analysis
- Therefore I counseled to do this: This phrase encapsulates Nebuchadnezzar's realization that seeking divine counsel is essential for prudent action and favorable outcomes. It underscores the recognition that decisions must align with God's will.
- and that it may be well with me, or my transgressing might be remedied: This part reveals Nebuchadnezzar's understanding that proper alignment with God's will not only brings well-being but also offers a means to correct or mitigate the consequences of sin or rebellion against divine authority. It points to the salvific aspect of acknowledging God's power.
Daniel 4 18 Bonus section
This verse, spoken as part of Nebuchadnezzar's later recounting, showcases the transformative power of God's judgments. His humbled testimony serves as an enduring testament to God's ultimate authority, a message directed not only to his contemporaries but also echoing through the ages as a warning against pride and an encouragement to seek divine guidance in all matters of life and governance. It highlights that "counseling" God is not about advising Him, but about submitting to His revealed will.
Daniel 4 18 Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's confession here signifies a profound personal encounter with divine truth, prompted by a terrifying dream and its dire interpretation. His prior arrogance has given way to humility as he acknowledges that his prosperity and good fortune are gifts from God, contingent upon his obedience. He realizes that consulting with God (or those who speak for Him, like Daniel) is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom, leading to both well-being and the possibility of averting judgment through repentance. This verse demonstrates that true prosperity is tied to submitting to the Most High's sovereignty, recognizing that sin incurs consequences but that God also provides a way for remedies and forgiveness through His appointed channels. It is a foundational principle: recognizing God's rule over all things is the first step towards experiencing His blessings.