Daniel 5:12 kjv
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.
Daniel 5:12 nkjv
Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation."
Daniel 5:12 niv
He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."
Daniel 5:12 esv
because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."
Daniel 5:12 nlt
This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."
Daniel 5 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 5:12 | Daniel, who was afterward called Belteshazzar, was found to have an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, to interpret dreams, and to show hard sentences, and to unloose knots: this Daniel was taken before the king. | King appointing Daniel |
| Dan 1:17 | As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. | God giving wisdom |
| Dan 2:20-23 | Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and the secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou that hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me what we requested of the king. | Daniel’s acknowledgment of God for wisdom |
| 1 Kings 4:29 | And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that lieth upon the sea shore. | Solomon’s divinely given wisdom |
| Prov 2:6 | For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. | Source of wisdom |
| Col 2:3 | In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ as the embodiment of wisdom |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. | How to obtain wisdom |
| 1 Cor 2:10-11 | But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. | The Spirit revealing divine knowledge |
| Exod 31:3 | And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; | Spirit of God and wisdom |
| 1 Cor 12:8-10 | For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: | Gifts of the Spirit including wisdom and knowledge |
| Acts 6:10 | And they could not resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. | Stephen speaking with wisdom |
| Josh 1:8 | This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. | Prosperity linked to understanding God’s word |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. | God’s plans for prosperity |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. | Qualities of commendable thought |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? | Angels ministering |
| Matt 13:10-11 | And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. | Mysteries of the kingdom given to disciples |
| Mark 4:11 | And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: | Mystery of the kingdom given to know |
| Ps 119:97-100 | O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because they keep thy precepts. | Wisdom through God's law |
| Jer 3:15 | And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. | Pastors feeding with knowledge |
| Eph 4:11-13 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: | Gifts given for building up the church |
Daniel 5 verses
Daniel 5 12 Meaning
This verse states that Daniel, in whom is the "spirit of the holy gods" (for the Aramaic "qōdeš ’Ělāhîn" can be plural or singular, suggesting deity in its fullness or a plural expression of divine nature), demonstrated excellent wisdom and understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and unravel difficult questions. This divine enablement qualified him to be appointed to a high position.
Daniel 5 12 Context
Chapter 5 of Daniel narrates the downfall of Babylonian King Belshazzar and his kingdom. This verse specifically highlights Daniel's exceptional capabilities when summoned by the king in a moment of crisis. The preceding verses (Dan 5:1-11) describe Belshazzar’s impious feast where sacred vessels from the Jerusalem Temple were profaned, followed by the mysterious appearance of writing on the wall. The queen mother then reminds Belshazzar of Daniel, the wise man from the Jewish exiles, who had previously served his father, Nebuchadnezzar, with distinction. This verse introduces Daniel's re-emergence and the reasons for his summoning—his renowned wisdom and skill in interpretation. The immediate historical context is the climactic siege of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, which is shortly to follow.
Daniel 5 12 Word Analysis
- "a spirit": Hebrew: "rūaḥ" (רוּחַ); Aramaic: "rūḥa" (רוּחַ). Can mean spirit, wind, breath, or ghost. In this context, it signifies an inner disposition, faculty, or endowment.
- "excellent": Aramaic: "ṭāb" (טָב). Means good, excellent, pleasant.
- "spirit": Aramaic: "rūḥa" (רוּחַ). Refers to an inner quality or disposition.
- "knowledge": Aramaic: "yědā‘a" (יְדָעָא). Refers to the understanding gained through learning or experience.
- "and": Aramaic: "wə" (וְ). Conjunction.
- "understanding": Aramaic: "bînah" (בִּינָה). The ability to discern, comprehend, and distinguish.
- "to interpret": Aramaic: "lěpšār" (לְפַשַּׁר). To explain, expound, solve, or interpret.
- "dreams": Aramaic: "ḥăwāyāṯ" (חֲוָיַת). Visions, dreams.
- "to show": Aramaic: "lə-mellāḵ" (לְמֵילָךְ). To utter, to declare, to explain.
- "hard sentences": Aramaic: "pěṯqāḏēnnāṯ" (פִּתְגָמִין). Pronouncements, decisions, decrees, interpretations.
- "and": Aramaic: "wə" (וְ).
- "to loose knots": Aramaic: "lə-šări nərkūḵ" (לְשָׁרָא נִרְכָו). To untangle intricate or difficult problems, like loosening knots. This is a metaphor for solving complex enigmas.
- "this Daniel": Aramaic: "dinā’îl-hû" (דִּֽי־דָּנִיֵּאל). Emphasizes Daniel.
- "was taken": Aramaic: "ḇalî" (בָּלִי). Was brought, was led.
- "before the king": Aramaic: "qōḇəl mĕləḵ" (קֳדָם מֶלֶךְ). In the presence of the king.
Grouped Analysis:
- "spirit of excellent knowledge and understanding": This phrase (Aramaic: "rūḥa ṭāḇaṯ yědā‘ā wə-ḇînah" - רוּחַ טָבַת יְדָעָא וּבִינָה) describes Daniel's innate wisdom and comprehension as being exceptionally good and divinely sourced, not merely learned human wisdom.
- "to interpret dreams, and to show hard sentences, and to unloose knots": These three clauses represent progressive levels of wisdom and problem-solving ability: understanding divine communications (dreams), interpreting complex pronouncements or decrees, and resolving the most intricate of riddles or paradoxes.
Daniel 5 12 Bonus Section
The term "spirit of the holy gods" (or "holy spirit" depending on the translation and interpretation of the Aramaic plural) is significant. While Nebuchadnezzar's declaration in Dan 4:8 refers to Daniel having "the spirit of the holy gods," this verse confirms that such a spirit resided within Daniel. This suggests a special impartation of the divine spirit for specific tasks and roles, aligning with the New Testament understanding of the Spirit’s gifts, including wisdom and knowledge (1 Cor 12:8). Daniel's effectiveness in solving seemingly impossible problems was a testament to the power of the Spirit. This verse also serves as a precursor to the divine judgment about to be revealed on Belshazzar, as only a divinely equipped interpreter can decipher the divine message.
Daniel 5 12 Commentary
Daniel is portrayed as a man gifted by God with exceptional wisdom. This isn't mere academic intelligence but a divinely imparted insight that allows him to understand hidden matters and complex situations. His ability to interpret dreams, explain difficult pronouncements (like Nebuchadnezzar’s visions), and solve enigmatic problems ("loose knots") marks him as uniquely qualified. This divine enablement is what sets him apart and makes him valuable to kings. The narrative emphasizes that such wisdom originates from God, who appoints and removes rulers (Dan 2:21). Therefore, Daniel's position and effectiveness are directly linked to his spiritual endowment and reliance on God.