King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:26 Mean?

Daniel 2:26 in the King James Version says “The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?”

Daniel 2:26 · KJV

Context

24

Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

25

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. I have: Cald. That I have found captives: Cald. children of the captivity of Judah

26

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

27

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

28

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; maketh: Cald. hath made known

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's question tests Daniel's ability: "The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?" Calling him "Belteshazzar" (his Babylonian name honoring Bel/Marduk) emphasizes the king's perspective—Daniel remains a subject named for Babylon's god. Yet Daniel will prove that Yahweh, not Bel, reveals mysteries. The irony: a man named for a false god will demonstrate the true God's supremacy.

The king's question "Art thou able" tests Daniel's confidence. This is the moment—can this young Jew accomplish what all Babylon's wisdom failed to do? The question's phrasing allows honest answer; Daniel could admit inability without shame since everyone else already failed. Yet Daniel's coming response will demonstrate that while he personally isn't able, God is. True humility admits human inability while confidently asserting divine capability.

This question parallels many biblical tests: Can these dry bones live (Ezekiel 37:3)? Can anything good come from Nazareth (John 1:46)? Is anything too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:14)? The answer always demonstrates God's power exceeding human expectation or capability. Daniel's moment prefigures countless situations where believers face impossible demands, discovering that what humans cannot do, God accomplishes. This points to Christ who accomplished impossible salvation—conquering sin, death, and Satan through apparent weakness (crucifixion) that became ultimate power (resurrection).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Royal testing of advisors was common—kings demanded demonstration of claimed abilities. Nebuchadnezzar's test was unusually severe but strategically brilliant—it prevented fraud while providing absolute validation of genuine supernatural knowledge. His question created conditions for undeniable demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy. Throughout Scripture, God orchestrates circumstances that maximize His glory—Goliath's taunts heightened David's victory, Pharaoh's stubbornness magnified exodus miracles, Christ's death on cross became instrument of salvation. Daniel's moment followed this pattern.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the king calling Daniel by his Babylonian name while Daniel demonstrates Yahweh's superiority teach about ironic providence?
  2. How does the question 'Art thou able' create opportunity to demonstrate that human inability highlights divine capability?
  3. In what ways does this testing moment prefigure countless situations where believers face impossible demands that God accomplishes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עָנֵ֤ה1 of 14

“answered”

H6032

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מַלְכָּא֙2 of 14

“The king”

H4430

a king

וְאָמַ֣ר3 of 14

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

לְדָנִיֵּ֔אל4 of 14

“to Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

דִּ֥י5 of 14
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

שְׁמֵ֖הּ6 of 14

“whose name”

H8036

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר7 of 14

“was Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

הַֽאִיתָ֣יךְ8 of 14

“Art”

H383

properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is

כָּהֵ֗ל9 of 14

“thou able”

H3546

to be able

לְהוֹדָעֻתַ֛נִי10 of 14

“to make known”

H3046

to inform

חֶלְמָ֥א11 of 14

“unto me the dream”

H2493

a dream

דִֽי12 of 14
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

חֲזֵ֖ית13 of 14

“which I have seen”

H2370

to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)

וּפִשְׁרֵֽהּ׃14 of 14

“and the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 2:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 2:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 1:7Daniel 5:16Daniel 4:8Daniel 5:12Daniel 2:3-7Genesis 41:15

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