King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:18 Mean?

Daniel 4:18 in the King James Version says “This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as a...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

16

Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

17

This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

18

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.

19

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

20

The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

Read Daniel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof—The king's direct appeal to Daniel after his magicians failed (4:7) reveals both desperation and confidence. Nebuchadnezzar learned from chapter 2 that only Daniel's God reveals mysteries. The phrase "declare the interpretation" (pishra emer, פִּשְׁרָא אֱמַר) uses the imperative—commanding yet respectful, acknowledging Daniel's unique ability.

Forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation (כָּל־קֳבֵל דִּי כָל־חַכִּימֵי מַלְכוּתִי לָא־יָכְלִין פִּשְׁרָא לְהוֹדָעֻתַנִי)—The Aramaic kol-chakmey malkuthi la-yakhlin ("all the wise men of my kingdom are not able") emphasizes comprehensive failure of Babylon's wisdom establishment. This recurring pattern (chapters 2, 4, 5) demonstrates human wisdom's bankruptcy before divine mysteries. Pagan learning, divorced from revelation, cannot penetrate God's purposes.

But thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee (וְאַנְתָּה כָּהֵל דִּי רוּחַ אֱלָהִין קַדִּישִׁין בָּךְ)—Though Nebuchadnezzar misidentifies the source ("gods" plural rather than the one true God), he correctly recognizes supernatural enablement. The phrase ruach elahin qaddishin ("spirit of holy gods/God") acknowledges Daniel operates by divine power, not human technique. This inadvertent testimony from a pagan king confirms what Scripture consistently teaches: true wisdom requires God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Daniel will soon interpret a dream announcing the king's humiliation—demonstrating that God's servants speak truth even to power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred late in Nebuchadnezzar's reign (after 37 years of rule, based on 4:29-30). Despite earlier encounters with Daniel's God (chapters 2-3), the king remained essentially pagan, acknowledging Yahweh's power while maintaining polytheism. His inability to learn from previous humbling experiences sets up the dramatic judgment of chapter 4. Ancient kings surrounded themselves with yes-men; Daniel's willingness to interpret bad news truthfully (4:19, 27) exemplifies prophetic courage.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nebuchadnezzar's recognition that Daniel has 'the spirit of the holy gods' challenge you to live in such a way that even unbelievers recognize God's presence in your life?
  2. What does it mean to speak truth to power when the message is unwelcome, as Daniel must in interpreting this dream?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
דְּנָה֙1 of 27

“This”

H1836

this

חֶלְמָ֣א2 of 27

“dream”

H2493

a dream

חֲזֵ֔ית3 of 27

“have seen”

H2370

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

אֲנָ֖ה4 of 27

“I”

H576

i

מַלְכָּ֣א5 of 27

“king”

H4430

a king

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֑ר6 of 27

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

וְאַ֣נְתְּה7 of 27

“Now thou”

H607

thou

בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֜ר8 of 27

“O Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

פִּשְׁרָא֙9 of 27

“the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

אֱמַ֗ר10 of 27

“declare”

H560

to speak, to command

כָּל11 of 27

“all”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קֳבֵל֙12 of 27

“thereof forasmuch as”

H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דִּ֣י׀13 of 27
H1768

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

כָּל14 of 27

“all”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חַכִּימֵ֣י15 of 27

“the wise”

H2445

wise, i.e., a magian

מַלְכוּתִ֗י16 of 27

“men of my kingdom”

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

לָֽא17 of 27

“are not”

H3809

no, not

יָכְלִ֤ין18 of 27

“able”

H3202

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

פִּשְׁרָא֙19 of 27

“the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

לְהוֹדָ֣עוּתַ֔נִי20 of 27

“to make known”

H3046

to inform

וְאַ֣נְתְּה21 of 27

“Now thou”

H607

thou

כָּהֵ֔ל22 of 27

“art able”

H3546

to be able

דִּ֛י23 of 27
H1768

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

רֽוּחַ24 of 27

“for the spirit”

H7308

mind, spirit

אֱלָהִ֥ין25 of 27

“gods”

H426

god

קַדִּישִׁ֖ין26 of 27

“of the holy”

H6922

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

בָּֽךְ׃27 of 27
H0

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 4:18 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 4:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:8Daniel 5:15Daniel 5:8Daniel 4:7-9Genesis 41:151 Kings 14:2-3

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