King James Version

What Does Daniel 4:19 Mean?

Daniel 4:19 in the King James Version says “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 4:19 · KJV

Context

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;

21

Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's response to the dream interpretation reveals his character: he's 'astonied' (Hebrew דָּהַם/daham, stunned/appalled) for 'one hour' (brief period), and his thoughts 'troubled him.' This distress isn't due to interpretive difficulty—God had revealed the meaning—but to the message's severity. Daniel must tell the king who had honored and promoted him that devastating judgment approaches. The king, perceiving Daniel's distress, reassures him: 'let not the dream or the interpretation thereof trouble thee.' This shows Nebuchadnezzar's regard for Daniel and desire to hear truth even if unfavorable. Daniel's tactful response—'My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies'—expresses genuine wish that this judgment might fall on the king's enemies rather than the king himself. This reveals Daniel's compassion even for a pagan ruler, echoing Jeremiah's instruction to exiles to 'seek the peace' of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern court culture made Daniel's position precarious. Bearers of bad news to kings risked death—tyrants regularly executed messengers announcing military defeats or unfavorable omens. Daniel's year-long troubled state shows his awareness of this danger and genuine care for the king. Nebuchadnezzar's reassurance ('let not the dream...trouble thee') reveals his development since chapter 2, when he nearly executed all wise men. Decades of Daniel's faithful service had built trust. This historical context heightens the scene's dramatic tension: will Daniel speak truth risking royal anger, or soften the message to preserve position? His choice to interpret honestly demonstrates prophetic integrity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Daniel's distress before delivering judgment teach about balancing prophetic truth-telling with pastoral compassion?
  2. How does Daniel's wish that the judgment might fall on the king's enemies rather than the king himself demonstrate Christian love for adversaries?
  3. Why is speaking difficult truth an act of love, even when it risks personal consequence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
אֱדַ֨יִן1 of 26

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

דָּֽנִיֵּ֜אל2 of 26

“Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

דִּֽי3 of 26
H1768

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

שְׁמֵ֣הּ4 of 26

“whose name”

H8036

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

בֵלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙5 of 26

“Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

אֶשְׁתּוֹמַם֙6 of 26

“was astonied”

H8075

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

כְּשָׁעָ֣ה7 of 26

“hour”

H8160

properly, a look, i.e., a moment

חֲדָ֔ה8 of 26

“for one”

H2298

as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once

וְרַעְיֹנֹ֖הִי9 of 26

“and his thoughts”

H7476

a grasp. i.e., (figuratively) mental conception

יְבַהֲלָ֔ךְ10 of 26

“thereof trouble”

H927

to terrify, hasten

עָנֵ֤ה11 of 26

“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,

מַלְכָּ֜א12 of 26

“him The king”

H4430

a king

וְאָמַ֔ר13 of 26

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

בֵלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙14 of 26

“Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

חֶלְמָ֥א15 of 26

“the dream”

H2493

a dream

וּפִשְׁרֵ֥הּ16 of 26

“or the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

אַֽל17 of 26

“let not”

H409

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יְבַהֲלָ֔ךְ18 of 26

“thereof trouble”

H927

to terrify, hasten

עָנֵ֤ה19 of 26

“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,

בֵלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙20 of 26

“Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

וְאָמַ֔ר21 of 26

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

מָרִ֕אי22 of 26

“My lord”

H4756

a master

חֶלְמָ֥א23 of 26

“the dream”

H2493

a dream

לְשָֽׂנְאָ֖יךְ24 of 26

“be to them that hate”

H8131

to hate

וּפִשְׁרֵ֥הּ25 of 26

“or the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

לְעָרָֽיךְ׃26 of 26

“thereof to thine enemies”

H6146

a foe (as watchful for mischief)

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 4:19 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 4:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 7:28Daniel 8:271 Samuel 3:17Jeremiah 4:192 Samuel 18:31-32Daniel 4:24

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