King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:11 Mean?

Daniel 5:11 in the King James Version says “There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understan...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; father: or, grandfather”

Daniel 5:11 · KJV

Holy SpiritWisdom

Context

9

Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. countenance: Cald. brightnesses

10

Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

11

There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; father: or, grandfather

12

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. interpreting: or, of an interpreter dissolving: or, of a dissolver doubts: Cald. knots

13

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? father: or, grandfather

Read Daniel 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The queen describes Daniel's credentials: 'There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him.' She recounts Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of Daniel's unique abilities, his appointment as 'master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.' The phrase 'spirit of the holy gods' echoes chapter 4:8-9, 18—recognizing supernatural enablement though using polytheistic terminology. The description emphasizes Daniel's proven track record: Nebuchadnezzar himself (thy father) had identified and elevated him. This recommendation is powerful: the great king Nebuchadnezzar trusted Daniel; surely Belshazzar should too. The reference to 'light and understanding and wisdom' uses biblical terminology for divine illumination—Daniel possessed what the current wise men lacked.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel's apparent retirement or marginalization under Belshazzar's co-regency (Nabonidus's reign) meant the current king didn't know him personally, though he was well-known to the previous generation. This often happens in governmental transitions: new administrations sideline previous advisors. The queen mother's institutional memory preserved knowledge of Daniel's abilities. Her description emphasizes his proven reliability—not untested claims but documented history under Nebuchadnezzar. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God's faithful servants may face seasons of obscurity before being called back for crucial roles (Moses, David, Paul). Divine preparation often includes periods of waiting and apparent uselessness before strategic deployment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Daniel's period of marginalization followed by sudden recall teach about God's timing and providence?
  2. How does proven faithfulness in previous seasons establish credibility for future ministry?
  3. Why might God allow His servants to be sidelined before bringing them forward at crucial moments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
אִיתַ֨י1 of 28

“There is”

H383

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

גְּבַ֜ר2 of 28

“a man”

H1400

a person

בְּמַלְכוּתָ֗ךְ3 of 28

“in thy kingdom”

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

דִּ֠י4 of 28
H1768

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

ר֣וּחַ5 of 28

“in whom is the spirit”

H7308

mind, spirit

אֱלָהִ֖ין6 of 28

“gods”

H426

god

קַדִּישִׁין֮7 of 28

“of the holy”

H6922

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

בֵּהּ֒8 of 28
H0
וּבְיוֹמֵ֣י9 of 28

“and in the days”

H3118

a day

אֲב֥וּךְ10 of 28

“I say thy father”

H2

father

נַהִיר֧וּ11 of 28

“light”

H5094

illumination, i.e., (figuratively) wisdom

וְשָׂכְלְתָנ֛וּ12 of 28

“and understanding”

H7924

intelligence

כְּחָכְמַת13 of 28

“and wisdom”

H2452

wisdom

כְּחָכְמַת14 of 28

“and wisdom”

H2452

wisdom

אֱלָהִ֖ין15 of 28

“gods”

H426

god

הִשְׁתְּכַ֣חַת16 of 28

“was found”

H7912

to discover (literally or figuratively)

בֵּ֑הּ17 of 28
H0
מַלְכָּֽא׃18 of 28

“in him whom the king”

H4430

a king

נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּר֙19 of 28

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

אֲב֥וּךְ20 of 28

“I say thy father”

H2

father

רַ֧ב21 of 28

“master”

H7229

abundant

חַרְטֻמִּ֣ין22 of 28

“of the magicians”

H2749

a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles)

אָֽשְׁפִ֗ין23 of 28

“astrologers”

H826

a conjurer

כַּשְׂדָּאִין֙24 of 28

“Chaldeans”

H3779

a chaldaean or inhabitant of chaldaea; by implication, a magian or professional astrologer

גָּזְרִ֔ין25 of 28

“and soothsayers”

H1505

to quarry; determine

הֲקִימֵ֖הּ26 of 28

“made”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֲב֥וּךְ27 of 28

“I say thy father”

H2

father

מַלְכָּֽא׃28 of 28

“in him whom the king”

H4430

a king

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 5:11 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 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 4:8-9Daniel 4:18Daniel 2:47-48Daniel 5:142 Samuel 14:17Acts 12:22

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Daniel 5 →

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