King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:12 Mean?

Daniel 5:12 in the King James Version says “Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentence...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Daniel 5:12 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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

14

I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The queen details Daniel's specific abilities: 'excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, showing hard sentences, and dissolving doubts.' These encompass the full range of wisdom—intellectual acuity, spiritual discernment, interpretive skill, and problem-solving ability. The phrase 'interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts' catalogs precisely what the current situation requires. She concludes with recommendation: 'let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.' This confident assertion demonstrates complete faith in Daniel's abilities based on previous performance. The verse emphasizes that the solution to their crisis isn't finding better human wisdom or more sophisticated methods—it's consulting the man who possesses God's Spirit. This reinforces the consistent biblical principle: spiritual problems require spiritual solutions; divine revelation requires divinely-illuminated interpreters.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The queen mother's catalog of Daniel's abilities—dream interpretation, solving hard problems, dissolving doubts—reflects ancient Near Eastern categories of wisdom. Dream interpretation was highly valued (as in Egypt with Joseph, Genesis 41). 'Hard sentences' (Aramaic קִשְׁרִין/qishrin) refers to riddles, puzzles, or difficult problems requiring insight. 'Dissolving doubts' means untying knots—solving complex issues. These weren't merely intellectual exercises but practical governance needs: kings required advisors who could interpret omens, solve administrative problems, and provide wise counsel. Daniel's proven abilities in Nebuchadnezzar's time established him as possessing these competencies through divine gift rather than human training alone.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the queen mother's confidence in Daniel contrast with the king's desperate searching among failed experts?
  2. What does Daniel's comprehensive wisdom (knowledge, understanding, interpretation, problem-solving) teach about Spirit-filled competence?
  3. Why do spiritual problems require spiritually-gifted solutions rather than merely sophisticated human methods?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
כָּל1 of 26
H3606

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

קֳבֵ֡ל2 of 26

“Forasmuch as”

H6903

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

דִּ֣י3 of 26
H1768

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

ר֣וּחַ׀4 of 26

“spirit”

H7308

mind, spirit

יַתִּירָ֡ה5 of 26

“an excellent”

H3493

preeminent; as an adverb, very

וּמַנְדַּ֡ע6 of 26

“and knowledge”

H4486

wisdom or intelligence

וְשָׂכְלְתָנ֡וּ7 of 26

“and understanding”

H7924

intelligence

מְפַשַּׁ֣ר8 of 26

“interpreting”

H6590

to interpret

חֶלְמִין֩9 of 26

“of dreams”

H2493

a dream

וַֽאַֽחֲוָיַ֨ת10 of 26

“and shewing”

H263

solution (of riddles)

אֲחִידָ֜ן11 of 26

“of hard sentences”

H280

an enigma

וּמְשָׁרֵ֣א12 of 26

“and dissolving”

H8271

to free, separate; figuratively, to unravel, commence; by implication (of unloading beasts) to reside

קִטְרִ֗ין13 of 26

“of doubts”

H7001

a knot (as tied up), i.e., (figuratively) a riddle; also a vertebra (as if a knot)

הִשְׁתְּכַ֤חַת14 of 26

“were found”

H7912

to discover (literally or figuratively)

בֵּהּ֙15 of 26
H0
דָּנִיֵּ֥אל16 of 26

“in the same Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

דִּֽי17 of 26
H1768

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

מַלְכָּ֥א18 of 26

“whom the king”

H4430

a king

שָׂם19 of 26

“named”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁמֵ֖הּ20 of 26
H8036

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

בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר21 of 26

“Belteshazzar”

H1096

belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel

כְּעַ֛ן22 of 26

“now”

H3705

now

דָּנִיֵּ֥אל23 of 26

“in the same Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

יִתְקְרֵ֖י24 of 26

“be called”

H7123

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

וּפִשְׁרָ֥ה25 of 26

“the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

יְהַֽחֲוֵֽה׃26 of 26

“and he will shew”

H2324

to show

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 5:12 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 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 5:14Daniel 6:3Daniel 1:7Proverbs 12:26Daniel 5:16Psalms 16:3

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