King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:19 Mean?

Daniel 5:19 in the King James Version says “And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew ; and whom he would he kept alive ; and whom he would he set up ; and whom he would he put down .”

Daniel 5:19 · KJV

Context

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. rewards: or, fee

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

19

And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew ; and whom he would he kept alive ; and whom he would he set up ; and whom he would he put down .

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: in pride: or, to deal proudly deposed: Cald. made to come down

And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. his heart: or, he made his heart equal, etc

Read Daniel 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

Daniel describes the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's God-given authority: all peoples feared him; he had absolute power of life and death ('whom he would he slew, whom he would he kept alive, whom he would he set up, whom he would he put down'). This depicts complete sovereignty—the marks of ultimate earthly authority. Yet this power came as gift ('for the majesty that he gave him'), not inherent right. The comprehensive scope ('all people, nations, and languages') emphasizes universal dominion. This historical review serves multiple purposes: reminding Belshazzar of God's sovereignty over kingdoms, establishing that even the mightiest rulers rule by divine permission, and preparing for the contrast between Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humbling/restoration and Belshazzar's coming judgment without restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings wielded absolute power—no constitutional limitations, democratic checks, or judicial appeals constrained royal authority. Nebuchadnezzar's historical record confirms this: he executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes (2 Kings 25:7), destroyed Jerusalem and temple, exiled populations, and built empire through military might. Yet Daniel's interpretation reframes even this absolute power as delegated authority—'the majesty that he gave him.' This theological reading of history affirms God's sovereignty over even tyrannical rulers (Romans 13:1). For oppressed people, this provides both comfort (tyrants rule only by God's permission and only temporarily) and challenge (resisting tyranny doesn't mean denying God's sovereign purposes).

Reflection Questions

What does God's granting absolute power to Nebuchadnezzar teach about divine sovereignty over even tyrannical rulers?
How should recognizing that rulers' authority comes as divine delegation affect our response to governmental power?
Why does Daniel emphasize that even life-and-death authority was delegated rather than inherent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words

מִן1 of 34

“And for”

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

רְבוּתָא֙2 of 34

“the majesty”

increase (of dignity)

דִּ֣י3 of 34

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

יְהַב4 of 34

“that he gave”

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

לֵ֔הּ5 of 34

כֹּ֣ל6 of 34

“him all”

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

עַֽמְמַיָּ֗א7 of 34

“people”

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֻמַיָּא֙8 of 34

“nations”

a collection, i.e., community of persons

וְלִשָּׁ֣נַיָּ֔א9 of 34

“and languages”

speech, i.e., a nation

הֲוָ֥א10 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

זָאְעִ֥ין11 of 34

to shake (with fear)

וְדָחֲלִ֖ין12 of 34

“and feared”

to slink, i.e., (by implication) to fear, or (causatively) be formidable

מִן13 of 34

“And for”

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

קֳדָמ֑וֹהִי14 of 34

“him”

before

דִּֽי15 of 34

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

הֲוָ֥א16 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

צָבֵ֜א17 of 34

to please

הֲוָ֥א18 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

קָטֵ֗ל19 of 34

to kill

וְדִֽי20 of 34

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

הֲוָ֥א21 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

צָבֵא֙22 of 34

to please

הֲוָ֥א23 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

מַחֵ֔א24 of 34

to live

וְדִֽי25 of 34

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

הֲוָ֥א26 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

צָבֵא֙27 of 34

to please

הֲוָ֥א28 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

מָרִ֔ים29 of 34

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

וְדִֽי30 of 34

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

הֲוָ֥א31 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

צָבֵ֖א32 of 34

to please

הֲוָ֥א33 of 34

“he set up”

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

מַשְׁפִּֽל׃34 of 34

to humble

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 5:19 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 5:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 2:12-13 Daniel 3:6 Daniel 3:4 Romans 13:1 John 19:11 Daniel 3:29

Test Your Knowledge

Daniel 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter Daniel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Daniel 5 with Commentary All Daniel Chapters Complete Daniel Quiz Bible Characters Nave's Topical Bible All Bible Quizzes