The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

DANIEL 2:26KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 2:26 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:26 mean?

Daniel 2:26 describes King Nebuchadnezzar directly asking Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar, whether he can reveal both the king’s dream and its meaning. The king is testing Daniel’s ability to do what none of his other wise men could: tell him the dream he had and explain what it means.

In this scene, Nebuchadnezzar is speaking to Daniel after the failure of the Babylonian magicians and wise men to meet his challenge. The king uses Daniel’s Babylonian name, Belteshazzar, showing Daniel’s foreign status at court. The question highlights the seriousness of the situation—Nebuchadnezzar wants proof that Daniel can truly access hidden knowledge, not just offer guesses or interpretations.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:26

  • "Belteshazzar" (בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר, beltəshaʾtzar): This is Daniel’s Babylonian name, used by the king to address him formally and perhaps to remind him of his outsider status.
  • "Able" (כְּהֵל, kehel): This word means "capable" or "having the power." The king is not just asking if Daniel is willing, but if he truly has the power to do what is being asked.
  • "Known" (יְדַע, yedaʿ): This word means "to make known" or "to reveal." The king wants Daniel to uncover something hidden, not just interpret something already told.
  • "Dream" (חֶלְמָא, ḥelmaʾ) and "interpretation" (פְּשַׁר, peshar): The king demands both the content of his mysterious dream and its explanation, showing he is not satisfied with just an interpretation—he wants proof of true insight.

Why Daniel 2:26 matters

  • This verse sets up the dramatic tension of the story by showing that Nebuchadnezzar is not looking for a simple interpretation, but for someone who can reveal the dream itself, something only a person with divine insight could do.
  • The use of Daniel’s Babylonian name, Belteshazzar, emphasizes his foreign identity and the cultural context of exile, reminding readers that Daniel is serving in a foreign court under a foreign king.
  • The verse highlights the failure of human wisdom and the expectation of something supernatural, preparing the reader for the revelation that follows and underscoring the uniqueness of Daniel’s God-given abilities.

Where else these words appear

“able” Hebrew H3546 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:18 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.
  • Daniel 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
  • Daniel 5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

“Belteshazzar” Hebrew H1096 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 4:8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
  • Daniel 4:9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
  • Daniel 4:19 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.

“name” Hebrew H8036 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • Daniel 4:8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

“Art” Hebrew H383 · used in 16 verses

  • Ezra 4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
  • Daniel 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
  • Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.