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.