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 4:18KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 4:18 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:18 mean?

Daniel 4:18 shows King Nebuchadnezzar asking Daniel (called Belteshazzar) to explain a troubling dream, because none of the other wise men in Babylon could do it, but the king believes Daniel can, since he recognizes that a special divine spirit is in him. The verse highlights the king’s trust in Daniel’s unique ability to interpret mysteries that others cannot.

In this verse, Nebuchadnezzar is speaking directly to Daniel after describing his dream. The king has already tried to get an explanation from all the wise men in his kingdom, but they failed. He turns to Daniel, whom he calls by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar, and expresses confidence in Daniel’s insight, attributing it to "the spirit of the holy gods" within him—a phrase showing the king’s recognition of something extraordinary about Daniel, even if he doesn’t fully understand its source.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:18

  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, rûaḥ): This word can mean breath, wind, or spirit. Here, it points to a special inner quality or power that Nebuchadnezzar senses in Daniel, setting him apart from the other wise men.
  • "holy" (קַדִּישִׁין, qaddîshîn): This word means set apart or sacred. The king describes the spirit in Daniel as holy, showing respect for its purity or divine origin, even if his understanding is shaped by his own beliefs.
  • "gods" (אֱלָהִין, ’ĕlāhîn): This is a plural word for gods, reflecting Nebuchadnezzar’s polytheistic background. He recognizes something divine in Daniel but describes it in the terms familiar to him as a Babylonian.

Why Daniel 4:18 matters

  • Daniel 4:18 shows Nebuchadnezzar’s growing respect for Daniel and hints at the king’s gradual recognition of a higher power at work, even if he doesn’t yet fully grasp the God Daniel serves.
  • The verse sets up the contrast between Daniel and the other wise men, emphasizing that true understanding comes from a source beyond human wisdom.
  • This moment prepares the reader for the dramatic interpretation Daniel will soon give, highlighting the tension and anticipation in the story.

Where else these words appear

“able” Hebrew H3546 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 2:26 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 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 2:26 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 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 4:19 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.

“able” Hebrew H3202 · used in 11 verses

  • Daniel 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
  • Daniel 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
  • Daniel 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

“spirit” Hebrew H7308 · used in 11 verses

  • Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
  • Daniel 5:11 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;
  • Daniel 5:20 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: