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 4:8KJV
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Daniel 4:8 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:8 mean?

Daniel 4:8 describes how Daniel, also known as Belteshazzar, finally comes before King Nebuchadnezzar to hear the king’s troubling dream. The verse highlights that Daniel is called by a Babylonian name linked to the king’s god, and that the king recognizes something special—“the spirit of the holy gods”—in Daniel.

In this scene, King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking, recounting his experience to his audience. The king has already summoned other wise men to interpret his dream, but none could help. Daniel’s arrival is presented as a turning point, and the king’s words show both respect for Daniel’s abilities and a hint of the king’s own beliefs, as he refers to both his god and the “holy gods” he sees at work in Daniel.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:8

  • בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר (Belteshazzar, H1096): This is Daniel’s Babylonian name, given to him in honor of Nebuchadnezzar’s god. The use of this name reminds the reader of Daniel’s foreign setting and the king’s attempt to assimilate him.
  • רוּחַ (ruach, H7308): Translated as “spirit,” this word can mean breath, wind, or spirit. Here, it points to something extraordinary about Daniel—Nebuchadnezzar senses a divine or supernatural quality in him.
  • אֱלָהִין קַדִּישִׁין (elahin qaddishin, H426 H6922): “Holy gods.” The king uses a plural form, reflecting his polytheistic background and showing that he does not yet fully understand Daniel’s God but recognizes something sacred in Daniel.

Why Daniel 4:8 matters

  • Daniel 4:8 shows that even a powerful king like Nebuchadnezzar recognizes Daniel’s unique wisdom and spiritual insight, setting Daniel apart from all other wise men in Babylon.
  • The verse highlights the tension between Daniel’s faith and his Babylonian environment—he is called by a name tied to a foreign god, yet the king sees a different, higher spirit in him.
  • This moment prepares the reader for Daniel’s interpretation of the dream, emphasizing that true understanding comes from the God Daniel serves, not from Babylonian magic or wisdom.