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
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“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 4:9 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 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?

“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:

“holy” Hebrew H6922 · used in 12 verses

  • 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 4:18 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 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;