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 4:9KJV
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Daniel 4:9 (KJV)

What does Daniel 4:9 mean?

Daniel 4:9 shows King Nebuchadnezzar addressing Daniel (called Belteshazzar), recognizing him as the chief of the magicians and asking him to explain the king’s troubling dream, because Nebuchadnezzar believes Daniel has the spirit of the holy gods and can understand mysteries. The king trusts Daniel above all others to interpret what he has seen.

Nebuchadnezzar is speaking directly to Daniel, using his Babylonian name, and expressing confidence in Daniel’s unique wisdom and spiritual insight. The verse highlights the king’s reliance on Daniel when others have failed to interpret his dream, setting the stage for Daniel to reveal its meaning and showing the respect Daniel had earned in the Babylonian court.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 4:9

  • בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר (Belteshazzar, Bel-te-shat-tsar): This is Daniel’s Babylonian name, given to him by Nebuchadnezzar, reflecting his position and identity in the foreign court.
  • רַב (master, rav): This word means “chief” or “great one,” showing Daniel’s high rank among the wise men and magicians.
  • רוּחַ (spirit, ruach): The king says Daniel has the “spirit of the holy gods,” which can mean a special divine presence or wisdom, not just ordinary skill.
  • קַדִּישִׁין (holy, qaddishin): This word means “holy” or “set apart,” describing the gods as sacred or different from ordinary beings.
  • רָז (secret, raz): The king says no “secret” troubles Daniel, meaning Daniel is able to understand mysteries that others cannot.

Why Daniel 4:9 matters

  • Daniel 4:9 clears up that Daniel was not just another wise man, but was seen as uniquely gifted, even by a pagan king, because of the “spirit of the holy gods” in him.
  • The verse shows Nebuchadnezzar’s desperation and trust in Daniel after his own advisors failed, highlighting Daniel’s reputation and the limitations of Babylonian wisdom.
  • This sets up the importance of Daniel’s interpretation in the rest of the chapter, showing that what follows is not just Daniel’s own insight, but something recognized as extraordinary even by the king.

Where else these words appear

“magicians” Hebrew H2749 · used in 5 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 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
  • Daniel 4:7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

“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.

“secret” Hebrew H7328 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
  • Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
  • Daniel 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

“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: