Daniel 5:18 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:18 mean?

Daniel 5:18 says that Nebuchadnezzar’s royal power and high standing came from the Most High God. Daniel makes that point while addressing King Belshazzar, placing the achievements of an earlier king in the story Daniel is telling Belshazzar.

Daniel calls Nebuchadnezzar “thy father.” In this royal setting, “father” can refer to an ancestor or predecessor, not necessarily a direct parent. Daniel’s words lead into an account of how Nebuchadnezzar used his power and what happened when his heart became proud.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:18

• “kingdom” — מַלְכוּ (malkhu): This word can mean kingship or royal rule as well as a kingdom. Here it points to the authority Nebuchadnezzar held as king, not only to the land he ruled.
• “majesty” — רְבוּ (rebu): This word carries the sense of greatness. Alongside “glory” and “honour,” it describes the exalted position that came with Nebuchadnezzar’s rule.

Why Daniel 5:18 matters

• Daniel presents royal power as something given, not simply achieved. The key word is “gave”: Daniel traces Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom and standing to God.
• The list makes Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness more than a matter of territory. “Majesty,” “glory,” and “honour” also describe the status and recognition attached to his rule.
• Daniel’s account prepares a comparison with Belshazzar. In verse 22, Daniel addresses what Belshazzar knew about Nebuchadnezzar and how Belshazzar responded.