Daniel 4:18
16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
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.
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.
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
- ASV
- This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, 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.
- DARBY
- This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, Belteshazzar, tell the interpretation, 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.
- BLB
- This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, must declare its interpretation, inasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation. And you [are] able, for the Spirit of the holy gods [is] in you.”
- ÅB
- Det var den drøm som jeg kong Nebukadnesar, så; kunngjør nå du Beltsasar meg dens uttydning. For ingen av mitt rikes vismenn kan si meg hva den betyr; men du kan det, fordi de hellige guders ånd er i deg.
- OTB
- Denne drømmen har jeg, kong Nebukadnesar, sett. Nå, du Beltsasar, forklar dens tydning, for alle de vise menn i mitt rike er ikke i stand til å gjøre tydningen kjent for meg, men du kan, for ånden av de hellige guder er i deg."
- B1930
- Det var den drøm som jeg kong Nebukadnesar, så; kunngjør nu du Beltsasar mig dens uttydning. For ingen av mitt rikes vismenn kan si mig hvad den betyr; men du kan det, fordi de hellige guders ånd er i dig.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Read in contextDaniel 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:
Read in contextGenesis 41:15
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
Read in contextDaniel 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.
Read in contextDaniel 4:7–9
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.
Read in contextIsaiah 47:12–14
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
Read in contextAmos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Read in contextIsaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
Read in context