Daniel 4:19

Daniel

¹⁷ This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

¹⁸ 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.”

For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

²⁰ The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth,

²¹ whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!
KJV: 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.
WEB: Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
ASV: Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine adversaries.
DARBY: Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, nor its interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and its interpretation to thine enemies!
BLB: Then Daniel, of whom his name [is] Belteshazzar, was dismayed for one moment, and his thoughts disturbed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, the dream and its interpretation, do not let it trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, the dream, be for those hating you, and its interpretation for your enemies!”

ÅB: Da sto Daniel, han som hadde fått navnet Beltsasar, en stund slått av redsel, og hans tanker forferdet ham. Så tok kongen til orde og sa: Beltsasar! La ikke drømmen og dens uttydning forferde deg! Beltsasar svarte: Min herre! Gid denne drøm måtte gjelde dem som hater deg, og dens uttydning dine fiender!
OTB: Da ble Daniel, som heter Beltsasar, forferdet et øyeblikk, og hans tanker uroet ham. Kongen talte og sa: "Beltsasar, la ikke drømmen eller dens tydning uroe deg." Beltsasar svarte: "Min herre, om bare drømmen gjaldt dine fiender og dens tydning dine motstandere!
B1930: Da stod Daniel, han som hadde fått navnet Beltsasar, en stund slått av redsel, og hans tanker forferdet ham. Så tok kongen til orde og sa: Beltsasar! La ikke drømmen og dens uttydning forferde dig! Beltsasar svarte: Min herre! Gid denne drøm måtte gjelde dem som hater dig, og dens uttydning dine fiender!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Daniel 8:27
I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was confounded by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Read in context
Daniel 7:28
Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 3:17
“What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.”
Read in context
Daniel 4:24
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:
Read in context
Daniel 10:16–17
And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength.
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:19
My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.
Read in context
2 Samuel 18:31–32
Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!”
Read in context
Daniel 4:4–5
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.
Read in context