Daniel 5:11

9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.

10 Hearing the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen entered the banquet hall. “O king, may you live forever!” she said. “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale.

There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,

12 did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”

13 So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

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
There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,
KJV
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;
WEB
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers,
ASV
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, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, [I say], thy father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
DARBY
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; and the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, [even] the king thy father, made him master of the scribes, magicians, Chaldeans, [and] astrologers;
BLB
There is a man in your kingdom, in whom [is] the Spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and insight and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar your father, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, [and] diviners—your father the king—
ÅB
Det finnes i ditt rike en mann i hvem de hellige guders ånd er, og hos hvem det i din fars dager ble funnet opplysning og klokskap og en visdom som guders visdom; og kong Nebukadnesar, din far, gjorde ham til mester for tegnsutleggerne, åndemanerne, kaldeerne og sannsigerne. Slik, konge, opphøyet din far ham,
OTB
Det er en mann i ditt rike som har de hellige guders ånd i seg. I din fars dager ble han funnet å ha opplysning, innsikt og visdom som gudene. Kong Nebukadnesar, din far, satte ham til å være overhode for magikerne, åndemanerne, kaldeerne og spåmennene.
B1930
Det finnes i ditt rike en mann i hvem de hellige guders ånd er, og hos hvem det i din fars dager blev funnet oplysning og klokskap og en visdom som guders visdom; og kong Nebukadnesar, din far, gjorde ham til mester for tegnsutleggerne, åndemanerne, kaldeerne og sannsigerne. Således, konge, ophøiet din far ham,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 4:8–9

    But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:

    Read in context
  • Daniel 2:47–48

    The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”

    Read in context
  • Daniel 4:18

    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.”

    Read in context
  • Daniel 5:14

    I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

    Read in context
  • Acts 12:22

    And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!”

    Read in context
  • Daniel 2:11

    What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 14:17

    And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 41:11–15

    One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning.

    Read in context