Daniel 5:18
16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
19 Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.
20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
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
- As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
- KJV
- O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
- WEB
- “To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.
- ASV
- O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
- DARBY
- O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty;
- BLB
- You, O king—God Most High gave the kingdom, and the majesty, and the glory, and the honor, to Nebuchadnezzar your father.
- ÅB
- Konge! Den høyeste Gud gav Nebukadnesar, din far, riket og makten og æren og herligheten;
- OTB
- Konge, Den Høyeste Gud ga din far Nebukadnesar riket, storhet, herlighet og majestet.
- B1930
- Konge! Den høieste Gud gav Nebukadnesar, din far, riket og makten og æren og herligheten;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Daniel 2:37–38
You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.
Read in contextDaniel 4:17
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.’
Read in contextDaniel 4:22–25
you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.
Read in contextDaniel 4:2
I am pleased to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
Read in contextPsalms 92:8
But You, O LORD, are exalted forever!
Read in contextDaniel 4:32
You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
Read in contextActs 7:48
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
Read in contextPsalms 7:17
I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Read in context