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Daniel 4:9
ESV “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.
NIV I said, 'Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.
NASB ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the soothsayer priests, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret baffles you, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
CSB "Belteshazzar, head of the magicians, because I know that you have the spirit of the holy gods and that no mystery puzzles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its interpretation.
NLT 'I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
KJV O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

What does Daniel 4:9 mean?

This verse reveals Nebuchadnezzar's confidence in Daniel (Daniel 2:19, 48). Nebuchadnezzar's reference to "the holy gods" shows that he was still polytheistic: believing in and worshipping multiple deities. He already respected the power of Daniel's God. Yet he did not see the Lord as One and Only. This fits with the king's use of Daniel's assigned pagan name, Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:6–7), which refers to the idol Bel.

The king also pays Daniel a significant compliment, referring to him as "chief of the magicians." In some contexts, the word "magicians" can be translated "scholars." Nebuchadnezzar believed Daniel was wiser than all the wise men in Babylon and the most knowledgeable scholar in the empire. He perceived Daniel as thoroughly acquainted with Babylonian astrology and religion. Without a doubt, he was sure Daniel had access to dream interpretations (Daniel 2:27–30). Therefore, he asked Daniel for advice. It's possible that, as before, he asked Daniel to first explain the dream (Daniel 2:4–5) before giving its meaning, but previous verses seem to indicate the king told the content of the dream to Daniel and to the enchanters who attempted interpretation prior to Daniel's arrival (Daniel 4:7–8).
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