What does Daniel 4:19 mean?

"¶ 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." - Daniel 4:19

"¶ 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." - Daniel 4:19

The verse Daniel 4:19 from the King James Version of the Bible reads:

"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."

This verse is a part of the book of Daniel, which is found in the Old Testament. The book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian captivity, and it is filled with stories of faith, prophecy, and divine intervention. This particular passage occurs within the context of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation by the prophet Daniel.

In the preceding verses of Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream, and in his desperation to understand its meaning, he calls on his wise men and magicians to interpret it for him. However, none of them can provide him with the interpretation he seeks. It is only when Daniel hears of the king's dream that he is able to interpret it by the power of God.

In the verse in question, Daniel, who is also known as Belteshazzar, is visibly disturbed by the dream and its implications. The word "astonied" suggests that he was deeply troubled and bewildered by the dream. It is evident that the meaning of the dream and its potential consequences troubled him greatly. This serves to emphasize the gravity of the dream and its significance regarding the fate of the king and his kingdom.

When the king addresses Daniel by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar, he reassures him, urging him not to be troubled by the dream or its interpretation. However, Daniel's response indicates that he is aware of the gravity of the dream and its implications. He makes it clear that the dream is not a favorable one, as it is meant for those who hate the king, and its interpretation is for his enemies. This reveals the foreboding nature of the dream and the potential threat it poses to the king and his reign.

The themes present in this verse are numerous and significant. Firstly, the verse highlights the power of prophecy and divine revelation. Daniel's ability to interpret dreams and understand their significance is depicted as a direct result of his faith and connection to God. This theme of divine intervention and guidance runs throughout the book of Daniel, showcasing the unwavering faith of the characters and the miraculous ways in which God communicates with them.

Another theme present in this verse is that of power and its potential consequences. King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation speak to the fragility of earthly power and the inevitability of divine judgment. The dream serves as a warning to the king, highlighting the transient and uncertain nature of human dominion and the ultimately superior authority of God.

The symbolism in this verse is also noteworthy. The dream itself is a symbolic representation of the king's downfall and the impending judgment upon him. It serves as a metaphor for the pride and arrogance that Nebuchadnezzar exhibits, and it foreshadows the humbling experience he will soon face as a result of his actions.

In conclusion, Daniel 4:19 is a pivotal verse within the book of Daniel, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of a significant prophecy and its impact on the king and his kingdom. The verse is rich with themes of faith, divine intervention, the consequences of power, and the symbolism of dreams as a means of communicating divine messages. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sovereignty of God and the inevitability of His judgment, even over the most powerful rulers of the earth.

Have questions about Daniel 4:19?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Daniel 4:19 Artwork

Daniel 4:19 - "¶ 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."

Daniel 4:19 - "¶ 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."

"¶ 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." - Daniel 4:19

"¶ 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." - Daniel 4:19

Daniel 2:19 - "¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven."

Daniel 2:19 - "¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven."

"¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." - Daniel 2:19

"¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." - Daniel 2:19

Daniel 1:19 - "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king."

Daniel 1:19 - "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king."

Daniel 4:15

Daniel 4:15

Daniel 5:4

Daniel 5:4

Daniel 7:4

Daniel 7:4

Daniel 6:3-4 - "Daniel 6:3-4:

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 6:3-4 - "Daniel 6:3-4: Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 4:4 - "¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:"

Daniel 4:4 - "¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:"

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:10-14

Daniel 4:10-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:1-3

Daniel 4:1-3

Daniel 6:19 - "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions."

Daniel 6:19 - "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions."

Daniel 12:4 - "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Daniel 12:4 - "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Daniel 4:28 - "¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."

Daniel 4:28 - "¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."

Daniel 4:8 - "¶ But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,"

Daniel 4:8 - "¶ But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,"

Daniel 4:29 - "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon."

Daniel 4:29 - "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon."

Daniel 6:4 - "¶ Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 6:4 - "¶ Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 11:19 - "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found."

Daniel 11:19 - "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found."

Daniel 3:4 - "Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,"

Daniel 3:4 - "Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,"

Daniel 4:10-12 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a tree.

Daniel 4:10-12 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a tree.

Daniel 8:19 - "And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."

Daniel 8:19 - "And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."

Daniel 5:4 - "They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone."

Daniel 5:4 - "They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone."

"¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:" - Daniel 4:4

"¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:" - Daniel 4:4

Daniel 10:4 - "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;"

Daniel 10:4 - "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;"

"¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar." - Daniel 4:28

"¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar." - Daniel 4:28

"And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king." - Daniel 1:19

"And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king." - Daniel 1:19

Daniel 4:24 - "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:"

Daniel 4:24 - "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:"