Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. New Living Translation He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace. English Standard Version And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible And because of the majesty that He gave to him, all peoples, nations, and languages came to be trembling and fearful from before him. Whomever he would be willing, he would be slaying; and whomever he would be willing, he would be keeping alive; and whomever he would be willing, he would be raising up; and whomever he would be willing, he would be bringing low. King James Bible And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. New King James Version And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. New American Standard Bible Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages trembled and feared in his presence; whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. NASB 1995 “Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated and whomever he wished he humbled. NASB 1977 “And because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations, and men of every language feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed, and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. Legacy Standard Bible And because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue feared and were in dread before him; whomever he wished he killed, and whomever he wished he kept alive, and whomever he wished he raised up, and whomever he wished he made low. Amplified Bible and because of the greatness that He gave him, all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language trembled and feared him. Whomever he wished he killed, and whomever he wished he kept alive; whomever he wished he promoted and whomever he wished he humbled. Berean Annotated Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible Because of the greatness he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified and fearful of him. He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. Holman Christian Standard Bible Because of the greatness He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages were terrified and fearful of him. He killed anyone he wanted and kept alive anyone he wanted; he exalted anyone he wanted and humbled anyone he wanted. American Standard Version and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. Contemporary English Version God did such great things for him that people of all nations and races shook with fear. Your father had the power of life or death over everyone, and he could honor or ruin anyone he chose. English Revised Version and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. GOD'S WORD® Translation People from every province, nation, and language trembled and were terrified by him, because God gave him power. Nebuchadnezzar killed whomever he wanted to kill, and he kept alive whomever he wanted to keep alive. He promoted whomever he wanted to promote, and he demoted whomever he wanted to demote. Good News Translation He was so great that people of all nations, races, and languages were afraid of him and trembled. If he wanted to kill someone, he did; if he wanted to keep someone alive, he did. He honored or disgraced anyone he wanted to. International Standard Version And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages revered and feared him. He executed those whom he desired to execute, he spared those whom he wished to spare, he promoted those whom he desired to promote, and he humbled those whom he wished to humble. NET Bible Due to the greatness that he bestowed on him, all peoples, nations, and language groups were trembling with fear before him. He killed whom he wished, he spared whom he wished, he exalted whom he wished, and he brought low whom he wished. New Heart English Bible And because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. Webster's Bible Translation And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBecause 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. World English Bible Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand because of the greatness that He gave to him, all peoples, nations, and languages were trembling and fearing before him: whom he willed he was slaying, and whom he willed he was keeping alive, and whom he willed he was raising up, and whom he willed he was making low; Berean Literal Bible And because of the majesty that He gave to him, all peoples, nations, and languages came to be trembling and fearful from before him. Whomever he would be willing, he would be slaying; and whomever he would be willing, he would be keeping alive; and whomever he would be willing, he would be raising up; and whomever he would be willing, he would be bringing low. Young's Literal Translation and because of the greatness that He gave to him, all peoples, nations, and languages were trembling and fearing before him: whom he willed he was slaying, and whom he willed he was keeping alive, and whom he willed he was raising up, and whom he willed he was making low; Smith's Literal Translation And from the greatness that he gave to him, all peoples, nations and tongues, were trembling and fearing from before him: whom he was willing he killed; and whom he was willing, he was saving alive; and whom be was willing, he was setting up; and whom he willed he was humbling. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd for the greatness that he gave to him, all people, tribes, and languages trembled, and were afraid of him: whom he would, he slew: and whom he would, he destroyed: and whom he would, he set up: and whom he would, he brought down. Catholic Public Domain Version And because of the greatness that he gave to him, all peoples, tribes, and languages trembled and were afraid of him. Whomever he wished, he put to death; and whomever he wished, he destroyed; and whomever he wished, he exalted; and whomever he wished, he lowered. New American Bible Because he made him so great, the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Whomever he willed, he would kill or let live; whomever he willed, he would exalt or humble. New Revised Standard Version And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed those he wanted to kill, kept alive those he wanted to keep alive, honored those he wanted to honor, and degraded those he wanted to degrade. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him; for whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive, and whom he would he promoted, and whom he would he humbled. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And from the greatness that he had given to him, all the nations and peoples and languages were shaken and afraid before him. He killed those whom he wished, and those whom he wished he let live, and whom he wished, he exalted, and whom he wished, he put down OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and because of the greatness that He gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. Brenton Septuagint Translation and by reason of the majesty which he gave to him, all nations, tribes, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he smote; and whom he would he exalted; and whom he would he abased. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Daniel Interprets the Handwriting…18As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. 19Because 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. 20But 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.… Cross References Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all. Daniel 2:37 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Daniel 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.’ the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. Daniel 6:26 I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. Daniel 3:4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded: Esther 8:17 In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; 1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Esther 5:2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished. 1 Samuel 2:7-8 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. Psalm 75:6-7 For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, / but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another. Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride. Daniel 4:22 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. Jeremiah 27:5-7 By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. / So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. / All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him. 2 Chronicles 36:23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” Ezekiel 26:7 For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with cavalry and a great company of troops. Treasury of Scripture And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. that he. Daniel 3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. Jeremiah 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. whom he would he slew. Daniel 2:12,13 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon… Daniel 3:6,20,29 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace… Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. Jump to Previous Alive Bestowed Dreaded Elevated Feared Grandeur Greatness High Kept Killed Languages Majesty Nations Peoples Position Raised Slew Spared Trembled Whomever WishedJump to Next Alive Bestowed Dreaded Elevated Feared Grandeur Greatness High Kept Killed Languages Majesty Nations Peoples Position Raised Slew Spared Trembled Whomever WishedDaniel 5 1. Belshazzar's impious feast.5. A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king. 10. At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought. 17. He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry, 25. reads and interprets the writing. 30. The monarchy is translated to the Medes Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him This phrase highlights the divine sovereignty in bestowing power and authority. The "He" refers to God, who granted Nebuchadnezzar his greatness. This reflects the biblical theme that all authority is ultimately given by God (Romans 13:1). Nebuchadnezzar's greatness was not due to his own merit but was a part of God's plan, as seen in Daniel 2:37-38, where Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream and acknowledges that God has given him dominion. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. BelshazzarThe king of Babylon during the events of Daniel 5. He is the one who experiences the writing on the wall and is ultimately judged by God. 2. Nebuchadnezzar The former king of Babylon, referenced in this verse as having been given great power and authority by God. His reign is characterized by both his pride and his eventual humbling by God. 3. Babylon The empire over which Nebuchadnezzar and later Belshazzar ruled. It was a center of power and influence in the ancient world. 4. Daniel A prophet and servant of God who interprets the writing on the wall for Belshazzar. He serves as a key figure in the account, demonstrating wisdom and faithfulness. 5. The Writing on the Wall A divine message written by a mysterious hand during Belshazzar's feast, interpreted by Daniel as a judgment against Belshazzar. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is the ultimate authority over all earthly powers. He bestows authority and can remove it according to His will. The Danger of Pride Like Nebuchadnezzar, leaders and individuals must guard against pride. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The Fear of the Lord True reverence and fear should be directed towards God, not human rulers. Earthly power is temporary, but God's authority is eternal. The Role of God's Servants Daniel's faithfulness and wisdom serve as a model for believers. We are called to be faithful witnesses in a world that often opposes God's truth. Judgment and Accountability Belshazzar's account reminds us that all are accountable to God. We must live with an awareness of His coming judgment. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Daniel 5:19?2. How does Daniel 5:19 illustrate God's sovereignty over earthly kings and nations? 3. What lessons can leaders today learn from Nebuchadnezzar's power and authority? 4. How does Daniel 5:19 connect with Romans 13:1 on authority? 5. In what ways can we recognize God's ultimate authority in our daily lives? 6. How should believers respond to earthly authority, knowing God's control in Daniel 5:19? 7. How does Daniel 5:19 reflect God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 5:19? 9. How does Daniel 5:19 demonstrate the consequences of pride and arrogance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5? 11. What does the Bible say about Babylon? 12. Is the Corporate Confession of Sin biblically supported? 13. Does Jeremiah 27:7 contradict other biblical prophecies by suggesting a succession of Babylonian kings long after Nebuchadnezzar? 14. How can Isaiah 14:4-23 be reconciled with historical records of Babylon's downfall, since some details seem unverified by archaeology? What Does Daniel 5:19 Mean Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him• Daniel reminds Belshazzar that Nebuchadnezzar’s stature was not self-made; “the Most High God gave him sovereignty, greatness, glory, and honor” (Daniel 5:18; cf. Daniel 2:37-38; Jeremiah 27:6). • Every earthly throne is delegated authority (Romans 13:1); when God “bestows” greatness, He retains the right to remove it (Daniel 4:25-32). • This truth grounds history in the sovereignty of God, not in human skill or chance (Psalm 75:6-7). The people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him • Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon stretched from Egypt to Persia, embracing countless ethnicities and tongues (Daniel 3:4). • The phrase recalls the awe Israel’s God intends for Himself among all peoples (Psalm 96:7-10), showing that even pagan rule can foreshadow His universal dominion (Revelation 11:15). • Their trembling illustrates the reach—and limits—of human power: outward submission can never change the heart as only the Lord can (Isaiah 45:22-23; Philippians 2:10-11). He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished • Absolute monarchs held life-and-death power (Daniel 2:12-13; Jeremiah 52:10-11). Nebuchadnezzar’s word determined survival or execution (Daniel 3:29). • Scripture records specific moments of his lethal authority to underscore how fragile human life is under earthly rulers—and how secure it is under God’s care (Deuteronomy 32:39; Matthew 10:28-31). • Belshazzar needed the sober reminder that the God who once permitted such sweeping power would soon weigh his own life in the balances (Daniel 5:26-30). He exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished • The king promoted Daniel (Daniel 2:48), then the three Hebrews (Daniel 3:30), demonstrating his capacity to elevate. • He also “humbled” others—sometimes cruelly—until God humbled him, proving that the Lord alone “raises up and brings down” (Daniel 4:37; 1 Samuel 2:7-8). • Human promotions and demotions are temporary; 1 Peter 5:6 calls believers to wait for the “proper time” when God’s exaltation is permanent. summary Daniel 5:19 testifies that the Most High grants earthly authority, allows it vast scope, and yet holds every ruler accountable. Nebuchadnezzar’s towering power—bestowed, feared, lethal, and selective—reveals both the reach of God’s providence and the vanity of human pride. The verse warns successors like Belshazzar, and us, to honor the One who gives greatness, governs nations, directs destinies, and finally exalts the humble. Hebrew Because ofוּמִן־ (ū·min-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than the greatness רְבוּתָא֙ (rə·ḇū·ṯā) Noun - feminine singular determinate Strong's 7238: Greatness that דִּ֣י (dî) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because He bestowed יְהַב־ (yə·haḇ-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come on him, לֵ֔הּ (lêh) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew all כֹּ֣ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every peoples, עַֽמְמַיָּ֗א (‘am·may·yā) Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 5972: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock nations, אֻמַיָּא֙ (’u·may·yā) Noun - feminine plural determinate Strong's 524: A collection, community of persons and [men of every] language וְלִשָּׁ֣נַיָּ֔א (wə·liš·šā·nay·yā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 3961: Speech, a nation trembled הֲו֛וֹ (hă·wōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be in fear וְדָחֲלִ֖ין (wə·ḏā·ḥă·lîn) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1763: To slink, to fear, be formidable before him. קֳדָמ֑וֹהִי (qo·ḏā·mō·w·hî) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 6925: Before He killed קָטֵ֗ל (qā·ṭêl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6992: To kill whom he wished צָבֵ֜א (ṣā·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6634: To be inclined, desire, be pleased and kept alive מַחֵ֔א (ma·ḥê) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2418: To live whom דִּֽי־ (dî-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because he wished; צָבֵא֙ (ṣā·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6634: To be inclined, desire, be pleased he exalted מָרִ֔ים (mā·rîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7313: To be high, to rise, raise whom וְדִֽי־ (wə·ḏî-) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because he wished צָבֵא֙ (ṣā·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6634: To be inclined, desire, be pleased and humbled מַשְׁפִּֽיל׃ (maš·pîl) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8214: To depress, sink whom וְדִֽי־ (wə·ḏî-) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because he wished. צָבֵ֖א (ṣā·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6634: To be inclined, desire, be pleased Links Daniel 5:19 NIVDaniel 5:19 NLT Daniel 5:19 ESV Daniel 5:19 NASB Daniel 5:19 KJV Daniel 5:19 BibleApps.com Daniel 5:19 Biblia Paralela Daniel 5:19 Chinese Bible Daniel 5:19 French Bible Daniel 5:19 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Daniel 5:19 And because of the greatness that he (Dan. 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