◄ Daniel 4:9 ►
"O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.
Study Bible
“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians,

Belteshazzar was the Babylonian name assigned to Daniel after his arrival in exile. Though Daniel held authority over Babylon’s wise men, he did not gain his wisdom through their occult practices. God had given him understanding in visions and dreams, and Nebuchadnezzar had previously appointed him to this high office after Daniel revealed and interpreted the king’s earlier dream.

Dan 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit…
Dan 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts.…
Dan 1:7 The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel…

I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you

Nebuchadnezzar spoke according to his polytheistic beliefs, recognizing that Daniel possessed a divine wisdom absent from the other counselors. The king had already confessed that Daniel’s God was “God of gods and Lord of kings” after the revelation of the dream in Daniel 2:47. Daniel’s discernment came from the one true God, who alone reveals what is hidden.

Dan 5:14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you,…
Gen 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man…
Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God…

and that no mystery baffles you.

Daniel could explain mysteries because God reveals “deep and hidden things” and knows what lies in darkness. Babylon’s magicians, enchanters, and astrologers had failed before the king’s earlier dream and would fail again. Daniel’s ability exposed the limits of human wisdom and demonstrated God’s sovereign knowledge.

Dan 5:12 Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found…
Dan 2:22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows…
Dan 2:28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,…

So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

Nebuchednezzar turned to Daniel when every other source of counsel proved powerless. The dream would reveal God’s authority over kings and kingdoms, confronting Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and calling him to acknowledge that the Most High rules over human affairs.

Dan 2:45 And just as you saw a stone being cut out…
Gen 40:8 “We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one…
Num 12:6 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Belteshazzar (Daniel)
Daniel, a Hebrew prophet, is referred to by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. He is recognized for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams, attributed to the spirit of the holy gods within him.

2. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon who has a troubling dream and seeks its interpretation from Daniel, whom he trusts due to past experiences of Daniel's divine insight.

3. Babylon
The setting of the account, a powerful empire where Daniel serves in the king's court.

4. The Dream
A significant event in the chapter, symbolizing God's message to Nebuchadnezzar, which requires interpretation by Daniel.

5. The Spirit of the Holy Gods
Acknowledged by Nebuchadnezzar as residing in Daniel, indicating a recognition of divine influence and wisdom.
Teaching Points
Divine Wisdom and Insight
Daniel's ability to interpret dreams is not from human wisdom but from God. We should seek divine wisdom in our lives through prayer and study of Scripture.

Faithfulness in a Foreign Land
Despite being in a pagan culture, Daniel remains faithful to God. We are called to maintain our faith and integrity regardless of our circumstances.

Recognition of God's Power
Even a pagan king recognizes the divine spirit in Daniel. Our lives should reflect God's presence so that others see His power in us.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The dream and its interpretation reveal God's control over earthly kingdoms. We can trust in God's sovereignty in world affairs today.

The Role of God's Servants
Like Daniel, we are called to be vessels through which God communicates His truth to the world.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's role as "chief of the magicians" reflect his influence and God's favor in a foreign land?

2. In what ways can we seek and demonstrate the "spirit of the holy gods" in our own lives today?

3. How does Daniel's faithfulness in Babylon inspire us to live out our faith in secular environments?

4. What can we learn from Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of divine wisdom in Daniel about how we should view and respect God's work in others?

5. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in Daniel 4 encourage us to trust Him with the uncertainties in our own lives and the world around us?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 41
Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams parallels Daniel's role in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, highlighting God's use of His servants to reveal divine plans.

1 Corinthians 2
Paul speaks of the Spirit of God revealing mysteries, similar to how Daniel is able to interpret dreams through divine insight.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting in the Lord for understanding and guidance, as Daniel does, is a theme echoed throughout Scripture.
Sermons
The Proclamation of Peace to All NationsWilliam White.Daniel 4:1-18
True and False ProphetsJ.D. Davies Daniel 4:4-9
Human Greatness, its Rise, Fall, and RestorationH.T. Robjohns Daniel 4:4-18, 20-27
People
Belteshazzar, Daniel, Jonah, Nebuchadnezzar
Places
Babylon
Topics
Along, Baffles, Belteshazzar, Belteshaz'zar, Causeth, Chief, Clear, Difficult, Dream, Gods, Holy, Interpret, Interpretation, Magicians, Master, Mystery, O, Press, Scribes, Secret, Sense, Spirit, Thereof, Trouble, Troubled, Troubles, Troubleth, Visions, Wonder-workers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 4:9

     5064   spirit, emotional
     6694   mystery

Daniel 4:1-37

     1443   revelation, OT

Daniel 4:8-9

     3110   Holy Spirit, titles of

Library
The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
Mr. Melvil, after finishing his classical studies, went abroad, and taught, for some time, both at Poictiers in France, and at Geneva. He returned to Scotland in July 1574, after having been absent from his native country near ten years. Upon his return, the learned Beza, in a letter to the general assembly of the church of Scotland, said, "That the greatest token of affection the kirk of Geneva could show to Scotland, was, that they had suffered themselves to be spoiled of Mr. Andrew Melvil." Soon …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)

Human Government.
Human governments a part of the moral government of God. In the discussion of this subject I will,-- I. Inquire into the ultimate end of God in creation. We have seen in former lectures, that God is a moral agent, the self-existent and supreme; and is therefore himself, as ruler of all, subject to, and observant of, moral law in all his conduct. That is, his own infinite intelligence must affirm that a certain course of willing is suitable, fit, and right in him. This idea, or affirmation, is law …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan. iv. 17). For in the incomprehensible dispensation of Almighty God there are alternate controlments of mortal life; and sometimes, when the sins of many are to be smitten, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Teaching of Matthew 13 Proves that no Era of Millennial Blessing Precedes Christ's Second Advent.
In Matt. 13 we have the record of seven parables--the number of completeness--which our Lord uttered consecutively. These parables are prophetic in their significance and scope. They deal with conditions which are to obtain here during the time of our Lord's absence. They are concerned with the visible profession of Christianity and they look forward to the closing scenes of the present dispensation. As there is much in them upon which we cannot now comment at length we shall content ourselves with …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
81. And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him. But he made nothing very much of the letters, nor did he rejoice at the messages, but was the same as he had been before the Emperors wrote to him. But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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