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Daniel 4:18
ESV This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
NIV "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
NASB This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, because a spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
CSB This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can make the interpretation known to me. But you can, because you have a spirit of the holy gods."
NLT '‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
KJV This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
NKJV “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”

What does Daniel 4:18 mean?

Nebuchadnezzar has recalled his frightening dream (Daniel 4:4–5, 10–17). Now he turns to Daniel (Daniel 4:6–9) for an interpretation.

The king calls Daniel by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:6–7). This was a reference to the false deity Bel and assigned to Daniel to emphasize his new identity as a servant of Babylon. However, the king recognizes Daniel's access to power unavailable to pagan occultists (Daniel 1:17). He has seen this connection to truth in action at least once before (Daniel 2:46–47). Despite this, the king does not yet identify Daniel's God as the only real God. Instead, he perceives the Lord of Israel as one of many beings. This is why he credits Daniel's ability to "the spirit of the holy gods," rather than to God alone.

This is not the only time in Scripture that a godly man like Daniel declares truth which had eluded worldly wise individuals. For example, Pharaoh of Egypt was troubled by a dream and called together all the magicians of Egypt and all his wise men. He told them his dream, but not one of them could tell him what the dream meant (Genesis 41:8). Finally, he learned that imprisoned Joseph could interpret dreams. Therefore, Pharaoh summoned Joseph. Joseph interpreted that vision and attributed his ability to God's power (Genesis 41:9–32).
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Context Summary
Daniel 4:1–18 introduces another of Nebuchadnezzar's mysterious dreams (Daniel 2:2–3). As before, the king summoned his wise men to interpret the experience. They failed, but Nebuchadnezzar also spoke with Daniel (Daniel 2:46–47). This time the king told his wise men and Daniel what he had dreamed. This sets the stage for Daniel's interpretation and the fulfillment of another prophecy.
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Chapter Summary
Daniel 4 opens with a proclamation in which Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, declares what God has done for him. He recalls yet another frightening dream (Daniel 2:1). He sees a tree cut down to the stump, and a man made like an animal. Once again, only Daniel could interpret the dream's meaning. The news is terrible: the king will be driven insane for "seven periods of time" until he learns humility. A year later, this happens. Also as promised, Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself and regains his senses and his throne. He praises God for this miraculous work.
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