Bible Strands
Daniel 5:12
did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The queen addresses King Belshazzar during the midnight feast immediately after the mysterious handwriting appears on the wall. She urges him to summon Daniel to interpret the message.
The words — The phrase ר֣וּחַ יַתִּירָ֡ה (Ruach yatiRah) literally renders “extraordinary spirit,” while מְפַשַּׁ֣ר חֶלְמִין (meFaShar chelMin) denotes “interpreter of dreams.” The text explicitly credits Daniel with these capacities before the queen infers their practical utility for the current crisis.
The thread — This description of Daniel’s “extraordinary spirit” and interpretive skill echoes Daniel 5:14, marks his distinction among administrators in Daniel 6:3, and originates in his renamed identity in Daniel 1:7. The motif traces his consistent divine endowment from Babylonian exile onward.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that human wisdom and interpretive ability are distributed capacities, not personal achievements. It requires the reader to submit to the one who holds the interpretation rather than relying on autonomous analysis.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
Cross-references
- Daniel 5:14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.
- Daniel 6:3 Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
- Daniel 1:7 The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
- Proverbs 12:26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
- Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Psalms 16:3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.
- Daniel 4:8 But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:
- 2 Chronicles 9:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.
- Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.