Daniel 5:14

Study note

Setting — The king addresses Daniel immediately after his introduction in Daniel 5:13, responding to the failure of the court scholars in Daniel 5:15. The speaker acknowledges Daniel’s established reputation following the failed attempt to read the inscription.

The words — The Aramaic phrase ר֥וּחַ אֱלָהִ֖ין (Ru.ach 'e.la.Hin) translates literally to "spirit of gods," while נַהִיר֧וּ (na.hi.Ru) denotes illumination or bright insight. These terms appear alongside שָכְלְתָנ֛וּ (sa.khe.le.ta.Nu, insight) and חָכְמָ֥ה (cha.khe.Mah, wisdom) to catalog Daniel’s cognitive gifts.

The thread — This recognition directly echoes Daniel 5:11, where the same qualities are attributed to Daniel during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. The consistent testimony across both chapters establishes Daniel’s reputation as a recognized servant of the divine council.

Why it lands — The verse demands acknowledgment that human wisdom operates under divine permission rather than autonomous merit. It requires the reader to distinguish between mere intellectual capacity and the specific illumination granted to those who serve the sovereign.

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.