Bible Strands
Daniel 5:18
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Daniel addresses the reigning king immediately after refusing his gifts and before interpreting the wall inscription. He anchors his upcoming judgment in the historical precedent of Nebuchadnezzar.
The words — The phrase עִלָּאָ֔/ה (i.la.ya/) translates literally to "Most High," identifying the divine source of authority. מַלְכוּתָ֤/א (mal.khu.Ta/) and וּ/רְבוּתָ/א֙ (u./re.vu.Ta/) denote "sovereignty" and "greatness," respectively, specifying the scope of the power granted.
The thread — This theme of God granting sovereign authority to earthly rulers recurs in Daniel 2:37 and Daniel 4:22, where the same divine right to bestow power and glory is affirmed. Daniel 4:17 reinforces the purpose of this authority: so that the living may recognize divine supremacy.
Why it lands — The text states that political power originates from a divine grant rather than human achievement. It requires the reader to evaluate earthly authority by its accountability to the source that appointed it.
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
O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
Cross-references
- 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.’
- 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.
- Deuteronomy 32:8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
- Psalms 7:17 I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
- Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
- Psalms 47:2 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!
- Psalms 92:8 But You, O LORD, are exalted forever!
- Jeremiah 27:7 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.
- Lamentations 3:35 to deny a man justice before the Most High,