Daniel 5:18
New International Version
“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.

New Living Translation
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar.

English Standard Version
O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty.

Berean Standard Bible
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

Berean Literal Bible
You, O king—God Most High gave the kingdom, and the majesty, and the glory, and the honor, to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

King James Bible
O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

New King James Version
O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor.

New American Standard Bible
O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, greatness, honor, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

NASB 1995
“O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

NASB 1977
“O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

Legacy Standard Bible
O king, the Most High God granted the kingdom, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

Amplified Bible
O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and greatness and glory and majesty;

Berean Annotated Bible
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

Christian Standard Bible
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar.

American Standard Version
O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:

Contemporary English Version
Sir, the Most High God made your father a great and powerful man and brought him much honor and glory.

English Revised Version
O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your grandfather Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, might, honor, and glory.

Good News Translation
"The Supreme God made your father Nebuchadnezzar a great king and gave him dignity and majesty.

International Standard Version
Your majesty, the Most High God gave your grandfather Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, as well as greatness, glory, and splendor.

NET Bible
As for you, O king, the most high God bestowed on your father Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty.

New Heart English Bible
You king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.

Webster's Bible Translation
O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

World English Bible
“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honor, gave to your father Nebuchadnezzar:

Berean Literal Bible
You, O king—God Most High gave the kingdom, and the majesty, and the glory, and the honor, to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

Young's Literal Translation
thou, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour, gave to Nebuchadnezzar thy father:

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou, O king, God most high gave a kingdom and greatness and honor and splendor to Nebuchadnezzar thy father:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O king, the most high God gave to Nabuchodonosor thy father a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour.

Catholic Public Domain Version
O king, the Most High God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, your father, a kingdom and greatness, glory and honor.

New American Bible
The Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar kingship, greatness, splendor, and majesty.

New Revised Standard Version
O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar kingship, greatness, glory, and majesty.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty and honor and glory.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You, oh, King, God Most High gave the Kingdom, and greatness and honor and glory to Nebukadnetsar, your father
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
O thou king, God Most High gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O king, the most high God gave to thy father Nabuchodonosor a kingdom, and majesty, and honour, and glory:

Additional Translations ...



Context
Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
17In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him. 18As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. 19Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.…

Cross References
As for you, O king,

Daniel 4:24
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:

Daniel 6:21
Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever!

Daniel 3:9
saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever!
the Most High God

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 4:25
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.

Genesis 14:19
and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
gave your father Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 2:37-38
You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

Jeremiah 27:6
So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him.

Ezekiel 29:19-20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. / I have given him the land of Egypt as the reward for his labor, because it was done for Me, declares the Lord GOD.
sovereignty and greatness,

Daniel 7:14
And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

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.

1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.
glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.

1 Chronicles 29:12
Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.

Daniel 4:36-37
At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me. / Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Jeremiah 27:5-7
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. / So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. / 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.


Treasury of Scripture

O you king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor:

O thou.

Daniel 3:17,18
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king…

Daniel 4:22
It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Daniel 6:22
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

the most.

Daniel 2:37,38
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory…

Daniel 4:17,22-25,32
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men…

Deuteronomy 32:8
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

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Glory Grandeur Granted Great Greatness High Honor Honour Kingdom Kingship Majesty Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnez'zar Power Sovereignty Splendor
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Daniel 5
1. Belshazzar's impious feast.
5. A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king.
10. At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought.
17. He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry,
25. reads and interprets the writing.
30. The monarchy is translated to the Medes












As for you, O king,

Daniel turns directly to Belshazzar with a solemn warning. Though judgment is near, he addresses the Babylonian ruler with the dignity due his office.

Dan 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree…
Dan 6:21 Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever!
Dan 3:9 saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live…

the Most High God

God stands above every earthly throne and rules over the rise and fall of kingdoms.

Dan 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers,…
Dan 4:25 You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling…
Gen 14:19 and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram…

gave your father Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was Belshazzar’s royal predecessor, called his father according to ancient royal usage. His power did not originate in himself but was granted by God.

Dan 2:37-38 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven…
Jer 27:6 So now I have placed all these lands under the authority…
Ezk 29:19-20 I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar…

sovereignty and greatness,

Nebuchadnezzar’s authority extended across a vast empire, and his achievements made Babylon prominent among the nations.

Dan 7:14 And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship…
Dan 4:22 you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great…
1Ch 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power…

glory and honor.

The king received public esteem and royal splendor, yet all of it rested on God’s permission and could be removed by Him.

Psa 8:5 You made him a little lower than the angels;…
1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You…
Dan 4:36-37 At the same time my sanity was restored,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and wise man in the Babylonian court, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and signs.

2. Belshazzar
The king of Babylon during the events of Daniel 5, known for his pride and sacrilege against God by using sacred temple vessels for a feast.

3. Nebuchadnezzar
The former king of Babylon, referred to as Belshazzar's "father" in a royal or ancestral sense, known for his powerful reign and eventual humbling by God.

4. Babylon
The empire and city where these events take place, known for its grandeur and as a center of power and idolatry.

5. The Most High God
The sovereign God of Israel, who is acknowledged as the one who grants authority and power to earthly rulers.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers
Recognize that all authority and power come from God, and He is in control of the rise and fall of leaders and nations.

The Danger of Pride
Learn from Nebuchadnezzar's account that pride can lead to downfall, and humility before God is essential.

The Importance of Acknowledging God
Understand the importance of giving God the glory for any position or power we hold, as failing to do so can lead to judgment.

The Role of Remembrance in Faith
Remember past lessons and experiences of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to guide current actions and decisions.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Be aware that ignoring God's authority and commands can lead to severe consequences, as seen in Belshazzar's fate.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Daniel 5:18?

2. How does Daniel 5:18 highlight God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers?

3. What lessons can we learn from Nebuchadnezzar's experience in Daniel 5:18?

4. How does Daniel 5:18 connect with Romans 13:1 on God's authority?

5. How can we apply the message of Daniel 5:18 in our leadership roles?

6. What does Daniel 5:18 teach about humility before God's given authority?

7. How does Daniel 5:18 reflect God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers?

8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 5?

9. How does Daniel 5:18 challenge modern views on divine authority?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5?


(18) The most high God.--Comp. this and the three following verses with Daniel 4:16-17; Daniel 4:22-25.

Daniel 5:18 reminds us that every throne, accolade, and achievement flows from the Most High. Nebuchadnezzar’s rise was God’s gift; Belshazzar’s fall would be God’s judgment. A king—or any believer—thrives only by recognizing that sovereignty, greatness, glory, and honor come from God alone and are sustained by humble obedience to Him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As for you,
אַ֖נְתְּ (’ant)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 607: You

O king,
מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

the Most High
עִלָּאָ֔ה (‘il·lā·’āh)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5943: highest', a name of God

God
אֱלָהָא֙ (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

gave
יְהַ֖ב (yə·haḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

your father
אֲבֽוּךְ׃ (’ă·ḇūḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2: Father

Nebuchadnezzar
לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר (lin·ḇu·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5020: Nebuchadnezzar -- a Babylonian king

sovereignty
מַלְכוּתָ֤א (mal·ḵū·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

and greatness,
וּרְבוּתָא֙ (ū·rə·ḇū·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7238: Greatness

glory
וִיקָרָ֣א (wî·qā·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3367: Value, wealth, costliness, dignity

and honor.
וְהַדְרָ֔ה (wə·haḏ·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1923: An honor, majesty


Additonal Resources
Daniel 5:18 Blue Letter Bible
Daniel 5:18 Bible Gateway
Daniel 5:18 Bible.com

Daniel 5:18 NIV
Daniel 5:18 NLT
Daniel 5:18 ESV
Daniel 5:18 NASB
Daniel 5:18 KJV

Daniel 5:18 Study Bible
Daniel 5:18 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 5:18 Chinese Bible
Daniel 5:18 French Bible
Daniel 5:18 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 5:18 You king the Most High God gave (Dan. Da Dn)

Daniel 5:17
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