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.

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;

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.

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

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:

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:

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 ...
Audio Bible



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
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 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 27:5-7
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.

Jeremiah 25:9
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.

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.

Isaiah 45:1-3
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. / I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

Isaiah 14:4-5
you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! / The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Psalm 75:6-7
For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, / but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

Job 12:18-21
He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists. / He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established. / He deprives the trusted of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. ...

Acts 17:26
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,

Revelation 17:12-14
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. / They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.


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














O king
This phrase is a direct address to King Belshazzar, the ruler of Babylon at the time. The use of "O king" is a respectful salutation, acknowledging the king's authority and position. In the historical context, addressing a king in such a manner was customary, reflecting the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern societies. It sets the tone for the message that follows, which is both a reminder and a warning.

the Most High God
This title for God emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all earthly powers. In Hebrew, "El Elyon" is often used to denote God's ultimate supremacy. This phrase serves to remind Belshazzar that despite his earthly power, there is a higher divine authority that governs the universe. Theologically, it underscores the biblical theme that God is the ruler above all rulers, a central tenet in the book of Daniel.

gave
The verb "gave" indicates that the sovereignty and power Nebuchadnezzar possessed were not of his own making but were granted by God. This reflects the biblical principle that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1). It serves as a humbling reminder that human power is temporary and dependent on God's will.

your father Nebuchadnezzar
Although Nebuchadnezzar was not Belshazzar's biological father, the term "father" is used here in a broader sense, referring to a predecessor or ancestor. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was a significant figure in Babylonian history, known for his conquests and the construction of the Hanging Gardens. This reference serves to draw a parallel between the two kings and to highlight the lessons Belshazzar should have learned from Nebuchadnezzar's experiences.

sovereignty
This word denotes supreme power or authority. In the context of Nebuchadnezzar, it refers to his rule over the vast Babylonian Empire. Theologically, it is a reminder that true sovereignty belongs to God, who delegates authority to human rulers according to His purposes. This concept is central to understanding the dynamics of divine and human authority in the biblical narrative.

and greatness
The term "greatness" here refers to the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's influence and the magnificence of his reign. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon was a center of culture and power. Theologically, it serves as a reminder that human greatness is a reflection of God's greatness and should be used to honor Him.

and glory
"Glory" in this context refers to the honor and majesty associated with Nebuchadnezzar's reign. In the Hebrew Bible, "glory" often signifies the visible manifestation of God's presence. This phrase suggests that any glory attributed to human rulers is ultimately a reflection of God's own glory.

and honor
The word "honor" denotes respect and esteem. In the ancient world, a king's honor was tied to his ability to rule justly and effectively. This phrase serves as a reminder that true honor comes from God and should be sought in alignment with His will. It also foreshadows the consequences of failing to honor God, as seen in Belshazzar's impending judgment.

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



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


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OT Prophets: Daniel 5:18 You king the Most High God gave (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 5:17
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