Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
Daniel's response to the dream interpretation reveals his character: he's 'astonied' (Hebrew דָּהַם/daham, stunned/appalled) for 'one hour' (brief period), and his thoughts 'troubled him.' This distress isn't due to interpretive difficulty—God had revealed the meaning—but to the message's severity. Daniel must tell the king who had honored and promoted him that devastating judgment approaches. The king, perceiving Daniel's distress, reassures him: 'let not the dream or the interpretation thereof trouble thee.' This shows Nebuchadnezzar's regard for Daniel and desire to hear truth even if unfavorable. Daniel's tactful response—'My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies'—expresses genuine wish that this judgment might fall on the king's enemies rather than the king himself. This reveals Daniel's compassion even for a pagan ruler, echoing Jeremiah's instruction to exiles to 'seek the peace' of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:7).
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern court culture made Daniel's position precarious. Bearers of bad news to kings risked death—tyrants regularly executed messengers announcing military defeats or unfavorable omens. Daniel's year-long troubled state shows his awareness of this danger and genuine care for the king. Nebuchadnezzar's reassurance ('let not the dream...trouble thee') reveals his development since chapter 2, when he nearly executed all wise men. Decades of Daniel's faithful service had built trust. This historical context heightens the scene's dramatic tension: will Daniel speak truth risking royal anger, or soften the message to preserve position? His choice to interpret honestly demonstrates prophetic integrity.
Questions for Reflection
What does Daniel's distress before delivering judgment teach about balancing prophetic truth-telling with pastoral compassion?
How does Daniel's wish that the judgment might fall on the king's enemies rather than the king himself demonstrate Christian love for adversaries?
Why is speaking difficult truth an act of love, even when it risks personal consequence?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel's response to the dream interpretation reveals his character: he's 'astonied' (Hebrew דָּהַם/daham, stunned/appalled) for 'one hour' (brief period), and his thoughts 'troubled him.' This distress isn't due to interpretive difficulty—God had revealed the meaning—but to the message's severity. Daniel must tell the king who had honored and promoted him that devastating judgment approaches. The king, perceiving Daniel's distress, reassures him: 'let not the dream or the interpretation thereof trouble thee.' This shows Nebuchadnezzar's regard for Daniel and desire to hear truth even if unfavorable. Daniel's tactful response—'My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies'—expresses genuine wish that this judgment might fall on the king's enemies rather than the king himself. This reveals Daniel's compassion even for a pagan ruler, echoing Jeremiah's instruction to exiles to 'seek the peace' of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:7).