Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
The queen details Daniel's specific abilities: 'excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, showing hard sentences, and dissolving doubts.' These encompass the full range of wisdom—intellectual acuity, spiritual discernment, interpretive skill, and problem-solving ability. The phrase 'interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts' catalogs precisely what the current situation requires. She concludes with recommendation: 'let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.' This confident assertion demonstrates complete faith in Daniel's abilities based on previous performance. The verse emphasizes that the solution to their crisis isn't finding better human wisdom or more sophisticated methods—it's consulting the man who possesses God's Spirit. This reinforces the consistent biblical principle: spiritual problems require spiritual solutions; divine revelation requires divinely-illuminated interpreters.
Historical Context
The queen mother's catalog of Daniel's abilities—dream interpretation, solving hard problems, dissolving doubts—reflects ancient Near Eastern categories of wisdom. Dream interpretation was highly valued (as in Egypt with Joseph, Genesis 41). 'Hard sentences' (Aramaic קִשְׁרִין/qishrin) refers to riddles, puzzles, or difficult problems requiring insight. 'Dissolving doubts' means untying knots—solving complex issues. These weren't merely intellectual exercises but practical governance needs: kings required advisors who could interpret omens, solve administrative problems, and provide wise counsel. Daniel's proven abilities in Nebuchadnezzar's time established him as possessing these competencies through divine gift rather than human training alone.
Questions for Reflection
How does the queen mother's confidence in Daniel contrast with the king's desperate searching among failed experts?
What does Daniel's comprehensive wisdom (knowledge, understanding, interpretation, problem-solving) teach about Spirit-filled competence?
Why do spiritual problems require spiritually-gifted solutions rather than merely sophisticated human methods?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The queen details Daniel's specific abilities: 'excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, showing hard sentences, and dissolving doubts.' These encompass the full range of wisdom—intellectual acuity, spiritual discernment, interpretive skill, and problem-solving ability. The phrase 'interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts' catalogs precisely what the current situation requires. She concludes with recommendation: 'let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.' This confident assertion demonstrates complete faith in Daniel's abilities based on previous performance. The verse emphasizes that the solution to their crisis isn't finding better human wisdom or more sophisticated methods—it's consulting the man who possesses God's Spirit. This reinforces the consistent biblical principle: spiritual problems require spiritual solutions; divine revelation requires divinely-illuminated interpreters.