Daniel 5:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Daniel recalls how all nations feared Nebuchadnezzar, whose power over life and rank was absolute.
What Does Daniel 5:19 Mean?
Daniel describes the height of Nebuchadnezzar's power: all peoples, nations, and languages trembled before him, and he held absolute sway over who lived, who died, who rose, and who fell. The sweeping language conveys a dominion that seemed almost limitless.
Yet the very phrasing whom he would echoes a power that was only ever on loan. The king's command over life and station was real, but it was granted and could be withdrawn. Earthly authority at its peak is still answerable to the God above it. Daniel rehearses this grandeur not to flatter but to set up the lesson: that even the mightiest ruler must learn whose hand truly governs the rise and fall of all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 5:19
What does Daniel 5:19 mean?
Daniel recalls how all nations feared Nebuchadnezzar, whose power over life and rank was absolute.