Daniel 5:19 - Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to.

Generated Verse: Daniel 5:19

What does "Daniel 5:19" mean?


This verse from Daniel 5:19 describes the immense power and authority that God had bestowed upon King Nebuchadnezzar. Let's break down the meaning:

"Because of the greatness that he gave him...": This emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar's power didn't originate from himself, but was a gift from God. It highlights God's sovereignty and ability to empower individuals.

"...all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him.": This underscores the widespread impact of Nebuchadnezzar's power. His authority was so significant that it instilled fear and obedience in diverse groups of people.

"He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to.": This illustrates Nebuchadnezzar's absolute control over life and death. He could execute or spare individuals based on his own will.

"He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to.": This demonstrates Nebuchadnezzar's ability to promote or demote people at his discretion. He could elevate individuals to positions of power or bring them down from their high status.

Overall Meaning:

The verse portrays Nebuchadnezzar as a powerful ruler whose authority was divinely granted. It illustrates the extent of his control and the fear he inspired. However, it's important to note that this power was ultimately a gift from God and could be taken away, as the rest of the story in Daniel unfolds. The verse also sets the stage for the downfall of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's successor, who failed to acknowledge God's role in his power and was punished for it.