Definition: The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Daniel 2:26. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious verse! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about understanding something that's happening right now – a vision of the future. It’s asking someone to tell us about a dream they’ve had. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “The king answered…” - This refers to King Beleshazzar, who was a powerful ruler in ancient times. He was known for being clever and strategic. “…and said to Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar…” – "Belteshazzar" is a strange name, and it’s important to note that this is not the same person as Daniel. It's a title or designation used by the king. It’s a bit of an odd detail! “…Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen?” – This is the core question. The king is asking Daniel if he can understand and tell him about the vision he's seen. What does this mean in context? This verse comes from a time when there was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety in the kingdom. The king was worried about his son, Beleshazzar, who was powerful but perhaps not entirely trustworthy. This verse is essentially a test – a way for the king to see if Daniel could understand something significant and potentially dangerous. What's the "dream" it’s talking about? The Bible doesn't say exactly what the dream is. But it’s widely interpreted as a vision of a future conflict, likely involving war and destruction. It speaks of a great upheaval coming that will disrupt everything. Why is this important? This verse is significant because: It’s about foresight: It shows that God has a plan for the future, even though we can't always see it. It’s about understanding: Daniel’s ability to understand the vision suggests a deeper level of wisdom and insight. It’s a warning: Some believe this verse foreshadows a time of great danger and turmoil in history. In short, Daniel is being asked if he can understand a prophetic dream that describes a significant future event – one that will cause trouble. --- Resources for Further Exploration (Optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Daniel](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Daniel) - This website offers translations and explanations of the passage. Wikipedia – Daniel 2: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_2) - A good overview of the text’s context. Would you like me to: Explain a different part of this verse? Discuss its symbolism or interpretation in more detail?