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 ... Belteshazzar - the use of the Hebrew as well as the Chaldee name, so far from being an objection, as some have made it, is an undesigned mark of genuineness. In a proclamation to "all people," and one designed to honour the God of the Hebrews, Nebuchadnezzar would naturally use the Hebrew name (derived from God, 'Eel (H410), the name by which the prophet was best known among his countrymen) as well as the Gentile name by which he was known in the Chaldean empire.
Astonied - overwhelmed with awe at the terrible import of the dream.
For one hour - the original х kªshaa`aah (H8160)] means often 'a moment,' or 'short time,' as in Daniel 3:6; Daniel 3:15.
Let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Many despots would have punished a prophet Let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Many despots would have punished a prophet who dared to foretell his overthrow. Nebuchadnezzar assures Daniel he may freely speak out.
My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee. We are to desire the prosperity of those under whose authority Gad's providence has placed us (Jeremiah 29:7). The wish here is not so much against others as for the king; a common formula of loyalty (2 Samuel 18:32, "Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man," Absalom). It is not the language of uncharitable hatred.