To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain, and its significance startled him. He "was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him." Seeing Daniel's hesitation and distress, the king expressed sympathy for his servant. "Belteshazzar," he said, "let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee."

Drømmens betydning stod ganske klar for Daniel. Han stod "en stund rædselsslagen, og hans tanker forfærdede ham". Da kongen så, at Daniel tøvede og grebes af sorg, gav han udtryk for sin sympati med sin tjener. "Beltsazzar," sagde han, "lad ikke drømmen og dens udtydning forfærde dig!"