Original Word: שְׂכְלְתָנוּ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: soklthanuw
Pronunciation: sohk-leh-THAH-noo
Phonetic Spelling: (sok-leth-aw-noo')
KJV: understanding
NASB: insight
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H792 (אֶשׁבַּעַל - Eshbaal)0]

1. intelligence

understanding

(Aramaic) from skal; intelligence -- understanding.

see HEBREW skal

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from sekal
Definition
insight
NASB Translation
insight (3).

שָׂכְלְתָנוּ (K^{§ 61, 4})) noun feminine insight; — Daniel 5:11,12,14.

Meaning and Theological Emphasis

The term conveys a God-given capacity for discernment that rises above mere human cleverness. In its three appearances it describes the extraordinary “light and insight” resident in Daniel, thereby underscoring that genuine understanding comes from the Most High and is granted to those who fear Him.

Occurrences in Daniel

• Daniel 5:11 – The queen mother reminds Belshazzar, “There is a man in your kingdom who has a spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father, illumination, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him.”
• Daniel 5:12 – Daniel is said to possess “an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems.”
• Daniel 5:14 – Belshazzar himself confesses, “I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom are found in you.”

In each case the quality is paired with “light,” “wisdom,” and an “extraordinary spirit,” stressing that insight functions as part of a composite gift enabling Daniel to read hidden messages, unravel mysteries, and provide life-saving counsel.

Historical Context

Daniel’s reputation had spanned multiple administrations from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar. Babylon prized intellectual prowess, yet its finest magicians were stymied by the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:8). The pagan court therefore had to summon a Hebrew exile whose insight was divinely sourced. The narrative confronts Babylonian arrogance with the supremacy of Israel’s God; Daniel’s understanding becomes a historical proof that “He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others” (Daniel 2:21).

Intertextual Connections

1. Wisdom Literature: Proverbs 2:6 declares, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Daniel’s life is a living commentary on that maxim.
2. Joseph Parallel: Like Joseph before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16), Daniel credits heaven for every revelation, modeling humility in intellectual brilliance.
3. New Covenant Fulfilment: Paul affirms that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Daniel’s insight foreshadows the fuller revelation bestowed through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).

Spiritual Significance

1. Divine Initiative: The events of Daniel 5 make clear that even the most gifted believer receives insight as a deposit of grace, not self-generated prowess.
2. Moral Clarity: Daniel’s understanding is inseparable from righteousness. He confronts Belshazzar’s blasphemy before interpreting the writing, illustrating that spiritual insight is ethically grounded.
3. Evangelistic Impact: By affirming, “There is a man…,” the queen testifies—perhaps unwittingly—to the uniqueness of Daniel’s God. Insight becomes a bridge for gospel proclamation within hostile cultures.

Ministry Application

• Prayer for Wisdom: James 1:5 invites believers to ask God for the same quality Daniel embodied. Churches facing complex cultural questions can model Daniel’s posture of prayerful dependence.
• Holistic Education: While cultivating academic excellence, Christian education should emphasize Spirit-wrought discernment, reminding students that intellectual brilliance divorced from reverence leads to Babylon’s downfall.
• Marketplace Witness: Professionals who combine technical competence with God-centered insight follow Daniel’s pattern, offering solutions that honor Christ and serve the common good.

Conclusion

The brief Aramaic term encapsulates a timeless principle: authentic insight is a gift from the Sovereign Lord, bestowed for the blessing of nations and the vindication of His name. Those who seek and steward such understanding become, like Daniel, luminaries in a darkened world (Philippians 2:15).

וְשָׂכְלְתָנ֛וּ וְשָׂכְלְתָנ֡וּ ושכלתנו vesacheletaNu wə·śā·ḵə·lə·ṯā·nū wəśāḵələṯānūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts