Daniel 5 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Daniel 5 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 5 of Daniel recounts the fall of Babylon to the Persians, highlighting the arrogance of King Belshazzar and the sovereignty of God.

The Sacrilegious Feast:

Belshazzar, king of Babylon, throws a lavish feast for a thousand of his nobles, indulging in excessive drinking.
In a moment of drunken pride, he orders the sacred gold and silver vessels looted from the Temple in Jerusalem to be brought in.
He and his guests drink from these holy vessels, praising their Babylonian gods in defiance of the one true God.

The Writing on the Wall:

Suddenly, a mysterious hand appears and writes cryptic words on the palace wall.
Belshazzar is terrified by this supernatural event. His face turns pale, his knees tremble, and his mind is gripped with fear.
Unable to decipher the message, he summons his wise men, enchanters, and astrologers, offering them rewards if they can interpret the writing.

Daniel Interprets the Message:

The king's advisors are baffled and unable to provide an explanation.
The queen, remembering Daniel's past successes in interpreting dreams and visions, suggests summoning him.
Daniel arrives and, after refusing the king's rewards, interprets the writing:
- Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
- Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
- Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

The Fall of Babylon:

Despite the dire message, Belshazzar keeps his promise and honors Daniel with robes and a position of authority.
However, that very night, Belshazzar is slain, and the Medes and Persians, led by Darius, conquer Babylon.

Key Themes:

God's Sovereignty: The chapter emphasizes that God is in control, even when earthly rulers act arrogantly and defy Him. He sets up kings and brings them down according to His plan.
Pride and Humility: Belshazzar's pride and disrespect for God lead to his downfall, while Daniel's humility and faithfulness to God result in his exaltation.
Judgment and Accountability: The chapter serves as a warning that those who reject God and disregard His laws will ultimately face judgment.

Daniel chapter 5 is a dramatic narrative that highlights the consequences of pride and the ultimate sovereignty of God in human affairs. It serves as a reminder that even the mightiest empires are subject to God's judgment and that true wisdom lies in acknowledging and honoring Him.

Daniel 5 bible study ai commentary

The central theme of Daniel 5 is the inescapable and swift judgment of God upon pride and blasphemy. It demonstrates that God's sovereignty is absolute, weighing the actions of even the most powerful human rulers and bringing their kingdoms to an end when they defy Him. This chapter serves as a stark warning that knowledge of God's past works, if not met with humility, leads to greater condemnation.

Daniel 5 context

This chapter takes place in 539 BC, on the final night of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Babylon, under the co-regency of King Belshazzar (with his father Nabonidus being the supreme monarch, away at the oasis of Tayma), felt impregnable behind its massive walls. The city was under siege by the Medo-Persian army, led by Cyrus the Great. Belshazzar's feast was an act of defiant arrogance, intended to show that Babylon's gods and fortifications were superior to the besieging army and their God. The temple vessels, plundered from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 1:2), were symbols of Yahweh's supposed defeat; their use in a pagan feast was the ultimate act of contempt.

Daniel 5:1-4

King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand. Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, so that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

In-depth-analysis

King Belshazzar: Historically confirmed by the Nabonidus Chronicle as the son of Nabonidus and co-regent of Babylon. The text calls Nebuchadnezzar his "father," an Aramaic and Hebrew term often used for a predecessor or ancestor.
A Great Feast: Taking place while the Medo-Persian army was outside the city walls. This demonstrates extreme overconfidence and hubris. Ancient historians like Herodotus and Xenophon also record that Babylon fell while the city was engaged in a festival.
Vessels of gold and of silver: These were not ordinary cups. They were holy objects dedicated to the worship of Yahweh. Using them for a drunken feast was a direct, intentional act of blasphemy. It was a political and religious statement: "My gods and I have triumphed over the God of the Jews."
Praised the gods of...: The list of materials (gold, silver, etc.) is a deliberate mockery of lifeless idols. It directly contrasts the inanimate objects of their worship with the action of the living God in the next verse. This echoes the biblical critique of idolatry found throughout the prophets.

Bible references

Dan 1:2: "...and the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God." (Source of the vessels, establishing their holy origin)
1 Sam 5:2-4: "Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon... And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord." (Parallel account of a nation profaning a sacred object of God and facing immediate judgment)
Rev 9:20: "...did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood..." (The same materials used to describe idols that cannot see, hear, or walk)

Cross references

Jer 51:39 (prophecy of Babylon's fall during a feast), Is 21:5 (prophecy of Babylon's fall), Ps 115:4-7 (critique of idols), 1 Cor 10:20-21 (cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons).

Daniel 5:5-9

Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers... But all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.

In-depth-analysis

Fingers of a human hand: A supernatural, disembodied hand. This is God's direct, personal, and terrifying intervention into the pagan revelry. The finger of God signifies His power and authority.
Opposite the lampstand: The writing appeared in the best-lit part of the room, ensuring it was clearly visible to all, especially the king. There was no ambiguity.
Physical reaction: Belshazzar's terror is described in graphic physiological detail (face pales, hips loosen, knees knock). This visceral fear highlights the complete powerlessness of a mighty king before the true God.
Wise Men Fail Again: This is a recurring theme in Daniel (Dan 2:10-11, Dan 4:7). The wisdom of the world's most powerful empire is utterly useless in the face of divine revelation. Their failure sets the stage for God's chosen servant, Daniel.

Bible references

Exod 8:19: "Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, 'This is the finger of God.'" (God's power displayed, which human magic cannot replicate)
1 Cor 2:14: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them..." (Human wisdom cannot grasp divine truth without the Spirit)
Is 47:12-13: "Stand fast in your enchantments... let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you." (A taunt against the futility of Babylon's astrologers)

Cross references

Prov 28:1 (the wicked flee when no one pursues), Heb 10:31 (it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God), Jer 50:35-36 (a sword against the diviners of Babylon).

Polemics: This event is a direct polemic against the supposed security of Babylon and the power of its primary god, Marduk (or Bel). While Belshazzar praises his gods, the hand of Yahweh acts unimpeded inside the king’s own palace, demonstrating His absolute authority. The failure of the wise men, who were priests of these gods, further delegitimizes the entire Babylonian religious and intellectual system.

Daniel 5:10-12

The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him... because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel..."

In-depth-analysis

The queen: Likely the Queen Mother, possibly Nitocris (daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and widow of Nabonidus's predecessor). As an elder, she would have a living memory of Daniel's service under Nebuchadnezzar.
She Remembers: She is the repository of institutional memory that the younger, arrogant generation has forgotten. Her entrance contrasts the chaos and fear with calm wisdom and a solution.
Spirit of the holy gods: Her pagan description of the Holy Spirit. She recognizes that Daniel's wisdom is supernatural and not of human origin. This is a powerful testimony coming from a non-believer.
Father: Here "father" clearly refers to Nebuchadnezzar, confirming it's used to mean 'predecessor.' Her speech bridges the gap between Daniel chapters 4 and 5.

Bible references

Dan 4:8-9: "[Nebuchadnezzar said] At last Daniel came in before me... a man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods... O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians... I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you..." (The queen is directly quoting or echoing the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar himself)
Gen 41:38-39: "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?'" (A parallel situation where a pagan king recognizes God's spirit in Joseph)

Cross references

Dan 2:47 (Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges Daniel's God), 1 Kgs 10:1-3 (Queen of Sheba seeking Solomon's wisdom).

Daniel 5:13-17

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah?... But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation."

In-depth-analysis

One of the exiles from Judah: Belshazzar begins with a condescending tone, reminding Daniel of his status as a captive.
Third ruler in the kingdom: This offer was historically precise. Nabonidus was the first ruler, Belshazzar the second (as co-regent), so the highest position Belshazzar could offer was third. This detail lends authenticity to the account.
Let your gifts be for yourself: Daniel rejects the rewards before giving the interpretation. This establishes his purity of motive. His authority comes from God, not the king. He is not a court magician for hire; he is a prophet of God who cannot be bought.

Bible references

Acts 8:20: "But Peter said to him, 'May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!'" (A strong parallel of rejecting reward for spiritual power)
2 Kgs 5:15-16: "And he [Naaman] returned to the man of God... and said, '...accept a present from your servant.' But he [Elisha] said, 'As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.'" (A prophet rejecting payment to ensure God alone receives the glory)
1 Cor 9:18: "What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel free of charge..." (Paul's principle of not being burdened by financial motivation)

Cross references

Gen 14:22-23 (Abram refuses gifts from the king of Sodom), Mic 3:11 (corrupt prophets who divine for money).

Daniel 5:18-24

O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and honor... but when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne... You his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you... and you have praised the gods of silver and gold... but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.

In-depth-analysis

The Interpretation as Sermon: Before explaining the words, Daniel delivers a powerful sermon. The interpretation is meaningless without the moral and theological context.
Though you knew all this: This is the crux of the accusation. Belshazzar’s sin was far greater than Nebuchadnezzar’s. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was born of ignorance; Belshazzar’s was born of defiance. He knew the story of his predecessor’s humiliation and restoration, yet chose to repeat the sin of pride in an even more blasphemous way.
God in whose hand is your breath: Daniel directly confronts the king's illusion of self-sufficiency. He contrasts the lifeless idols with the God who holds Belshazzar's very life in His hands.
Lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven: This is the core sin. It wasn't just drunkenness or a party; it was a willful act of rebellion against the Sovereign of the universe.

Bible references

Dan 4:30-37: The entire story of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and humiliation, which Daniel states Belshazzar knew.
Rom 1:21: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (The quintessential description of sin as a failure to honor God despite knowing Him)
Acts 17:28: "‘For in him we live and move and have our being’..." (Paul's declaration in Athens that all humanity is dependent on God for life itself)
Jas 4:6: "'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (The core principle explaining the difference in outcome for Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar)

Cross references

John 9:41 (sin remains because you claim you see), Heb 10:26-29 (the greater punishment for sinning willfully after receiving knowledge of the truth), Rom 2:1-5 (judging others for what you yourself do).

Daniel 5:25-28

“And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

In-depth-analysis

The Words: The words are Aramaic terms for weights and measures, likely familiar as nouns to the wise men but incomprehensible as a sentence. Daniel, through divine wisdom, reads them as verbs, revealing their true meaning.
- MENE (meneh): "Numbered." A mina, a unit of currency. God has counted the days of your reign, and the count is complete. Repeated for emphasis and certainty.
- TEKEL (teqal): "Weighed." A shekel. You have been placed on God's divine scales of justice and righteousness, and you are deficient. Your character is found lacking.
- PARSIN (parsin): The plural form of PERES (peres). As a verb, it means "divided." It is also a brilliant wordplay, sounding nearly identical to the Aramaic word for "Persians" (paras). The kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

Bible references

Job 31:6: "let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!" (Job's plea to be judged by God's standard, which is exactly what happens to Belshazzar)
Ps 62:9: "Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath." (The psalmist's understanding that human worth, without God, is nothing when weighed)
Acts 17:31: "[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed..." (The concept of a set time and a divine standard for judgment)

Cross references

Rev 6:5 (a pair of scales in the hand of the rider on the black horse), Isa 40:15 (nations are like a drop in a bucket).

Daniel 5:29-31

Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

In-depth-analysis

The Reward: In a final, futile act of retaining control, Belshazzar rewards Daniel. Perhaps it was a hollow attempt to maintain his royal authority, or maybe he was so stunned he simply fulfilled his promise mechanically. The honor was meaningless and lasted only a few hours.
That very night: The fulfillment of the prophecy is immediate and absolute. This highlights the speed and certainty of divine judgment once it is pronounced. God's word does not return empty.
Darius the Mede: A figure of historical debate. He may have been a title for Gubaru (or Ugbaru), the general who, according to the Nabonidus Chronicle, took Babylon for Cyrus. He ruled as a provincial governor under the supreme authority of Cyrus the Persian.

Bible references

Luke 12:20: "But God said to him, ‘Fool! This very night your soul is required of you...’" (The parable of the rich fool, whose life is taken at the very moment he feels most secure)
Is 21:9: "'Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.'" (Isaiah's prophecy of Babylon's fall being fulfilled)
Jer 51:31: "'One runner runs to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to tell the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every side.'" (A vivid prophecy of the chaotic and sudden fall of the city)

Cross references

1 Thess 5:2-3 (the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night), Ps 75:6-7 (God is the judge; He puts down one and exalts another).

Daniel chapter 5 analysis

The Kingdom Transition Realized: This chapter marks the literal, historical fulfillment of the transition from the Head of Gold (Babylon) to the Chest and Arms of Silver (Medo-Persia) from Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2.
A Tale of Two Kings: The book masterfully contrasts Nebuchadnezzar (Chapter 4) and Belshazzar (Chapter 5). Both were proud gentile kings. However, Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself after God's discipline and was restored. Belshazzar, who knew Nebuchadnezzar's story, doubled down in defiance and was destroyed. This illustrates the principle from James 4:6 that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
The Unseen Reality: The disembodied hand represents the unseen but all-powerful reality of God's governance over human affairs. Rulers may think they are in control, but God's "handwriting" overrules all their plans and decrees. This concept is a cornerstone of the entire book of Daniel.
The Permanence of God's Word: The wise men couldn't read the writing because it came from a source outside their system of knowledge. Daniel could read it because he was aligned with its author. The message serves as a microcosm of all scripture: a divine message of humanity being numbered, weighed, and judged, with the result being either deliverance or division.

Daniel 5 summary

King Belshazzar hosts an arrogant feast, blasphemously using sacred vessels from God's temple in Jerusalem. A divine hand writes a cryptic message of judgment on the wall, which his wise men cannot decipher. Daniel, called out of obscurity, rebukes the king for his pride and for failing to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's example. He interprets the writing—"Numbered, Weighed, Divided"—as a declaration that Belshazzar's reign is over. That same night, the prophecy is fulfilled: Belshazzar is slain, and the Babylonian empire falls to the Medes and Persians.

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Daniel chapter 5 kjv

¹ Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
² Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
³ Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
⁴ They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
⁵ In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
⁶ Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
⁷ The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
⁸ Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
⁹ Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
¹⁰ Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
¹¹ There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
¹² Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
¹³ Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
¹⁴ I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
¹⁵ And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
¹⁶ And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
¹⁷ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
¹⁸ O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
¹⁹ And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
²⁰ But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
²¹ And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
²² And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
²³ But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
²⁴ Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
²⁵ And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
²⁶ This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
²⁷ TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
²⁸ PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
²⁹ Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
³¹ And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Daniel chapter 5 nkjv

¹ Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand.
² While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
³ Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.
⁴ They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
⁵ In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
⁶ Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.
⁷ The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
⁸ Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.
⁹ Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.
¹⁰ The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change.
¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father?your father the king?made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
¹² Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation."
¹³ Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?
¹⁴ I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
¹⁵ Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.
¹⁶ And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
¹⁷ Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
¹⁸ O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor.
¹⁹ And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.
²⁰ But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.
²¹ Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
²² "But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.
²³ And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
²⁴ Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
²⁵ "And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
²⁶ This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;
²⁷ TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;
²⁸ PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."
²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰ That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.
³¹ And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel chapter 5 niv

¹ King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.
² While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
³ So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them.
⁴ As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
⁵ Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.
⁶ His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.
⁷ The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
⁸ Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.
⁹ So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.
¹⁰ The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. "May the king live forever!" she said. "Don't be alarmed! Don't look so pale!
¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.
¹² He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."
¹³ So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?
¹⁴ I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.
¹⁵ The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.
¹⁶ Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
¹⁸ "Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.
¹⁹ Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.
²⁰ But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
²¹ He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.
²² "But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.
²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.
²⁴ Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
²⁵ "This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin
²⁶ "Here is what these words mean: Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
²⁷ Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
²⁸ Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
²⁹ Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰ That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,
³¹ and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

Daniel chapter 5 esv

¹ King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
² Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
³ Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.
⁴ They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
⁵ Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote.
⁶ Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.
⁷ The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
⁸ Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation.
⁹ Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.
¹⁰ The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, "O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change.
¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father ? your father the king ? made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers,
¹² because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."
¹³ Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah.
¹⁴ I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
¹⁵ Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter.
¹⁶ But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
¹⁷ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
¹⁸ O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty.
¹⁹ And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled.
²⁰ But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.
²¹ He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.
²² And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
²³ but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.
²⁴ "Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.
²⁵ And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.
²⁶ This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end;
²⁷ TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting;
²⁸ PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰ That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed.
³¹ And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel chapter 5 nlt

¹ Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.
² While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
³ So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.
⁴ While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
⁵ Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king's palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote,
⁶ and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.
⁷ The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!"
⁸ But when all the king's wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant.
⁹ So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.
¹⁰ But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she hurried to the banquet hall. She said to Belshazzar, "Long live the king! Don't be so pale and frightened.
¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar's reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king ? your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar ? made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.
¹² This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."
¹³ So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar?
¹⁴ I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom.
¹⁵ My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.
¹⁶ I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
¹⁷ Daniel answered the king, "Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.
¹⁸ Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar.
¹⁹ He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace.
²⁰ But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
²¹ He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.
²² "You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.
²³ For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone ? gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!
²⁴ So God has sent this hand to write this message.
²⁵ "This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.
²⁶ This is what these words mean: Mene means 'numbered' ? God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.
²⁷ Tekel means 'weighed' ? you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.
²⁸ Parsin means 'divided' ? your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
²⁹ Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
³⁰ That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.
³¹ And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.