Daniel 5 13

Daniel 5:13 kjv

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?

Daniel 5:13 nkjv

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?

Daniel 5:13 niv

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?

Daniel 5:13 esv

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.

Daniel 5:13 nlt

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?

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 13 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal moment where the last independent king of Judah, Belshazzar, directly addresses Daniel. It signifies a transition from divine revelation through the mysterious handwriting on the wall to human inquiry of a divinely appointed prophet. Belshazzar’s words reveal his recognition of Daniel's unique ability to interpret divine messages and his desperation in the face of impending doom.

Daniel 5 13 Context

Chapter 5 of Daniel describes the downfall of Babylon under King Belshazzar. While feasting and profaning sacred vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, a disembodied hand appears and writes a cryptic message on the wall. The Babylonian wise men are unable to interpret it, increasing the king's distress. Amidst this panic, the queen mother suggests calling for Daniel, known for his wisdom and interpretation of dreams and difficult cases, due to his possession of "the spirit of the holy gods." Daniel is brought before the king, who promises him great rewards if he can read and explain the writing. This verse is the direct introduction of Daniel into this specific crisis.

Daniel 5 13 Word analysis

• When - Indicates the specific point in time when the action occurs, following the appearance of the mysterious writing and the failure of the Babylonian scholars.
• King - Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, who was reigning at the time of Babylon’s fall.
• Belshazzar - (Hebrew: בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר, Bēlšaʾṣṣar) This is the Hebrew transliteration of the king's name. He was the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
• saw - (Hebrew: חָזָה, ḥāzâ) Not just a physical seeing, but implies a deep observation and perception.
• Daniel - (Hebrew: דָּנִיֵּאל, Dānî’ēl) Name means "God is my judge." Daniel was a Jewish exile in Babylon, renowned for his wisdom and prophetic gift.
• came - Signifies Daniel's arrival into the presence of the king.
• before - Into the audience and sight of the king.
• him - Refers to King Belshazzar.
• words - (Hebrew: אִמְרָה, ’imrâ) This refers to Belshazzar's speech or command to Daniel.
• spake - (Hebrew: מְלַל, məlal) A verb indicating speech.
• saying - Introduces the direct speech of the king.
• unto - To.
• the king - Referring to Belshazzar again.
• said - (Hebrew: אֲמַר, ’amār) Past tense of to speak.
• Art - Are.
• thou - You (singular).
• Daniel - Again, directly addressing the prophet.
• which - Who.
• art - Are.
• of - Belonging to.
• the children - Descendants or people.
• of - Belonging to.
• the captivity - (Hebrew: גָּלוּת, gālûṯ) Refers to the Jewish exiles, specifically those deported from Judah to Babylon.
• of - Belonging to.
• Judah - (Hebrew: יְהוּד, Yəhûḏ) The southern kingdom of Israel, from which many captives were taken.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Art thou Daniel" - A direct identification and acknowledgement of Daniel's presence and known identity.
• "which art of the children of the captivity of Judah" - This phrase emphasizes Daniel's identity as a Jewish exile, reinforcing his foreign status in the Babylonian court, yet highlighting his esteemed reputation even as such.

Daniel 5 13 Bonus section

The act of calling for Daniel, a foreigner and an exile, demonstrates how even in the midst of pagan revelry and blasphemy, God's sovereign hand directs events. Belshazzar's need for interpretation is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it's a desperate attempt to understand his impending doom. This encounter sets the stage for Daniel's prophetic pronouncements, fulfilling his role as God’s messenger in a critical hour. It mirrors situations in scripture where God uses unlikely circumstances and individuals to reveal His will and execute His judgments.

Daniel 5 13 Commentary

Belshazzar, confronted by an inexplicable phenomenon and facing the collapse of his kingdom, turns to Daniel. This action is born of desperation, but it also reveals that Daniel's reputation for divine wisdom had preceded him even to the king’s ears. The king's direct address acknowledges Daniel's origins ("the children of the captivity of Judah"), a reminder of the divine judgment that brought the Jews to Babylon, and by extension, hints at the God who judges kingdoms. Belshazzar is forced to seek help from someone whose people had been conquered by his ancestors, highlighting the irony and the shift in power dynamics that divine judgment brings.