Daniel 5 15

Daniel 5:15 kjv

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:

Daniel 5:15 nkjv

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.

Daniel 5:15 niv

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.

Daniel 5:15 esv

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.

Daniel 5:15 nlt

My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 15 Meaning

This verse explains the limited knowledge and understanding of Belshazzar's highest officials regarding the divine writing on the wall. Despite their positions, they possessed no insight into the mysterious Aramaic words, emphasizing the supernatural and exclusively divine nature of the revelation.

Daniel 5 15 Context

Chapter 5 of Daniel describes the final days of the Babylonian Empire. Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, holds a grand feast for his nobles, boasting in his idols and disrespecting the God of Israel by using sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem Temple. During the feast, a disembodied hand appears, writing mysterious words on the wall. This divine message strikes fear into Belshazzar and his guests. The chapter then details the king's frantic attempts to understand the writing, calling for his wise men and magicians. However, none can interpret the divine script, mirroring the inadequacy of pagan knowledge in the face of God's judgment, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature. This scene starkly contrasts with Daniel's earlier success in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams.

Daniel 5 15 Word Analysis

• מִנִּי (minnî) - From me. This is a preposition "min" (from) attached to the first-person possessive suffix. It indicates the source or origin of something.
• חָכְמָה (ḥokmâ) - Wisdom. This refers to practical skill, shrewdness, intelligence, and, in a divine context, the understanding and application of God's will and truth.
• דַּעַת (daʿaṯ) - Knowledge. This denotes skill, acquaintance, and the possession of information or understanding. It's closely related to wisdom but can also imply factual knowledge.
• בִּינָה (bînâ) - Understanding/Discernment. This refers to the ability to distinguish, discriminate, or comprehend. It implies a deeper level of insight than mere knowledge.
• לְמֵמַר (ləmēmār) - To declare/To tell/To interpret. This infinitive form of the verb "amar" (to say, to speak) suggests a declaration or communication.
• וּלְפָשַׁר (ūləp̄ašar) - And to interpret. This is a conjunction "wa" (and) attached to the infinitive "pašar," specifically meaning to interpret, explain, or solve. This verb is unique to Daniel when referring to dream or vision interpretation.
• חַרְשֵׁ֣י (ḥaršê) - Enchanters. This is the plural form of "ḥarsē" from the root "ḥarash" (to practice sorcery, enchant, be silent). It refers to those skilled in occult arts or sorcery, often associated with interpreting omens or casting spells.
• כַּשַּׂדָּאִֽין (kaśśaddā'îṉ) - Chaldeans/Sorcerers. This refers to the wise men or soothsayers of Babylon, a people known for their astrological and divination practices. It’s often used synonymously with "magicians" or "astrologers."
• שָׁמְעוּ (šomʿû) - Heard. The perfect tense, third person masculine plural of "šāmaʿ" (to hear). In this context, it implies hearing and understanding or giving heed.
• קָדָם (qədām) - Before/In the presence of. A preposition indicating proximity or appearing in front of someone.

Group Analysis:

The core of the verse revolves around the failure of Belshazzar's "wise men" (enchanters and Chaldeans) to "interpret" the mysterious writing. The contrast is stark: Belshazzar explicitly seeks "wisdom and knowledge and understanding to interpret." However, the Hebrew terms used reveal a hierarchy of desired intellectual abilities—from basic intelligence to deep discernment—all of which were absent in his own court's specialists. The failure highlights the inadequacy of human intellect apart from divine insight. The phrase "Hear the writing and show me its interpretation" underscores that the problem wasn't merely hearing the sounds, but comprehending the meaning, a skill uniquely granted by God.

Daniel 5 15 Bonus Section

This verse and its context echo the pattern seen throughout Daniel, where God’s power is exalted above the might and wisdom of earthly kingdoms. The repeated emphasis on different aspects of intelligence—wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—serves to underscore the completeness of the missing insight. Belshazzar’s attempt to elevate his astrologers and sorcerers parallels the persistent human tendency to seek answers in sources other than the one true God, a theme that resonates across biblical narrative and prophecy, pointing to the necessity of divine revelation for true comprehension of God's plan. The exclusivity of the gift of interpretation to those whom God anoints is a recurring motif in Daniel’s ministry.

Daniel 5 15 Commentary

The learned men of Babylon, renowned for their supposed wisdom and mastery of various occult arts, were utterly incapable of deciphering the supernatural message on the wall. Belshazzar’s desperate request for someone with "wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and skill to interpret" highlights his futile reliance on human expertise. Their inability demonstrates that true wisdom and discernment are not learned skills accessible through human effort or magical practices, but are gifts from God. This scene serves as a powerful testament to the sovereignty of God and the ultimate futility of trusting in pagan or worldly wisdom when confronted with divine judgment and revelation. It prefigures the rejection of human wisdom in favor of God’s wisdom in the New Testament.