Daniel 5 16

Daniel 5:16 kjv

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.

Daniel 5:16 nkjv

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."

Daniel 5:16 niv

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."

Daniel 5:16 esv

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."

Daniel 5:16 nlt

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."

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 16 meaning

Daniel 5:16 records King Belshazzar's urgent plea and extravagant promise to Daniel for interpreting the mysterious handwriting on the wall. The verse conveys the king's desperation in the face of an incomprehensible divine message and his recognition of Daniel's unparalleled, divinely endowed wisdom to understand and explain such profound mysteries, offering immense wealth and power in return.

Daniel 5 16 Context

Daniel 5 records the dramatic fall of the Babylonian Empire through the final act of its king, Belshazzar. The chapter opens with a decadent feast where Belshazzar, in a display of hubris and blasphemy, uses sacred vessels plundered from the Jerusalem Temple for his revelry. This act of desecration directly defies the God of Israel, whom Nebuchadnezzar, his predecessor, had eventually acknowledged. In response, a disembodied hand mysteriously writes a message on the palace wall, throwing the entire court into terror. The king's wise men and astrologers, typical sources of counsel, are unable to read or interpret the divine script, revealing the bankruptcy of their pagan wisdom.

In this crisis, the queen mother reminds Belshazzar of Daniel, who possesses an "excellent spirit of knowledge and understanding" and had served under King Nebuchadnezzar as a decipherer of mysteries. Daniel 5:16 presents Belshazzar's desperate summons and generous offer to Daniel, demonstrating the king's realization that ordinary human wisdom is utterly incapable of comprehending the divine revelation and his readiness to grant supreme worldly honors to anyone who could avert the impending catastrophe signaled by the handwriting on the wall. This context underscores the stark contrast between the powerlessness of pagan idolatry and the unmatched wisdom of God, revealed through His faithful servant.

Daniel 5 16 Word analysis

• But I have heard concerning you, that you are able to make interpretations and dissolve enigmas

  • But: (Aramaic: וַאֲנָה, wa’anah) A strong adversative conjunction, emphasizing a shift from the failed efforts of others to Daniel's unique capability. It signals a glimmer of hope after general despair.
  • I have heard concerning you: Implies Daniel's existing reputation from past exploits (like in Dan 2 and 4), even if he was seemingly forgotten in the current court. This is indirect testimony to his divine wisdom.
  • able to make interpretations: (Aramaic: לְמֶפְשַׁר, lemepshar) To solve, explain, or interpret. This refers specifically to making clear the meaning of obscure or symbolic texts/dreams. It highlights Daniel's unique ability to transcend human understanding.
  • and dissolve enigmas: (Aramaic: וְקִטְרִין לְמֵישְׁרֵא, weqiṭrîn lemêshrê') Lit. "to loosen knots" or "untie difficult problems." The term "enigmas" (קִטְרִין, qiṭrîn) means 'knots,' 'bond,' 'perplexing problems.' This emphasizes the profound, perplexing, and seemingly insoluble nature of the problem, signifying knowledge far beyond conventional wisdom. Daniel’s gift allows him to untangle what others cannot even perceive. This is a direct contrast to Babylonian divination which was proved powerless.

• now if you are able to read the writing and make known to me its interpretation

  • now if you are able: (וּכְעַן הֵן, ûḵe‘an hen) A conditional statement expressing the king’s expectation and a clear challenge, but with an underlying desperation. The emphasis is on "if you indeed have this proven ability."
  • to read the writing: (Aramaic: לְמִקְרָא כְּתָבָא, lemiqra’ keṯāḇā’) This is the first, more immediate task – simply deciphering the letters. The Chaldeans couldn't even do this, indicating a fundamental lack of understanding or spiritual blindness to divine script.
  • and make known to me its interpretation: (וּפִשְׁרֵהּ לְהוֹדָעוּתַנִי, ûfǐšreih lehoḏa‘ūṯaní) The deeper and more crucial task, going beyond mere transliteration to conveying the actual meaning and implication of the divine message.

• you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall rule as third in the kingdom.

  • you shall be clothed with purple: (Aramaic: אַרְגְּוָנָא תִלְבַּשׁ, ’arḡeḵānā’ tiḵlaš) Purple dye was extremely valuable, produced from murex snails. Purple robes (אַרְגְּוָן, ’arḡeḵān) symbolized royalty, high status, and immense wealth in the ancient Near East (Gen 41:42; Esth 8:15). It’s an immediate, visual sign of elevation.
  • and have a chain of gold around your neck: (Aramaic: וְהַמְנִיכָא דִי דַהֲבָא עַל־צַוָּארָךְ, wehămêyḵā’ dî ḏahăḇā‘ ‘al-ṣawārak̠) A gold chain was a distinct insignia of high office and honor, often given by kings to trusted advisors (Gen 41:42). It denoted authority and royal favor.
  • and shall rule as third in the kingdom: (Aramaic: וְתַלִיתָא בְמַלְכוּתָא תִּשְׁלַט, wĕṯālîṯā’ ḇəmalḵūṯā’ tišlaṭ) This signifies the highest political office the king could bestow after himself and perhaps his father Nabonidus (who was still nominally king while Belshazzar co-reigned), or after Belshazzar himself and potentially his queen. It reflects the desperate extent of Belshazzar's offer. This contrasts sharply with Daniel’s humble status just before.

Daniel 5 16 Bonus section

The phrase "dissolve enigmas" (קִטְרִין לְמֵישְׁרֵא, qiṭrîn lemêshrê’) draws an interesting parallel to "untangling knots." In many ancient cultures, especially the Middle East, difficult problems or mysteries were metaphorically referred to as "knots." To untie them symbolized superior insight and wisdom, especially when conventional means failed. The Babylonian wise men's inability to do so, while Daniel could, implicitly demonstrated the superiority of Yahweh's revealed wisdom over the intricate but ultimately futile systems of Babylonian divination and astrology. This served as a polemic, asserting that the God of Israel is the true source of all understanding, making the so-called "wise men" of Babylon seem like foolish novices. The very term chosen by the king, perhaps in exasperation, underscored the spiritual dead end he and his kingdom faced.

Daniel 5 16 Commentary

Daniel 5:16 is Belshazzar's last-ditch attempt to secure his future through human wisdom, even as he implicitly acknowledges his own court's utter failure and the preeminence of a servant of the God he had just scorned. His desperate offer of "purple," "gold chain," and "third ruler" status is a snapshot of earthly power trying to bargain with divine truth. These are the pinnacle of Babylonian honor—visible wealth and ultimate authority—presented to one who likely held a marginalized position prior. The King's offer, steeped in temporal power and prestige, starkly contrasts with Daniel's intrinsic, God-given wisdom and integrity. It highlights Belshazzar's inability to see beyond material rewards, oblivious to the divine judgment looming. The true reward for Daniel would not be earthly adornments but the validation of God's power through him. This scene underscores the chasm between human grandeur and God's sovereignty.