Daniel 5 21

Daniel 5:21 kjv

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.

Daniel 5:21 nkjv

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.

Daniel 5:21 niv

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.

Daniel 5:21 esv

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.

Daniel 5:21 nlt

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.

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 21 Meaning

The verse describes Belshazzar's personal experience of being utterly overcome by fear and distress as he witnesses the supernatural writing on the wall. This divine judgment paralyzes him and his officials, signifying the impending doom of his kingdom.

Daniel 5 21 Context

This verse occurs during a decadent feast hosted by King Belshazzar in Babylon. The king, in defiance of God and using sacred vessels plundered from Jerusalem's temple, is celebrating his reign and praising false gods. Suddenly, supernatural fingers appear and write a mysterious message on the palace wall. Daniel is summoned to interpret it. This verse specifically captures the king's immediate, visceral reaction to seeing this divine sign of impending judgment. The entire event highlights Belshazzar's hubris and the inevitable downfall of a kingdom that rebels against the Most High.

Daniel 5 21 Word Analysis

• וּשְׁנַיּוּ (u’shunāyyū) - "and his knees"

  • This is a masculine plural noun, referring to the joints of his legs.
  • It highlights a profound physical reaction to extreme fear.

• בְּרַוּעִית (bə-rāvʿît) - "rubbing" or "striking against each other"

  • This is a feminine noun derived from a root meaning "to be broken" or "to strike."
  • It vividly depicts the involuntary and violent trembling of the knees due to intense terror. This signifies complete loss of physical control.

• יִרְגַּז: (yirgaz) - "trembled" or "were shaken"

  • This is a Piel (intensive) form of the verb רָגַז (ragaz).
  • It denotes a violent, uncontrollable shaking.
  • It's a strong word indicating deep disturbance and alarm.

• בּוּקְרֵהּ: (būqrēh) - "its" or "his"

  • This is a third-person masculine singular possessive pronoun.
  • It refers back to Belshazzar.

• עַל־: (ʿal-) - "upon" or "against"

  • A common preposition.

• כּוּרְסֵהּ: (kūrsēh) - "his throne" or "his seat of power"

  • This is a noun meaning "throne" or "seat."
  • It represents not just a physical chair but also his royal authority and power.
  • The trembling upon his throne symbolizes the imminent collapse of his rule and the instability of his entire reign.

• Words-group analysis: "and his knees rubbed against each other" (וּשְׁנַיּוּ בְּרַוּעִית) vividly describes an uncontrollable shaking of the knees, a common physical manifestation of intense fear. The conjunction "and" links this physical reaction to the preceding state of alarm and thought, showing a cascade of panic. The combination emphasizes the completeness of his terror, affecting him down to his very foundation of stability, symbolized by his knees. The overall phrase "his knees were knocking against each other" emphasizes a loss of bodily control, signifying that his confidence and power were utterly undone by the divine manifestation.

Daniel 5 21 Bonus Section

This visceral physical reaction underscores a key theological theme in Daniel: the utter powerlessness of human rulers and systems against the sovereign God. While Nebuchadnezzar, a predecessor, was humbled and restored by God (Daniel 4), Belshazzar displays persistent arrogance and defiance, even after witnessing his grandfather's experience. His personal terror reflects the dread of his entire kingdom facing God's justice. The phrase implies a deep, bone-shaking fear that compromises his ability to even stand or rule effectively, a fitting prelude to his imminent dethronement and death.

Daniel 5 21 Commentary

Belshazzar's knees knocking is a graphic portrayal of overwhelming dread. Unlike Daniel, who is commissioned to interpret the writing, Belshazzar's reaction is one of utter terror and helplessness. The physical symptoms mirror the spiritual devastation occurring. His kingdom, represented by his unstable position on his throne, is about to collapse because he has despised divine authority. This incident underscores that even earthly power and regal pomp are insignificant before God's judgment, which can bring kings to their knees. The scene highlights the inadequacy of human might against divine pronouncements.