Daniel 5 31

Daniel 5:31 kjv

And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Daniel 5:31 nkjv

And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel 5:31 niv

and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

Daniel 5:31 esv

And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel 5:31 nlt

And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 31 meaning

Daniel 5:31 narrates the immediate aftermath of Babylon's fall and Belshazzar's death, detailing the succession of a new ruler, Darius the Mede. It signifies the direct fulfillment of divine judgment against Babylon, as the kingdom is transferred to the Medo-Persian Empire, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over world powers. The mention of Darius's age adds a detail characteristic of historical accounts, marking a clear change of leadership as the divine prophecies concerning Babylon's end are realized.

Daniel 5 31 Context

Daniel chapter 5 chronicles Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast, where he defiantly uses sacred temple vessels for idolatrous revelry. This act of hubris incurs divine wrath, manifested by the mysterious writing on the wall: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin." Daniel is called to interpret the inscription, which foretells the imminent judgment upon Babylon—its days are numbered, it is weighed and found wanting, and its kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Within the same night, Belshazzar is slain (v.30), and immediately, verse 31 describes the transfer of power. Historically, this event corresponds to the fall of Babylon in 539 BC to the combined forces of the Medo-Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great. The figure of "Darius the Mede" signifies the immediate Median authority taking over, fulfilling a precise prophetic timeline and demonstrating God's sovereign hand in human history.

Daniel 5 31 Word analysis

• And Darius (וְדָרְיָוֶשׁ - wəḏāryāweš): The conjunctive 'And' signals a direct continuation and immediate consequence of Belshazzar's demise. 'Darius' (Aramaic) refers to the new ruler. The identity of this "Darius the Mede" remains a subject of extensive historical and scholarly debate. He might have been a vice-regent, a general like Gobryas/Gubaru who served under Cyrus the Great, or possibly an alternative name/title for Cyrus himself, given to highlight his Median connection at the time. Despite the historical enigma, Daniel presents him as a distinct figure taking immediate command. His introduction underscores the sudden, decisive change of power.
• the Median (מָדָאָה - māḏāʾāh): This clearly identifies his national or ethnic origin. It explicitly connects the transfer of power to the Medes, fulfilling the prophecies regarding Babylon's fall to the Medo-Persian empire (e.g., Isa 13:17; Dan 5:28). This detail emphasizes the shift from Babylonian hegemony to Median authority as the first stage of the subsequent dual empire.
• took the kingdom (קַבֵּל מַלְכוּתָא - qabbēl malkûtāʾ): The Aramaic verb qabbēl means 'received' or 'took possession of.' This isn't just about conquest but implies the reception or transfer of authority. This perspective aligns with Daniel's overarching theological theme that all kingdoms and rulers ultimately receive their authority from God (Dan 2:21; 4:17). God, in His sovereignty, is actively giving the kingdom to Darius, not merely allowing human conflict to decide.
• being about threescore and two years old (כְּבַר שְׁנִין שִׁתִּין וְתַרְתֵּין - kəḇar šənîn šittîn wəṯarttê): This Aramaic idiomatic phrase means "as a son of sixty and two years," indicating an age of sixty-two years. The specific detail of his age, similar to typical ancient chronicles, adds historical authenticity to Daniel's account, even as his identity is debated. A mature age might suggest an experienced, perhaps seasoned, administrator or general placed in charge, reinforcing the orderly transition described despite the dramatic shift of power. It suggests the establishment of immediate stability following the chaos of conquest and Belshazzar's demise.

Daniel 5 31 Bonus section

• The fall of Babylon and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire, as presented in Daniel 5:31, fulfill the second part of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image in Dan 2 (the breast and arms of silver) and Daniel's own vision of the ram with two horns in Dan 8:20, symbolically representing Media and Persia.
• The biblical phrase "took the kingdom" implies receiving the kingdom as a divine endowment rather than merely seizing it through human strength. This reiterates the consistent theological message in Daniel that God rules the kingdoms of men, granting authority to whom He pleases, regardless of whether they acknowledge Him (Dan 2:21, 4:17).
• Despite ongoing academic discussions about the precise historical identification of "Darius the Mede" (whether a general like Gobryas/Gubaru, a regent appointed by Cyrus, or Cyrus himself operating under a different title or regional identification), the biblical narrative's truth—that a non-Babylonian ruler took immediate control as prophesied—remains firm and central. Daniel's focus is on God's intervention in history, not merely chronological specifics for human historical validation.
• The rapid, bloodless transfer of power (relative to a city being sacked) to Darius the Mede emphasizes the fulfillment of specific prophetic elements, which predicted a northern force but did not necessarily detail the scale of human conflict on the actual day of Babylon's collapse. This detail points to God's precise orchestrations beyond human understanding.

Daniel 5 31 Commentary

Daniel 5:31 serves as the decisive theological and historical turning point of the chapter, marking the swift and precise fulfillment of God's judgment on Babylon. The instant succession of Darius the Mede upon Belshazzar's death demonstrates the direct and immediate nature of divine sovereignty. God's word, spoken through Daniel, is perfectly executed without delay. This verse highlights that earthly empires, despite their perceived might and longevity, operate under the absolute control of the Most High God, who exalts and deposes rulers as He wills. The specific mention of "the Median" connects directly to prophetic pronouncements, signaling the shift to the next great world power foretold in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Medo-Persia as the chest and arms of silver). Darius's age adds a touch of concrete detail to the account, underscoring the historicity of the divine narrative, even amidst complex historical identification debates. The primary message remains clear: God is faithful to His word and exercises supreme authority over all nations and their destinies.