Daniel 5 6

Daniel 5:6 kjv

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Daniel 5:6 nkjv

Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.

Daniel 5:6 niv

His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.

Daniel 5:6 esv

Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.

Daniel 5:6 nlt

and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.

Daniel 5 verses

Daniel 5 6 Meaning

Daniel's terror and his thought process are marked by intense fear, stemming from the immediate, supernatural judgment on King Belshazzar and his associates. The sudden appearance of a hand writing on the wall, coupled with the king's panicked reaction, profoundly disturbed Daniel, even before he understood the divine message. His fear was not of a personal threat but a deep reverence and apprehension concerning God's manifest power and judgment.

Daniel 5 6 Context

This verse occurs within the climactic scene of Belshazzar's feast, described in Daniel chapter 5. Belshazzar, defying his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar's earlier decrees, had commanded the sacred vessels, looted from Jerusalem's temple, to be brought out and used for drinking. This act of blasphemy prompted a supernatural manifestation: a disembodied hand appeared and began writing on the wall. Daniel, who had served in Nebuchadnezzar's court and was known for his wisdom and interpretation of dreams and visions, was summoned by the terrified king. Daniel's reaction in verse 6 reveals the gravity of the supernatural event, anticipating the divine message. The wider context of the chapter points to the impending fall of Babylon and the rise of a new world power.

Daniel 5 6 Word Analysis

• וּרְעֵה (u-rə‘ēh): "and his countenance" - The conjunction "and" connects this phrase to Daniel's previous state or the overall description of his reaction. "Rə‘ēh" signifies countenance, face, or appearance. It emphasizes a visible, outward expression of his inner turmoil.
• שְׁנִי֯ (shəni): "his countenance" - This refers specifically to Daniel's face, highlighting the change that occurred due to the frightening event.
• שַׁנִּי֯ (shəni): "changed" - This word implies a transformation or alteration. Daniel's face became pale, indicating extreme fear and distress.
• צְבִי (ṣəḇi): "his brightness" or "his radiance" - This word in Hebrew can refer to splendor, beauty, or vigorous health. The paleness of his face meant this natural radiance had vanished.
• וְאֵימָת֔וֹ (wə’ēmātô): "and his terror" - This signifies intense fear, dread, and horror. It points to the emotional impact of the event on Daniel.
• עֵ֠לוּ (‘ālû): "came up" or "mounted" - This describes the effect of the fear upon Daniel. The terror seized him, as if it physically ascended or overwhelmed him.
• עֵ֚לְתוּ (‘aləṯû): "were stirred" or "were troubled" - referring to Daniel's state of inner disturbance.
• דְּחִ֠ילוּ (dəḥîlû): "fear" or "dread" - This is another term for fear, underscoring the profound anxiety that gripped him.
• לֵ֚הּ (lēh): "upon him" - Indicating that this fear was directed towards Daniel personally.
• וּמִשְׁבְּרִ֯ (ūmišəbər): "and from the kings" - The "mi" prefix means "from". This indicates the source of his fear or a part of what caused his fear was the reaction of the kings.
• וְשֵׁירוֺן (wəšêrôn): "and his companions" or "his associates" - The terror affected Daniel by observing not just the writing but also the king and those around him. The king's state ("and his radiance changed") as well as the overall disquiet among the nobles.
• מִלְּתָא (milləṯā): "the writing" - This is a significant reference to the supernatural message inscribed on the wall. It is the direct cause of the alarm.
• שְׁמַ֠יָּא (šəmayyā): "heaven" - Daniel understood this writing was not an earthly phenomenon but a divine act originating from God in heaven.

Group Analysis:

• "His countenance was changed, and his terror was upon him, and his rage with the king and his companions were vexed." (Vague phrasing in the user's provided structure. Corrected based on standard translations.)
• The verse describes a holistic reaction: physical (face changed, pale), emotional (terror), and relational (affected by the king's distress). This shows that Daniel's fear was not self-serving but a response to witnessing God's judgment and the fear of the human authorities caught in it. The terror originated from the miraculous "writing" (from heaven), affecting Daniel directly and causing him to be apprehensive for the king and his court.

Daniel 5 6 Bonus Section

The incident foreshadows how true wisdom and understanding of God’s ways come through reverent fear. Belshazzar's drunken revelry in sacred vessels contrasts sharply with Daniel's respectful dread. Daniel's reaction is consistent with Old Testament portrayals of prophets and individuals encountering the divine (e.g., Isaiah's reaction in Isaiah 6). His fear served as a precursor to his prophetic declaration, equipping him with the soberness needed to interpret God's message accurately for a sinful kingdom. This moment prepares him to be God's mouthpiece in a critical historical juncture, delivering a verdict of judgment upon Babylon.

Daniel 5 6 Commentary

Daniel’s deep fear was not due to personal danger but an awe-filled recognition of God's immediate intervention and judgment. His paleness and terror demonstrate his respect for the divine, even before understanding the message. He empathized with the king’s predicament while also fearing God’s power. This scene underscores the consequence of desecrating holy things and the reverence due to the Most High.