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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."
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."
NASB But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.'
CSB However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom."
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.'
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.
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.”

What does Daniel 5:16 mean?

As with his prior comments (Daniel 5:14), it's possible Belshazzar is merely repeating what he heard from the queen mother (Daniel 5:10–13). Whether he knew much about Daniel, or not, he is desperate to learn what the supernatural writing on the wall of his banquet hall means (Daniel 5:5–9). He promises Daniel the significant rewards he promised his wise men (Daniel 5:7).

If Daniel reads and interprets the handwriting, Belshazzar will adorn him with royal clothes, drape a gold chain around his neck, and make him the third ruler in Babylon. This corresponds to the theory that Nabonidus was the "first ruler," meaning the actual king, and his son Belshazzar was the "second ruler" or regent. Apparently, Nabonidus has married one of Nebuchadnezzar's daughters, therefore Belshazzar was Nebuchadnezzar's grandson from his mother's side of the family. The rewards Belshazzar promised Daniel in return for the reading and interpretation of the mysterious handwriting show how desperate Belshazzar was for an answer. These were the highest rewards he could confer on Daniel.
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