Daniel 5:4

ESV They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

NIV As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.

NASB They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

CSB They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

NLT While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

KJV They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

NKJV They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

What does Daniel 5:4 mean?

King Belshazzar and his guests (Daniel 5:1) did more than desecrate sacred vessels (Daniel 5:2–3). They were also guilty of idolatry. The context here suggests the captured artifacts (Daniel 1:1–2) were being used as part of rites honoring false pagan deities. Daniel relates that various materials from which idols were carved to emphasize that these are not living deities: they are material things made by the same men who then worship them. Lifeless statues cannot hear, see, or help their worshipers. How different is the true God, the God Most High. He invites His people to call to Him and promises, "I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3).

The guests followed the example of their king. He appears to have drunk heavily, and so did they. Throughout history, people have tried to imitate their national leader or leaders. Therefore, the morals of a nation's highest political official matter. Scripture warns against drunkenness in all cases (Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1), but notes that intoxication is especially inappropriate for those in power (Proverbs 31:4).

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Context Summary
Daniel 5:1–9 portrays Babylon's king, Belshazzar, as both proud and profane. During a wine-laden, idol-worshipping celebration, the king uses captured Jewish religious articles as drinking cups. A disembodied hand suddenly appears and writes on the wall. This terrifies Belshazzar, even more so when his wise men cannot explain what has happened. What follows is Daniel's explanation, predicting God's judgment of Belshazzar.

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Chapter Summary
After Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, a succeeding ruler, Belshazzar, fails to learn the proper lesson. During a drunken party, he brings out Jewish objects to use in idolatry. The celebration is interrupted by disembodied fingers leaving strange markings on the wall. Daniel is summoned when no one else can read or interpret these. After boldly rebuking Belshazzar's immorality, Daniel explains the event as a prophecy of doom. That same night, Belshazzar dies, and the kingdom eventually comes under a new leader.

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