What does Daniel 5:9 mean?
It was terrifying enough for Belshazzar to see a ghostly hand writing on the wall in the middle of his party (Daniel 5:1–7). New panic sets in when the king realizes that his court advisors—educated men—cannot even read the words, let alone explain them (Daniel 5:8). The many guests are also shocked to see Babylonian magicians and astrologers unable to even decipher the text. The mysterious event filled the entire banquet hall with dread and astonishment. Just as pagan occultists were helpless to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dreams (Daniel 2:10–11; 4:7), Belshazzar's men are powerless here. Eventually, Daniel will be summoned and will explain the dire meaning of these words (Daniel 5:25–28).Haggai 2:7 anticipates an end-time event when God will "shake all nations." Ezekiel 38:19–20 predicts a time when God will display wrath using an earthquake. All the power, glory, and wisdom of Babylon could not stop the mysterious hand from writing on the wall, and in the end time no unbelievers will escape God's judgment (Revelation 6:12–17; 20:11–15).