Daniel 5:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter.

NIV: The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.

NASB: Just now the wise men and the sorcerers were brought in before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message.

CSB: Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation.

NLT: My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.

KJV: And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

NKJV: Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.

During a profane, drunken celebration, Babylon's king, Belshazzar, saw a supernatural hand writing on the wall (Daniel 5:1–5). In terror, he tried to learn what this meant, eventually summoning Daniel at the urging of the queen (Daniel 5:6–13). Belshazzar admitted that his wise men had failed to read the handwriting on the wall and had not been able to interpret it. In fact, they had not even been able to read it (Daniel 5:8).

The king's admission comments on the emptiness of Babylon's wisdom. As it pertains to spiritual truth, worldly wisdom is woefully lacking. Just as Babylon's wise men could not discern the message God sent (Daniel 5:23–24) to Belshazzar, so the wisdom of even the best educated men and women today fails to discern the message God has written in the Bible. Intellect is important, but to truly grasp spiritual truth, a person must know God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). The apostle Paul declares in 2 Corinthian 4:3–4: "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case [the Devil] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Daniel 5:10–16 records how Belshazzar summoned Daniel to interpret his terrifying experience (Daniel 5:5). The queen suggests consulting with Daniel, as he is known both for rare ability and his status as a captive who worships the God Belshazzar has been insulting (Daniel 5:1–4). Belshazzar admits he has no idea what the text says, or means, but he will do everything in his power to find out.

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.

The first four chapters of Daniel occur under the rule of Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar. This chapter falls between his reign and when the Medo-Persians conquered in 539 BC. This chapter focuses on Belshazzar, who may have ruled Babylon concurrently with his father Nabonidus. This was probably from 553 BC until his death in 539 BC, when the city was captured. After this, Daniel serves under Darius and / or Cyrus.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.