Daniel 5:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

NIV: But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

NASB: But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit became so overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him.

CSB: But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him.

NLT: But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

KJV: But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

NKJV: But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.

Belshazzar's blasphemous, drunken party (Daniel 5:1–4) was interrupted by a terrifying event (Daniel 5:5). This led to Daniel being summoned to explain the disembodied fingers writing on the wall (Daniel 5:16). Daniel begins by dismissing the king's offer of reward (Daniel 5:17) and launching into a history lesson. This is no accident: Daniel is contrasting Belshazzar with a prior king, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1–7). Nebuchadnezzar was incredibly powerful, but God humbled him (Daniel 4:24–37).

As promised in a prophetic dream, Nebuchadnezzar was confronted with God's judgment (Daniel 4:28–33). Immediately, God's punishment fell, and soon Nebuchadnezzar's ego was completely deflated. The Bible states that God hates "haughty eyes" (Proverbs 6:16–17) and warns that pride and arrogance lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The apostle James writes that "God opposes the proud" (James 4:6). He counsels: "Submit yourselves therefore to God" (James 4:7). Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that it is wise to discard pride and submit to God.

Belshazzar, however, did not learn the same lesson. Showing incredible grit, Daniel is setting up a scathing criticism of the current king, contrasting Belshazzar's foolishness with the example of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:22–23).

Daniel 5:17–28 reveals Daniel's humility, his loyalty to the Most High God, and his courage. Daniel read and interpreted the handwriting. God is judging Babylon: the empire will be defeated and split among the Medes and Persians. Though Daniel said he wanted no payment, his interpretation prompts the rewards from Belshazzar, which were likely as short-lived as he was (Daniel 5:29–30).

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.