Daniel 5:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

NIV: "But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.

NASB: Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this,

CSB: "But you his successor, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.

NLT: You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.

KJV: And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

NKJV: “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.

True to his calling as a prophet of God, Daniel delivered God's message faithfully and fearlessly—one might even say ruthlessly. King Belshazzar summoned Daniel to explain a supernatural sign which interrupted his blasphemous, drunken party (Daniel 5:1–5). Daniel immediately dismissed the king's offer for payment (Daniel 5:17) and began describing the experience of a prior king, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28–33; 5:18–21).

That history lesson now rises to a direct accusation: Belshazzar, a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar, knows about these events already. Yet he has learned nothing from them. Instead, he is arrogant. Belshazzar's defiance of God demonstrates how the human heart "is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick" (Jeremiah 17:9). Despite having more than enough knowledge (Romans 1:18–20; John 5:39–40), he rejected God anyway.

Daniel will not stop there, however. He will continue to rebuke the king's blasphemy (Daniel 5:23) and explain that the sign predicts dire judgment (Daniel 5:24–28). A preacher today should strive to be as courageous as Daniel, delivering God's Word in truth and love to people as they are. The apostle Paul charged young Pastor Timothy with the responsibility to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).

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.