Daniel 5:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

NIV: and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

NASB: So Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.

CSB: and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

NLT: And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

KJV: And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

NKJV: And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

This verse records that fact that Darius the Mede took over the kingdom of Babylon. It's possible Daniel skipped over some political developments between the death of Belshazzar and the rule of Darius. Historians struggle with this passage and how best to harmonize it with archaeology. It's possible Darius and Cyrus (Daniel 6:28) are different names for the same person. It's also possible that one was "appointed" to power over the city of Babylon while the other ruled the entire kingdom. The details given in Scripture are limited, leaving room for options which are subject to debate.

Darius, the son of Hystaspes, was apparently the rightful heir to the throne of Persia, having descended along with Cyrus from the royal line of Persia. He abolished local kingdoms and principalities; he divided the empire into satrapies, with each satrap overseen by a Persian with supreme authority over civil affairs. The Persian official also commanded a division of the army. Judges were appointed with assigned circuits, royal roads stretched everywhere, and Susa and Persepolis were Darius's capital cities. With the transfer of power from Belshazzar to Darius the truth is apparent that the Lord puts down one king and raises up another (Psalm 75:7).

Daniel 5:29–31 is the abrupt conclusion to this supernatural incident. The same night that Belshazzar saw ethereal fingers writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5), he consulted with Daniel. Daniel proclaimed doom, and what he predicted came to pass within hours. This ending, while brief, transitions the story from Belshazzar's Babylon to Daniel's time serving under the Medo-Persian empire.

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.