Daniel 5:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.

NIV: So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

NASB: Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were perplexed.

CSB: Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale, and his nobles were bewildered.

NLT: So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.

KJV: Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

NKJV: Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.

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).

Daniel 5:1–9 portrays Babylon's king, Belshazzar, as both proud and profane. During a wine-laden, idol-worshipping celebration, the king uses captured Jewish religious articles as drinking cups. A disembodied hand suddenly appears and writes on the wall. This terrifies Belshazzar, even more so when his wise men cannot explain what has happened. What follows is Daniel's explanation, predicting God's judgment of Belshazzar.

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.

Accessed 11/21/2024 9:50:08 AM