Daniel 5:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah.

NIV: So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, 'Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

NASB: Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, 'Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?

CSB: Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, "Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my predecessor the king brought from Judah?

NLT: So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, 'Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar?

KJV: Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

NKJV: Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “ Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?

During a drunken, blasphemous party (Daniel 5:1–4), Belshazzar was terrified to see disembodied fingers writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5–9). The queen, or queen mother, suggested he consult with Daniel (Daniel 5:10–12). Belshazzar knows of Daniel as one of the exiles Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Judah.

Daniel had been captured by Babylon as a young man during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:3–7). When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, he also took some of the sacred objects from the temple (Daniel 1:1–2). It was these items which Belshazzar had desecrated during his carousing (Exodus 30:22–29). Not only was Daniel renowned for his ability to untangle mysteries, but he is also a faithful worshipper of the God whom Belshazzar has insulted. For this reason, it is no surprise that Belshazzar addresses him by his Hebrew name, just at the queen did—twice (Daniel 5:12).

Here, as in earlier verses, the word "father" refers to Belshazzar's ancestor: King Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar's faint knowledge of Daniel may suggest that Daniel was living in obscurity in Babylon when Belshazzar was king. However, God used the queen to put Daniel once again in the spotlight as His servant and prophet. God has a way of having His servants in the right place and at the right time (Esther 4:14).

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.