Daniel 5:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.

NIV: Then Daniel answered the king, 'You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

NASB: Then Daniel replied and said before the king, 'Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him.

CSB: Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him.

NLT: Daniel answered the king, 'Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.

KJV: Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

NKJV: Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Depending on how one interprets the dates involved, Daniel may have been eighty years old when he was called before Belshazzar (Daniel 5:11–12). That makes his words even more impressive. Such fearlessness can be attributed only to Daniel's confidence in God's power to protect him.

Daniel's nerve is demonstrated, first, by refusing the king's offer of reward. While this might be taken as a sign of loyalty and love, it was more likely seen as an act of separation. Centuries earlier, Abraham rescued his nephew Lot and others from Sodom who had been taken captive. When the king of Sodom offered to reward Abram, Abram flatly refused the offer. In fact, he made a point of saying he wanted no one to say he'd become rich thanks to a man like the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:22–24). Afterwards, the Lord appeared to Abram in a vision, and promised him a reward for his great faith (Genesis 15:1).

Courage is also shown in Daniel's firm confidence that he can explain the disturbing vision (Daniel 5:5). He shows no doubt in God's readiness to reveal the meaning of the handwriting. In fact, he speaks as someone who already knows what the incident means. Daniel's nerve will extend to what comes next: a direct, thorough criticism of Belshazzar's arrogance and dishonor (Daniel 5:23).

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.