Daniel 5:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

NIV: As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.

NASB: They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

CSB: They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

NLT: While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

KJV: They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

NKJV: They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

King Belshazzar and his guests (Daniel 5:1) did more than desecrate sacred vessels (Daniel 5:2–3). They were also guilty of idolatry. The context here suggests the captured artifacts (Daniel 1:1–2) were being used as part of rites honoring false pagan deities. Daniel relates that various materials from which idols were carved to emphasize that these are not living deities: they are material things made by the same men who then worship them. Lifeless statues cannot hear, see, or help their worshipers. How different is the true God, the God Most High. He invites His people to call to Him and promises, "I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3).

The guests followed the example of their king. He appears to have drunk heavily, and so did they. Throughout history, people have tried to imitate their national leader or leaders. Therefore, the morals of a nation's highest political official matter. Scripture warns against drunkenness in all cases (Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1), but notes that intoxication is especially inappropriate for those in power (Proverbs 31:4).

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 5/7/2024 12:26:44 PM