Daniel 5:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.

NIV: His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.

NASB: Then the king’s face became pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints loosened and his knees began knocking together.

CSB: his face turned pale, and his thoughts so terrified him that he soiled himself and his knees knocked together.

NLT: and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.

KJV: Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

NKJV: Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.

Belshazzar's reaction to seeing disembodied fingers writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5) is dramatic. This makes sense, as this happens directly in front of a lampstand, without warning, in the middle of a drunken, blasphemous party (Daniel 5:1–4). What's described here is sheer terror. His color changes—probably meaning he became pale—and he becomes weak and shaky. It's possible he collapsed in fear. He will begin shouting for his advisors (Daniel 5:7). All of this happens before Belshazzar even knows what the writing means (Daniel 5:8, 25–28), though that mystery will trigger another bout of anxiety (Daniel 5:9).

Revelation 6:12–17 presents a terrifying scene in which God's wrath will fall. The event is so alarming that everyone will attempt to escape God's presence, but there is no place to hide from Him (Hebrews 4:13; Luke 12:2). Revelation 20:10–15 describes final judgment, and there is no escape. Those whose names are not written in the book of life are consigned to the lake of fire, which is also called the second death because it involves eternal separation from God. But none need endure this fate. God has provided a means of rescue—Jesus Christ (John 3:16–18, 36). All who put their faith in Him receive eternal life (Romans 6:23). We live in the time of God's patient waiting; He has not yet poured out His righteous wrath on the earth. Instead, God prolongs the offer of His grace because He does not desire that any perish (2 Peter 3:9–13). Judgment for every individual will come (Hebrews 9:27). Those who are in Christ can trust that their debt has been paid and they have been judged as righteous before God on the basis of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). If you have not already done so, fear God by turning to Him in trust; receive that which is truly life (John 10:10; Ephesians 2:1–10).

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.