Daniel 5:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

NIV: The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."

NASB: The king called aloud to bring in the sorcerers, the Chaldeans, and the diviners. The king began speaking and said to the wise men of Babylon, 'Anyone who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be clothed with purple and have a necklace of gold around his neck, and have authority as third ruler in the kingdom.'

CSB: The king shouted to bring in the mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners. He said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom."

NLT: The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!'

KJV: The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

NKJV: The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Belshazzar has entertained a huge party, where he and others have desecrated sacred objects, become drunk, and committed idolatry (Daniel 5:1–4). Without warning, the king sees disembodied fingers writing on the wall on a spot clearly illuminated by a lamp (Daniel 5:5). This inspires abject terror, possibly even causing the king to collapse in fright (Daniel 5:6). His next act is to cry out for help: he seems to know this is a message but does not know what it means.

Frightened people faced with life's mysteries often look for answers wherever they can be found. Not all such answers are true, however. Not all sources are reliable. Faced with the mystery of the handwriting on the wall, Belshazzar shouted for his so-called wise men: the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. These men were sorcerers, scholars, and magicians. It seems the king does not recognize the words written; perhaps they are in some other script. His wise men will also be stumped (Daniel 5:8).

Belshazzar promises that whoever untangles this mystery will be "next in line" in authority behind Belshazzar himself. The mention of being "third ruler" likely connects to Belshazzar's role as interim king. It's likely his father was Nabonidus, the "first ruler," and that he was away and had left Belshazzar as a regent over Babylon. The highest authority to which he can appoint someone, then, would be third. In addition, the horrified king promises wealth and prestige for anyone who can explain this event.

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 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.