Daniel 5:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation.

NIV: Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.

NASB: Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king.

CSB: So all the king's wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him.

NLT: But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant.

KJV: Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

NKJV: Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.

The Babylonian King Belshazzar is terrified after seeing supernatural fingers writing a message on the wall during his drunken, profane party (Daniel 5:1–5). In abject panic, he calls for his advisors and promises incredible wealth and power to anyone who can explain what has happened (Daniel 5:6–7).

This part of the book of Daniel is written in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4—7:28), and the words turn out to be Aramaic, as well (Daniel 5:25). And yet, the great wisdom of Babylon's scholars and occultists could neither read nor interpret the writing on the wall. That educated Babylonian men could not even read the words suggests they were written in some foreign language or script. Perhaps the words were in a cipher—a scramble or coded form—or some other disguise. The inability of pagan magicians to interpret a divine message echoes what happened when Nebuchadnezzar convened his wise men to interpret his first troubling dream (Daniel 2:1–2). In that case, as well, those advisors were hopeless (Daniel 2:10–11).

God makes much of His truth plain and obvious (Romans 1:18–21; Psalm 19:1). This is meant to encourage people to seek Him (Matthew 7:7–8). Yet some truths can only be grasped with the help of God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). God's plan in this supernatural event is not only to send a message to Belshazzar; it also emphasizes that only those who honor the Lord have access to ultimate understanding.

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.