THE BOOK OF
DANIEL

Daniel 5

1Belshazzar's impious feast. 5The handwriting on the wall, which the magicians could not explain, troubleth him: 10at the recommendation of the queen Daniel is brought in: 17he reproveth the king of pride, profaneness, and idolatry: 25he readeth and interpreteth the writing. 30Belshazzar slain; the kingdom translated to the Medes.


1BELSHAZZAR1 the king 2made 3a great feast to a 4thousand of his lords, and drank wine 5before the thousand.

1 Namely, the grandchild of Nebuchadnezzar the Great, and the son of Evil-merodach. To reckon from the time that the Jews were brought into the Babylonian captivity, to the end of the Babylonian monarchy, these three kings reigned in Babel, namely, Nebuchadnezzar the Great, Evil-merodach his son and Belshazzar, the son of Evil-merodach. See and compare herewith 2 Kings 25:27; Jer. 27:5, 6, 7. But others place after this Belshazzar a Nabonidus, called by Daniel Darius the Median, verse 31, and received the kingdom by the free choice of the Babylonians, etc., of which the judicious reader may judge, and consider Jer. 27:7, etc. Likewise below verses 29 and 31; Dan. 6:28; 8:3, 20; 9:1; 10:1; 11:1, 2.

2 Some are of the opinion that this feast was kept at the time when the city of Babel was besieged by the Persians, to show that he, little or not at all, regarded the enemy that was then situated before Babel.

3 Chad. Made much or great meat or bread, as Eccl. 10:19.

4 That is, to all the princes, nobles, great ones, honorable persons and officers of his kingdom, which were many in number.

5 That is, in the presence of them. Compare Esther 1:3.

2Belshazzar, whiles he 6tasted the wine, commanded 7to bring the golden and silver vessels which 8his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his 9wives, and his concubines, might drink 10therein.

6 That is, when he was intoxicated with the wine. Chald. in the taste of the wine.

7 Daniel reproves this in verse 23. It seems indeed that Nebuchadnezzar had caused those plundered vessels to be shut up in his treasuries, without using them. Neither do we read anywhere that Evil-merodach used them; but Belshazzar does this as in defiance of God.

8 That is, his grandfather, and so in the sequel. The people from the east call all the ancestors fathers; as they also call the nephews or posterity sons.

9 Or, bed-fellows. Some conceive that the Chaldean word signifies kingly or princely wives.

10 Chald. might drink in them, namely, the wine that was filled in them. Also verse 3.

3Then they brought 11the golden vessels 12that 13were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

11 It may well be that there were also brought silver vessels, but that the prophet here only means the fairest and costliest ones.

12 This king boasts in this manner by being haughty about his father’s temple robbery.

13 See the history 2 Kings 24 and 25.

414They drank wine, and praised 15the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

14 Here is pointed out that excess in wine caused these idolaters to forget the true God, yea, to blaspheme Him, and to thank and praise their false gods for the spoil taken out of the house of God which they misused.

15 There never were any idolaters among the heathen as blinded as to think that the essence of God consisted of gold, silver, etc., but they honored and worshipped their gods in the form of images.

5¶In the same hour 16came forth 17fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against 18the candlestick 19upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and 20the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

16 Namely, out of the wall, or miraculously from heaven.

17 Not a complete hand, but fingers, or somewhat more of the hand, verse 24. They were the fingers of God, which are called fingers of a man’s hand, because they were in the king’s eyes like the fingers of a man, which were enough to make the king and all who saw them afraid and amazed.

18 Which may have hung in the midst of the hall or drinking room, where this great feast was held, of which is believed that it would have lasted till late in the night, had God not interrupted it.

19 That is, upon the whitened, limed or plastered wall.

20 This serves for the confirmation of this miracle. If only one of the guests there present had seen it, and told the king of it, he might then have questioned the certainty of this miracle, thinking that someone had written this secretly or artistically upon the wall; but when he himself saw the fingers move, then he had no cause to doubt, but he was convinced in his own conscience, that it was a sign from heaven, God frightening him, Whom he had defied before, verse 2.

6Then the king’s 21countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins 22were loosed, and his knees smote 23one against another.

21 Chald. brightnesses. This may be understood of his whole brightness. Compare Dan. 4:36. Also likewise verses 9 and 10. The meaning is: that all his mirth was suddenly turned into sadness. The king did not yet know what this writing signified, whether good or evil; but his own conscience bare witness unto him, that it was the threatening hand of God for his wicked life and conduct.

22 That is, his strength failed, or, were made loose, or grew loose, that is, as others, they had to lose him, as they do to those who faint or fall into a swoon.

23 Chald. this on that, that is, one against another, namely, through fear and terror.

7The king cried 24aloud to bring in 25the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king 26spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed 27with scarlet, and have a 28chain of gold about his neck, and 29shall be the third ruler 30in the kingdom.

24 Or, with might, that is, aloud, that every man might perfectly hear. It became not the dignity of the king’s person to cry aloud at the table, but hereby is shown the distress and terror that had seized upon the king.

25 Understand by these three kinds all those who are named Dan. 1:20; 2:2, 27. See there. Daniel was forgotten, though he had some few years before interpreted this king’s grandfather’s dream, Daniel 2.

26 That is, began to speak, as elsewhere besides.

27 This as much as to say, that the king would reckon or place him (who could read and interpret this writing) among the number of his princes, and of the great ones of his kingdom; for, heretofore princes and noble men in king’s courts did wear such apparel, they and no other persons.

28 Other, golden neck bands, or, golden chains, for, the Chaldean text is diversely read.

29 Other, he shall rule over the third part of the kingdom. Also verses 16 and 29; Dan. 6:2.

30 Namely, in the kingdom of Babel.

8Then came in all the king's wise men: but 31they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

31 God has blinded their eyes and understanding, for, it was written in the Chaldean language, that is, their mother tongue, as appears in verse 25, etc. Compare herewith Isa. 29:10; 2 Cor. 3:14. Though they might have read this writing, and read it over and over again, yet they were not able to have understood its meaning.

9Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and 32his countenance was changed in him, and 33his lords were astonied.

32 See verse 6.

33 Because these were likewise guilty of several of the king’s sins, therefore they were also to bear a share with him in the punishment. God wanted to have this to touch their hearts likewise, that by them this might be published in all kingdoms and countries.

10Now 34the queen, 35by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, 36O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

34 Not the housewife of king Belshazzar (for verses 2 and 3 state that his wives had come to the feast likewise), therefore it is to be understood of the widow of king Nebuchadnezzar, the grandmother of Belshazzar, or his mother.

35 That is, when she had heard the words of the king and of the princes, and that which was done there.

36 Other, Let the king live for ever. Chald. in eternities. Of this manner of greeting see Dan. 2:4; 3:9.

11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and ina the days 37of thy father 38light and understanding and wisdom, 39like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar 40thy father, the king, I say, thy father, 41made 42master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;

a Dan. 2:47, 48.

37 That is, of thy grandfather. See verse 2.

38 Or, enlightening, that is, wisdom, knowledge to reveal secret things.

39 That is, more than human wisdom, namely such, as is to be compared with the wisdom of the gods.

40 This served for the augmentation of Daniel’s authority, for, Nebuchadnezzar was held to be a very wise, understanding man.

41 See Dan. 2:48.

42 See Dan. 4:9.

12Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, 43and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king 44named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

43 That is, who unravels complicated and confused things, or who can answer and expound hard and difficult questions, which are, as it were, tied and knotted fast with bands of obscurity. See Dan. 4:9. Some render the beginning of this verse thus: Because an excellent spirit, with knowledge and understanding, which (namely, spirit) interpreteth dreams, and shewing (or propounding) of riddles, and which looseth knots, etc., or, interpreting dreams, and shewing riddles, etc.

44 Chald. appointed.

13Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king 45spake and said unto Daniel, 46Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king 47my father brought out of Jewryb?

45 That is, began to speak, and so elsewhere often.

46 The king does ask this with admiration. He does not know Daniel, who was nevertheless made ruler by his grandfather over the entire province of Babel, Dan. 2:48, but seems afterward to be put aside and forgotten by Belshazzar, so that this king does not know him. It may be that some, greedy of honor, endeavored to put him out of all offices, and that he made not much opposition against it, knowing how infectious kings courts are.

47 That is, my grandfather Nebuchadnezzar.

b Judaea

1448I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

48 He had indeed heard somewhat spoken of Daniel, but hitherto he regarded it not, but now in time of trouble Daniel is inquired about to give counsel and comfort.

15And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but 49they could not shew the interpretation 50of the thing:

49 Namely, the wise men and the astrologers. Neither could the king, nor his princes read it. See further on verse 8. But Daniel has read it by the inspiration of God, Who has willed that Daniel, whom they had forgotten, would now hereby be noticed again.

50 Chald. of that word. Also verse 26.

16And I have heard of thee, that thou canst 51make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, 52thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

51 Chald. interpret.

52 The king promises great things, knowing little how near was his ruin, and to him it might be said, as it was said unto that fool: “… this night thy soul shall be required of thee …”, Luke 12:20.

17¶Then Daniel answered and said before the king, 53Let 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.

53 Thus speaks Daniel that he might not seem to prophesy out of ambition, or greediness. Honor, riches and other transitory things, after which worldly men do commonly thirst so exceedingly, could not move this holy man. See a similar example in Elisha, 2 Kings 5:16.

1854O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar 55thy father a kingdom, and 56majesty, and 57glory, and honour:

54 Before Daniel reads and interprets the writing, he thus gives to understand the king why God had shown him this sign of the writing fingers, namely, to bring him to mind his unthankfulness and his blasphemous, sacrilegious temple theft.

55 That is, grandfather, for, Evil-merodach was Belshazzar’s father.

56 Or, as one may say: magnificence.

57 Or, honour and beauty.

19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared 58before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

58 Chald. from before him.

20But 59when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, 60he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

59 Or, when his heart uplifted itself.

60 See Job 12 on verse 18. Daniel repeats here this memorable history, to bring the king to mind his reluctance and forgetfulness to remember the grand miracle, which the Lord had shown to Nebuchadnezzar, his grandfather.

21Andc61he was driven from the sons of men; and 62his heart was made like the beasts, and 63his dwelling was with the wild asses: 64they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

c Dan. 4:25.

61 See Dan. 4:25.

62 Other, he made his heart with the beasts; that is, he was for some space of time without knowledge and without understanding; understanding that He, namely the Lord, made the king’s heart like the beasts.

63 He, who before had kept his court in the most famous city, and in the most stately palace of the world, must now associate with beasts.

64 The meaning is: that he ate grass.

22And thou his 65son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, 66though thou knewest all this;

65 That is, grandchild. It seems that Evil-merodach, Belshazzar’s father, was a better man, and that he laid well to heart the miracle wrought on Nebuchadnezzar. Compare 2 Kings 25:27, 28.

66 And therefore should have taken to heart properly what had happened him.

23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels 67of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, 68which see not, nor hear, 69nor know: and the God 70in whose hand 71thy breath is, and whose are 72all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

67 That is, of His temple.

68 Compare Psalm 115:5, etc.; 135:15, etc.

69 Or, nor understood.

70 That is, Who has given thee life, and continues it unto thee as long as He pleases.

71 Or, thy soul, that is, thy life.

72 That is, all thy purposes, all thy works and actions, without Whom thou canst do nothing.

2473Then was the part of the hand sent 74from him; and this writing was written.

73 Namely, when thy pride against God was come to the highest, and thy haughtiness towards men had become intolerable, and thou hadst now heaped up the measure of thy sins to the top.

74 Chald. from before him, namely, from God. It was no juggling or blinding of the eyes, but it was the hand of God.

25¶And this is the writing that was written, 75MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

75 That is, he has numbered, he has numbered; he has weighed, and they divide it. Other, he is numbered, he is numbered; he is weighed, and they divide, namely him, that is, he becomes divided, or he is divided. Other, number, number, weigh, and they divide. The word MENE is here mentioned twice for further assurance and confirmation of the threats of God.

26This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and 76finished it.

76 Namely thus, that now the days of thy kingdom are at an end. And now the day is come wherein thou must give an account of all thy doings. Other, and he hath delivered it, namely, thy kingdom to the Medes and Persians.

2777TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and 78art found wanting.

77TEKEL is but to say: he hath weighed, the other words are added by the prophet for further exposition of the word TEKEL. The meaning is: As merchants have their scales and weights to try whether the money has its due weight, so has God also weighted thee in His Divine balance, and thou art found wanting. Concerning this similitude see Psalm 62:9.

78 That is, thou wert found to be like a piece of money that is deficient, and consequently not passable. Other, thou art found to fail, namely, in thy full weight, that is, thou hast not behaved thyself according as thy kingly office and dignity requires.

2879PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

79 Upon the wall stood UPHARSIN, that is, and they divided. They, namely, the Medes and Persians, as servants of God in this division. But here the prophet uses the word PERES, that is, he divideth. He, namely, God. And the meaning is: The kingdom is taken from thee and given to others, namely, to the Medes and Persians.

29Then commanded Belshazzar, 80and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation 81concerning him, 82that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

80 The king would thus show and make appear not only that he would keep his promise, verse 16, but also show that he was undaunted and void of fear.

81 Or, over, before him.

82 It is probable that Daniel took this weighty charge upon him unwillingly, yet he did it for that intent that he might by that means be helpful to his poor countrymen in the approaching change of the monarchy.

3083In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans 84slain.

83 Compare Psalm 37:9, 10, 35, etc.; Isa. 21:9; 47:11; Jer. 25:12, etc.; 51:39.

84 Namely, by Gobrya and Gadata, or by the soldiers of Cyrus, who was lead on by these two lords for that intent, when Babel was taken. Compare Isa. 21:5; Jer. 51:39. Yet others conceive that he was slain by a secret conspiracy of his nobles, whereof one, called here Darius, was made king, in whose time Babylon was taken by Cyrus. See on verse 1.

3185And 86Darius the Median 87took the kingdom, being 88about threescore and two years old.

85 Some add this verse to the beginning of the 6th chapter.

86 Chald. Dariaves; he is called the Median to distinguish him from Darius the Persian, of whom see Ezra 4:5, 24.

87 Or, captured, accepted, received, namely, according to the opinion of many, from the hand of Cyrus; for, when Cyrus, with the help of Darius, his father-in-law, had taken the kingdom of Babylon, when he delivered it unto Darius, and he himself went to Persia to dispatch and manage, further to order his affairs there. But when Darius had governed the kingdom of Babel about a full year, Cyrus took again to himself the government of the kingdom of Babel. Yet, of the opinion of others see Dan. 5 on verses 1 and 30.

88 Chald. a son of about threescore and two years.