Daniel 5:2

Translations

Modern

Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

Traditional

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

Literal

Belshazzar commanded during the tasting of the wine to bring the vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem, so that they might drink from them—the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines.

Latin

Præcepit ergo jam temulentus ut afferrentur vasa aurea et argentea, quæ asportaverat Nabuchodonosor pater ejus de templo, quod fuit in Ierusalem, ut biberent in eis rex, et optimates ejus, uxoresque ejus, et concubinæ.

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

Notes

Daniel 5:2–4

The gold and silver cups from the temple in Jerusalem were taken along with the people (Daniel 1:2), but earlier Babylonian kings did not misuse them. They were eventually returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:7–11).
father: Belshazzar was Nabonidus's oldest son; his connection to Nebuchadnezzar is unclear.
As they drank the wine, they praised their gods: If Belshazzar ever knew about the respect Nebuchadnezzar showed the Most High God decades earlier (Daniuel 4:34–37), he had forgotten it. Two ancient Greek historians, Herodotus and Xenophon, describe the all-night partying, dancing, and heavy drinking that occurred as Persia captured the city.

Daniel 5:1–30

All earthly kingdoms eventually end. Nebuchadnezzar's dream suggested that Babylon would fall and a new kingdom would rise (Daniel 2:39).

After Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC, violence and corruption grew in Babylon's palaces. During Belshazzar's feast in 539 BC, they even defiled God's holy vessels. God's judgment came quickly that night (Daniel 5:30), and the next kingdom took over (see 2:32, 39; 5:31).

Daniel 2:1–6:28

This section contains stories and dreams from the experiences of Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Daniel used his special gift to understand dreams and showed great skill in the study of literature and science (Daniel 1:17). Chapter 2 provides a broad overview of history until God's kingdom appears (Daniel 2:44–49). Daniel 3–6 describes the fall of Babylon and the rise of Persia. History is moving toward a clear goal. That goal is the everlasting kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44; 4:2–3, 34; 6:26).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Daniel

Events

Prophecies of Danielc. 606 BC

Related verses

Daniel 1:2
And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.
2 Kings 24:13
As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD.
Daniel 5:23
Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.
2 Kings 25:15
The captain of the guard also took away the censers and sprinkling bowls—anything made of pure gold or fine silver.
Jeremiah 27:16–22
Then I said to the priests and to all this people, “This is what the LORD says: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you, saying, ‘Look, very soon now the articles from the house of the LORD will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying to you a lie.
Ezra 1:7–11
King Cyrus also brought out the articles belonging to the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his gods.
Daniel 5:13
So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?
2 Kings 8:25–27
In the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.
2 Chronicles 36:10
In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiachin and brought him to Babylon, along with the articles of value from the house of the LORD. And he made Jehoiachin’s relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 36:18
…who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials.
Jeremiah 52:19
The captain of the guard also took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, pans, and drink offering bowls—anything made of pure gold or fine silver.
Daniel 5:11
There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,

People

Belshazzar: The last Emperor of Babylon, son of Nabonidus Nebuchadnezzar: Emperor of Babylon who conquered Judah

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Aramaic Belshazzar Book of Daniel Book of Jeremiah Chaldea, Chaldeans Concubinage, Concubines Postexilic Period

Topics

Babylon: Inhabitants of Profane and Sacrilegious Belshazzar: King of Babylon Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Belshazzar Drunkenness: Belshazzar Drunkenness: The Wicked Addicted To Feasts: Drunkenness At Feasts: Given by Kings Feasts: Men and Women Attend King: Belshazzar Polygamy: Belshazzar Silver of the Temple Silver: Vessels of Temple: Solomon's: Vessels of, Used by Belshazzar Temptation: Often Arises Through: Worldly Glory Wine was Used: At all Feasts and Entertainments Women: Social Status of in Persia

Daniel 5:2

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