Keraia
Daniel 5

Daniel 5:23

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting · Daniel 5:13–31
Read Daniel 5

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of 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, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Literal
…and against the Lord of heaven you have lifted yourself up. And the vessels of His house they have brought before you, and you, and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines, have been drinking wine from them. And to the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see, and do not hear, and do not have knowledge, you have given praise. And to the God in whose hand is your breath, and all your ways are to Him, you have not shown honor!
Latin
…sed adversum Dominatorem cæli elevatus es: et vasa domus ejus allata sunt coram te, et tu, et optimates tui, et uxores tuæ, et concubinæ tuæ vinum bibistis in eis: deos quoque argenteos, et aureos, et æreos, ferreos, ligneosque et lapideos, qui non vident, neque audiunt, neque sentiunt, laudasti: porro Deum, qui habet flatum tuum in manu sua, et omnes vias tuas, non glorificasti.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

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

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Daniel Book of Jeremiah Chaldea, Chaldeans Inscriptions Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin Postexilic Period

Topics

Belshazzar: King of Babylon Daniel: A Jewish Captive, Also Called Belteshazzar: Courage and Fidelity of Glorifying God: Punishment for Not Glorifying God: The Wicked Averse To God: Creator of Man Godlessness: General Scriptures Concerning Government: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to God In Heaven: God is the Lord of Heaven: God's Dwelling Place Idolatry: Belshazzar Idolatry: Folly of Impenitence: Belshazzar Iron: First Recorded Use of Idols Iron: Made Into: Idols King: Belshazzar Natural Life is in the Hand of God Pride: Belshazzar Reproof: Daniel Reproof: Faithfulness in Daniel, of Belshazzar Self-Exaltation: Belshazzar Symbols and Similitudes: Handwriting on the Wall Wicked (People): Warned