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Daniel 5

Daniel 5:7

The Handwriting on the Wall · Daniel 5:5–12
Read Daniel 5

Translations

Modern
The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation 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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
The king called out with strength to bring in the enchanters, the astrologers, and the diviners. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon that, “Any man who can read this writing and show to me its interpretation, with purple he shall be clothed, and a chain of gold shall be around his neck, and as the third in the kingdom he shall rule!”
Latin
Exclamavit itaque rex fortiter ut introducerent magos, Chaldæos, et aruspices. Et proloquens rex ait sapientibus Babylonis: Quicumque legerit scripturam hanc, et interpretationem ejus manifestam mihi fecerit, purpura vestietur, et torquem auream habebit in collo, et tertius in regno meo erit.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation 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.”

Notes

Daniel 5:7

  • Purple robes and a gold chain symbolize royalty and power.

  • third highest: This position came after Nabonidus and Belshazzar himself (see study note on Daniel 5:1).

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

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Chaldea: Ancient Mesopotamian empire; known for astrology and wisdom

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Daniel Book of Jeremiah Chaldea, Chaldeans Color Enchantment Inscriptions Interpreter Postexilic Period Purple Snail

Topics

Astrology: General Scriptures Concerning Belshazzar: King of Babylon Chains: Worn by Princes Chaldeans: Learned and Wise Men of the East Colors: Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Royalty Dress: Presents Made of Changes of Clothes Garments: Colours of, Mentioned: Scarlet Sorcery: Practiced by Belshazzar Wicked (People): Warned Women: Social Status of in Persia