Study notes

Daniel 5

Introducing DanielWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

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).

4:1–5:31 Section

Nebuchadnezzar wrote a letter to the people he ruled over. It told a story about him being made humble.

Once again Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar a dream that had confused the king. The large, strong tree was a sign for Nebuchadnezzar’s rule. Wild animals lived safely under the tree’s branches. But instead of remaining a strong tree Nebuchadnezzar would become like a wild animal. This would happen if he didn’t follow Daniel’s advice.

Daniel’s advice was like the message that prophets spoke to the leaders of God’s people. Amos and Isaiah had warned the leaders to stop treating others badly. These warnings were recorded in Amos 5:10–15 and Isaiah 1:21–28. These prophets warned the leaders to do what was right and fair. This would show that the leaders recognised who God is. It would show that they understood how God wants people to live. That is what Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar to do as well.

But Nebuchadnezzar remained full of pride. He claimed that he had success because of his own power and majesty. Because of this, God brought judgement against him. Instead of living like human rulers should live Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild animal.

When the time of judgement was over, God showed mercy to Nebuchadnezzar. This led Nebuchadnezzar to be humble. He gave God glory. This means that Nebuchadnezzar honoured God instead of honouring himself. Nebuchadnezzar understood that God has complete authority in the heavenly world and on earth.

Belshazzar was a ruler after Nebuchadnezzar. He knew the story about Nebuchadnezzar being made humble. But Belshazzar chose not to honour and respect God. This was clear by the way he used the cups taken from the temple in Jerusalem. The written message that Daniel explained was a message of judgement against Belshazzar. Belshazzar didn’t ask for mercy or show that this message made him humble. God used the Persian government as his tool. God used the Persians to bring the judgement he had announced against Belshazzar.

5:1

  • Later: This chapter begins with events that took place in October 539 BC (see study note on Daniel 5:30).

  • The name Belshazzar means “Bel Protects [the King].” Bel was a Babylonian god. Nabonidus, who ruled from 556 to 539 BC, placed his son Belshazzar on the Babylonian throne around 553 BC to rule in his place. Nabonidus then moved to Tema in northwest Arabia, where he stayed for ten years. He returned to Babylon only in a failed attempt to resist the Persians (see Daniel 5:30–31).

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).

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.

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).

5:10

  • the queen: She was likely Belshazzar’s mother, not his wife.

  • O king, may you live forever!: This was a common greeting (also in Daniel 2:4). This is ironic because Belshazzar would die that same night (Daniel 5:30).

  • Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale: Compare 1 Samuel 28:20–25.

5:11–12

The queen mother thought that someone with the spirit of the holy gods, who could interpret dreams (see Daniel 1:17), should also interpret the writing.

5:15

None of the Babylonian wise men could understand the heavenly code (compare Daniel 2:27; 4:7). Only true wise men or prophets can interpret God's messages. Daniel knew that the spirit of God enabled him to do so (compare Daniel 2:28; 5:24).

5:18–21

Daniel used Nebuchadnezzar as an example that should have guided the kings who came after him. But Belshazzar repeated the same mistake. He lifted himself up and dishonored the Most High God.

5:20

A person who rebels against God often has a heart and mind filled with arrogance (or a hardened heart; see Exodus 7:13; Joshua 11:20; Isaiah 14:3–5). Nebuchadnezzar was humbled when he became arrogant, and the same would happen to Belshazzar.

5:21

the Most High God rules … over it whom He wishes: God taught Nebuchadnezzar this lesson, and it was central to God's message to Belshazzar. God would appoint a new ruler that very night (Daniel 5:30–31).

5:25–28

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN: These Aramaic units of measure are used on a balance to weigh goods being bought and sold. Belshazzar knew the words, but Daniel explained their meaning in this context. The God of Israel measures kings and kingdoms using the balances of justice and righteousness (compare Daniel 4:27).

5:26

MENE means that God has numbered the days: In this context, it means that God had examined and evaluated Belshazzar’s reign

5:27

TEKEL means that you have been weighed … and found deficient: Babylon's king would face destruction because he did not meet God's demand for righteousness and mercy (see Daniel 4:27; 5:22–24).

5:28

PERES means that your kingdom has been divided: God would divide the Babylonian Empire and give it to two peoples, the Medes and the Persians.

5:29

  • Instead of replying to the message, Belshazzar honored Daniel.

  • proclaimed him the third highest ruler: Daniel did not want the honor, and it would soon be meaningless. God would reward Daniel at the right time (Daniel 12:13).

5:30

The Medes and Persians conquered Babylon, which began a new era of Persian rule.

5:31

Darius the Mede is distinct from later Persian kings named Darius (see “The Medes and Persians” Profile). Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC, and there is no mention of a Darius the Mede in other sources. Two solutions are possible:

  1. Cyrus the Great might have chosen Darius the Mede to rule as “King of Babylon” in his place for a little over a year (compare Dan 6:28; 9:1; 11:1).

  2. Darius and Cyrus might have been the same man bearing two throne names—one name from the Medes, the other from the Persians (see also study note on 6:28).

The portrayal of Darius in ch 6 suggests that he was in fact Cyrus, the ruler of all Media, Persia, and Babylonia.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources