Keraia
Daniel 5

Daniel 5:29

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

Translations

Modern
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
Traditional
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Literal
Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel in purple, and a chain of gold around his neck, and proclaimed concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Latin
Tunc, jubente rege, indutus est Daniel purpura, et circumdata est torques aurea collo ejus: et prædicatum est de eo quod haberet potestatem tertius in regno suo.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

Notes

Daniel 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).

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

People

Belshazzar: The last Emperor of Babylon, son of Nabonidus Daniel: Prophet in Babylon, known for wisdom and visions

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Daniel Book of Jeremiah Chaldea, Chaldeans Postexilic Period Purple

Topics

Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Belshazzar: King of Babylon Chains: Worn by Princes Colors: Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Royalty Daniel: A Jewish Captive, Also Called Belteshazzar: Promotion and Executive Authority of Gold was Used for Chains Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Belshazzar Proclamation: Imperial Wicked (People): Warned