Daniel 5
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Daniel 5
NJB (MT Versing) CONTEXTUAL INSIGHT There seems to be an extended period of time (at least 23 years) between Daniel 4 (Nebuchadnezzar, 605-562 B.C.) and 5 (fall of the city of Babylon in 539 B.C.). In this period there were several Babylonian kings who reigned for a short time. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF NEO-BABYLON Belshazzar has been the source of great controversy because his name does not appear in many of the cuneiform lists of Babylonian kings. However, new archaeological finds have found him listed as the son of Nabonidus, the last Babylonian King (from Nabonidus' cylinder, see J. B. Pritchard, ANET, pp. 315-316). Apparently Nabonidus became devotedly involved in the worship of the moon god, Sin (Sumerian Nanna). His mother (Adadguppi) was involved in the worship of the moon god at Haran, while his daughter was high priestess at Ur. He spent most of his time in Tema (Arabic for "desert") in northern Arabia and was absent from the city of Babylon for an extended period (i.e. about ten years). The cities of Ur, Haran, and Tema were centers for the worship of the moon. Some historians assert that his absence was due to his commanding the army which was in an extended battle with Egypt. SPECIAL TOPIC: MOON WORSHIP This chapter is included as another example of the arrogance of world rulers and their confrontation with YHWH who is the controller of history (cf. Dan. 2:21). Belshazzar had confidence the fortifications of the city of Babylon could not be overcome. For a good discussion of the city see La Moine F. DeVries, Cities of the Biblical World, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997, pp. 13-21. For a good brief discussion of neo-Babylon see Jack Finegan, Archaeological History of the Ancient Middle East, Westview Press, 1979, pp. 123-133.
Daniel 5:1-4
5:1 "Belshazzar" In Babylonian Bel-shar-usur means "Bel, protect the king" (BDB 1084). Bel means lord" and is another name for Marduk. SPECIAL TOPIC: MARDUK SPECIAL TOPIC: BEL ▣ "the king" Although his name was not found initially on any of the cuneiform lists of Babylonian kings, further archaeological studies have found him on cuneiform lists which call him the "son of the king" (i.e. Nabonidus' cylinder, see J. B. Pritchard, ANET, pp. 315-316)). Because he is called the son of Nebuchadnezzar in vv. 2,11,18,22, there has been much discussion about his true ancestry. Some possible theories are: He was the adopted son of Nabonidus. Family terms have a wide latitude of meanings, as is common in Semitic languages. Nabonidus may have married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar II (Nitocris) in order to legitimatize his reign because he may not have been of the royal line (cf. R. P. Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar, pp. 63-80). Some even assert that he married Nebuchadnezzar's queen. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) ▣ "held a great feast" Possibly it was a state or religious holiday. In the face of the approaching Medo-Persian army it may have been a way of taking their minds off of the impending battle. ▣ "a thousand of his nobles" History gives many examples of large festivals given by eastern monarchs (cf. Daniel 3 [neo-Babylonian]; Esther 1 [Persian]). 5:2 "When Belshazzar tasted the wine" This either refers to (1) his beginning the traditional drinking period after the dinner or (2) the fact that he was already intoxicated. SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL ABUSE ▣ "he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels" Nebuchadnezzar II carried off the vessels from the house of YHWH in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 24:13; 25:15), as he did from all the national temples of conquered people groups. Why Belshazzar would choose to specifically desecrate YHWH's sacred temple vessels is uncertain. Possibly, since there were hundreds of guests present plus his wives and concubines (cf. Dan. 5:3), all of the vessels from all of the conquered peoples' temples were procured for the drinking, but more probably because Jerusalem is mentioned specifically in 5:2 and 3. Belshazzar knew how YHWH had humbled Nebuchadnezzar II (cf. Daniel 4), and he was simply acting out of spite (cf. Dan. 5:22). ▣ "his father" This could be literal (cf. Gen. 31:42), but probably it is used in the sense of "ancestor," "descendant" (cf. Ezra 5:12), or "previous royal leader" (BDB 1078, also the black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III calls Jehu "son of Omri"). Some examples show the term being used as grandfather (cf. Gen. 28:13; 32:9) and great grandfather (cf.1 Kgs. 15:11). ▣ "the temple" The Jewish temple in Jerusalem was built by Solomon and is described in 1 Kings 6-8. It reflects the ancient portable tabernacle described in Exodus 25-27; 35-38. SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE OF THE WILDERNESS ▣ "his wives, and his concubines might drink from them" The Medes and the Persians did not allow women at state banquets (cf. Esther 1), but apparently the Babylonians did, at least on this occasion (Xenophon, Cyropaedia 5.2.28). To the Jewish mind of later scholars the presence of wives, and particularly concubines, would have been an aditional offense to YHWH. Most always men and women were segregated in the Ancient Near East. This was a wild and extravagant party (cf. James M. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, p. 203). In the Hebrew Bible the distinction between "wives" and "concubines" has to do with the inheritance rights of the children. Both are legally married to the king and live in the harem. The children of "wives" have full inheritance rights, while the children of "concubines" have only limited inheritance rights. This is the Aramaic section of Daniel and the term "concubines" (BDB 1099) is possibly from an Arabic root for "time," "note," or "song," therefore, the NJB translates it as "and the women who sang for him." But, the term can denote a female consort, not a concubine. 5:4 "praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone" These are the same metals involved in the statue of Daniel 2. From v. 23 we realize that these were idols (cf. Exod. 20:23; Deut. 4:28; 28:36,64; 29:17; Ps. 115:4-8; 135:15-18; Isa. 40:18-20; 44:9-20; 46:1-7). This phrase may imply that this banquet had religious or ritual connotations. SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY
Daniel 5:5-9
5:5 "the fingers of a man's hand" This may be an ANE idiom for the activity of God (i.e., "the finger of God," cf. Exod. 8:19; 31:18; Deut. 9:10; Ps. 8:3). Here, it mentions "a man" but it is in a supernatural context. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD ▣ "the lampstand" Bible readers are familiar with the lampstands of both the tabernacle (seven branched, cf. Exod. 25:31-40) and Solomon's temple (ten branched, cf. 2 Chr. 4:19-22). It is uncertain if this lamp from YHWH's temple (cf. Jer. 52:19) was brought to the party room along with the bowls or if this refers to one of the lamps, which normally lit the room. If it is YHWH's lampstand then the supernatural hand of revelation from heaven wrote its riddle right above this special holy item. Whichever is true the writing was placed in a conspicuous place where it was easily seen! SPECIAL TOPIC: LAMPSTAND ▣ "plaster of the wall of the king's palace" This is also the Aramaic word for "lime," "quicklime," or "plaster" (BDB 1086 and 162). From current archaeology we have learned that the main throne room in Neo-Babylon had white plaster on two walls (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 889). ▣ "the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing" Whether everyone saw the hand or just the king is uncertain. The word "hand" (BDB 1094) can mean "arm," "palm," or "finger." It was a human hand with an arm, possibly to the elbow (cf. Peter-Contesse, Ellington, A Handbook On The Book of Daniel, p. 134) or just to the wrist (cf. The Anchor Bible, vol. 23, p. 184). The IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 737, mentions that this may reflect a defeated army. The body count of dead soldiers was calculated by adding up the severed right hands. 5:6 This is an eyewitness account of the physical deterioration of the king in light of his drunkenness and the supernatural appearance of the hand (cf.Dan. 5:9,10). This same term is used of Daniel's response to God's revelations in Dan. 7:15,28. ▣ "his hip joints went slack" This is imagery describing fear (cf. Nahum 2:10; Ps. 69:23; Isa. 21:3), as is "knees began knocking together" (cf. Ezek. 7:17; 21:7; Nahum 2:10). 5:7 bring in the conjurers; the Chaldeans and the diviners" Again the impotence of Babylon's wise men (i.e., royal counselors) is emphasized (cf. Dan. 2:2-13; 5:8,15). Apparently Daniel had retired from active service (cf. Dan. 5:11). SPECIAL TOPIC: CHALDEANS SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION ▣ "purple" The King James Version has "scarlet" and we must remember that the names of ancient colors varied greatly. Purple was the color of royalty (cf. Xenophon, Anabasis 1:5,8). Purple was very expensive cloth worn only by the very wealthy. The dye was obtained from certain shells found off the coast of Phoenicia (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 498). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE SACRED COLORS ▣ "necklace of gold" Necklaces were symbols of rank and authority in the Ancient Near East (cf. Gen. 41:42; Song of Songs 4:9; Ezek. 16:11). However, the Aramaic phrase (BDB 1090 and 1087) might refer to a solid gold collar, designating rank, not a necklace at all. ▣ "third ruler of the kingdom" This word (BDB 1118) is very ambiguous. It can mean simply a high official an army official it may fit in with Belshazzar's co-reign with his father, Nabonidus He could only give third place to someone. 5:8 "they could not read the inscription" It is uncertain if the writing was in Aramaic or Hebrew. It seems that they should have been able to read the words, but possibly did not understand their meaning. The words may have been written in consonants only or, as the rabbis say, not horizontally, but vertically. It is obvious that Daniel was needed to interpret the words.
Daniel 5:10-12
5:10 "the queen" The Septuagint adds a phrase that says that Belshazzar called the queen. This is because it was highly unusual for anyone to enter the king's presence without being summoned (cf. Esther 4:11). However, the queen-mother had a unique position in the royal court and could probably come and go at will. There has been much debate as to her identity: Nebuchadnezzar's queen Nebuchadnezzar's daughter Nabonidus' mother (Adad-Guppi) Nabonidus' queen, the mother of Belshazzar (Nitocris) one of Nabonidus' wives Options #1 or 2 seem most likely because she knew of Daniel and his gifts. 5:11 "There is a man in your kingdom" Daniel 5:8 is an example again of the failure of the Neo-Babylonian wise men to accurately know the heart and mind of the one true God. God did, however, provide a source of revelation, even to these Neo-Babylonian monarchs. That source was Daniel, one of the captives of Judah (cf. 5:13). ▣ "a spirit of the holy gods" See note at Dan. 4:8. ▣ "your father. . .your father, your father the king" This is a strange triple use of "father" (BDB 1078, NKJV). The last one is omitted by the Peshitta and LXX (NRSV, REB, NET Bible). ▣ NASB, JPSOA "illumination, insight, and wisdom" NKJV, Peshitta "light and understanding and wisdom" "enlightment, understanding and wisdom" "good sense, knowledge, and wisdom" "perception, intelligence and wisdom" "clean insight and godlike wisdom" "prudent and wise" These three characterizations are meant to reflect Daniel's God-given abilities to know and interpret visions, dreams, etc. (cf. Dan. 5:14). The next phrase, "the wisdom of the gods" accentuates Daniel's God-given gifts (cf. Dan. 5:12; 1:17,20). ▣ "appointed him chief of the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans and diviners" This list refers to the royal advisors. See note at Dan. 1:20; 2:48, and 4:9. SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC SPECIAL TOPIC: CHALDEANS SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION
Daniel 5:13-16
5:13 "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah" Notice that the king addresses him by his Hebrew name, not his Babylonian name. Also notice that it is mentioned that he is from Judah, the location of the very God that Belshazzar had offended (cf. Dan. 5:22). ▣ "one of the exiles from Judah" This phrase functions in two ways: Belshazzar is asserting that Daniel is a captive Jewish person Daniel is a member and representative of YHWH's people; the YHWH who controls history and the destiny of kings (cf. Dan. 2:20-23; 4:17,32)! 5:14 "Now I have heard" This refers to Dan. 5:10-12. See notes there and at Dan. 4:8.
Daniel 5:17-24
5:17-21 This is a summary of God's sovereign dealings with Nebuchadnezzar II recorded in Daniel 4. 5:17 Daniel forcibly (JUSSIVE and IMPERATIVE), but politely, rejects the king's offer of gifts, rewards, and position. Daniel can read the prophetic words. He knows the Babylonian kingdom is at an end! Daniel knew Belshazzar would be giving everything to Cyrus' army very soon. 5:18 "Nebuchadnezzar your father" The term "father" can refer to descendants in Hebrew (Semitic) usage. See note at Dan. 5:2. 5:19 "all the peoples, nations, and men of every language" This is hyperbole used to show the extent of the Neo-Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar II (cf. Dan. 3:4,7; 4:1; 5:19; 6:25). Nebuchadnezzar II exercised total control over a large part of the ancient Near East. He thought he was in a position of authority until the God of Judah stepped in (cf. 5:20-21)! 5:20 This verse describes not only Nebuchadnezzar, but all of the Near Eastern potentates whom Daniel served and prophesied about (cf. Dan. 2:7,8; 9:24-27; 11:12), including Belshazzar (cf. 5:22-23). 5:22-23 The NIV Study Bible (p. 1308) notes that Belshazzar is condemned for three things. He acted irreverently toward YHWH, not out of ignorance, but spite (Dan. 5:22). He desecrated YHWH's name by using the holy vessels from the temple in Jerusalem for a drunken party. He praised manmade idols instead of YHWH (Dan. 5:23b). 5:23 "but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven" As Nebuchadnezzar II was humbled by YHWH (cf. Daniel 4) so too, his descendant, Belshazzar, who had purposely violated the sanctity of YHWH's temple vessels. ▣ "you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand" This contrasts the only living, ever-living God with the dead, dumb, and nonexistent idols (see note at Dan. 5:4). SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY ▣ "the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways" The only source for life is YHWH (from the Hebrew VERB "to be," cf. Exod. 3:14). He is the controller of events, kings, and nations. This truth is mentioned in the Prophets (e.g., Jer. 10:23), but most often in Wisdom Literature (cf. Job 31:4; Ps. 139; Prov. 20:24). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.
Daniel 5:25-28
5:25 "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" These NOUNS were apparently the names for ancient weights and measures. Daniel turns them into VERBS to interpret their meaning. The term MENE (BDB 1101) is a word which means "to number." Literally, it is a particular weight called a "mina," (cf. 1 Kings 10; 17; Ezra 2:69; Neh. 7:71, 72). The second term, TEKEL (BDB 1118), is the Hebrew "shaqal" which means "to weigh" and is apparently the Aramaic form of the Hebrew weight "shekel." The word UPHARSIN (BDB 1108) means "to break or divide." The "U" is simply the connective "and." We have found from archaeological discovery that the basic root word "peres" means a half-weight. Therefore, these terms are of descending weights. However, Daniel interprets them as VERBS, Dan. 5:26-28. This last one may be a play on the word "Persian," (i.e. paras, cf. Dan. 5:28). Scholarship of the past century thought that the title Darius the Mede (cf. Dan. 5:31) demanded a separate Median Empire and that the order of the four kingdoms in Daniel should be Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece (e.g. Milton S. Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, pp. 418-426). However, the term "divided" (cf. Dan. 5:28) could refer to the third empire as being a combination of Medo-Persia with Persia being the dominant one (cf. Dan. 8:20). This would then make Rome the fourth empire with the coming of the Messiah to set up a kingdom during this period. This scenario fits history and Scripture much better. 5:28 "the Medes and the Persians" This shows the historicity of the book of Daniel. Once Cyrus II became the monarch of the Fertile Crescent, the order was changed to the Persians and the Medes instead of the Medes and Persians (cf. J. C. Whitcomb, Darius the Mede, p. 127). This phrase also shows that these two empires are seen as one entity in Daniel.
Daniel 5:29
5:29 "he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom" These three (triumvir) would be: Nabonidus (absent), Belshazzar (co-regent), and Daniel.
Daniel 5:30-31
5:30 "That same night" From the histories of both Herodotus (1.190-191) and Xenophon (Cyropaedia 7.5) we know the date was October 12, 539 B.C. ▣ "the Chaldean king" The term "Chaldean" is used here, in an ethnic sense (cf. Dan. 9:1 and Herodotus) in this text as a class of wise men or astrologers in Dan. 2:2,4,5,10 (twice); 3:8; 4:7; 5:7,11 The Babylonians themselves never used the term in an ethnic sense in their own documents, but the Assyrians did. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHALDEANS 5:31 "Darius the Mede" This person is unknown to extra-biblical history. There have been two predominant theories. Darius means "royal one" (in the Avesta "dar," which may be a throne name like "Hadad" for Syria, "Pharaoh" for Egypt, and "Abimelech" for Philistia) and is another name for Cyrus II (the Great), who was also about sixty years of age. For the first year of their reign eastern monarchs often used a throne name (i.e. Tiglath Pileser III was known as Pul and Shalmaneser V was known as Ululai, cf. Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel, The Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, p. 127, footnote #5). Cyrus was half Median by race and took the title "king of the Medes" at his defeat of Astyages (Cyrus' father-in-law), king of Media, in 549 B.C. (D. J. Wiseman, Darius" in The New Bible Dictionary, p. 293 and Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 12ff). The Septuagint in Dan. 11:1 substitutes "Cyrus" for "Darius the Mede." The Nabonidus Chronicle mentions two Medo-Persian military leaders active in the fall of the city of Babylon—Ugbaru and Gubaru (cf. J. C. Whitcomb, Darius the Mede, pp. 5ff). Ugbaru was a military leader of Cyrus' forces who captured the city of Babylon (539 B.C..), but in the campaign he was wounded and died several weeks later. Another person with a similar name, Gubaru, was also a military leader. It was he, not Ugbaru, who was appointed by Cyrus as governor of the city (maybe province) of Babylon, an office he held for many years (The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 2, p. 17 and R. K Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, pp. 341-347). He may have been given the title "Royal One" by Cyrus himself. ▣ "received the kingdom" It is uncertain if this means that he received (BDB 1110, Pael PERFECT) the kingdom from God or from Cyrus II (cf. Dan. 9:1). ▣ "the age of sixty-two" It is quite obvious that Daniel is attempting to identify Darius, both with his racial lineage and his age. We know more about Darius than we do about many other persons mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Obviously, he was an historical person.