Daniel 5

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:29

29. Belshazzar . . . clothed Daniel with scarlet—To come from the presence of a prince in a dress presented to the wearer as a distinction is still held a great honor in the East. Daniel was thus restored to a similar rank to what he had held under Nebuchadnezzar ( :-). Godly fidelity which might be expected to bring down vengeance, as in this case, is often rewarded even in this life. The king, having promised, was ashamed before his courtiers to break his word. He perhaps also affected to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:30

30. HERODOTUS and XENOPHON confirm Daniel as to the suddenness of the event. Cyrus diverted the Euphrates into a new channel and, guided by two deserters, marched by the dry bed into the city, while the Babylonians were carousing at an annual feast to the gods. See also Isaiah 21:5; Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38; Jeremiah 50:39; Jeremiah 51:36. As to Belshazzar's being slain, compare Isaiah 14:18-20; Isaiah 21:2-9; Jeremiah 50:29-35; Jeremiah 51:57. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:31

31. Darius the Median—that is, Cyaxares II, the son and successor of Astyages, 569-536 B.C. Though Koresh, or Cyrus, was leader of the assault, yet all was done in the name of Darius; therefore, he alone is mentioned here; but :- shows Daniel was not ignorant of Cyrus' share in the capture of Babylon. Isaiah 13:17; Isaiah 21:2, confirm Daniel in making the Medes the leading nation in destroying Babylon. So also Jeremiah 51:11; Jeremiah 51:28. HERODOTUS, on the other hand, omits mentioning... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5

D. Belshazzar’s feast ch. 5Belshazzar came to power some nine years after Nebuchadnezzar died. [Note: For a brief history of the Neo-Babylonian Empire between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar’s reigns, I recommend Archer, "Daniel," pp. 69-70.] The events of this chapter therefore occurred about 66 years after those in chapter 1, and about 36 years after those in chapter 4. Daniel received the revelation in chapter 7 in the first year of Belshazzar (553 B.C., Daniel 7:1), and the revelation in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:1

Some older critical scholars claimed that Belshazzar was never a king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. [Note: E.g., H. H. Rowley, "The Historicity of the Fifth Chapter of Daniel," Journal of Theological Studies 32 (October 1930):12.] However, modern discoveries have shown that Belshazzar acted as king during his father’s frequent and prolonged absences from Babylon."The last actual Chaldean king, Nabonidus, ’entrusted the kingship’ in 539 B.C. to his son Bel-sar-usur during his ten-year absence... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:1-4

1. Belshazzar’s dishonoring of Yahweh 5:1-4 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:2-4

Nebuchadnezzar was Belshazzar’s grandfather rather than his father, but the original language commonly used "father" in the sense of ancestor."Neither in Hebrew, nor in Chaldee, is there any word for ’grandfather,’ ’grandson.’ Forefathers are called ’fathers’ or ’fathers’ fathers.’ But a single grandfather, or forefather, is never called ’father’s father’ but always ’father’ only." [Note: Pusey, p. 346.] Evidently the vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple had been stored as trophies of war... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:5

Like Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar received an omen from God. In Nebuchadnezzar’s case it was two dreams (chs. 1; 4). In Belshazzar’s, it was handwriting on a wall. The night of revelry became a night of revelation. [Note: Campbell, p. 59.] "In the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace archeologists have uncovered a large throne room 56 feet wide and 173 feet long which probably was the scene of this banquet. Midway in the long wall opposite the entrance there was a niche in front of which the king may... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:5-9

2. God’s revelation to Belshazzar 5:5-9 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:6-7

The "conjurers" that Belshazzar called to help him were magicians. These "Chaldeans" were scholars who knew the lore of the Babylonians. The "diviners" were astrologers. These were only three of the many groups of wise men that the king summoned (Daniel 5:8).Clothing someone in "purple" meant giving him royal authority (cf. Esther 8:15). This "gold chain" (necklace) would have had symbolic as well as monetary value. Belshazzar evidently offered to promote anyone who could interpret the... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:29

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:30

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:31

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:1-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:2-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:5-9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:6-7

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