Daniel 5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:8-9

The writing appears to have been in the Aramaic language. Therefore it seems that the wise men’s difficulty in understanding it may have been due to its interpretation, rather than just the meaning of the words (cf. Daniel 5:14-16; Daniel 5:25). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:10

Normally we would identify the queen as Belshazzar’s wife. However, there are a number of reasons to prefer the view that she was really the "queen mother." She could even have been the surviving wife of Nebuchadnezzar. [Note: Ibid., p. 122.] Belshazzar’s wives had been participating in this banquet (Daniel 5:2), but this woman now entered it apparently for the first time. She also spoke to the king more as a mother than as a wife. [Note: Arthur Jeffery, "The Book of Daniel, Introduction and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:10-12

3. The queen’s counsel 5:10-12 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:11-12

As before, Daniel had not accompanied the other wise men whom the king had summoned (cf. Daniel 4:6-8). The reason for this is unclear, but the effect in the event and in the narrative is that it sets Daniel off as unique. Clearly Belshazzar did not know Daniel personally. Perhaps Daniel had left public service by this time.When really severe crises arise, it is often the man or woman of God that others turn to for answers. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:13-16

4. Belshazzar’s request of Daniel 5:13-16The king had heard of Daniel by reputation, even though he had not met him before (Daniel 5:13). He recognized him as a person whose extraordinary ability came from some divine source (cf. Daniel 4:8; Daniel 4:18). Perhaps it was because Daniel was a Jew that Belshazzar did not know him. However now, the king was quite willing to give even this Jewish exile all the honors that he had formerly promised his wise men. Here was a worshipper of the God-that... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:17

Daniel’s reply to the king was in every sense a sermon, and a powerful one at that. [Note: King, p. 148.] The prophet began by declining the offered gifts. This had the effect, whatever Daniel’s reason for doing so may have been, of helping Belshazzar realize that these gifts did not influence his interpretation of the writing. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:17-24

5. Daniel’s rebuke of Belshazzar 5:17-24 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:18-23

Daniel reminded Belshazzar, and undoubtedly everyone else in the room, of the lesson in humility that God had taught the king’s forefather, Nebuchadnezzar (ch. 4). The Most High God had given his grandfather his authority, and had taught him that he was under His greater sovereignty. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride had led him to behave arrogantly, as Belshazzar was doing by drinking from the sacred vessels of Yahweh-the Most High God. Even though Belshazzar knew all about this, he had not humbled his... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:24

Nebuchadnezzar had heard a voice from heaven while he was outdoors (Daniel 4:31), but Belshazzar saw a hand from heaven indoors. Both forms of revelation have been extremely rare throughout history, but these occasions in the Book of Daniel involved leaders of the greatest nation on earth. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:25-28

6. Daniel’s interpretation of the writing 5:25-28Scholars have wearied themselves trying to figure out how Daniel got his interpretation from these three apparently Aramaic words. They have been as unsuccessful as Belshazzar’s original wise men were. It seems best to me simply to take Daniel’s interpretation at face value, even though we may not be able to understand completely how he arrived at it. It has been said that Daniel could interpret these words because he recognized his Father’s... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:8-9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:10

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:10-12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:11-12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:13-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:17-24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:18-23

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 5:25-28

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