Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:3-4

Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. The corresponding verses in the Septuagint differ in several points from those above; the Septuagint third verse contains, condensed, the Massoretic third and fourth verses, but adds new matter in its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:5

In the same hour oame forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. The two versions given in the Septuagint here do not seriously differ from each other or from the Massoretic text, only that they both omit "the part of," and represent the king as seeing the hand. Theodotion has ἀστραγάλους , which maybe rendered "finger-joints;" otherwise this version is very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:5

The writing on the wall. We have here a declaration of judgment, the circumstances, form, and effects of which are full of significance. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DECLARATION OF JUDGMENT . 1 . It was in the king ' s palace. The guards who may keep off the human intruder cannot shut out the Divine messenger. Judgment may find a man in his own home ( Isaiah 37:38 ; Daniel 4:29 ; Luke 12:16 ). 2 . It was at a time of pleasure. The intoxication of pleasure... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:5-17

The crisis of awaking. "Then was Daniel brought in before the king" (verse 13). In introducing the present subject the following features and incidents of the history need vivid and powerful setting: suddenness of the apparition—only fingers writing—in ancient Hebrew characters (same as those of the two Sinaitic tables)—on the plain plaster over against the candlestick—seen by its light—the effect upon the king, pale, trembling, sobered (he will not die drunk)—a great cry for help—why... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:1

Belshazzar the king - See Introduction to the chapter, Section II. In the Introduction to the chapter here referred to, I have stated what seemed to be necessary in order to illustrate the history of Belshazzar, so far as that can be now known. The statements in regard to this monarch, it is well understood, are exceedingly confused, and the task of reconciling them is now hopeless. Little depends, however, in the interpretation of this book, on the attempt to reconcile them, for the narrative... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:2-3

Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine - As the effect of tasting the wine - stating a fact which is illustrated in every age and land, that men, under the influence of intoxicating drinks, will do what they would not do when sober. In his sober moments it would seem probable that he would have respected the vessels consecrated to the service of religion, and would not have treated them with dishonor by introducing them for purposes of revelry.Commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:4

They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, ... - Compare the note at Daniel 5:1. Idols were made among the pagan of all the materials here mentioned. The word praised here means that they spake in praise of these gods; of their history, of their attributes, of what they had done. Nothing can well be conceived more senseless and stupid than what it is said they did at this feast, and yet it is a fair illustration of what occurs in all the festivals of idolatry. And is what... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:5

In the same hour - On the word “hour,” see the note at Daniel 4:19.Came forth fingers of a man’s hand - Not the whole hand, but only the parts usually employed in writing. Not a man writing; not even an arm, but fingers that seemed to move themselves. They appeared to come forth from the walls, and were seen before they began to write. It was this that made it so impressive and alarming. It could not be supposed that it was the work of man, or that it was devised by man for the purpose of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:1

Daniel 5:1. Belshazzar The son of Evil-merodach, and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar; made a great feast to a thousand of his lords To the principal officers and great men of his court, and was himself present at it. This feast was made at a time of public rejoicing, being an annual festival, when the whole night was spent in revelling; of which season Cyrus took the advantage to make himself master of the city, as Herodotus and Xenophon relate, and as was foretold by Jeremiah 50:24; Jeremiah... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:2-4

Daniel 5:2-4. Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine When he grew warm with wine, Houb. Commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels, &c. Triumphing thereby over God and his people. They drank wine Made themselves merry with wine. And praised the gods of gold, &c. Praised, as gods, senseless images of gold, silver, brass, iron, &c.; thus insulting the great God of heaven and earth, as if these images were more powerful than he, and had enabled them to prevail against him... read more

Group of Brands