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John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Daniel 5:5

5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over {e} against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.(e) That it might the better be seen. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:1-31

FROM NEBUCHADNEZZAR TO CYRUS The effect of the interpretation of his dream on Nebuchadnezzar is the inflation of his pride. To be sure, he was grateful to Daniel (Daniel 2:46-49 ), to whom he offered worship, although the latter rejected it no doubt, as did Paul later (Acts 14:11-18 ). His apprehension of Daniel’s God, however, is yet only as one amongst the national or tribal gods, although greater than they. This is clear from what follows in Daniel 3:1-7 , which is an attempt “to unify... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Daniel 5:1-31

The Hand At the Feast Daniel 5:0 This reads like a torrent king, and feast, and great feast, and lords a thousand strong, and wine-drinking worthy of the occasion. That is the beginning. If it were a piece of music the last note would be as the first; whether it be another note, we must wait a while to know: it will be a grand note, whether harmonious and sympathetic with the beginning we shall see. There was no harm in making a great feast to a thousand lords. Many persons are content to stop... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Daniel 5:1

CONTENTS Having done with Nebuchadnezzar, we here enter upon the history of his descendant Belshazzar; and a short history it is. We have here, his impious feast; his prophanation of the vessels of the sanctuary: his awful alarm and death. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Daniel 5:1-4

The Prophet simply gives the relation of the history, but doth not enlarge upon it. Indeed it needs no comment. Drunkenness leads to impiety and prophaneness: and every evil follows. Was it not enough to deny God, but he must insult him also? Would nothing do for an unholy feast, and strumpets; but the holy vessels of the temple? Lord! to what a state of ruin is our whole nature reduced by the fall! read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Daniel 5:5-9

Behold, Reader! on what a slender thread the happiness of man hangs, when in a moment the appearance on a wall can snap it asunder! What was it so alarmed the reveling prince, and his drunken lords? Simply the view of a man's hand, writing on the wall! But what did he write! In truth, none of the company could tell, for none of them could read it. But what none of them could do, conscience did for them. Belshazzar felt the whole of the evil before it was explained; and more than anticipated... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:1

Baltassar. He is believed to be the same as Nabonides, the last of the Chaldean kings, grandson to Nabuchodonosor. He is called his son (ver. 2, 11, &c.) according to the style of the Scriptures, because he was a descendant from him. (Challoner; St. Jerome in Isaiah xiii.; Usher, &c.) --- Some think that he was brother of Evilmerodac. (ver. 11.; Baruch i. 11.) But he seems rather to have been his son. (Jeremias xxvii. 7.) Profane authors place Neriglissor and Laborosoarchod between... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:1-9

1-9 Belshazzar bade defiance to the judgments of God. Most historians consider that Cyrus then besieged Babylon. Security and sensuality are sad proofs of approaching ruin. That mirth is sinful indeed, which profanes sacred things; and what are many of the songs used at modern feasts better than the praises sung by the heathens to their gods! See how God struck terror upon Belshazzar and his lords. God's written word is enough to put the proudest, boldest sinner in a fright. What we see of God,... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Daniel 5:1-99

Daniel 5 THE PERIOD OF Babylonian supremacy was comparatively brief, and the 'head of gold' had to give place to the 'breast and arms of silver.' As we begin to read chapter 5, we find ourselves transported to the last hours of that period. The great city was still marked by scenes of wealth and much voluptuous splendour. Years ago, learned critics claimed that the Book of Daniel was largely legendary and written several centuries after the events it related. Belshazzar, they regarded as an... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Daniel 5:1-16

The Feast and the Handwriting. v. 1. Belshazzar, the king, the son of Nabonidus, either natural or adopted, and coregent with him, apparently the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, made a great feast to a thousand of his lords and drank wine before the thousand, the banquet becoming a drunken orgy. He was in command of the capital at that time and excelled in most of the vices for which Oriental rulers were known. v. 2. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, sitting before them on a platform or... read more

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