Daniel 5:28-31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:10-29

Here is, I. The information given to the king, by the queen-mother, concerning Daniel, how fit he was to be consulted in this difficult case. It is supposed that this queen was the widow of Evil-Merodach, and was that famous Nitocris whom Herodotus mentions as a woman of extraordinary prudence. She was not present at the feast, as the king's wives and concubines were (Dan. 5:2); it was not agreeable to her age and gravity to keep a merry night. But, tidings of the fright which the king and his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:30-31

Here is, 1. The death of the king. Reason enough he had to tremble, for he was just falling into the hands of the king of terrors, Dan. 5:30. In that night, when his heart was merry with wine, the besiegers broke into the city, aimed at the palace; there they found the king, and gave him his death's wound. He could not find any place so secret as to conceal him, or so strong as to protect him. Heathen writers speak of Cyrus's taking Babylon by surprise, with the assistance of two deserters... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:28

PERES ,.... The singular of "Pharsin", Daniel 5:25 . The sense of this word is, thy kingdom is divided : which, though it consisted of various provinces, united under Belshazzar, now should be broken and separated from him: and given to the Medes and Persians ; to Darius the Mede, and to Cyrus the Persian, who was a partner for a while with his uncle Darius in the government of the empire: there is an elegant play on words in the words "Peres" and "Persians"; and a grievous thing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:29

Then commanded Belshazzar ,.... As soon as he had heard the writing read and interpreted; instead of being full of wrath, as might have been expected, he orders the reward promised to be given, to show he had a regard to his word and honour, as a king; and to secure his credit with his nobles and people; and perhaps he might not understand, by Daniel's interpretation, that the destruction of him and his kingdom was so near at hand as it was; or he might put this evil day far from him, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:30

In that night was Belshazzar, the king of the Chaldeans, slain. Not by a servant of his own, as Jacchiades; or by an eunuch, one of his guards, as Saadiah and Joseph ben Gorion F2 Hist. Heb. l. 1. c. 6. p. 26. ; but by Gadales and Gobryas, who led Cyrus's army up the river Euphrates into the city of Babylon, its course being turned; the inhabitants of which being revelling and rioting, and the gates open, these men went up to the king's palace; the doors of which being opened by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:31

And Darius the Median took the kingdom ,.... This was Cyaxares the son of Astyages, and uncle of Cyrus; he is called the Median, to distinguish him from another Darius the Persian, that came after, Ezra 4:5 , the same took the kingdom of Babylon from Cyrus who conquered it; he took it with his consent, being the senior prince and his uncle. Darius reigned not long, but two years; and not alone, but Cyrus with him, though he is only mentioned. Xenophon F11 Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 36. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:29

Clothed Daniel with scarlet - ארגונא argevana , more probably with purple. The gold chain about the neck was an emblem of magisterial authority. It is often thus mentioned in Scripture. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:30

In that night was Belshazzar - slain - Xenophon says, he was dispatched by two lords, Gadatas and Gobrias, who went over to Cyrus, to avenge themselves of certain wrongs which Belshazzar had done them. We have already seen that Cyrus entered the city by the bed of the Euphrates, which he had emptied, by cutting a channel for the waters, and directing them into the marshy country. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:31

Darius the Median took the kingdom - This is supposed to be the same as Cyaxares, son of Astyages and maternal uncle of Cyrus, to whom he gave the throne of Babylon, after himself had had the honor of taking the city. Daniel speaks nothing of the war that raged between the Babylonians and the Medes; but Isaiah speaks particularly of it, chap. 13, 14, 45, Isaiah 46:1-13 , Isaiah 47:1-15 .; and so does Jeremiah, chap. 50, 51. I need not add, that it is largely spoken of by profane... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:28

Verse 28 The word פרס, Pheres, is added, for the word Phersin, meaning his kingdom was divided among the Medes and Persians. I have no doubt that by this word God signified the dispersion of the Monarchy which was at hand. When, therefore, he says Upharsin, and they shall divide, it signifies the instability of the Monarchy, since he wished to destroy or utterly abolish it. But the Prophet alludes very appositely to the division made between the Medes and Persians; and thus his disgrace was... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:10-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:30-31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:28

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