Daniel 5:6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:1-9

We have here Belshazzar the king very gay, but all of a sudden very gloomy, and in straits in the fulness of his sufficiency. See how he affronts God, and God affrights him; and wait what will be the issue of this contest; and whether he that hardened his heart against God prospered. I. See how the king affronted God, and put contempt upon him. He made a great feast, or banquet of wine; probably it was some anniversary solemnity, in honour off his birth-day or coronation-day, or in honour of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:6

Then the kings countenance changed ,.... Or, "his brightness" F12 זיוהי "splendores ejus", Montanus, Vatablus, Michaelis. ; his ruddy countenance, his florid looks, his gay airs; all his jollity and mirth, that appeared in his face, were changed into paleness, sadness, and confusion: and his thoughts troubled him ; what should be the meaning of this; perhaps he might immediately fear it presaged ruin and destruction to him; the sins of his former life might at once come into his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:6

The king's countenance was changed - Here is a very natural description of fear and terror. The face grows pale; The mind becomes greatly agitated; Pains seize on the lower part of the back and kidneys; A universal tremor takes place, so that the knees smite against each other; 5. And lastly, either a syncope takes place, or the cry of distress is uttered, Daniel 5:7 ; : "The king cried." read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:6

Verse 6 Here Daniel shews how the king’s mind was struck with fear, lest any one should think his fright without foundation. But he expresses, by many circumstances, how disturbed the king was, and thus the sufficiency of the reason would easily appear. It was needful for him to be so struck, that all might understand how God was seated on his throne, and summoned him as a criminal. We mentioned before how Daniel impresses us with the pride of this king, and his careless security is a clear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:1-9

Blasted merriment. All merriment is not forbidden. Banqueting is not in itself a sin. Jesus Christ himself honoured with his presence a marriage festival, and contributed, by miracle, the wine for the occasion. On the restoration of the prodigal son, a banquet was prepared, while music and dancing were the fitting exponents of the father's joy. God is not a foe to rational pleasure. He gives both the capacity and the occasion for joyful hilarity. But when excess of wine inflames the carnal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:1-31

EXPOSITION BELSHAZZAR 'S FEAST . In regard to this chapter the peculiar state of the Septuagint text has to be noted. At the beginning of the chapter there are three verses which seem to be either variant versions of the Septuagint text, or versions of a text which was different from that from which the Septuagint has been drawn. Throughout the chapter, further, there are traces of doublets. Most of these variations occur in the Syriac of Paulus Tellensis. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The Septuagint differs in a somewhat important degree from the Massoretic text, "And his countenance was changed, and fears and thoughts troubled him." In this clause not improbably φόβοι and ὑπόνοιαι are double renderings of רעין . "And the king hasted and rose up, and looked at that writing, and his companions round about... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:6

Then the king’s countenance was changed - The word rendered “countenance” is, in the margin, as in Daniel 5:9, “brightnesses.” The Chaldee word means “brightness, splendor” (זיו zı̂yv), and the meaning here is bright looks, cheerfulness, hilarity. The word rendered was changed, is in the margin changed it; and the meaning is, that it changed itself: probably from a jocund, cheerful, and happy expression, it assumed suddenly a deadly paleness.And his thoughts troubled him - Whether from the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:5-6

Daniel 5:5-6. In the same hour At the very time; came forth fingers of a man’s hand The likeness of a man’s hand; and wrote over against the candlestick The angel Gabriel, say the rabbins, directing this hand, and writing by it. Belshazzar seems to have filled up the measure of his iniquity, by this act of gross impiety and dishonour done to the true God. And the king saw It seems, first saw; the part of the hand that wrote It is probable this candlestick was a hanging sconce, near... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 5:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:5-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 5:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:5-6

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