Daniel 5:7 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 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers ,.... Or, "with strength" F14 בחיל "cum virtute", Vatablus; "in virtute", Montanus; "fortiter", Cocceius; "cum robore", Michaelis. ; with a strong voice, as loud as he could; which is expressive of the fright he was in, and of his eagerness and impatience of information; laying aside all decency, and forgetting his royal majesty, like a man out of his senses, quite distracted, as it were: of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:7

Whosoever shall read this writing - He knew it must be some awful portent, and wished to know what. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:7

Verse 7 The Prophet narrates how King Belshazzar sought a remedy for his anxiety; hence we gather how his mind was so immediately wounded, and how he felt he could not escape God’s hand, otherwise he would not have called the wise men so suddenly in the midst of the banquet. Again, when the Prophet says, He cried out loudly, he was clearly so astonished as to forget his being king, for to cry out at table was not consistent with his dignity. But God expelled all pride from him, by compelling... 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 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. The Septuagint here also differs from the Massoretic text, "And the king cried out with a great cry to call in the enchanters ( ἐπαοιδοὐς ) and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:7

And the king cried aloud - Margin, as in the Chaldee, “with might.” This indicates a sudden and an alarming cry. The king was deeply terrified; and, unable himself to divine the meaning of the mysterious appearance of the hand, he naturally turned at once to those whose office it was to explain dreams and supernatural appearances.To bring in the astrologers ... - See the note at Daniel 2:2; Daniel 4:7.And said to the wise men of Babylon - Those just referred to - the astrologers, etc. Having... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:7

Daniel 5:7. The king cried aloud Manifesting at once great fear and great impatience; to bring in the astrologers, &c. In this he imitated Nebuchadnezzar his grandfather: it seems indeed to have been the general practice of these heathen kings, in all unexpected emergencies, to apply to these their wise men for help. But the ill success of Nebuchadnezzar, in such applications, might have taught Belshazzar a better lesson. The king said, Whosoever shall read this writing, &c. To... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 5:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 5:7

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 5:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 5:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 5:7

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