Lexical Summary nebrashta: Lampstand, chandelier Original Word: נֶבְרְשָׁא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance candlestick (Aramaic) from an unused root meaning to shine; a light; plural (collectively) a chandelier -- candlestick. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) probably of foreign origin Definition the candlestick NASB Translation lampstand (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֶבְרַשְׁתָּא noun feminine emphatic the candlestick (ᵑ7 id., Syriac  , Late Hebrew נַבְרֶשֶׁת; Arabic  is loan-word from Aramaic Frä95; probably foreign word K§ 62 Frä95 Bev and others; ? Assyrian, compare BaZA ii. 117); — Daniel 5:5. Topical Lexicon Canonical Occurrence Daniel 5:5: “Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand, and the king watched the hand as it wrote.” Historical Setting The single appearance of נֶבְרְשָׁא falls within the dramatic climax of Belshazzar’s feast in Babylon, c. 539 BC. While profaning vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple (Daniel 5:2–4), Belshazzar and his nobles are confronted by a supernatural hand that inscribes God’s verdict on their reign. The narrative’s placement of the writing “near the lampstand” highlights a strategically illuminated portion of the wall, ensuring the inscription’s visibility amid the revelry. Cyrus’s armies already surrounded Babylon; thus the episode anticipates the imminent transfer of world power to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:30–31). Symbolic Resonance of the Lampstand Throughout Scripture, lampstands consistently symbolize divine light, revelation, and covenant witness: • Tabernacle and Temple: The golden lampstand crafted “of pure gold” (Exodus 25:31–37; 1 Kings 7:49) stood within the Holy Place, perpetually shining on the bread of the Presence (Exodus 27:20–21). In Daniel 5, a palace lampstand—not the sacred menorah—becomes the stage upon which God’s light exposes pagan excess and impending ruin, reinforcing that the Most High remains sovereign in every realm (Daniel 5:21). Revelatory Function The episode demonstrates how God uses visible, intelligible light to accompany His word. The illuminated plaster serves as a prophetic scroll, written by His own hand. As in Psalm 119:105 (“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”), the physical lampstand underscores the spiritual reality: only divine illumination enables true understanding. Daniel alone, endowed with “the light and insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods” (Daniel 5:11), can interpret the message. Revelation and comprehension both come from God. Divine Judgment and Sovereignty The placement of the inscription beside the lampstand strengthens the legal motif of the chapter. Ancient Near Eastern courts often convened by lamplight, and decrees were sealed in illuminated halls. Here, God convenes His own court, indicting Belshazzar for sacrilege and pride (Daniel 5:22–23). The lampstand becomes a silent witness, its brightness contrasting with the king’s spiritual blindness. In a single night the judgment pronounced—“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN” (Daniel 5:25)—is executed, proving that “He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). Intertextual Connections 1. Exodus 25:31–37: The craftsmanship of the tabernacle lampstand anticipates how God’s presence is mediated through light. Ministry and Devotional Applications • Reverence for holiness: Belshazzar’s treatment of holy vessels warns against casual or profane worship practices. Summary נֶבְרְשָׁא, though appearing only once, anchors a pivotal moment in biblical history. The palace lampstand frames God’s authoritative revelation, showcases His unchallenged sovereignty, and supplies enduring instruction for worship, holiness, and witness. Forms and Transliterations נֶבְרַשְׁתָּ֔א נברשתא neḇ·raš·tā neḇraštā nevrashTaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:5 HEB: וְכָֽתְבָן֙ לָקֳבֵ֣ל נֶבְרַשְׁתָּ֔א עַל־ גִּירָ֕א NAS: opposite the lampstand on the plaster KJV: over against the candlestick upon INT: writing opposite the lampstand upon the plaster 1 Occurrence |
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