What is the meaning of Daniel 5:6? His face grew pale • The brilliant banquet hall suddenly sees its king drained of color—an outward sign of inward terror. • Scripture often links paleness with overwhelming dread (Joel 2:6; Nahum 2:10). • God’s holiness exposes human pride; Belshazzar’s outward glow vanishes the moment heavenly handwriting appears (cf. Psalm 90:8). His thoughts so alarmed him • Fear first settles in the mind, racing through every what-if. Belshazzar’s proud, drunken confidence is shattered in a heartbeat. • Similar mental turmoil strikes Nebuchadnezzar after troubling dreams (Daniel 2:1) and later shakes entire nations at God’s future judgment (Luke 21:26). • When conscience collides with truth, panic replaces presumption (Psalm 55:5). His hips gave way • The phrase pictures his core losing strength—he can’t even stand tall anymore. • God foretold such collapse for the wicked: “Every hand will go limp” (Ezekiel 7:17) and “pangs have seized me… my loins are filled with anguish” (Isaiah 21:3). • Prideful stability proves an illusion when the Almighty speaks. His knees knocked together • From head to toe the king trembles uncontrollably, a physical snapshot of total helplessness. • Nahum 2:10 records the same reaction when judgment looms: “knees knock, bodies tremble.” • Even Moses “trembled with fear” at God’s voice (Hebrews 12:21); how much more a pagan king confronting divine handwriting of doom. summary Daniel 5:6 paints Belshazzar’s instant unraveling—pale face, panicked mind, weakened core, shaking knees—when God interrupts his blasphemous feast. The verse underscores that no earthly power can withstand the holy presence of the Lord. When God writes, the proud collapse. May we respond not with terror born of guilt, but with humble repentance and reverent obedience, finding steadiness in the very God who once shook Belshazzar to his core. |
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