Belshazzar’s Feast

1Later,a King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. 2Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his fatherb had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

3Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. 4As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

The Handwriting on the Wall

5At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing, 6his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.

7The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers,c and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

8So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him. 9Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.

10Hearing the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queend entered the banquet hall. “O king, may you live forever!” she said. “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale. 11There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods.

Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king, 12did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting

13So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

15Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation. 16But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

17In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him. 18As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. 19Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.

20But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.

22But you his son,e O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. 24Therefore He sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

25Now this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.

26And this is the interpretation of the message:

MENEf means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

27TEKELg means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

28PERESh means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

29Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeansi was slain, 31and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

1. The Perils of Pride
In Daniel 5, we see King Belshazzar's downfall due to his pride. He arrogantly used the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for his own feasting, showing no reverence for God. This reminds us of Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." It's a powerful lesson to remain humble and recognize that all we have is from God.

2. The Importance of Reverence
Belshazzar's lack of respect for the holy items led to his demise. Daniel 5:23 highlights this: "But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways." Reverence for God and His holiness is crucial. We are called to honor Him in all we do, acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives.

3. The Writing on the Wall
The mysterious writing on the wall is a vivid reminder that God communicates with us in various ways. Daniel 5:25-28 explains the message: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." It was a divine warning of judgment. We should be attentive to God's messages, whether through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances, and respond with obedience.

4. The Role of a Faithful Witness
Daniel's role in interpreting the writing shows the importance of being a faithful witness. Despite the king's arrogance, Daniel boldly delivered God's message. As believers, we are called to share God's truth with courage and clarity, trusting Him to work through us.

5. The Consequences of Ignoring God
Belshazzar's fate was sealed because he ignored the lessons from his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 5:22-23 states, "But you, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this." Ignoring God's past lessons can lead to dire consequences. We must learn from history and Scripture to avoid repeating mistakes.

6. The Sovereignty of God
The events of Daniel 5 underscore God's sovereignty. Despite human arrogance, God's plans prevail. Daniel 5:21 reminds us that "the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone He wishes." Trusting in God's control brings peace and assurance, even in uncertain times.

7. The Value of Wisdom
Daniel's wisdom and discernment were crucial in interpreting the writing. Proverbs 2:6 tells us, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Seeking God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture equips us to navigate life's challenges with insight and clarity.

8. The Urgency of Repentance
Belshazzar's story is a stark reminder of the urgency of repentance. His refusal to humble himself before God led to his downfall. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." We should not delay in turning to God and seeking His forgiveness.

9. The Impact of a Godly Life
Daniel's integrity and faithfulness had a profound impact, even in a pagan court. His life exemplified the truth of Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Living a godly life can influence others and bring glory to God.

10. The Certainty of God's Judgment
Finally, Daniel 5 reminds us of the certainty of God's judgment. Belshazzar's kingdom was weighed, found wanting, and divided. Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." We are called to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our actions have consequences and that God's justice will ultimately prevail.

Ask for wisdom and discernment to understand and apply God's Word in your life.

Seek humility and a teachable spirit, learning from the examples and warnings found in Scripture.

Pray for leaders and nations, that they may recognize God's sovereignty and seek His guidance.

2. In Daniel 5:2, how do we reconcile calling Belshazzar the “son” of Nebuchadnezzar with known Babylonian lineage?

3. In Daniel 5:5, how could a disembodied hand literally write on the wall, and isn’t this account scientifically implausible?

4. In Daniel 5:30, how could Belshazzar be slain “that very night” if some records suggest Babylon surrendered peacefully?

5. Why is Daniel unknown to Belshazzar (Daniel 5:7–13) despite his prominent role under Nebuchadnezzar described in earlier chapters?

1. How does Daniel 5 emphasize the theme of divine judgment?

2. Reflect on Belshazzar's action of using the sacred vessels for his feast. How might this apply to the misuse of sacred things in today's context?

3. What does the queen mother's recommendation of Daniel tell us about his reputation in the kingdom?

4. Discuss how the mysterious writing on the wall symbolizes divine intervention.

5. How does Belshazzar's reaction to the handwriting on the wall reflect his character?

6. What lessons can we learn from Daniel's refusal of the king's gifts?

7. Analyze Daniel's interpretation of the message. How does it reflect God's sovereignty and judgment?

8. How can the fall of Babylon be seen as a consequence of pride and blasphemy?

9. In what ways can we apply the lessons from the fall of Belshazzar to our own lives today?

10. How does Daniel 5 challenge your understanding of power, glory, and humility?

11. If you were in Daniel's position, would you have interpreted the writing for Belshazzar? Why or why not?

12. How can we recognize and interpret God's messages in our lives today?

13. How can we maintain humility in positions of power and influence?

14. How does this chapter impact your understanding of God's justice?

15. If faced with a situation similar to Belshazzar's feast, how would you respond?

16. How can we ensure we respect and honor sacred elements in our lives?

17. What can we learn from Daniel's courage and integrity in a hostile environment?

18. How does the theme of accountability manifest in this chapter and how can we apply it to our lives?

19. How can we ensure we don't repeat the mistakes of Belshazzar in our lives?

20. How does Daniel 5 inspire you to understand and respond to the sovereignty of God in your life?