Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 5:8
Then came in all the king’s wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
8. The wise men, however, failed either to read or to explain the writing.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then came in all the kings wise men – The classes above referred to, Dan 5:7.
But they could not read the writing – The character was an unknown character to them. It may have been a character which was not found in any language, and which made the power of Daniel to read it the more remarkable, or it may have been, as suggested in the notes at Dan 5:7, a foreign character with which they had no acquaintance, though familiar to Daniel.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. They could not read the writing] Because it was in the pure Hebrew, not the Chaldean character. See below.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The rabbies say it was not in the Chaldee character, though the words were Chaldee, but the old Hebrew, Canaanitish, Phoenician, and Samaritan letters; or else because only the initial letters, M. T. P., were written. But God reserved this honour for Daniel, and to him that He might have all the glory. Besides, this interpretation was figurative, about weighing in a balance.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. The words were in such acharacter as to be illegible to the Chaldees, God reserving thishonor to Daniel.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then came in all the king’s wise men,…. The whole college of them, the persons before described; over whom, in Nebuchadnezzar’s time, Daniel was the chief of the governors, Da 2:48, these came in readily, in hope of getting both riches and honour:
but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof; for if they could not do the former, it must be impossible to do the latter; of the reason of which, various are the conjectures p: as that, though these words were written in Chaldee, yet in characters, as the Samaritan or Phoenician, they did not understand; or were written without points, and so they knew not which were the proper ones to put to them; or they were written according to the position of the letters of the alphabet, called “athbash”, of which
[See comments on Jer 25:26], or the words were placed so as to be read backward, or else downward, and not straightforward; or they were all in one word; or only the initial letters of words; but the true reason was, that it was so ordained by the Lord, that they should not be able to read and interpret them; this being reserved for another man, Daniel, that he might have the honour, and God the glory.
p Vid. Jac. de Clerice Dissertat. de Epulo Belshazzar, in Thesaur. Theolog. Philol. vol. 1. p. 885.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
Verses 8, 9 recount that all the king’s wise men (imposters), one by one, conceded that they could neither read nor give the meaning of the writing–For “spiritual things are spiritually discerned,” 1Co 2:14. This honor God reserved for Daniel. It is further explained that at this point of “no answer” or explanation of this message on the wall, Belshazzar was again “greatly troubled,” with near convulsive fear. His countenance was again changed in him, as his lords saw deathly paleness come over his face again. They were all astonished, milled about that place in awe, aghast at the scene. See Gen 41:9; Isa 47:9; Isa 47:12-15; Dan 2:27.
Verse 10 relates that the queen mother or grandmother, upon receiving the report of the king and his lords, hurried into the banquet hall. She offered comfort to the king who stood or now sat ashen pale, with fear, bordering on an heart attack. Her greeting was “O king live forever,” don’t ever let your thoughts trouble you or your countenance be changed. She assured him that everything was going to be all right.
Verse 11 continues her testimony that there was (existed) in his kingdom nearby, right at hand, a man in whom existed the spirit of the holy gods; She remembered the words of Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 4:8-9; Dan 4:18. And she reminded him that in the times of his father (or grandfather) v. 2, this man (Daniel) was made master of or over the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers, over all the magi in the land, Dan 4:9. She assured Belshazzar that it had been proven that this man had demonstrated that light and wisdom of the gods existed in him. Her memory of Daniel’s former deeds was much like the testimony of Pilate’s wife concerning Jesus, Mat 27:19-25.
Verse 12 certifies that the aged queen-mother who knew of Daniel’s former relating and interpreting dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, appealed to Belshazzar to send for him, call him in, and he would be able to do what the imposter magis could not do, either read or interpret the finger writing over the golden candlesticks upon the festival hall. She witnessed that she believed Daniel had: 1) an excellent spirit or attitude, 2) excellent knowledge, 3) excellent understanding, 4) could really interpret dreams, 5) could make known hard sentences, things hard to be understood, and 6) dissolve doubts, Dan 6:3.
Verse 13 certifies that then, upon the testimony of the queen mother, Belshazzar had Daniel brought before him. Note, Daniel had acquired a good name (good reputation) even among the heathen, a thing more to be desired than silver or gold, Pro 22:1. Belshazzar first inquired of Daniel’s identity, whether or not he was that Daniel whom his father or grandfather, v. 2, had brought captive as a Jew, out of Judah. And he was, Dan 1:4-6.
Verses 14, 15 add that Belshazzar had heard (good reports), that the spirit of the gods was in him, so that he had light, wisdom, understanding, and ability to interpret dark matters, v. 10-12. Then he advised Belshazzar that the writing on the wall before him had not been read or interpreted by his own magi who had been brought in, and they could not, v. 8, 9.
Verse 16 continues to relate that he had heard that Daniel was or would be able to do this, v. 11. Belshazzar then proceeded to promise that if he could and would read to him those finger-written words on the plaster, above the golden candlestick, he would grant him: 1) to be clothed with scarlet or purple, a royal robe, 2) place a gold chain about his neck, and 3) make him third in power of administration over the kingdom of Babylon, quite a lucrative and elevated matter. And why should Daniel not interpret the writing? For it was his own Father’s handwriting? And it was to be spiritually discerned, 1Co 2:10-14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Here Daniel relates how deceived the king was in his opinion, in hoping for any interpretation of the writing from either the magi or the astrologers, the Chaldeans or the soothsayers; for none of them could read it. Hence he pays here the punishment of his ingratitude in passing over God’s Prophet, while he knew he had predicted truth to his grandfather just as it had happened, as well as Daniel’s general excellence in wisdom, Hence the proofs of his calling were sufficiently numerous and trustworthy. Since, then, he had so despised God’s unparalleled benefit, he is destitute of counsel:, and sees himself call in vain upon all the Chaldeans and astrologers. For Daniel says, There was no one who could read the writing or reveal its interpretation to the king Because this seems absurd, many Rabbis have hazarded various conjectures. Some think the letters were transposed; others guess that they were changed into their counterparts and equivalents; and others think the char-actors were changed. But we have elsewhere shewn how bold the Jews are in their conjectures, whenever they have no certain guide. We do not require their guesses, because, very probably, the writing was visible to the king and concealed from all the Chaldeans, or else they were so blind that they could see nothing; just as God denounced against the Jews a stupor of this kind. We see what he pronounces, by Isaiah, (Isa 29:0 : 11,) “Your law shall be like a. sealed book: If it shall be said to any one, ‘Read it,’ he shall say, ‘The book is sealed, I cannot:’ or the book may be opened and ye shall all become blind: even those who seem to be sharper than all others, shall say they are ignorant and unlettered men.” Whatever God threatened against the Jews we know was fulfilled, and is fulfilled to this day, since a veil is put before their eyes, as Paul says. (2Co 3:14.) Hence they were blind in the midst of the brightest light. What wonder then if the same thing happened to the Chaldeans, so flint they could not read the writing? There is no necessity to conjecture any transposition of letters, or any inversion of their, order, or any change of one into another; for the word תקל, tekel, went first, and afterwards מנא, מנא Mena, Mena. These guesses then are frivolous; and thus much is certain, God wished the king to be made aware of his approaching destruction; next, his soul was moved, not with repentance, but only enough to render his sloth without excuse; and hence, whether willingly or not, he was compelled to send for some remedy, since he knew himself to be dealing with God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
b. TURMOIL
TEXT: Dan. 5:8-16
8
Then came in all the kings wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.
9
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.
10
Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
11
there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
12
forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.
13
Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, who art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?
14
I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in thee.
15
And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
16
But I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
QUERIES
a.
Is this change in the kings countenance a second change?
b.
Who is the queen and why was she not in the banquet at the start?
c.
What was third ruler in the kingdom?
PARAPHRASE
And as the wise men kept coming in and were finally all assembled, it was found that none of them could interpret the writing inscribed on the wall or tell the king what it meant. The king grew more and more hysterical; his face reflected the terror he felt, and his officers, too, were shaken. But when the queen-mother heard what was happening, she rushed to the banquet hall and said to Belshazzar, Pull yourself together and try to be calm, your Majesty; dont be so pale and frightened over this. There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods within him. In the days of your forefather, king Nebuchadnezzar, this man was found to be as full of wisdom, insight and understanding as if he had the very spirit of the gods in him. And in the reign of your forefather Nebuchadnezzar he was made chief of all the magicians, astrologers, wise-men and soothsayers of Babylon. Call for this man, Danielor Belteshazzar, as the king called himfor his mind is filled with superhuman knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, solve riddles and solve knotty problems. He will tell you what the writing means. So Daniel was rushed in to see the king. The king said, So you are Daniel! You are the Daniel that my forefather, king Nebuchadnezzar, brought from Judah as a captive of war! Well, I have been reminded that you manifest the spirit of the holy gods within you by the insight, enlightenment and extraordinary wisdom you displayed during Nebuchadnezzars reign. These wisemen, soothsayers and enchanters of mine were assembled to interpret for me this handwriting on the wall, but they are not able to do so. I have been informed that you are able to give interpretations and solve knotty problems. If you are able to make the interpretation of this handwriting known to me, I will clothe you in a robe of purple and put a golden chain of authority about your neck and elevate you to the position of talti in the kingdom.
COMMENT
Dan. 5:8-9 THEN CAME IN ALL THE KINGS WISE MEN . . . The original language indicates that the wise men did not all come in at once in one body but kept coming in until finally, when they were all assembled, it was found that not one could offer the least bit of help. Why the wise-men could not interpret these characters on the wall we shall deal with in Dan. 5:24-28. Suffice it now to say the king was filled with consternation at not knowing their meaning.
It became evident to Belshazzar that the terrifying frustration of not being able to know what was written would not be solved by the mighty brain-trust of Babylon (all its wise men together). He grew very nearly hysterical and his countenance reflected his terror. Staring into the face of this august body of wise men he recognized that they, too, were as much at a loss as he was to calm his fears for they were seized with perplexity also.
Dan. 5:10-12 NOW THE QUEEN . . . CAME . . . AND SAID . . . THERE IS A MAN . . . Undoubtedly the queen mother was the widow of Nebuchadnezzar, because she was so familiar with past events concerning the relationship of Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, Queen mothers held a very significant position in ancient oriental courtseven more authoritative than that of the reigning queen. She entered the banquet hall of her own accord and without pausing to obtain permission of the monarch. Leupold suggests she had absented herself from this banquet in moral protest against the profligacy and indifference to duties of defense by Belshazzar. Whatever her reason for being absent it is evident that the reason for her coming to the banquet hall is to bring some calm reason and valuable information to this play-boy despot who was coming unglued. The queen mother had probably received a report from someone at court that the situation was critical, and, in view of the fact that the Medes and Persians were camped outside the great city, someone was going to have to take the hysterical king in hand and bring the head of the government to his senses.
Boutflower says of the queen, She was not the mother of Nabonidus. That lady, as we learn from the Annalistic Tablet, died in the camp at Sippara in the ninth year of Nabonidus. But since she appears in Daniel 5, in the character of queen-mother, and speaks with remarkable dignity and self-possession, it is reasonable to suppose that she was the widow of Nebuchadnezzar, whom Nabonidus had married, and whonow that her husband was a prisoner in the hands of the enemyhad assumed the post of queen-mother.
The queen speaks to Belshazzar of Daniel as if Belshazzar should have remembered this prophet. She informs the emperor that Daniel had had a very close and significant relationship to Nebuchadnezzar. She informs the king of the belief that the spirit of the gods resided in Daniel, and that the kings grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, had promoted Daniel to chief of the magicians. In other words, the queen is informing Belshazzar that Nebuchadnezzar had put this wise man Daniel thoroughly to the test and he had demonstrated supernatural knowledge, discernment and ability to solve knotty matters, which is the literal meaning of dissolving of doubts. The queens advice is that Daniel be called to solve this knotty problem.
Dan. 5:13-16 . . . ART THOU THAT DANIEL . . . I HAVE HEARD OF THEE . . . THAT THOU CANST GIVE INTERPRETATIONS . . . There is no indication in the original language that the statement of the king is interrogative. Even if it is a question, it is only rhetorical, for the king apparently did not expect an answer, since he proceeds with his request immediately. The king may have made a simple declaration with a tone of surprise, So you are that Daniel about whom I have heard. Belshazzar may even have heard of Daniel long before this but indulging himself in profligacy and frivolity, had never taken the trouble to consult him. It is noteworthy that Belshazzar, in spite of all his indifference to administration of the city and his indulgence in riotous living, did not forget all the details of his grandfathers military history.
The remainder of Belshazzars speech is verbatim quotation of the queens speech, except the promise of reward. Since all his own wisemen had failed, the king was now willing to reward this Hebrew if he could tell him the interpretation of the words on the wall.
Thanks to the excavations of Koldewey, not only has the throne-room of the Neo-Babylonian kings been discovered, but the doubly-recessed niche opposite the central entrance, which marks the spot where the throne must have stood, and precisely where the conscience-stricken Belshazzar must have sat!
QUIZ
1.
Describe the confusion and consternation of Belshazzar and his wise men.
2.
Who was the queen, and why was she not at the banquet?
3.
Why did the queen come to the feast at this particular time?
4.
What was her advice to Belshazzar and why?
5.
What sort of archaeological evidence do we have concerning this event?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(8) Theni.e., after the king had addressed the wise men whom he had summoned. But why could not they read an inscription which Daniel deciphered at first sight? It has been conjectured (1) that the character was old Semitic, or one which the wise men did not know; (2) that the language of the inscription was unknown to them; (3) that the words were written in vertical columns, and the wise men endeavoured to read them horizontally. The only true explanation is to be found in the supernatural character of the inscription, and in the inspiration of Daniel. In this way God asserts Himself against the false wisdom of the heathens.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘Then all the king’s wise men came in. But they could not read the writing or make its interpretation clear to the king. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his face was changed on him, and his lords were perplexed.’
None of the wise men of Babylon were able to read and decipher the writing. Whether this means that the script was unintelligible, or just that its meaning was difficult, does not really matter, although the former is probable as they could at least have made a guess at the latter. The result was that the king, who had had time to recover himself, once again went into a blue funk, although not quite so badly as before. His lords also did not know what to think or say. All knew that it spelt something ominous.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 5:8. But they could not read the writing Because, says Houbigant, it was written in the ancient Samaritan characters, and such as were used upon their coins; which were very unlike the Chaldean letters: for these three compendiums of three sentences, Mene, Tekel, Peres, were such as were commonly found on their coins.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 5:8 Then came in all the king’s wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
Ver. 8. But they could not read the writing. ] Utpote caecitate et stupore pervulsi; they could not so read it as to make any good sense of it. It may be the initial letters only were set down, or else without pricks, or in a strange character, the Samaritan, or some other. The honour of the work was reserved for a better man.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the king’s. Some codices read “Babylon’s”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 5:8-9
Dan 5:8 ThenH116 came inH5954 allH3606 the king’sH4430 wiseH2445 men: but they couldH3546 notH3809 readH7123 the writing,H3792 nor make knownH3046 to the kingH4430 the interpretationH6591 thereof.
Dan 5:9 ThenH116 was kingH4430 BelshazzarH1113 greatlyH7690 troubled,H927 and his countenanceH2122 was changedH8133 inH5922 him, and his lordsH7261 were astonied.H7672
Dan 5:8-9
Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
This inability of the mystics of the realm being unable to explain what happened was nothing new. It has not been very many years at all since Nebuchadnezzar died and he got multiple opportunities to witness God’s workings within his kingdom. Now on the eve of Belshazzar’s death, God works one last wonder in the soon to fall Babylonian empire.
This thing was witnessed and seen by more than just Belshazzar. His lord were likewise astonished which demonstrates this things wasn’t done in a corner. There were plenty of eye-witnesses to this event. The writing was on the wall in front of them, nobody could read it, it got there by supernatural means and nobody could explain it.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
but: Because, probably, it was written in the ancient Hebrew or Samaritan character. Dan 2:27, Dan 4:7, Gen 41:8, Isa 47:9, Isa 47:12-15
Reciprocal: Exo 8:18 – they could Isa 41:28 – I beheld Isa 47:13 – Let now Jer 50:35 – her wise men Dan 1:20 – the magicians Dan 2:4 – tell Dan 4:18 – forasmuch Dan 5:5 – wrote Dan 5:15 – General Col 2:14 – the handwriting
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 5:8. All the king’s ivise men means those ordinarily employed by him and who were supposed to be standing by for service whenever needed; that is why Daniel was not present at this call. As we would expect, these men could not do the king any good in his great confusion.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 5:8-9. Then came in all the kings wise men Ambitious of the honour, and desirous to gratify the king. But they could not read the writing Because, says Houbigant, it was written in the ancient Samaritan characters, which were very unlike the Chaldean letters. Or perhaps only the initial letters, M.T.P. were written. But God, for his own glory, reserved the honour of reading and interpreting it for his servant Daniel. Mr. Wintle renders the clause, They were unable to read the writing, so as to make known the interpretation to the king. Then was King Belshazzar greatly troubled His consternation and distress were renewed and increased, his last hope having failed him; and his lords were astonished His associates in sin shared in the consternation; and notwithstanding their number, mirth, and wine, were dismayed and terrified exceedingly.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The writing appears to have been in the Aramaic language. Therefore it seems that the wise men’s difficulty in understanding it may have been due to its interpretation, rather than just the meaning of the words (cf. Dan 5:14-16; Dan 5:25).