Belshazzar and the Writing on the Wall
Daniel 5:1-31
Dan.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בלשאצר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- לרברבנוהי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss,3,m
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ולקבל: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אלפא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חמרא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שתה: VERB,qal,impv,2,sg
Parallels
- Esther 1:3-8 (structural): Royal banquet scene: Ahasuerus holds an extended, sumptuous feast for nobles and officials with abundant drinking and display—parallel setting and courtly revelry to Belshazzar’s feast.
- Isaiah 22:13 (verbal): Uses the refrain of eating, drinking and calling for mirth ('Let us eat and drink…')—a brief verbal/thematic echo of revelry and denial of impending disaster present at Belshazzar’s feast.
- Amos 6:4-6 (thematic): Condemns the complacent luxury and drunken feasting of the elite ('lying on beds of ivory...drink wine in bowls')—the moral critique of aristocratic revelry parallels the context and implicit judgment of Daniel 5.
- Luke 12:19-20 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool who vows to 'eat, drink, and be merry' and then faces sudden judgment—the theme of extravagant feasting immediately preceding divine judgment mirrors Belshazzar’s fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- Belshazzar the king gave a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and he drank wine in the presence of the thousand.
- Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and he drank wine in the presence of the thousand.
Dan.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בלשאצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בטעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חמרא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להיתיה: VERB,qal,inf
- למאני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכספא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנפק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אבוהי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- היכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישתון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בהון: PREP+PRON,3,pl
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורברבנוהי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- שגלתה: REL+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולחנתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.1.2 (verbal): Directly recalls the earlier statement that Nebuchadnezzar carried away vessels from the temple in Jerusalem—Daniel 5:2 refers back to that removal of holy objects.
- 2 Kings 24:13 (structural): Royal annal giving the same historical detail: Nebuchadnezzar took the temple's gold and silver vessels to Babylon—the event Belshazzar exploits in Daniel 5.
- Jer.52:17-23 (quotation): Parallel account to Kings describing the seizure and transport of Jerusalem's sacred vessels by Nebuchadnezzar; mirrors the background for Belshazzar's use of those vessels.
- Isa.39:7-8 (thematic): Isaiah's prophecy that Babylon would carry off treasures and descendants from Judah thematically anticipates the removal of temple wealth that Daniel 5:2 references.
Alternative generated candidates
- Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his princes, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.
- Belshazzar said, "Bring in the vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar my father took from the temple in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines may drink from them."
Dan.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- היתיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מאני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנפקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- היכלא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואשתיו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בהון: PREP+PRON,3,pl
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורברבנוהי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- שגלתה: REL+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ולחנתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.1.2 (verbal): Nearly identical language: Nebuchadnezzar 'carried away' vessels from the house of God and brought them into the house of his gods — same motif of temple vessels taken to Babylon.
- 2 Kings 24:13 (thematic): Describes Nebuchadnezzar's removal of all the treasures of the house of the LORD and taking them to Babylon, the historical background for Daniel's claim.
- 2 Kings 25:13-17 (quotation): Provides a detailed inventory of the articles removed from the temple and their disposition in Babylon, paralleling Daniel's report of sacred vessels being used in a foreign court.
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (quotation): A parallel account to 2 Kings that recounts the carrying off of temple vessels to Babylon (and in vv.31–34 the later restoration), directly echoing the event Daniel mentions.
- Ezra 1:7-11 (allusion): Records Cyrus's order to return the vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the temple and their restoration to Jerusalem — the later fate of the same objects Daniel says were taken.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they brought the golden vessels that had been taken from the house of the God of Jerusalem; and the king and his princes, his wives and his concubines drank in them.
- Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines drank in them.
Dan.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשתיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חמרא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושבחו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאלהי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,const
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכספא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נחשא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרזלא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אעא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואבנא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 5:23 (structural): Direct narrative contrast and consequence: Belshazzar and his guests praise other gods and profane the holy vessels, prompting Daniel’s rebuke and God’s judgment.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (verbal): Explicitly depicts idols made of silver and gold that cannot speak or act—echoes the catalogue of metals and materials praised as ‘gods’ in Daniel 5:4.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Denounces idolatry and the making/worship of powerless carved images by craftsmen—parallels the folly of praising metal and wooden gods at Belshazzar’s feast.
- Isaiah 44:12-20 (allusion): Satiric account of an artisan fashioning a god from wood and then worshiping it—thematically mirrors Daniel’s depiction of worshiping gods of wood, stone, and metal.
- Romans 1:23 (thematic): New Testament critique that people exchanged the glory of God for images of mortal creatures—theologically parallels the worship of material ‘gods’ in Daniel 5:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
- They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone.
Dan.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- שעתה: ADV
- נפקה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אצבען: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנש: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכתבן: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לקבל: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- נברשתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- גירא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומלכא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- חזה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3s
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 31:18 (verbal): God himself writes on stone tablets 'by the finger of God'—direct verbal parallel to a hand/finger writing a divine message.
- Exodus 8:19 (verbal): Egyptian magicians identify a plague as 'the finger of God,' using the same idiom of divine agency expressed by a finger/hand.
- Luke 11:20 (allusion): Jesus speaks of casting out demons 'by the finger of God,' echoing the Old Testament idiom of divine power manifested by a finger/hand.
- Colossians 2:14 (thematic): Paul speaks of a 'handwriting of ordinances' (a written legal charge) being nailed to the cross—parallels the motif of a written notice or judgment presented by a hand.
- Ezekiel 9:4-6 (thematic): A marked action by a divine agent (marking or writing as a sign) preceding judgment—thematically similar to the hand-writing-on-the-wall as a sign of imminent judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that hour the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the back of the hand that wrote.
- In that same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the palm of the hand that wrote.
Dan.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זיוהי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שנוהי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורעינהי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3ms
- יבהלונה: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- וקטרי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חרצה: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- משתרין: VERB,qal,ptcp,masc,pl
- וארכבתה: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- דא: PRON,dem,m,sg
- לדא: PREP
- נקשן: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
Parallels
- Dan.7.28 (verbal): Daniel reports being greatly troubled in his thoughts and his countenance changing at the vision—language and psychological reaction closely parallel the king’s alarm and altered face in 5:6.
- Dan.10.8–9 (verbal): Daniel describes losing strength and a changed appearance after a vision; parallels the bodily collapse and pallor (limbs failing, knees knocking) triggered by a supernatural revelation.
- Dan.8:27 (thematic): After a troubling vision Daniel is left exhausted and disturbed—a similar physical and emotional breakdown in response to divine revelation as in 5:6.
- Hab.3:16 (thematic): Habakkuk speaks of trembling, quivering lips, and bodily fear on hearing God’s deeds—thematically akin to the king’s fear-struck physical reaction in Daniel 5:6.
- Rev.1:17 (thematic): John falls at the vision and is overcome with fear when confronted by a divine appearance; mirrors the overwhelming terror and physical collapse when confronted by a heavenly sign in Daniel 5:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his knees knocked against one another and his loins gave way.
- Then the king's color changed, his thoughts alarmed him, and his knees knocked one against another and his loins were loosened and his strength failed him.
Dan.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחיל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להעלה: PREP+VERB,hif,inf
- לאשפיא: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כשדאי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וגזריא: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לחכימי: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- אנש: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כתבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- דנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ופשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יחונני: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ארגונא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ילבש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והמניכא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צוארה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- ותלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- במלכותא: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ישלט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.5.16 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel within the same chapter: Daniel repeats the king's exact offer (purple robe, gold necklace, be third ruler) when asked to interpret the writing.
- Dan.2.48 (structural): Narrative parallel: after Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream he is rewarded with high office and gifts—same narrative pattern of an interpreter being elevated by the king.
- Gen.41.41-43 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic parallel: Pharaoh rewards Joseph after interpreting dreams by clothing him in fine garments, placing a gold chain about his neck, and raising him to a high governmental position.
- Esth.6.8-11 (thematic): Thematic parallel of royal honor bestowal and public elevation: the king commands robes/horse and public procession for the honored man, echoing motifs of visible reward and status conferred by the monarch.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king called aloud to bring in the enchanters, the astrologers, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers. The king spoke, and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and show me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold, and shall be made the third ruler in the kingdom.”
- The king commanded to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever can read this writing and show me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
Dan.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- עלין: PREP,3,pl
- כל: DET
- חכימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- כהלין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כתבא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למקרא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להודעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלכא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.2.10-11 (verbal): Court wise men/Chaldeans are unable to tell the king the mystery of a mysterious writing/dream—same motif of royal advisors failing to read/interpret divine revelation.
- Dan.2.27-28 (thematic): Affirms that interpretations of dreams/writings come from God alone, explaining why the king’s wise men could not disclose the meaning.
- Gen.41.8-16 (thematic): Pharaoh’s magicians and wise men cannot interpret his troubling dreams until Joseph, by divine insight, explains them—parallel of court experts failing and a God-given interpreter appearing.
- Isa.44.24-25 (allusion): God is described as frustrating diviners and making their wisdom futile, echoing the motif that human wise men cannot discern God’s purposes.
- Dan.5.11-12 (structural): Immediate narrative contrast: Daniel (Belteshazzar) is introduced as the one who can read and interpret, highlighting the failure of the king’s wise men in verse 8 and Daniel’s distinctive gift.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all the king's wise men came; but they could not read the writing nor make known to the king its interpretation.
- Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing nor make known to the king its interpretation.
Dan.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלשאצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- שגיא: ADJ,m,sg
- מתבהל: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,sg
- וזיוהי: CONJ+DEM+VERB,perf,3,m,sg
- שנין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עלוהי: PREP,3,m,sg
- ורברבנוהי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,poss
- משתבשין: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Dan.4.19 (verbal): Same verbal motif of a king/observer whose 'thoughts are troubled' by a terrifying vision/event; similar language describing alarm at a supernatural revelation.
- Job 4:14 (verbal): Eliphaz’s dream-report uses near-verbal imagery of fear and trembling—'fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake'—paralleling the bodily convulsions in Dan 5:9.
- Habakkuk 3:16 (thematic): The prophet describes an intense physical reaction to divine revelation—'my belly trembled... I trembled in myself'—echoing Daniel’s image of loins loosening and knees knocking together.
- Ps.55:5 (thematic): Uses the language of fear and trembling overwhelming the speaker ('fear and trembling have come upon me'), thematically parallel to the king’s convulsive fear in Daniel 5:9.
- Matt.28:4 (thematic): The guards at the tomb 'became like dead men' for fear at a supernatural appearance; parallels Daniel’s depiction of bodily collapse and shock in response to a divine/portentous sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Belshazzar the king became greatly troubled; his color changed, and his lords were astonished.
- Then King Belshazzar became greatly alarmed, his countenance was changed, and his lords were perplexed.
Dan.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מלכתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לקבל: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- מלי: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורברבנוהי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- משתיא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,_,pl
- ענת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלכתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעלמין: PREP
- חיי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אל: NEG
- יבהלוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רעיונך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- וזיויך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ישתנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 25:24–31 (verbal): Abigail interposes before David with calming, deferential language ('Let not my lord take to heart') and persuades the would‑be avenger to refrain—parallel in a woman soothing a furious ruler and advising him not to let his thoughts/anger prevail.
- 2 Samuel 14:2–20 (structural): The 'wise woman of Tekoa' is sent to King David to plead by parable for mercy; like the queen in Daniel 5 she is a female interlocutor who enters the royal presence to avert rash royal action—structural parallel of a woman negotiating with a king to change his reaction.
- Esther 4:11 (thematic): Esther (and later others) face the dangers and strict protocols of approaching a Persian king unbidden—shared courtly setting and concern with royal etiquette and consequences for the ruler’s decisions (risk, protocol, and intercession).
- 1 Kings 1:21, 31 (verbal): Courtiers and royal women use the conventional formulaic address ('May my lord the king live forever' / 'let the king live') when speaking to a monarch. Daniel 5:10’s 'O king, live forever' echoes this standard royal salutation used elsewhere in the narrative tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- The queen, because the words of the king and his lords were noisy, came into the banquet hall. The queen spoke and said, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you, nor let your countenance be changed.
- Now the queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet-house; the queen spoke and said, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or let your countenance change."
Dan.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- איתי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- גבר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- במלכותך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קדישין: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- וביומי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- אבוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
- נהירו: VERB,peal,perf,3,ms
- ושכלתנו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- וחכמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כחכמת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,constr
- אלהין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- השתכחת: VERB,hith,perf,3,fs
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ומלכא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבכדנצר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אבוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- חרטמין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשפין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כשדאין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גזרין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הקימה: VERB,hif,perf,3,ms
- אבוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 4:8-9 (verbal): Uses the same Aramaic idiom and profile of Daniel/Belteshazzar as a man 'in whom is the spirit of the holy gods' with extraordinary insight and wisdom in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
- Daniel 2:48-49 (structural): After Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he is promoted and honored by the king—parallels the claim that Daniel was raised to high office because of his God-given wisdom.
- Daniel 1:17 (thematic): Reports that God gave Daniel and his companions knowledge, learning, and skill (and to Daniel specifically understanding in visions and dreams), echoing the attribution of supernatural wisdom in 5:11.
- Isaiah 11:2 (thematic): Speaks of a divine Spirit granting wisdom, understanding, counsel and might; thematically parallels the idea that a divine spirit confers exceptional wisdom and insight on an individual.
Alternative generated candidates
- There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and astrologers;
- There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. Your father Nebuchadnezzar the king—he appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers.
Dan.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- קבל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יתירה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומנדע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושכלתנו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cstr,1,pl
- מפשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלמין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואחוית: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אחידן: PRON,dem,pl
- ומשרא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קטרין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- השתכחת: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בדניאל: PREP+PN,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- שמה: ADV
- בלטשאצר: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כען: ADV
- דניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתקרי: VERB,qal,impf,3,sg
- ופשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהחוה: PN,prop,masc,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 1:17 (verbal): Same theme and language: Daniel is given 'knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom' and 'understanding in all visions and dreams'—parallels the gift of dream-interpretation and wisdom mentioned here.
- Daniel 2:47-48 (structural): Nebuchadnezzar's public recognition that God revealed the mystery to Daniel and his subsequent promotion of Daniel mirrors 5:12's note that Daniel had the spirit of the holy gods and was granted high rank.
- Daniel 4:8-9 (4:19 in some numberings) (verbal): Earlier court testimony about Daniel (called Belteshazzar) uses almost the same formula—an 'excellent/spirit of the holy gods' in him, with 'light, understanding, and wisdom'—a close verbal/allusive parallel.
- Genesis 41:38-41 (thematic): Pharaoh's recognition that God is in Joseph (the spirit of God) and his elevation of Joseph to a high administrative role because he interprets dreams provides a clear thematic precedent outside Daniel for rewarding a dream-interpreter with honors.
Alternative generated candidates
- for as for all the great spirit and knowledge and understanding, and for interpreting of dreams, explaining riddles, and solving problems—such as none of the king's wise men could do—Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, is able to give the interpretation.
- Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and resolve problems were found in Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now call for Daniel and he will give the interpretation."
Dan.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- דניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדם: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לדניאל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אנת: PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- דניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- גלותא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מן: PREP
- יהוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 1:1-7 (verbal): Describes the exile of Judah's youths to Babylon and explicitly names Daniel among those taken—parallels the identification "Daniel... of the children of the captivity of Judah."
- Daniel 5:11 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter another courtier summarizes Daniel's identity and reputation in Babylon, which the king echoes when addressing Daniel in 5:13.
- 2 Kings 24:14 (structural): Narrates the deportation of Judeans to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, providing the historical backdrop for Daniel's status as one of the exiles mentioned in 5:13.
- Jeremiah 29:4-7 (thematic): Addresses the community of Judean exiles in Babylon and their distinct identity while in captivity, echoing the social and religious status invoked by the phrase "children of the captivity of Judah."
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?
- Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?"
Dan.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עלך: PREP,2,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ונהירו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ושכלתנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+poss,1,pl
- וחכמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יתירה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- השתכחת: VERB,hithp,perf,3,f,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.4.9 (verbal): Uses almost identical language attributing a spirit from the gods/God to Daniel — both verses commend Daniel for having the spirit of God/holy gods and exceptional wisdom.
- Dan.1.17 (thematic): Describes God granting Daniel and his companions knowledge, understanding and skill, echoing the theme that Daniel's wisdom is a divine endowment.
- Isa.11.2 (verbal): Lists the Spirit as the source of wisdom and understanding (’spirit of wisdom and understanding’), paralleling the attribution of insight to God’s Spirit in Daniel 5:14.
- Exod.31.3 (verbal): Speaks of God filling Bezalel with the Spirit, giving him wisdom, understanding and skill — a close verbal parallel linking divine Spirit with wisdom and ability.
- Prov.2.6 (thematic): Affirms that wisdom and understanding come from the Lord, matching Daniel 5:14’s assertion that Daniel’s light, understanding and outstanding wisdom originate with God.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
- I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you and that light and understanding and outstanding wisdom are found in you.
Dan.5.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכען: CONJ+ADV
- העלו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- קדמי: ADV
- חכימיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשפיא: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- דנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יקרון: ADJ,m,sg
- ופשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להודעתני: VERB,hifil,inf,1,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- כהלין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להחויה: PREP+VERB,hif,inf
Parallels
- Dan.2.27-30 (verbal): Daniel there uses the same formula of declaring he will give the king the interpretation after the other wise men failed; both passages contrast human inability with Daniel's disclosure of the meaning.
- Dan.1.17 (thematic): Attributes Daniel's ability to interpret visions and dreams to divine gift/skill, paralleling 5:15's claim that Daniel can give the interpretation when others could not.
- Dan.4.8-9 (verbal): The royal court's recognition that 'a spirit of the holy gods' is in Daniel and that he has insight and wisdom echoes the language and reputation appealed to in 5:15.
- Dan.5.11 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the chapter: the queen's reminder that Daniel (called Belteshazzar) had been known for interpreting and explaining dreams, which motivates Daniel's intervention in 5:15.
- Gen.41.16 (thematic): Joseph's claim that God reveals the meaning of dreams parallels the motif that interpretation is a divine gift rather than human skill, the theological basis for Daniel's success when others failed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the wise men and enchanters were brought to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not declare the interpretation of the matter.
- Now the wise men and the enchanters were brought in to read the writing and make known its interpretation to the king, but they could not declare the interpretation to the king.
Dan.5.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנה: ADV,interr
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עלך: PREP,2,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תיכול: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- פשרין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למפשר: VERB,inf,qal
- וקטרין: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- למשרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כען: ADV
- הן: PART
- תכול: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- כתבא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למקרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להודעתני: VERB,hifil,inf,1,sg
- ארגונא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תלבש: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- והמניכא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צוארך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms_suff
- ותלתא: NUM,ord,3,sg
- במלכותא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תשלט: VERB,qal,impf,juss,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 41:39-43 (thematic): Pharaoh rewards Joseph after successful interpretation with fine clothing, a signet ring and high office—same motif of a ruler promising garments/insignia and elevated rank to an interpreter.
- Daniel 2:27-30 (verbal): Daniel explains that interpretations come from God when speaking before a king about dreams—parallels the court context and the claim to interpret royal mysteries.
- Daniel 2:48 (structural): After Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream he is richly rewarded and set over the province—similar language of royal gifts and promotion as a response to an interpretation.
- Daniel 5:29 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment in the same chapter: Belshazzar actually clothes Daniel, places a gold chain on him, and proclaims him third ruler, echoing the promise of 5:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a necklace of gold put around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
- And I have heard that you can give interpretations and explain matters. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold about your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
Dan.5.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- קדם: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתנתך: NOUN,f,sg,poss2ms
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- להוין: VERB,qal,inf
- ונבזביתך: NOUN,f,sg,poss2ms
- לאחרן: PREP+ADJ,masc,sg
- הב: INTJ
- ברם: CONJ
- כתבא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אקרא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- למלכא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופשרא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אהודענה: VERB,qal,imprf,1,sg
Parallels
- Dan.5.12 (verbal): States Daniel's reputation as one who interprets writings, dreams and visions—explains why the king summons Daniel and echoes the role Daniel asserts in 5:17.
- Dan.5.25-28 (structural): The immediate narrative continuation: the written words on the wall (25) and Daniel's interpretation (26–28), which fulfill Daniel's offer in 5:17 to read and explain the writing.
- Gen.41.15-16 (thematic): Joseph disclaims personal power and attributes dream-interpretation to God—parallels Daniel's posture that the interpretation is a divinely enabled revelation rather than merely royal service.
- Acts.8.18-20 (thematic): Simon Magus offers payment for the gift of the Holy Spirit; contrasts with Daniel's refusal (or redirection) of royal reward in 5:17 and the principle that spiritual insight is not a commodity.
- Dan.1.8 (allusion): Daniel's earlier refusal of the royal food and wine (a refusal of what the court offered) echoes his reluctance in 5:17 to accept the king's gifts, highlighting consistent integrity and independence from palace patronage.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king and make known the interpretation.
- Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation."
Dan.5.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אנת: PRON,2,m,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלאה: ADJ,m,sg
- מלכותא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורבותא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- והדרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לנבכדנצר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 2:37-38 (verbal): Directly parallels language and idea: God of heaven gave the king a kingdom, power, and glory (address to a Babylonian king about God’s granting of dominion).
- Daniel 4:34-37 (verbal): Nebuchadnezzar’s own testimony that the Most High gave him kingdom, greatness, and glory—same theme and similar vocabulary within Daniel’s narrative.
- Daniel 4:17 (thematic): States the theological principle that the Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives them to whom he wills, underpinning the assertion that God granted Nebuchadnezzar his rule.
- 1 Chronicles 29:11 (verbal): Uses comparable royal lexicon (greatness, power, glory, majesty) attributing those honors to God, echoing the motif that sovereign rule and glory originate with God.
Alternative generated candidates
- O king, let my council be acceptable to you, and turn your thoughts to understand the words I speak to the king.
- O king, let it be known to you and to your thoughts: the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, majesty, glory, and honor.
Dan.5.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- רבותא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כל: DET
- עממיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולשניא: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הוו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- זיעין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ודחלין: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מן: PREP
- קדמוהי: PREP+PRON,3,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- קטל: VERB,qal,perf,3,sg
- ודי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מחא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מרים: ADJ,m,sg
- ודי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משפיל: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Dan.4:17 (verbal): Directly echoes the Daniel tradition that the Most High 'giveth' kingdoms and 'setteth up' or 'casteth down' rulers—same language about God assigning and reversing human power.
- Dan.2:21 (verbal): States that God 'changeth the times and seasons' and 'removeth kings, and setteth up kings,' paralleling the assertion that God gives authority to whom he wills and humbles whom he wills.
- 1 Sam.2:7-8 (thematic): Hannah's song emphasizes Yahweh's power to raise the poor and abase the proud—theologically parallel to the motif that God exalts and brings low human rulers.
- Ps.75:7 (verbal): Declares God as judge who 'puts down one, and sets up another,' mirroring the theme of divine sovereignty in elevating or humbling leaders found in Daniel 5:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom and greatness and glory and majesty.
- And from the greatness that He gave him all peoples, nations, and men of every language trembled and feared before him; whom he would he slew, and whom he would he left alive; whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down.
Dan.5.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכדי: CONJ
- רם: ADJ,m,sg
- לבבה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- ורוחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תקפת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- להזדה: VERB,qal,inf
- הנחת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- כרסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכותה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- העדיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.4:30-32 (verbal): Parallel episode within Daniel: Nebuchadnezzar’s pride leads to his being driven from the kingly throne and humbled—close verbal and thematic correspondence to the removal of a ruler for lifted-up heart.
- Prov.16:18 (thematic): Proverbial principle: 'Pride goes before destruction'—summarizes the moral cause-and-effect in Dan 5:20 (pride leading to downfall).
- Isa.14:13-15 (allusion): Taunt against the king of Babylon describing ambitious pride and consequent humiliation—shares the motif of arrogant heart followed by divine overthrow.
- Ezek.28:17 (thematic): Oracle against the prince/king of Tyre links increased pride of heart with being cast down—echoes the connection between arrogance and deposition in Daniel 5:20.
- Ps.75:6-7 (thematic): Affirms that exaltation and humiliation are from the LORD: God removes honor from rulers—provides theological framework for the king’s loss of throne and glory in Dan 5:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And from the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations and languages trembled and feared before him; whom he would he slew, and whom he would he spared; whom he would he set up, and whom he would he put down.
- But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.
Dan.5.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אנשא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- טריד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולבבה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- עם: PREP
- חיותא: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שויו: ADJ,m,sg
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- ערדיא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מדורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתורין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יטעמונה: VERB,paal,impf,3,pl
- ומטל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יצטבע: VERB,peal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שליט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלאה: ADJ,m,sg
- במלכות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אנשא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- ולמן: CONJ+PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יצבה: VERB,paal,perf,3,sg
- יהקים: VERB,paal,impf,3,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 4:25 (verbal): Predicts the king will be driven from men, live like an animal, and be humbled until he knows that the Most High rules — the same episode recounted in Dan 5:21.
- Daniel 4:33 (verbal): Narrative fulfillment of the prophecy: Nebuchadnezzar is made to live with the beasts and his mind becomes like an animal, directly parallel to the language of Dan 5:21.
- Daniel 4:34-35 (quotation): Nebuchadnezzar's eventual acknowledgment that ‘the Most High rules the kingdom of men’ echoes the theological point of Dan 5:21 that God’s sovereignty is demonstrated by humbling the king.
- Psalm 75:6-7 (thematic): Declares that exaltation and humiliation come from God (‘not from the east or the west’), echoing the theme that God brings down the proud and raises whom he wills, as in Dan 5:21.
- Luke 1:52 (thematic): Mary’s Magnificat — ‘he has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly’ — parallels the motif of divine reversal and the humbling of rulers found in Dan 5:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was removed from his kingly throne and his glory was taken from him.
- He was driven from among men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until he knew that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He will.
Dan.5.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנת: CONJ+PRON,2,sg
- ברה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בלשאצר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לא: PART_NEG
- השפלת: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- קבל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- דנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 4:34-37 (structural): Narrative of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, humiliation, and subsequent praise of God — the event Belshazzar knew but failed to heed.
- Daniel 5:20-21 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter recounting Nebuchadnezzar’s exaltation and downfall; 5:22 echoes this point about not humbling one’s heart.
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): ‘Pride goes before destruction’ — a wisdom aphorism that captures the moral consequence of unrepentant pride reflected in Belshazzar’s conduct.
- Luke 14:11 (thematic): Jesus’ saying ‘everyone who exalts himself will be humbled’ parallels the motif that God brings low the proud, as seen in Daniel’s story.
- James 4:6 (thematic): ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’ — New Testament statement of the same theological principle underlying Belshazzar’s condemnation.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was driven away from among men, and his dwelling was with the beasts of the field; he was given grass to eat like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever he will.
- Yet you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this.
Dan.5.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- מרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- התרוממת: VERB,hith,perf,2,m,sg
- ולמאניא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביתה: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3,f,sg
- היתיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- קדמך: ADV+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואנת: CONJ+PRON,2,sg
- ורברבנך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- שגלתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- ולחנתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- חמרא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שתין: NUM,card
- בהון: PREP+PRON,3,pl
- ולאלהי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כספא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודהבא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נחשא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרזלא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אעא: REL
- ואבנא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- חזין: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעין: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- ידעין: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שבחת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ולאלהא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- בידה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ארחתך: NOUN,f,pl,abs,2ms
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- הדרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 135:15-18 (verbal): Lists attributes of idols—'they have eyes but do not see... they have ears but do not hear'—matching Daniel's charge that the silver/gold/stone gods 'do not see, do not hear, do not know.'
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): Extended satire of idolatry: craftsmen fashion gods of wood/metal that are worthless and powerless, paralleling Daniel's rebuke of worshiping crafted gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, stone.
- Job 12:10 (verbal): States that 'in his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind,' echoing Daniel's phrase about the God 'in whose hand is your breath.'
- Acts 17:24-28 (thematic): Paul's proclamation that the Creator 'is not served by human hands' and that God 'gives to all life and breath,' calling people to honor the living God—resonant with Daniel's rebuke that Belshazzar did not honor the God who holds his breath.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Describes how idols are carved by craftsmen and are mute and powerless, similar to Daniel's condemnation of praising man-made gods that cannot see, hear, or know.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this.
- But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels of his house were brought before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines drank wine in them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor know; and the God in whose hand is your breath and all your ways you have not glorified.
Dan.5.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- מן: PREP
- קדמוהי: PREP+PRON,3,sg
- שליח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכתבא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Dan.5.25 (verbal): Contains the very Aramaic words written on the wall ('Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin') that v.24 announces as 'this is the writing that was inscribed.'
- Dan.5.26-28 (quotation): Daniel's interpretation of the inscription—'numbered, weighed, and divided'—explains the meaning of the writing introduced in v.24.
- Dan.5.30-31 (structural): Reports the immediate fulfillment of the writing's message: Belshazzar is slain and Darius receives the kingdom, showing the writing's judicial effect.
- Ezek.21:26-27 (allusion): The prophetic motif of removing a crown and transferring rule to 'the one to whom it belongs' parallels the judgment and transfer of the kingdom announced by the written message.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and the vessels of his house have been brought before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have drunk wine in them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see and do not hear and do not know, yet you have not glorified the God who holds in his hand your breath and all your ways.
- Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was inscribed.
Dan.5.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ודנה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כתבא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רשים: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תקל: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ופרסין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Dan.5.26-28 (structural): Immediate continuation: Daniel interprets the written words 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin,' explaining their meaning and pronouncing the sentence on Belshazzar—direct structural and narrative parallel.
- Ezek.21:26-27 (allusion): Ezekiel's oracle about removing the diadem and giving the kingdom to 'him whose right it is' echoes the royal-transfer theme implicit in the wall-writing's verdict that the king's rule is ended and will be given to others.
- Col.2:14 (verbal): Paul's image of a 'handwriting' (record of debt) that condemned people resonates with the forensic/legal motif of a written verdict in Daniel—the hand writing a condemnatory record on the wall.
- Dan.4:30-37 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar's pride, divine judgment, humiliation, and eventual acknowledgment of God's sovereignty parallels the themes of royal hubris and divine adjudication found in Belshazzar's fate after the wall-writing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then from before him the hand was sent and this writing was inscribed.
- And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Dan.5.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2ms
- והשלמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.5.25 (quotation): Immediate context: 5:25 records the Aramaic inscription 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN' that Daniel interprets in 5:26; 5:26 gives the meaning of 'MENE'—that God has numbered and ended the kingdom.
- Dan.2.21 (thematic): Both verses stress divine sovereignty over human rulers—'He removes kings and sets up kings' (2:21) parallels the idea that God has 'numbered' and brought Belshazzar's kingdom to an end.
- Dan.4.17 (thematic): Declares that the sentence is by decree of the heavenly court and that the Most High rules the kingdom of men, echoing the theme that God determines the duration and fate of earthly kingdoms (cf. 5:26).
- Ezek.21:27 (allusion): A prophetic announcement that a diadem will be removed and the kingdom overturned 'until he comes whose right it is'—a related motif of a divinely ordained end or transfer of royal power analogous to 'God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PERES.
- This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE—God has numbered your kingdom and finished it.
Dan.5.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תקל: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- תקילתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במאזניא: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והשתכחת: CONJ+VERB,hitpael,perf,2,m,sg
- חסיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.5.26 (structural): Immediate context: the Aramaic inscription on the wall is threefold (Mene, Tekel, Peres). Dan 5:26 contains 'Mene'—a linked declaration of judgment that frames the 'Tekel' message in 5:27.
- Job 31:6 (verbal): Uses weighing imagery in a moral/judicial sense ('let Him weigh me in an even balance'), echoing the language of being 'weighed in the balances' as a test of righteousness.
- Proverbs 11:1 (thematic): Speaks of balances and righteousness ('A false balance is an abomination to the LORD'), connecting the motif of scales/weights with divine justice and moral accountability.
- Micah 6:11 (verbal): Complains of 'wicked balances' and deceitful weights—the image of corrupt measures parallels the prophetic use of scales as a symbol of judgment and worth (found/lacking).
Alternative generated candidates
- This is the interpretation of the words: MENE—God has numbered your kingdom and finished it; TEKEL—you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting;
- TEKEL—you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.
Dan.5.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פרס: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- פריסת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלכותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2ms
- ויהיבת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- למדי: VERB,piel,inf,NA,NA,NA
- ופרס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 8:20-21 (verbal): Explicitly identifies the ram as 'the kings of Media and Persia,' paralleling Daniel 5:28's naming of the Medes and Persians as recipients of the kingdom.
- Daniel 2:39-40 (thematic): Speaks of successive kingdoms rising after Babylon and one kingdom supplanting another, echoing the announcement that Babylon's rule will be divided and given to others.
- Isaiah 13:17 (allusion): Predicts that God will stir up the Medes against Babylon to punish it, thematically anticipating Babylon's overthrow by Media/Persia as in Daniel 5:28.
- Jeremiah 51:11 (verbal): Declares that the 'spirit of the kings of the Medes' has been raised against Babylon to destroy it, closely corresponding to Daniel's statement that the kingdom is given to the Medes and Persians.
- Ezra 1:1 (structural): Reports Cyrus king of Persia's rise and decree after Babylon's fall—historical fulfillment of the transfer of power foretold in Daniel 5:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- PERES—your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
- PERES—your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Dan.5.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלשאצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והלבישו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- לדניאל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ארגונא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והמניכא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דהבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צוארה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והכרזו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,pl
- עלוהי: PREP,3,m,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להוא: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שליט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תלתא: NUM,card
- במלכותא: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.2:48 (verbal): Nebuchadnezzar likewise robes and promotes Daniel, setting him over the province and making him chief of the wise men—a direct parallel in honor and official elevation.
- Gen.41:41-44 (structural): Pharaoh clothes Joseph, gives him a signet ring and high office as second‑in‑command—similar investiture language (garment, insignia, high rank).
- Esth.6:8-11 (thematic): Haman is arrayed in royal robes and paraded by the king’s order as a public honor—comparable ceremonial bestowal of status and honor.
- 1 Sam.18:4 (thematic): Jonathan gives David his robe and weapons as a symbol of princely investiture—an analogous act of conferring rank/status by clothing and gifts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Belshazzar commanded that Daniel be clothed with purple, and that a necklace of gold be put around his neck, and that he be proclaimed the third ruler in the kingdom.
- Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold around his neck, and proclaimed that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Dan.5.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בליליא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קטיל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלאשצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשדאה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Dan.5.31 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Belshazzar’s death that night is followed by the transfer of the kingdom to Darius the Mede (direct cause–effect within the chapter).
- Dan.2.37-38 (thematic): Both passages state the theological principle that God removes and gives kingdoms to whom he wills—context for why Belshazzar is slain and the kingdom taken away.
- Ezek.21:26-27 (thematic): Imagery of removing the diadem and setting aside the ruler parallels the deposition of Belshazzar—divine decision to overturn a royal house and install a new ruler.
- Rev.18:2-3 (thematic): Prophetic announcement of Babylon’s sudden fall and the routing of its rulers and commerce echoes the abrupt overthrow of Babylonian rule in Daniel 5 (typological connection between Babylon’s judgment scenes).
Alternative generated candidates
- That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was slain.
- That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was slain.
Belshazzar the king gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand.
Belshazzar said, "Bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar my father took out of the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines may drink from them."
Then the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God in Jerusalem were brought in; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines drank from them.
They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
At that very moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Then the king's face turned pale and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way and his knees knocked together.
The king called loudly for the enchanters, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed in purple, and a chain of gold shall be put about his neck, and he shall be made the third ruler in the kingdom."
Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king its interpretation.
Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his lords were perplexed.
Because of the words of the king and his lords the queen entered the banquet hall. The queen said, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you, or let your face be changed.
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
For among all the king's wise men there is none like Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar; for he has a special spirit, knowledge, understanding, and skill to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and resolve difficult problems.
Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles of Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?"
I have heard of you that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom have been found in you. Now the wise men, enchanters, magicians, and Chaldeans were brought before me to read this writing and make known its interpretation to me, but they could not explain the interpretation of the matter.
If you can read the writing and make its interpretation known to me, you shall be clothed in purple, and have a chain of gold put about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation."
O king, the Most High gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, glory, and honor. And by the greatness that he gave him all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he pleased he put to death, and whom he pleased he spared; whom he pleased he exalted, and whom he pleased he humbled. But when his heart was proud and his spirit hardened in insolence, he was driven from his kingly throne and his glory was taken from him.
He was driven away from men, and his heart was made like the beasts', and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he fed on grass like oxen, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he knew that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and sets over it whomever he will. And you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this.
You have exalted yourself against the Most High, and the vessels of his house have been brought into your presence; and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have drunk wine from them and praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—which neither see nor hear nor know. And the God in whose hand is your breath and all your ways you did not glorify.
Then from before him came forth the hand that wrote these words. And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.
This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE—God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end.
TEKEL—you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
PERES—your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Then Belshazzar commanded that Daniel be clothed with purple, a chain of gold be put about his neck, and that he be proclaimed the third ruler in the kingdom.
That very night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was slain.