English Standard Version
Daniel 5:15
15Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter.
Daniel 5:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
- New International Version (NIV)The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.
- New Living Translation (NLT)My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.
Context of Daniel 5:15
13Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. 14I 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. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. 16But 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 chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." 17Then Daniel answered and said 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.
Read all of Daniel 5Daniel 5:15 word by word
וּכְעַ֞ן הֻעַ֣לּוּ קָֽדָמַ֗י חַכִּֽימַיָּא֙ אָֽשְׁפַיָּ֔א דִּֽי־כְתָבָ֤ה דְנָה֙ יִקְר֔וֹן וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ לְהוֹדָעֻתַ֑נִי וְלָֽא־כָהֲלִ֥ין פְּשַֽׁר־מִלְּתָ֖א לְהַחֲוָיָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And nowכְּעַןke‛an · nowH3705
- the wiseחַכִּיםchakkîym · wiseH2445
- the astrologersאָשַׁף'ashshâph · enchanterH826
- have been broughtעֲלַל‛ălal · to comeH5954
- in beforeקֳדָםqŏdâm qedâm · beforeH6925
- me, that they should readקְרָאqerâ' · to readH7123
- thisדְּנָהdên · thisH1836
- writingכְּתָבkethâb · inscriptionH3792
- and make knownיְדַעyeda‛ · to knowH3046
- unto me the interpretationפְּשַׁרpeshar · interpretationH6591
- thereof: but they couldכְּהַלkehal · be ableH3546
- notלָאlâ' lâh · notH3809
- shewחֲוָהchăvâ' · to showH2324
- of the thingמִלָּהmillâh · wordH4406
Cross-references for Daniel 5:15
- Daniel 5:7The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows 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."
- Daniel 2:3And the king said to them, "I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream."
- Isaiah 29:10For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).
- Isaiah 47:12Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror.
Commentaries on Daniel 5:15
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-17Verses 10-17 Daniel was forgotten at court; he lived privately, and was then ninety years of age. Many consult servants of God on curious questions, or to explain difficult subjects, but without asking the way of salvation, or the path of duty. Daniel slighted the offer of reward. He spoke to Belshazzar as to a condemned criminal. We should despise all the gifts and rewards this world can give, did we see, as we may by faith, its end hastening on; but let…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15None of the Babylonian wise men could understand the heavenly code (compare Daniel 2:27; 4:7). Only true wise men or prophets can interpret God's messages. Daniel knew that the spirit of God enabled him to do so (compare Daniel 2:28; 5:24).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-311. Belshazzar--Rawlinson, from the Assyrian inscriptions, has explained the seeming discrepancy between Daniel and the heathen historians of Babylon, Berosus and Abydenus, who say the last king (Nabonidus) surrendered in Borsippa, after Babylon was taken, and had an honorable abode in Caramania assigned to him. Belshazzar was joint king with his father (called Minus in the inscriptions), but subordinate to him; hence the Babylonian account suppresses the…Read the comment
Topics related to Daniel 5:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Daniel 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries