God’s Word Translation
Daniel 5:15
15The wise advisers and the psychics were brought to me to read this writing and tell me its meaning. But they couldn’t tell me its meaning.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- 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.
Context of Daniel 5:15
13So Daniel was taken to the king. The king asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the captives that my grandfather brought from Judah? 14I’ve heard that you have the spirit of the gods and that you have insight, good judgment, and extraordinary wisdom. The wise advisers and the psychics were brought to me to read this writing and tell me its meaning. But they couldn’t tell me its meaning. 16I have heard that you can interpret such things and untangle problems. If you can read the writing and tell ⌞me⌟ its meaning, you will be dressed in purple, wear a gold chain on your neck, and become the third-highest ruler in the kingdom.” 17Daniel told the king, “Keep your gifts. Give your gifts and awards to someone else. I’ll still read the writing for you and tell you its meaning.
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 screamed for the psychics, astrologers, and fortunetellers to be brought to him. He told these wise advisers of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me its meaning will be dressed in purple, wear a gold chain on his neck, and become the third-highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Daniel 2:3The king said to them, “I had a dream, and I’m troubled by it. I want to know what the dream was.”
- Isaiah 29:10The Lord has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He will shut your eyes. (Your eyes are the prophets.) He will cover your heads. (Your heads are the seers.)
- Isaiah 47:12Keep practicing your spells and your evil magic. You have practiced them ever since you were young. You may succeed. You may cause 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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