Daniel 5:15

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:
• 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.
• 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

13So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. 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. 16Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 17Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

Daniel 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 summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
• Daniel 2:3he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”
• Isaiah 29:10The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers).
• Isaiah 47:12“Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will 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

• Belshazzar
• Sorcery
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Wise men
• Gift
• Light
• Loose
• Aramaic; Aramaic Language
• Baruch, Book of
• Bible, the
• Daniel, Book of
• Languages of the Old Testament
• Babel

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