Daniel 5:17

Daniel 5:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
• New International Version (NIV)Then 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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then 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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Context of Daniel 5:17

15Just now the wise men and diviners were brought before me to read this writing and to make its meaning known to me, but they are unable to declare its interpretation. 16However, I have heard about you that you are able to provide interpretations and to solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the writing and explain to me its meaning, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain around your neck and have the authority to rule as the third in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered the king saying, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and tell him its meaning. 18Your majesty, God Most High gave your father Nebuchadnezzar the kingdom, as well as greatness, glory, and splendor. 19Because of the grandeur that He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and languages dreaded and feared him. He killed whomever he wanted and spared anyone he wanted; he raised up whomever he wished and humbled anyone he wished.

Daniel 5:17 word by word

בֵּאדַ֜יִן עָנֵ֣ה דָנִיֵּ֗אל וְאָמַר֙ קֳדָ֣ם מַלְכָּ֔א מַתְּנָתָךְ֙ לָ֣ךְ לֶֽהֶוְיָ֔ן וּנְבָ֥זְבְּיָתָ֖ךְ לְאָחֳרָ֣ן הַ֑ב בְּרַ֗ם כְּתָבָא֙ אֶקְרֵ֣א לְמַלְכָּ֔א וּפִשְׁרָ֖א אֲהוֹדְעִנֵּֽהּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenאֱדַ֫יִן'ĕdayin · thenH116
• Danielדָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵלdânîyê'l · DanielH1841
• answeredעֲנָה‛ănâh · to answerH6032
• and saidאֲמַר'ămar · to sayH560
• beforeקֳדָםqŏdâm qedâm · beforeH6925
• the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4430
• Let thy giftsמַתְּנָאmattenâ' · giftH4978
• beהֲוָאhâvâ' hâvâh · to beH1934
• to thyself, and giveיְהַבyehab · to giveH3052
• thy rewardsנְבִזְבָּהnebizbâh · rewardH5023
• to anotherאׇחֳרָן'ochŏrân · anotherH321
• yetבְּרַםberam · neverthelessH1297
• I will readקְרָאqerâ' · to readH7123
• the writingכְּתָבkethâb · inscriptionH3792
• and make knownיְדַעyeda‛ · to knowH3046
• to him the interpretationפְּשַׁרpeshar · interpretationH6591

Cross-references for Daniel 5:17

• Daniel 5:29Then at Belshazzar’s command, they clothed Daniel with purple, put a chain of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation about him that he would have the authority as third ruler in the kingdom.
• Genesis 14:23Not a thread or even a sandal strap of all that is yours will I take, so you will not say, ‘I’ve made Abram rich!’
• 2 Kings 3:13But Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother!” “No!” the king of Israel said to him, “For has Adonai brought these three kings together only to deliver them into the hand of Moab?”
• 2 Kings 5:16But Elisha said, “As Adonai before whom I stand lives, I will accept nothing.” Naaman pressed him to accept, but Elisha refused.
• Acts 8:20Peter said to him, “May your silver go to ruin, and you with it—because you thought you could buy God’s gift with money!
• Daniel 2:6But if you tell the dream and its meaning, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its meaning!”
• Psalms 119:46I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and never be ashamed.

Commentaries on Daniel 5:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Let thy gifts be to thyself - They could be of little use to any, as the city was in a few hours to be taken and pillaged.Read the comment
• 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. 17Daniel explained the writing but did not accept payment from the wicked king (see also Genesis 14:21–24; 2 Kings 5:15–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Not inconsistent with Da 5:29. For here he declares his interpretation of the words is not from the desire of reward. The honors in Da 5:29 were doubtless urged on him, without his wish, in such a way that he could not with propriety refuse them. Had he refused them after announcing the doom of the kingdom, he might have been suspected of cowardice or treason.Read the comment

Topics related to Daniel 5:17

• Belshazzar
• Daniel
• Reproof
• Self-Denial
• Symbols and Similitudes
• Unselfishness
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Daniel
• 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