Daniel 5:4
Daniel 5:4 in Multiple Translations
As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
They took their wine and gave praise to the gods of gold and silver, of brass and iron and wood and stone.
As they drank wine they praised their gods—idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
They drunke wine and praysed the gods of golde, and of siluer, of brasse, of yron, of wood and of stone.
they have drunk wine, and have praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
They drank wine, and praised their gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, and of wood, and of stone.
They drank to praise/honor their idols that were made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and even wood and stone.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 5:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Daniel 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִשְׁתִּ֖יו
חַמְרָ֑/א
וְ֠/שַׁבַּחוּ
לֵֽ/אלָהֵ֞י
דַּהֲבָ֧/א
וְ/כַסְפָּ֛/א
נְחָשָׁ֥/א
פַרְזְלָ֖/א
אָעָ֥/א
וְ/אַבְנָֽ/א
אִשְׁתִּ֖יו
shᵉthâh
H8355
to drink
Adj
חַמְרָ֑/א
chămar
H2562
wine
Adj | Art
וְ֠/שַׁבַּחוּ
shᵉbach
H7624
to praise
Adj | V-Piel-Perf-3mp
לֵֽ/אלָהֵ֞י
ʼĕlâhh
H426
god
Adj | N-mp
דַּהֲבָ֧/א
dᵉhab
H1722
gold
Adj | Art
וְ/כַסְפָּ֛/א
kᵉçaph
H3702
silver
Adj | N-ms | Art
נְחָשָׁ֥/א
nᵉchâsh
H5174
bronze
Adj | Art
פַרְזְלָ֖/א
parzel
H6523
iron
Adj | Art
אָעָ֥/א
ʼâʻ
H636
wood
Adj | Art
וְ/אַבְנָֽ/א
ʼeben
H69
stone
Adj | N-fs | Art
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 5:4
אִשְׁתִּ֖יו
shᵉthâh
H8355
"to drink"
Adj
This Aramaic word is similar to H8354, and it simply means to drink, like having a cup of water. It's used in the book of Daniel 5:4.
Definition: (P'al) to drink Aramaic of sha.tah (שָׁתָה "to drink" H8354)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: drink. See also: Daniel 5:1; Daniel 5:3; Daniel 5:23.
חַמְרָ֑/א
chămar
H2562
"wine"
Adj | Art
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means wine, as seen in various KJV translations. It originates from the Aramaic word for wine. This term is used to describe wine in the Old Testament.
Definition: wine Aramaic of che.mer (חֶ֫מֶר "wine" H2561)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: wine. See also: Ezra 6:9; Daniel 5:2; Daniel 5:23.
וְ֠/שַׁבַּחוּ
shᵉbach
H7624
"to praise"
Adj | V-Piel-Perf-3mp
This word also means to praise, but with a sense of adoration. In Daniel 2:23, Daniel praises God for revealing a mystery. The KJV translates it simply as 'praise'.
Definition: (Pael) to laud, praise, adulate, adore Aramaic of sha.vach (שָׁבַח "to praise" H7623B)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: praise. See also: Daniel 2:23; Daniel 4:34; Daniel 5:23.
לֵֽ/אלָהֵ֞י
ʼĕlâhh
H426
"god"
Adj | N-mp
This word means God, referring to the God of Israel or a heathen deity, as seen in various KJV translations. It is used to describe a divine being.
Definition: 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: God, god. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 2:19; Jeremiah 10:11.
דַּהֲבָ֧/א
dᵉhab
H1722
"gold"
Adj | Art
In the Bible, this word means gold, a valuable metal. It is often used to describe items made of gold, such as jewelry or decorations.
Definition: gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en). See also: Ezra 5:14; Daniel 3:7; Daniel 5:29.
וְ/כַסְפָּ֛/א
kᵉçaph
H3702
"silver"
Adj | N-ms | Art
Silver, whether as a metal or a form of money, like the shekels used in Exodus 21. It represents value and wealth in the Bible.
Definition: 1) silver 1a) as metal 1b) as money
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: money, silver. See also: Ezra 5:14; Ezra 7:22; Daniel 5:23.
נְחָשָׁ֥/א
nᵉchâsh
H5174
"bronze"
Adj | Art
Bronze refers to a type of copper alloy, like the bronze serpent Moses made in Numbers 21:9. It was a common material in ancient times.
Definition: copper, bronze Aramaic of ne.chu.shah (נְחוּשָׁה "bronze" H5154)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: brass. See also: Daniel 2:32; Daniel 4:12; Daniel 7:19.
פַרְזְלָ֖/א
parzel
H6523
"iron"
Adj | Art
In biblical Hebrew, this word means iron, a strong metal used for tools and weapons. It appears in the Bible as a translation from the Aramaic word 'barzel'.
Definition: iron Aramaic of bar.zel (בַּרְזֶל "iron" H1270)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: iron. See also: Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:19.
אָעָ֥/א
ʼâʻ
H636
"wood"
Adj | Art
In biblical times, wood was a valuable resource, used for building and fuel, as seen in 1 Kings 5:10 where Solomon prepares timber for the temple. The word for wood appears in various contexts, including the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 25:10.
Definition: wood, beam, timber Aramaic of ets (עֵץ ": wood" H6086)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: timber, wood. See also: Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 5:23.
וְ/אַבְנָֽ/א
ʼeben
H69
"stone"
Adj | N-fs | Art
The Hebrew word for stone, used to describe a rock or material for building and idol-making, found throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) stone 1a) a (the) stone 1b) stone, material of idols and buildings
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: stone. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 6:18.
Study Notes — Daniel 5:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 5:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 5:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 5:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 5:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
- Sermons on Daniel 5:4
Context — Belshazzar’s Feast
2Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
3Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
4As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing, 6his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 5:23 | Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. |
| 2 | Habakkuk 2:19 | Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” |
| 3 | Psalms 135:15–18 | The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. |
| 4 | Revelation 9:20–21 | Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft. |
| 5 | Isaiah 42:8 | I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. |
| 6 | Psalms 115:4–8 | Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 10:4–9 | They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz— the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers. |
| 8 | Acts 17:29 | Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. |
| 9 | Isaiah 40:19–20 | To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple? |
| 10 | Isaiah 46:6–7 | They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. |
Daniel 5:4 Summary
In Daniel 5:4, we see the Babylonians praising their idols made of gold, silver, and other materials, while drinking from the vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. This act of idolatry and disrespect towards God ultimately led to judgment, as seen in the rest of Daniel 5. We can learn from this verse that worshiping anything other than the one true God is idolatry, and that it can lead to spiritual blindness and judgment (Romans 1:21-25). By prioritizing our relationship with God and surrendering our idols to Him, we can avoid the same mistakes as the Babylonians and instead receive God's blessings and favor (Deuteronomy 29:17).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone mentioned in Daniel 5:4?
These gods represent the idols that the Babylonians worshipped, which were made of various materials, as seen in Daniel 5:4, and were also mentioned in other parts of the Bible, such as Deuteronomy 29:17, where the Israelites were warned against worshiping idols made of these materials.
Why were the Babylonians praising their gods while drinking from the vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem?
The Babylonians were praising their gods as a form of mockery and disrespect towards the God of Israel, similar to the way the Philistines mocked the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 5:1-5, and this act of defiance ultimately led to God's judgment, as seen in the rest of Daniel 5.
How does this verse relate to the concept of idolatry in the Bible?
This verse highlights the Babylonians' idolatry, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in Exodus 20:3-5, where God commands the Israelites not to worship idols, and in Isaiah 44:9-20, where the prophet condemns the worship of idols made of gold, silver, and other materials.
What can we learn from the Babylonians' actions in Daniel 5:4?
We can learn that worshiping anything other than the one true God is idolatry, and that it can lead to spiritual blindness and judgment, as seen in Romans 1:21-25, where the Apostle Paul writes about the consequences of idolatry and the importance of worshiping the true God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day idols that I may be worshiping, and how can I surrender them to God?
- How can I ensure that my heart is focused on worshiping the one true God, rather than being distracted by worldly things?
- What are some ways that I can show reverence and respect for God, especially in my daily life and interactions with others?
- How can I apply the lesson of Daniel 5:4 to my own life, and what changes can I make to prioritize my relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 5:4
They drunk wine,.... That is, out of the vessels of the temple at Jerusalem, and perhaps till they were drunk: and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 5:4
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
At the same time insulting the great God of heaven and earth. The name of God is never more profaned than among drunkards and epicures.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.Ver. 4. They drank wine.] To the honour of their goddess Shac; for so these feast days were called σακεαιημεραι, being like the Roman saturnalia. And praised the gods of silver and of gold.] As if these their dung hill deities had mastered and spoiled the God of Israel, who either would not, or could not defend his temple and people from falling into the power of their invincible conqueror. This was blasphemy in a high degree, and therefore presently punished by God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
Verse 4. And praised the gods of gold] They had gods of all sorts, and of all metals; with wooden gods, and stone gods, beside!
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 5:4
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, ... - Compare the note at Daniel 5:1. Idols were made among the pagan of all the materials here mentioned.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 5:4
3, 4. The favorite temple of the king adjoined the palace, so that these vessels could be obtained quickly and easily. A reason for this insult to Jehovah has already been suggested.
Sermons on Daniel 5:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Stop Confronting Us With the Holy One of Israel! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the dread that unholy people feel in the presence of God's holiness, as expressed in Isaiah 30:11. He notes that many prefer messages of mercy over the cha |
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Weighed and Found Wanting by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Daniel preaches to Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, about the consequences of pride and disobedience to God. He reminds Belshazzar of how Nebuchadnezzar |
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(Daniel) Daniel in the Lion's Den by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Daniel in the lion's den. He begins by discussing the prosperity of Daniel, who was chosen as one of the 120 princes over the k |
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An Immediate Call to Repent by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the urgent need for repentance in the face of societal and church challenges, highlighting the prevalence of sin, evil, and the lack of urgency and true repe |
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Bible Survey - Daniel by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the life of Daniel, a wise and righteous prophet who remained faithful to God despite being exiled to Babylon. Daniel's integrity and courage in the face |
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Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein delves into the historical account of Belshazzar's feast and the divine judgment that followed, showcasing the defiance and blasphemy against God that led to |
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Psalms 135:15 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the danger of false concepts of worship, illustrating how people often create idols that reflect their own desires and intellect rather than worshiping the t |