Daniel 5

Belshazar at his wicked banquet mocking the God of Israel, and abusing the vessels of his Temple, ver.1, &c. is grievously affrightedly a writing upon the wall, which his wise men could neither read nor understand, 5, &c. Daniel is called for, by the advice of old queen, 11, &c. He refuseth the Kings gifts, ang giveth him good counsel, 17, 18, &c. After that Daniel readeth the writing, and sheweth, that it portendeth the Kings ruine, 24, &c. which also followeth thereupon the self-same nigt, 30.

1. King Belshazar [To wit, the grand-child of Nebuchadnezar the Great, and the son of Evil-merodach. To reckon from the time that the Jews were brought into Babylonian captivity, to the end of the Babylonian monarchy, these three kings reigned in Babel, to wit, Nebuchadnezar the Great, Evil-merodach his son, and Belshazar, the son of Evil-merodach. See and compare herewith 2 Kings 25:27. Jerem.27. vers. 5, 6, 7. But others place after this Belshazar one Nabonidus, called by Daniel Darius Medus, below chap.6.1. and received the kingdom by the free choice of the Babylonians, &c. whereof the judicious reader may judge, and consider Jerem.27.7, &c. also below vers.28. and chap.6.1, 29. and 8.3,20. and 9.1. and 11. 1, 2.] made a great feast [Chald. made much, or great meat, or bread, as Eccles.10.19. to his thousand Potentates: [That is, to all the Princes, Nobles, Great ones, Honourable persons, and chiefest Lords and Officers of his kingdom, which were many in number. Some are of opinion, that this feast was kept at the time when the city of Babel was besieged by the Persians, to shew that he little or not all regarded the enemy that then lay before Babel] and he drank wine before that thousand. [That is, in the presence of them. Compare Efth.1.3.

2. When Belshazar had tasted the wine,] That is, when he was grown intoxicate with the wine. Chald. in the taste of the wine [he said, that they should bring forth the golden and silver vessels, which his father [That is, his grandfather; and so in the sequel. The eastern people call all the Ancestours fathers: as they also call the nephews or posterity sons] Nebuchadnezar had carried away out of the Temple which had been at Jerusalem: that the King and his mighty ones, his wives, [or bed-fellows. Some conceive that the Chaldee word signifieth Kingly or Princely wives] and his concubines might drink out of them. [Chald. might drink in them; to wit, the wine that was filled in them. So vers.3. Daniel reproveth this, below vers.23. It seemeth indeed, that Nebuchadnezar had caused those plundered vessels to be shut up in his treasuries; without using. Neither do we read any where, that Evil-merodach used them: but Belshazar doth this as it were in defiance of God.]

3. Then they brought forth the gold in vessels, [It may be there were also silver vessels brought, but that the Prophet here onely meaneth the fairest and costliest ones] which they had carried away out of the temple of the house of God that had been at Jerusalem: [See the history 2 Kings chap.24. and 25.] and the King, and his mighty ones, his wives and his concubines drank out of them. [thus insolently doth this King make ostentation of his fathers sacriledge.]

4. They drank wine and praised the golden, and the silver, the copper, the iron, the wooden, and the stone Gods. [Here is shewed that excess in wine caused these idolaters to forget the true God, yea to blaspheme him, and to thank and praise their false Gods for the spoil taken out of the house of God which they abused. There never were any idolaters among the heathen so blinded as to think that the essence of God consisted of gold, silver, &c. but they honoured and worshipped their Gods in the form of Images]

5. At the same house there came forth [To wit, out of the wall, or miraculously from heaven] fingers of a mans hand, [not a whole hand, but fingers, or somewhat more of the hand, ver.4. They were the singers of God, which are called fingers of a mans hand, because they were in the Kings eyes like the fingers of a man, which were enough to make the king and all that saw them afraid and amazed] which wrote over against the candlestick, [which it may be hung in the midst of the hall or drinking-room where this great feast was kept, which its vey credible would have lasted till late at night, had not God interrupted it] upon the lime of the wall] of the royall palace, and the King saw the part of the hand that wrote there. [this serveth for confirmation of this miracle; if onely some one of the guests or persons there present had seen it, and told the king of it, he might then have questioned the truth, certainty of this miracle, thinking that some one had no cause to doubt, but he was convinced in his own conscience, that it was a token from heaven, God frighting him, whom he had before defied, ver.2.]

6. Then the Kings brightness [Chald. brightnesses; which may be understood of his whole brightness. Compare chapter 4.36. So likewise here below ver.9, and 10.] was changed, and his thoughts frighted him: [the meaning of these and the following words is, that all his mirth was suddenly turned into sadness. The king knew not yet what writing signified, whether good or evil. But his own conscience bare witness unto him, that it was the threatening hand of God, for his wicked life and conversation] and the bands of his loins grew loose, [that is, his strength failed, or were made loose, or were loosed; that is, (as others) they were fain to loosen and ungird him, as they do to those that faint or fall into a swoon] and his knees smote one against an other. [Chald. this on that: that is, one against another, to wit, through fear and terror]

7. (So that) the King cried with strength [Or with might; that is, aloud, that every man might perfectly hear. It became not the dignity of the Kings person to cry aloud at table: but hereby is shewed the distress and terror that had seized upon the king] that they should bring in the Astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: [Understand under these three sorts also all those that are named chap.1.20. and chap.2.ver.2, 27. See there. Daniel was forgotten, though he had some few years before interpreted this kings grand-fathers dream, chap.2] and the King answered [that is, began to speak, as elsewhere besides] and said unto the wise men of Babel, that every man that shall read this writing & make known, unto me the interpretation thereof, he shall be clothed with purple, [this is as much as to say, that the king would reckon or place him (that could read and interpret this writing) among the number of his Primces, and of the great ones of his kingdome: foe heretofore Princes & Noble men in kings courts did weare such apparel: they and no other persons] with a golden golden chains; for the Chaldee text is diversly read] and he shall be the third ruler in this kingdome. [to wit, in the kingdome of Babel. Others, he shall rule over the third part of the kingdome. So below chap.6.2. and in this chapter ver.16, and 29.]

8. Then came in all the Kings wise men, but they could not read his writing, nor make known unto the king the interpretation thereof. [God blinded their eyes and understanding; for it was written in Chaldee, that is, in their mother-tongue, as appeareth ver.25, &c. Compare herewith Isa.29. ver.10. and 2 Chron.3.14. though they might have read this writing, and read it over and over again, yet they were not able to have understood the meaning thereof]

9. Then was King Belshazar greatly afraid, and his brightness [See above ver.6.] was changed in him] and his mighty ones were astonied, [Because these were likewise guilty of divers of the kings sins, therefore they were also to bear a share with him in the punishment. God would have this to touch their hearts likewise, that by the this might be published in all kingdoms and countries]

10. For those words of the king and his mighty ones the Queen went into the house of the feast, [That is, when she had heard the words of the king, and of the Princes, and that which was done there] the Queen spake and said, O King, live forever, [let the king live for ever. Chald. in eternitie. Of this phrase see above chap.2.4. and chap.3.9.] let not thy thoughts frighten thee, nor (let) thy brightness be changed.

11. There is a man in thy kingdome, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; for in the daies of thy father [That is, of thy rand-father. See above ver.2.] (there) was found with him light [or enlightening; that is, wisdome, knowledge to reveal secret things] and understanding, and wisdom, as is the wisdome of the gods: [that is, more then humane wisdome, namely such as is to be compared with the wisdome of the gods] therefore the King Nebuchadnezar thy father made him chief of the Magicians, Astrologers, Chaldeans, (and) soothsayers. [See above chap.2.48. and 4.9.] thy Father O king: [this served for the augmentation of Daniels authority, for Nebuchadnezar was held t be a very wise understanding man]

12. Becasuse an excellent spirit and knowledge, and understanding of one that interpreteth dreams, and of one shewing of riddles, and of one that looseth knots, [that is, that dissolveth intangled and confused things, or that can answer and expound hard and difficult questions, that are as it were tied and knotted fast with bands of obscurity. See chap.4.9. Some render the beginning of this verse thus: because an excellent spirit, with knowledge and understanding, which (to wit, spirit) interpreteth dreams, and shewing (or propounding) of riddles, and which looseth knots, &c. or interpreting dreams, and shewing riddles, &c.] was found in him, in Daniel, to whom the King gave [Chald. appointed] the name of Beltsazar: now let Daniel be called, be will make known the interpretation.

13. Then was Daniel brought in before the King: the king answered, [That is, began to speak, and so elsewhere often] and said unto Daniel. Art thou that Daniel, one of the captive-carried away of Juda, whom the King my Father, [my grandfather Nebuchadnezar] brought out of Juda? [the king asketh this with admiration. He knoweth not Daniel, who yet wa made by his grandfather ruler over the whole province of Babel, Dan.2.48. but seemeth afterward to be put by and forgotten by Belshasar, so that this king doth not know him. It may be that some, greedy of honour, endeavoured to put him out of all offices, and that he made not much opposition against it, knowing how infectious kings courts are]

14. I have indeed heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that there is light and understanding, and excellent wisdom found in thee: [He had indeed heard somewhat spoken of Daniel, but hitherto he regarded it not; but now in time of trouble Daniel is sought unto to give counsel and comfort]

15. Now then the wise men (and) the Astrologers were brought in before me, to read this writing, and to make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they cannot shew the interpretation of these words: [Chald. of that word. So below ver.26. They; to wit, the wise men and the Astrologers: neither could the king, nor his Princes read it: (See further above on ver.8.) but Daniel read it by the inspiration of God; that he whom they had forgotten a while, might now hereby again be taken notice of]

16. But I have of thee that thou canst give [Chald, interpret] interpretations, and loose knots; now if thou shalt be able to read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, with a golden chain about thy neck, and thou shalt be a third ruler in this kingdom. [The king promiseth great things, knowing little how near his ruine was: and to him might be said, as it was said unto that fool, This night shall thy soul be taken from thee, Luke 12:20.]

17. Then Daniel answered and said before the King, have thy gifts for thy self, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the King, and I will make known unto him the interpretation. [Thus speaketh Daniel, that he might not seem to prophesie out of ambition, or greediness. Honour, riches, and other transitory things, after which wordly men do commonly thirst so exceedingly, could not move this holy man. See like example in Elisha, 2 Kings 5:16.]

18. As for thee O King, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezar thy father [Grandfather; for Evil-merodach was Belshasars father] the kingdome, and greatness, [or magnificence] and honour and glory: [or glory and beauty]

19. And by reason of the greatness that he gave him, all people, nations, and tongues trembled and quaked before him: [Chald. from before him] whom he would he slew, and whom he would be kept alive, and whom he would he exalted, and whom he would be abased.

20. But when his heart lifted up it self, [Or when his heart was lifted up] and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdome, and they took away the honour from him. [See Job chap.12. on 18.]

21. And he was driven from the children of men, [See Dan.4.25.] and his heart was made like the beasts, [Others, he made his heart with the beasts. That is, he was for some space of time without knowledge and without understanding: meaning that he, to wit, the Lord made the Kings heart like the beasts] and his dwelling was among the wild asses; [he that before had kept his court in the most famous city, and in the stateliest palace of the world, must now converse with beasts] they gave him grass to tast [the meaning is, that he did eat grass] like the oxen, and his body was made wet with the dew of heaven, till he acknowledged that God the most High is ruler over the kingdoms of men, and setteth over them whom he will. [Daniel repeateth here that memorable history, to put the king in mind of his neglect & forgetfulness in remembering that great miracle God had shewed toward Nebuchadnezar his grandfather.]

22. And thou Belsazer, his son, [That is, Nephew] hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this well. [and therefore oughest to have laid well to heart that which befell him. It seemeth that Evil-merodach Belsazars father, was a better man, and that he laid well to heart the miracle wrought on Nebuchadnezar. Compare 2 King 25.27,28.]

23. But thou has lifted up thy self against the Lord of heaven, and they have brought the vessels of his house [That is, of his Temple] before thee, and thou and thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine out of them, and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, copper, iron, wood and stone, which see not nor hear, Compare Psa.115.5, &c. and Psal.135. ver.15. &c.] nor know: [or, nor understood] but that God in whose hand thy breath [or thy soul, that is, thy life] is, [that is, that hath given thee life, and continueth it unto thee as long as he pleaseth] and with whom are all thy paths, [that is, all thy purposes, all thy works and actions, without whom thou canst do nothing] hast thou not glorified. [Before Daniel readeth and interpreteth the writing, he telleth the king wherefore God had shewed him his token of the fingers that wrote, namely to put him in mind of his unthankfulness, and blasphemous sacriledge]

24. Then was that part of the hand sent [To wit, when thy pride against God was come to the height, and thy haughtiness towards men was become intolerable, and thou hadst now heaped up the measure of thy sins to the top] sent from him, [Chald. from before him, to wit, from God; it was no juggling nor blinding of the eyes, but it was the hand of God] and this writing (was) signed.

25. Now this is the writing that is signed, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. [That is, he is numbred, he is numbred, he is weighed, and they divide, to wit, him that is he is divided. Others, number, number, and they divide. The word Mene is here mentioned twice, for further aflurance and confirmation of the threatnings of God]

26. This is the interpretation of these words, MENE, God hath numbred thy kingdom and he hath finished it] [To wit, so as that now the daies of thy kingdome are at an end: and now is the day come wherein thou must give an account of all thy doings. Others, and he hath delivered: to wit, thy kingdom to the Medes and Persians]

27. TEKEL, Thou art weighed in the balances, and thou art found too light. [That is, thou wert found to be like a piece of money that is too light, and confequently not passable. Others, thou art found wanting, to wit, in thy full weight; that is, thou hat not behaved thy felt according as thy kingly office and dignity requireth. The word Tekel signifieth but he hath weighed: the other words are added by the prophet for further exposition of the word Tekel. The meaning is, as merchants have their scales and weighs to try whether the money have its due weight: so hath God also weighed thee in his divine ballance, and thou are found too light. Concerning this similitude see Psal.62.10.]

28. PERES, Thy kingdom is divided; and it is delivered to Medes and Persians [Upon the wall stood upharsin, that is, and they divided. They; to wit, the Medes and Persians, as ministers of God in this division: But here the prophet useth the word Peres, that is, he divideth; he, to wit, God. And the meaning is, the kingdom is taken from thee and given to others; to wit, to the Medes and Persians]

29. Then Balsazar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, with a golden chain about his neck, and they made proclamation concerning him [or over, before him] that he was the third ruler in the kingdom. [It is very probable that Daniel fore against his will took this weighty charge upon him, yet he did it for that intent that he might by that means be helpful to his poor country-men in the approaching change of the monarchy: the king would thus shew and make appear not onely that he would keep his promise, ver.16. but also shew that he was undaunted and void of fear.

30. In that night wa Belsazar the King of the Chaldeans slun. [Compare Psal.37.9, 10, 35, &c. Isa.21.9 and 4.7,11. Jerem.25.12, &c. and 51.39. to wit, by Gobiya and Gadata, or by Cyrus his souldiers that were set on by these two Lords for that intent, when Babel was taken. Compare Isa.21.5. Jerem. 51.39. But others conceive that he was slain by a secret conspiracy of his nobls, whereof one called Darius was made king, in whose time Babylon was taken by Cyrus. See above on ver.1.]