King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:1 Mean?

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.”

Context

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. father: or, grandfather taken: Cald. brought forth

Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

V. (1) **Belshazzar.**—On this king see *Excursus C.* As he was the son of Nabonidus, a space of about thirty years must have elapsed since the event recorded in the last chapter. The Babylonian empire survived the death of Nebuchadnezzar only twenty-five years. **A thousand.**—There is nothing unreasonable in the number of the guests; in fact, the LXX. have doubled the number. (See Esther 1:3-4.) **Before the thousand.—**The king appears to have had a special table reserved for himself apart from the guests. For this custom comp. Jeremiah 52:33.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 5:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.