King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:13 Mean?

Daniel 5:13 in the King James Version says “Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? father: or, grandfather”

Daniel 5:13 · King James Version

Context

11

There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; father: or, grandfather

12

Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. interpreting: or, of an interpreter dissolving: or, of a dissolver doubts: Cald. knots

13

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? father: or, grandfather

14

I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

15

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:

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Daniel is brought before the king, who immediately identifies him: 'Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?' This introduction emphasizes Daniel's origin—a captive from conquered Judah, brought to Babylon decades earlier (605 BC). The designation 'children of the captivity' highlights his status: not a native Babylonian but an exile from a defeated nation. Yet this 'captive' possesses wisdom surpassing the empire's native experts. This irony is deliberate: God's power manifests through the weak, exiled, and marginalized, not through the powerful and prestigious. Daniel's identity as Judean exile makes his superiority over Babylonian wise men even more striking—vindicating Yahweh's supremacy over Babylon's gods. The reference to 'my father' (Nebuchadnezzar) establishes historical context, connecting Belshazzar's reign to the earlier accounts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel had been in Babylon approximately 66 years at this point (605-539 BC), taken in the first deportation as a young man (probably teenager), now around 80 years old. His status as 'captive of Judah' remained his defining characteristic despite decades of service and high positions under Nebuchadnezzar. Ancient Near Eastern societies maintained strict ethnic and national categories—Daniel remained identified with conquered Judah, not assimilated into Babylonian identity. This preserved his distinctive witness: he was visibly Yahweh's servant, not Babylon's. His longevity (serving from Nebuchadnezzar through Belshazzar into Persian period, chapter 6) demonstrates God's preservation for strategic purposes across multiple regimes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Daniel's identity as 'captive of Judah' teach about maintaining distinctiveness even while serving in hostile environments?
  2. How does God's use of exiles and marginalized people vindicate His power over worldly systems?
  3. Why is it significant that Daniel's origin is emphasized even after decades of service?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙1 of 24

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

דָנִיֵּאל֙2 of 24

“that Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

הֻעַ֖ל3 of 24

“brought in”

H5954

to enter; causatively, to introduce

קֳדָ֣ם4 of 24

“before”

H6925

before

מַלְכָּ֥א5 of 24

“And the king”

H4430

a king

עָנֵ֨ה6 of 24

“spake”

H6032

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מַלְכָּ֥א7 of 24

“And the king”

H4430

a king

וְאָמַ֣ר8 of 24

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

דָנִיֵּאל֙9 of 24

“that Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

אַנְתְּה10 of 24

“Art thou”

H607

thou

ה֤וּא11 of 24
H1932

he (she or it); self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

דָנִיֵּאל֙12 of 24

“that Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

דִּֽי13 of 24
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

מִן14 of 24

“out”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

בְּנֵ֤י15 of 24

“the children”

H1123

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense

גָלוּתָא֙16 of 24

“of the captivity”

H1547

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

דִּ֣י17 of 24
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

יְהֽוּד׃18 of 24

“of Jewry”

H3061

properly, judah, hence, judaea

דִּ֥י19 of 24
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

הַיְתִ֛י20 of 24

“brought”

H858

to come, to bring

מַלְכָּ֥א21 of 24

“And the king”

H4430

a king

אַ֖בִי22 of 24

“my father”

H2

father

מִן23 of 24

“out”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

יְהֽוּד׃24 of 24

“of Jewry”

H3061

properly, judah, hence, judaea

Study Guide

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 5:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 5:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 6:13Daniel 5:11Daniel 2:25Ezra 10:16Ezra 4:1Ezra 6:19-20

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