King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:17 Mean?

Daniel 5:17 in the King James Version says “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. rewards: or, fee”

Daniel 5:17 · KJV

Context

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:

16

And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. make interpretations: Cald. interpret, etc

17

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. rewards: or, fee

18

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

19

And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew ; and whom he would he kept alive ; and whom he would he set up ; and whom he would he put down .

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's response to offered rewards demonstrates integrity: '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.' Daniel refuses bribes that might compromise message delivery. He'll serve truth regardless of personal benefit. The phrase 'yet I will' shows he'll provide interpretation not for reward but out of prophetic obligation. This establishes his credibility—he has no vested interest in pleasing the king. Contrast with pagan wise men who depended on royal favor; Daniel's security rests in God, freeing him to speak truth without fear or flattery.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern court prophets and advisors often shaped messages to please rulers and secure rewards. Daniel's refusal of gifts before speaking demonstrates independence from royal manipulation. The offered rewards—purple robe, gold chain, third ruler position (v. 16)—represented significant wealth and power. Daniel's disinterest in these shows he values truth above advancement. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: true prophets refuse bribes and speak unpopular truth (cf. Micaiah, 1 Kings 22; Jeremiah's many confrontations with kings).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does refusing rewards before delivering a message demonstrate integrity and establish credibility for speaking hard truth?
  2. What does Daniel's financial independence from royal favor teach about the freedom that comes from finding security in God rather than human approval?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בֵּאדַ֜יִן1 of 18

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

עָנֵ֣ה2 of 18

“answered”

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,

דָנִיֵּ֗אל3 of 18

“Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

וְאָמַר֙4 of 18

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

קֳדָ֣ם5 of 18

“before”

H6925

before

לְמַלְכָּ֔א6 of 18

“the king”

H4430

a king

מַתְּנָתָךְ֙7 of 18

“Let thy gifts”

H4978

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

לָ֣ךְ8 of 18
H0
לֶֽהֶוְיָ֔ן9 of 18

“be”

H1934

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

וּנְבָ֥זְבְּיָתָ֖ךְ10 of 18

“thy rewards”

H5023

a largess

לְאָחֳרָ֣ן11 of 18

“to another”

H321

other

הַ֑ב12 of 18

“to thyself and give”

H3052

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

בְּרַ֗ם13 of 18

“yet”

H1297

properly, highly, i.e., surely; but used adversatively, however

כְּתָבָא֙14 of 18

“the writing”

H3792

something written, i.e., a writing, record or book

אֶקְרֵ֣א15 of 18

“I will read”

H7123

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְמַלְכָּ֔א16 of 18

“the king”

H4430

a king

וּפִשְׁרָ֖א17 of 18

“to him the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

אֲהוֹדְעִנֵּֽהּ׃18 of 18

“and make known”

H3046

to inform

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 5:17 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 5:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 5:16Genesis 14:232 Kings 3:13Acts 8:20Daniel 5:292 Kings 5:26

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