King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:6 Mean?

Daniel 5:6 in the King James Version says “Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. countenance: Cald. brightnesses was changed: Cald. changed it joints: or, girdles: Cald. bindings, or, knots”

Daniel 5:6 · KJV

Context

4

They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

5

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. countenance: Cald. brightnesses was changed: Cald. changed it joints: or, girdles: Cald. bindings, or, knots

7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. aloud: Cald. with might scarlet: or, purple

8

Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king's terrified response to the supernatural handwriting: his countenance changed, thoughts troubled him, joints of his loins loosened, and knees knocked together. This physical description depicts complete terror—loss of color (countenance changed), mental distress (thoughts troubled), loss of strength (loins loosened suggesting collapse of strength/courage), and uncontrollable trembling (knees knocking). The Hebrew/Aramaic idiom 'loins loosened' may suggest loss of bladder control—ultimate humiliation for a proud monarch. This immediate transformation from drunken revelry to abject terror demonstrates God's power to humble pride instantly. One moment Belshazzar commanded thousands, mocked God, and reveled; the next he's paralyzed with fear. This illustrates Proverbs 16:18 ('Pride goeth before destruction') and shows that God's judgments, when they come, are unmistakable and terrifying.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings prided themselves on courage and composure. Royal ideology presented monarchs as fearless, divinely empowered, and unshakeable. Belshazzar's public terror before his entire court (a thousand nobles, v.1) represented complete loss of regal dignity. The physical symptoms described—trembling, weakness, losing control—match modern descriptions of panic attacks or extreme fear responses. That a supernatural sign could instantly reduce a powerful monarch to this state demonstrated the living God's superiority over Babylon's impotent idols. For Jewish exiles witnessing or hearing of this event, it vindicated Yahweh's supremacy and promised eventual deliverance from captivity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Belshazzar's instant transformation from pride to terror teach about human vulnerability before God?
  2. How do God's judgments unmistakably identify themselves, leaving no room for doubt or rationalization?
  3. Why is it significant that the king's terror was publicly visible to his entire court?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אֱדַ֤יִן1 of 13

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

מַלְכָּא֙2 of 13

“the king's”

H4430

a king

זִיוֺ֣הִי3 of 13

“countenance”

H2122

(figuratively) cheerfulness

שְׁנ֔וֹהִי4 of 13

“was changed”

H8133

to alter

וְרַעיֹנֹ֖הִי5 of 13

“and his thoughts”

H7476

a grasp. i.e., (figuratively) mental conception

יְבַהֲלוּנֵּ֑הּ6 of 13

“troubled”

H927

to terrify, hasten

וְקִטְרֵ֤י7 of 13

“him so that the joints”

H7001

a knot (as tied up), i.e., (figuratively) a riddle; also a vertebra (as if a knot)

חַרְצֵהּ֙8 of 13

“of his loins”

H2783

the loin (as the seat of strength)

מִשְׁתָּרַ֔יִן9 of 13

“were loosed”

H8271

to free, separate; figuratively, to unravel, commence; by implication (of unloading beasts) to reside

וְאַ֨רְכֻבָּתֵ֔הּ10 of 13

“and his knees”

H755

the knee

לְדָ֖א11 of 13

“against another”

H1668

this

לְדָ֖א12 of 13

“against another”

H1668

this

נָֽקְשָֽׁן׃13 of 13

“smote”

H5368

to knock

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 5:6 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 5:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 7:28Ezekiel 7:17Nahum 2:10Psalms 69:23Daniel 4:5Ezekiel 21:7

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