King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:7 Mean?

Daniel 5:7 in the King James Version says “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to th... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Daniel 5:7 · KJV


Context

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.

9

Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. countenance: Cald. brightnesses


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Belshazzar immediately summons Babylon's wise men—astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers—offering extravagant rewards for interpretation: scarlet/purple clothing (royal colors), gold chain (symbol of high office), and position as 'third ruler' in the kingdom. The offer reveals desperation: the king will give nearly anything for understanding. 'Third ruler' reflects political reality—Nabonidus was first, Belshazzar (co-regent) second, so the highest available position was third. This echoes chapter 2 and 4's pattern: when confronted with divine revelation, human wisdom proves inadequate. The wise men will fail (v.8), preparing for Daniel's entrance and interpretation. This repeated pattern demonstrates that spiritual understanding comes through divine gift, not natural ability, education, or compensation. Truth can't be purchased; it must be revealed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Scarlet/purple dyes were expensive in the ancient world—requiring thousands of murex snails to produce small amounts of dye, making purple clothing a status symbol reserved for royalty and highest officials. A gold chain represented official authority—visible symbol of the king's favor and delegated power. The offer of 'third ruler' position showed genuine desperation: Belshazzar would share his power with whoever could interpret. This reflected ancient beliefs that those who could decode divine messages possessed supernatural wisdom worthy of highest honor. Yet all their learning, all their methods, all the promised rewards couldn't unlock God's message. Only Daniel, empowered by God's Spirit, could interpret—and he refused the rewards (v.17), showing his motivation was God's glory, not personal gain.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Belshazzar's lavish offer of rewards reveal about his desperation and misunderstanding of spiritual truth?
  2. How does the inability of highly educated experts to interpret God's message challenge modern confidence in human expertise?
  3. Why can't spiritual truth be purchased or earned through human effort, education, or compensation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
יִקְרֵ֞ה1 of 31

cried

H7123

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

מַלְכָּ֜א2 of 31

And the king

H4430

a king

בְּחַ֔יִל3 of 31

aloud

H2429

an army, or strength

לְהֶֽעָלָה֙4 of 31

to bring

H5954

to enter; causatively, to introduce

לְאָ֣שְׁפַיָּ֔א5 of 31

in the astrologers

H826

a conjurer

כַּשְׂדָּיֵ֖א6 of 31

the Chaldeans

H3779

a chaldaean or inhabitant of chaldaea; by implication, a magian or professional astrologer

וְגָזְרַיָּ֑א7 of 31

and the soothsayers

H1505

to quarry; determine

עָנֵ֨ה8 of 31

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,

מַלְכָּ֜א9 of 31

And the king

H4430

a king

וְאָמַ֣ר׀10 of 31

and said

H560

to speak, to command

לְחַכִּימֵ֣י11 of 31

to the wise

H2445

wise, i.e., a magian

בָבֶ֗ל12 of 31

men of Babylon

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

דִּ֣י13 of 31
H1768

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

כָל14 of 31
H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֱ֠נָשׁ15 of 31

Whosoever

H606

a man

דִּֽי16 of 31
H1768

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

יִקְרֵ֞ה17 of 31

cried

H7123

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

כְּתָבָ֣ה18 of 31

writing

H3792

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

דְנָ֗ה19 of 31

this

H1836

this

וּפִשְׁרֵהּ֙20 of 31

me the interpretation

H6591

an interpretation

יְחַוִּנַּ֔נִי21 of 31

and shew

H2324

to show

אַרְגְּוָנָ֣א22 of 31

with scarlet

H711

purple

יִלְבַּ֗שׁ23 of 31

thereof shall be clothed

H3848

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

וְהַֽמְוִנכָ֤א24 of 31

and have a chain

H2002

a necklace

דִֽי25 of 31
H1768

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

דַהֲבָא֙26 of 31

of gold

H1722

gold

עַֽל27 of 31

about

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

צַוְּארֵ֔הּ28 of 31

his neck

H6676

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

וְתַלְתִּ֥י29 of 31

and shall be the third

H8523

third

בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א30 of 31

in the kingdom

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

יִשְׁלַֽט׃31 of 31

ruler

H7981

to rule over


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 5:7 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 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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