King James Version

What Does Daniel 5:8 Mean?

Daniel 5:8 in the King James Version says “Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 5:8 · KJV

Context

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

10

Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite their expertise and promised rewards, all the king's wise men 'could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.' This failure is comprehensive: they couldn't even read the writing, much less interpret its meaning. Some scholars suggest the writing used an unknown script, archaic language, or was written in a way that made reading difficult. Others propose God sovereignly prevented their understanding. Either way, the point is clear: human wisdom fails before divine revelation. This repeated failure (chapters 2, 4, 5) establishes pattern: Babylon's vaunted intellectual tradition—astronomy, mathematics, literature—proves useless for understanding God's truth. Only those enlightened by God's Spirit (Daniel) can interpret. This vindicates biblical epistemology: natural man cannot receive spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14); revelation requires illumination.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The wise men's failure may relate to the writing's nature. The text was likely Aramaic (Daniel's language) but perhaps written in unusual format: vertically, without vowels, abbreviated, or using archaic script. Ancient Semitic languages used consonants without vowels, allowing multiple readings depending on vowel points. The wise men may have seen the characters but couldn't determine the correct reading or meaning. This technical difficulty became divine instrument: God ensured that only His chosen interpreter (Daniel) could decode the message. The historical pattern shows how God repeatedly uses foolish things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27), demonstrating salvation and revelation come through grace, not merit.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the wise men's inability to even read the writing teach about human wisdom's limitations?
  2. How does God use human inadequacy to highlight His grace in granting understanding to chosen servants?
  3. Why does Scripture repeatedly show expert failure before divine revelation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֱדַ֙יִן֙1 of 12

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

עָֽלִּ֔לין2 of 12

“came”

H5954

to enter; causatively, to introduce

כֹּ֖ל3 of 12

“in all”

H3606

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

חַכִּימֵ֣י4 of 12

“wise”

H2445

wise, i.e., a magian

לְמַלְכָּֽא׃5 of 12

“the king's”

H4430

a king

וְלָֽא6 of 12

“not”

H3809

no, not

כָהֲלִ֤ין7 of 12

“men but they could”

H3546

to be able

כְּתָבָא֙8 of 12

“the writing”

H3792

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

לְמִקְרֵ֔א9 of 12

“read”

H7123

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

וּפִשְׁרֵ֖אּ10 of 12

“the interpretation”

H6591

an interpretation

לְהוֹדָעָ֥ה11 of 12

“nor make known”

H3046

to inform

לְמַלְכָּֽא׃12 of 12

“the king's”

H4430

a king

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 5:8 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 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 2:27Genesis 41:8Daniel 4:7Isaiah 47:9Daniel 5:15Isaiah 47:12-15

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