Daniel 5:16

16 But I've heard that you interpret dreams and solve mysteries. So - if you can read the writing and interpret it for me, you'll be rich and famous - a purple robe, the great gold chain around your neck - and third-in-command in the kingdom."

Daniel 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 5:16

And I have heard of thee
That is, by the queen, which he repeats for the sake of observing what she had said of him, and which gave him encouragement to send for him: that thou canst make interpretations;
of dreams, and of things hard to be understood: and dissolve doubts;
untie knots, solve difficulties, and answer hard and intricate questions: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the
interpretation thereof;
that which is upon the wall before thee, and which the wise men of Babylon could not: thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy
neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom;
the same reward he had proposed to the astrologers and soothsayers, ( Daniel 5:7 ) but what was no temptation or motive to Daniel, as appears by what follows:

Daniel 5:16 In-Context

14 I've heard about you - that you're full of the Holy Spirit, that you've got a brilliant mind, that you are incredibly wise.
15 The wise men and enchanters were brought in here to read this writing on the wall and interpret it for me. They couldn't figure it out - not a word, not a syllable.
16 But I've heard that you interpret dreams and solve mysteries. So - if you can read the writing and interpret it for me, you'll be rich and famous - a purple robe, the great gold chain around your neck - and third-in-command in the kingdom."
17 Daniel answered the king, "You can keep your gifts, or give them to someone else. But I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
18 "Listen, O king! The High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar a great kingdom and a glorious reputation.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.