Daniel 5:9

9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly 1alarmed, his 2face grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed.

Daniel 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 5:9

Then was King Belshazzar greatly troubled
A second time, and perhaps more than before; since he had conceived some hope that his wise men would have informed him what this writing was, and the meaning of it; but finding that they were nonplussed by it, it gave him still greater uneasiness: and his countenance was changed in him;
again; very likely, upon the coming in of the wise men, he had a little recovered himself, and became more composed and serene; which appeared in his countenance; but, upon this disappointment, his countenance changed again, and he turned pale, and looked ghastly: and his lords were astonished;
were in the utmost consternation and confusion, when they understood that the writing could neither be read nor interpreted; neither the dignity of their station, nor their numbers, nor their liquor, could keep up their spirits; so that the king had not one with him, to speak a comfortable word to him, or give him any advice in this his time of distress; they were all in the same condition with himself.

Daniel 5:9 In-Context

7 The king called aloud to bring in the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, "Any man who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be clothed with purple and have a necklace of gold around his neck, and have authority as third ruler in the kingdom."
8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king.
9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, his face grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed.
10 The queen entered the banquet hall because of the words of the king and his nobles; the queen spoke and said, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or your face be pale.
11 "There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans and diviners.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Job 18:11; Isaiah 21:2-4; Jeremiah 6:24; Daniel 2:1; Daniel 5:6
  • 2. Isaiah 13:6-8

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "brightness was changing upon him"
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