Daniel 5:16

16 But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you are able to read the writing and tell me its interpretation, you shall be clothed in purple, have a chain of gold around your neck, and rank third 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 have heard of you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that enlightenment, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you.

15 Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and tell me its interpretation, but they were not able to give the interpretation of the matter.

16 But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you are able to read the writing and tell me its interpretation, you shall be clothed in purple, have a chain of gold around your neck, and rank third in the kingdom."

17 Then Daniel answered in the presence of the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else! Nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and let him know the interpretation.

18 O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar kingship, greatness, glory, and majesty.