Dan 5 | MHM | STEP | Belshazzar's Feast; The Hand-writing on the Wall. This section tells the story of Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, who was celebrating with a great feast. Suddenly, his happiness turned to fear when a mysterious hand wrote a message on the wall. The story shows how Belshazzar insulted God and how God responded by frightening him. We are invited to see what happens to someone who hardens their heart against God. v. 1 : Belshazzar made a big feast for a thousand of his lords. He drank wine in front of them to show off his power and honor. This party may have been for his birthday, a special anniversary, or to honor idols. At the same time, Babylon was being besieged by Cyrus, but Belshazzar was not worried. Instead of being afraid or serious, he chose to celebrate and ignore the danger outside.

‏ Daniel 5

Belshazzar's Feast; The Hand-writing on the Wall.

This section tells the story of Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, who was celebrating with a great feast. Suddenly, his happiness turned to fear when a mysterious hand wrote a message on the wall. The story shows how Belshazzar insulted God and how God responded by frightening him. We are invited to see what happens to someone who hardens their heart against God.

v. 1: Belshazzar made a big feast for a thousand of his lords. He drank wine in front of them to show off his power and honor. This party may have been for his birthday, a special anniversary, or to honor idols. At the same time, Babylon was being besieged by Cyrus, but Belshazzar was not worried. Instead of being afraid or serious, he chose to celebrate and ignore the danger outside.

v. 2: While enjoying the wine, Belshazzar ordered that the sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so he and his guests could drink from them. This was a great insult to God. He used holy things for a drunken party, treating them as if they belonged to him. This act showed his pride and disrespect for God and God's people (Ezra 1:7 ^a).

v. 3: The temple vessels were brought, and the king, his lords, his wives, and his concubines all drank from them. They used what was meant for the worship of God in their wild celebration. This was a serious act of disrespect and made their party even more sinful.

v. 4: As they drank from the sacred cups, they praised their idols—gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. They gave honor to false gods, ignoring the true God who had allowed them to have these victories . Their drinking and idolatry went together, showing how sin leads to more sin (Isaiah 27:7 ^b).

v. 5: Suddenly, the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand where everyone could see. The king saw the hand writing but did not see the person. This silent message from God was enough to frighten the whole party . God's written word alone can make even proud people afraid.

v. 6: Belshazzar became terrified. His face changed color, his legs gave way, and his knees knocked together. His fear was so great that he lost all his strength. His own guilty conscience told him that this was a serious warning from God .

v. 7: The king called loudly for the wise men of Babylon—the magicians and astrologers—to come and read the writing and tell its meaning. He promised that anyone who could do this would be dressed in purple, have a gold chain, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom. This shows how desperate Belshazzar was for answers .

v. 8: But none of the wise men could read the writing or explain it to the king. Their failure made the situation even more frightening .

v. 9: Belshazzar became even more troubled, and his face turned pale. His lords were also astonished and afraid. Their confidence and happiness disappeared. God made sure that only Daniel could explain the message, not the king's wise men. This showed that human wisdom cannot solve the problems that only God can explain (Job 26:14 ^c).

Daniel Interprets the Writing on the Wall

This section tells how Daniel was called to explain the mysterious writing that appeared on the wall during King Belshazzar’s feast. The king and his guests were terrified when they saw a hand writing words they could not understand. The queen remembered Daniel’s wisdom and suggested calling him. Daniel explained the meaning of the words and warned the king about the consequences of his pride and disrespect for God. This story shows that God is in control of all kingdoms and will judge those who dishonor Him.

v. 10: The queen, hearing the commotion in the banquet hall, enters and speaks to King Belshazzar. She tries to comfort him and reminds him that there is a wise man in the kingdom who can interpret mysteries. She urges the king not to be alarmed or pale with fear, because help is available.

v. 11: The queen tells Belshazzar about Daniel. She says that Daniel has the spirit of the holy gods and was known for his wisdom during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had been made chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. She encourages the king to call for Daniel, as he is able to interpret dreams and solve difficult problems.

v. 12: She explains that Daniel, whom the king had named Belteshazzar, has an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. She urges Belshazzar to summon Daniel, saying he will give the interpretation of the writing.

v. 13: Daniel is brought before the king. Belshazzar asks if he is Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar brought from Judah.

v. 14: The king says that he has heard about Daniel, that he has the spirit of the gods and can give insight and wisdom. He hopes Daniel can help explain the mysterious writing.

v. 15: Belshazzar tells Daniel that none of his wise men have been able to read or explain the writing on the wall. He now asks Daniel if he can interpret it.

v. 16: The king promises Daniel great rewards if he can read and explain the writing: he will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

v. 17: Daniel answers the king, refusing the gifts and rewards. He says the king can give them to someone else. Daniel will still read the writing and tell the king what it means. Daniel is not interested in rewards; he wants to deliver God’s message.

v. 18–21: Daniel reminds Belshazzar of what happened to Nebuchadnezzar, the former king. Nebuchadnezzar had great power and glory because of God, but when he became proud and arrogant, God humbled him. Nebuchadnezzar lost his throne and lived like an animal until he recognized that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms and gives them to whom He wishes.

– – –

v. 22–23: Daniel tells Belshazzar that, even though he knew what happened to Nebuchadnezzar, he did not humble himself. Instead, he set himself against the Lord of heaven. He brought out the sacred vessels from God’s temple and used them for drinking wine, praising idols, and ignoring the God who holds his life and ways in His hand.

–

v. 24–28: Daniel explains that the hand was sent from God and wrote the message on the wall. The words written were “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” Daniel interprets the words: “MENE” means God has numbered the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and brought it to an end; “TEKEL” means Belshazzar has been weighed and found wanting; “PERES” (the singular of UPHARSIN) means the kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

– – – –

v. 29: Even though Daniel refused the rewards, Belshazzar gives orders to clothe Daniel in purple, put a gold chain on his neck, and proclaim him the third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel Deals Plainly with Belshazzar; Interpreting of the Writing on the Wall.

This section describes the sudden end of King Belshazzar and the transfer of power in Babylon. God’s warning through the writing on the wall came true quickly. Belshazzar’s pride and disobedience brought his judgment in a single night. The story also marks a big change in world history, as Babylon falls and a new kingdom begins under Darius the Mede and Cyrus.

v. 30: That very night, while Belshazzar was celebrating and feeling safe, the enemy entered the city. The king was killed, just as God had warned through the writing on the wall . He could not hide or protect himself. The surprise attack fulfilled the prophecy that destruction would come suddenly, even while people were eating and drinking (Jeremiah 51:11, 39 ^d). This shows that death can come quickly, especially to those who ignore God’s warnings and live only for pleasure.

v. 31: After Belshazzar’s death, Darius the Mede took over the kingdom. He ruled together with Cyrus, who had conquered Babylon (Daniel 5:31 ^e). Darius was sixty-two years old at the time. God’s plan was at work, even in the details of history. The fall of Babylon made way for the return of the Jewish people, showing God’s kindness and faithfulness to His promises (2 Kings 24:13–15 ^f).