Daniel Chapter Five

Before we get into the incredibly rich detail of this passage, we need to discuss a historical objection to Daniel. There is no historically verifiable figure named Darius the Mede (5:31). Cyrus was the ruler of the Medo-Persian empire (as verified both historically and in prophecy by Isaiah). Daniel’s introduction of this person has caused extensive debate. I will address a few of the more common theories and then we will jump into the passage.

Some have argued that this is another title of the General in charge of the military campaign that conquered Babylon. Gobryas was an incredibly powerful figure and some have argued that he became a governor of the province after Babylon was conquered. Other than the fact that Gobryas existed and was incredibly influential, there doesn’t seem to be specific reasons that people feel Darius the Mede was the same person as Gobryas.
A more complicated argument relates to a man named Cyaxares II. This man’s existence is debated by historians. Xenophon is the only historian to mentioned him. Xenophon lived around 350ish BC. He contended that Cyaxares II was the son of Astyages (the last king of the Medes). He argued that Cyaxares was actually the final king and co-conqueror of Babylon with Cyrus. However, most historians – (including Herodotus who lived about 100 years before Xenophon and was tremendously respected) do not mention a Cyaxares. They end the Median reign in 550 BC when Cyrus conquers the Medes and unites everything under his rule.
A simple explanation is simply that Darius was a governor appointed by Cyrus.
Darius was one of the most common names/titles of the Persian kings. It is entirely possible that Daniel was using this as a title. Indeed, it is very possible to translate Daniel 6:28 as Darius, even Cyrus instead of Darius and Cyrus.

God could awesomely reveal the identity of Darius the Mede. There are many documents from this period that have not been translated. However, considering that Cyrus was related to the king of the Medes and that he was the king of the Persians – I do not see a problem with interpreting this as Cyrus and Darius being the same person. At the end of this section, we will discuss the prophecy from Isaiah 45 in more detail.

V. 1 – Belshazzar was co-regent while his father Nabonidus was off excavating ruins and leading the army. This co-regency has been historically established and confirms Belshazzar’s eventual offer to make Daniel the “third” in command (v.7). Nabonidus is captured by Cyrus and the Persian army surrounds Babylon. In the middle of this, Belshazzar decides to throw a feast. They were in one of the most well-fortified cities in the world. Incredibly thick walls, guard towers that reached almost 100 feet tall, a constant stream of water from the Euphrates river…Belshazzar was not worried about the external enemy. Even if he was scared, he seems pretty determined not to appear frightened.

V. 2-4 – It is not entirely clear if they only drank out of the vessels of the Temple, but the point Daniel is making is that they took the holy and made them profane. They literally took the sacred/set-apart and praised their gods as superior. It was a way of attempting to demonstrate dominance and to remember the “mighty deeds” that their gods had supposedly done. They didn’t understand that God had actually allowed them to be victorious because he had chosen them as instruments of his judgement. Babylon’s height of glory only lasted approximately 70 years – the length of Israel’s prophesied captivity.

We have already discussed that Belshazzar was not actually Nebuchadnezzar’s son. The phrase “his father” in verse two merely has the idea of predecessor. There is not a genetic relationship specifically addressed in this chapter.

V. 5-6 – The word “immediately” can also have the idea of in the same hour. There is a swiftness to judgment. Belshazzar was terrified by this occurrence. I always thought that it was interesting Daniel included the detail that the writing was “opposite the lampstand.” This was fully visible to everyone in that room. It was a bold declaration on thick immovable plaster. Yet it was not a chisel – it was a hand that somehow managed to write on ancient stone. The king’s “color” changed – he had no explanation for what was happening.

V. 7-9 – Just like Nebuchadnezzar, he calls all the wise men and they cannot interpret the saying. God inhibits their understanding. The words are Aramaic so it was not the words they couldn’t understand – it was the meaning they could not grasp. It is also entirely possible that they did understand what it meant and were too scared to tell the king. Would you want to deliver the news that everything was getting ready to change and that a new king would soon arrive? The other possibility that the handwriting was actually unknown, and Daniel simply chose Aramaic words that meant what God revealed. Regardless, they were once more powerless to reveal truth.

V. 10-12 – The Queen – this was not Belshazzar’s wife. They were already at the feast (v. 2). The word here specifically notates Queen mother. This might have been Nabonidus’ wife, or even a wife of Nebuchadnezzar that was still alive. This woman is a little bit older and she is more aware of Daniel’s abilities. She specifically highlights the fact that he is filled with the Spirit of the Holy God. This description is very similar to one used by Nebuchadnezzar which perhaps gives weight to the argument that she was older. This acknowledgement that Daniel’s source of power is different than the magicians/wise men is important. Daniel did not serve a dead idol. He was empowered and enabled by the living, holy, one-true God. Again, this notation of father does not specifically refer to a biological father – but rather the idea of succession. The previous king. Considering how many kings had been deposed/killed this may have also been just a *little* passive aggressive on her part.

Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful Babylonian king, had respected Daniel and promoted him. Belshazzar did not even know who Daniel was. She further explains that Daniel is incredibly gifted in the interpretation of dreams, ability to solve problems, and he was full of wisdom. She recommends that they call for Daniel. I’m not sure if this woman was a Christian. We are not told what she believed, but this is an excellent reminder that only those who know truth are ultimately helpful in crisis situations. When the world is falling apart, we need revelation, direction, and objective truth – not someone’s best effort.

V. 13-16 – Belshazzar confirms that this is the same Daniel who was brought as an exile from Judah. Daniel is likely around 85 at this point. I doubt Belshazzar was particularly impressed by this old forgotten figure. Initially, he is not convinced that there is anything different between Daniel and the wise men who could not interpret the writing. After all, if Daniel was a captive, he served the God whose cups they had been using for revelry. Why would he trust that a God who could not deliver his people from captivity could provide insight into this situation. Still, he is desperate and makes the same offer – riches and power in exchange for insight.

V. 17 – Daniel is not impressed by Belshazzar’s offer, but he agrees to interpret the dream. He has seen the throne room of heaven…he is not going to be impressed by earthly wealth.

V. 18-19 – He begins by acknowledging that even Nebuchadnezzar’s strength, which was far greater than Belshazzar’s, was from God. There was not a self-origination of sustaining in Nebuchadnezzar’s power.

V. 20-23 – This is the story of chapter four. Belshazzar would likely have been quite young when this happened to Nebuchadnezzar. Yet verse 22 confirms that Belshazzar knew the story. He chose to ignore what had happened to his predecessor. He chose to, seemingly, taunt the God of Israel. Belshazzar refused to acknowledge the origin of his power or even his very life.

V. 24 – This very God who you have been mocking, disrespecting, and ignoring – that is the God who sent this message. Can you imagine the way Belshazzar’s heart must have dropped at this statement?

V. 25-28 – Mene – God has numbered. This refers to the surety of the coming judgment. It is repeated twice to reiterate the fact that God knows the timetable. He is sovereign and he has determined the final verdict. The Babylonian kingdom will end.

Tekel – weighed and found wanting. This is literally the idea that Belshazzar was found lighter than he should have been. He did not measure up. He had never trusted in Christ for redemption. He could not pay the price by himself. We all fall short (Romans 3:23) apart from the sufficiency of Christ.

Peres – the kingdom is divided and given away. Again, this wording emphasizes that the kingdom was not Belshazzar’s to take/keep. God decided it was time for judgement. He had used Babylon to judge his people, and now it was time for them to be punished.

V. 29 – Can you imagine the deafening silence in that banquet hall as Daniel interpreted the writing? The intensity of what was coming must have felt both overwhelming and surreal. Perhaps some did not believe, but I think they all feared. Daniel was given the outward accoutrements of power and the position of 3rd in command. It lasted for a night.

V. 30 – Belshazzar is killed, Babylon is defeated, and Darius (Cyrus) becomes king. We are given almost no details here regarding how this happened, yet we can find information in Isaiah 44:28 – 45:1-6 that gives additional insight.

150+ years before all of this happened, Isaiah prophesies about Cyrus. He calls him by name. At the time, Assyria was still the world power. If Isaiah was speaking on his own initiative this must have seemed incredibly foolish. Yet what God said would happen, did. So let’s break these verses down.

Is. 45:1-6:

Subdue nations: Cyrus had conquered around 15 or so other nations before he arrived at Babylon.

Loose the belts of kings – literally happened to Belshazzar in chapter 5. He was terrified.

Open the gates – the King James actually notes that they are “two leaved gates.” This may not seem important, but literally two different sets of gates were left open. The gates to the river and the gates to the palace were not shut. The Persians practically strolled in to take the city. A siege that should have taken months or even years was over in one night.

Level the exalted places – has the idea of easing their passage. No one would believe this series of circumstances, and yet we have ample secular historical evidence of this happening.

Gates of bronze/bars of iron – the gates of Babylon were made of bronze and were hung on iron hinges.

Treasures of darkness – the Persians literally plundered their treasures. God gave this prophecy long before Cyrus ever showed up because he wanted Israel to know that there was no one else like God. Josephus actually records that they read this passage to Cyrus once he conquered Babylon. I would imagine it was Daniel who performed the honors. Can you imagine that introduction? “Hi, new king, I’m Daniel. I’m not Babylonian, I knew you were coming…” It is small wonder that Cyrus was so eager to send Israel back to their homeland. Having that God angry with you was not a mistake Cyrus was going to make.

We serve an amazing God who delights in the impossible. Prophecy is terrifying and reassuring at the same time. We are transitioning to Persia as the world power and Cyrus’ reign. God’s Word is true. Just as he told the Israelites Cyrus’ name long before he was born, so he strengthens our faith along the way as we are obedient and seek his heart. God is mighty. However, we must allow our lives to be transformed – otherwise that information will only serve to earn further condemnation instead of drawing us closer to the one who has revealed himself.