Daniel 5:9
Daniel 5:9 in Multiple Translations
Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.
Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled and the colour went from his face, and his lords were at a loss.
This made King Belshazzar even more frightened and his face grew even paler. His nobles also were in panic.
Then was King Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his princes were astonied.
then the king Belshazzar is greatly troubled, and his countenance is changing in him, and his great men are perplexed.
Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.
Then was the king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonished.
Wherewith king Baltasar was much troubled, and his countenance was changed: and his nobles also were troubled.
So King Belshazzar became more afraid. His face became even paler/whiter. And all his officials who were there at the feast did not know what to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 5:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Daniel 5:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֱ֠דַיִן
מַלְכָּ֤/א
בֵלְשַׁאצַּר֙
שַׂגִּ֣יא
מִתְבָּהַ֔ל
וְ/זִיוֺ֖/הִי
שָׁנַ֣יִן
עֲל֑וֹ/הִי
וְ/רַבְרְבָנ֖וֹ/הִי
מִֽשְׁתַּבְּשִֽׁין
אֱ֠דַיִן
ʼĕdayin
H116
then
Adj
מַלְכָּ֤/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
בֵלְשַׁאצַּר֙
Bêlshaʼtstsar
H1113
Belshazzar
Adj
שַׂגִּ֣יא
saggîyʼ
H7690
greatly
Adj
מִתְבָּהַ֔ל
bᵉhal
H927
to dismay
Adj
וְ/זִיוֺ֖/הִי
zîyv
H2122
splendor
Adj | N-mp | Suff
שָׁנַ֣יִן
shᵉnâʼ
H8133
to change
Adj
עֲל֑וֹ/הִי
ʻal
H5922
since
Adj | Suff
וְ/רַבְרְבָנ֖וֹ/הִי
rabrᵉbân
H7261
noble
Adj | N-mp | Suff
מִֽשְׁתַּבְּשִֽׁין
shᵉbash
H7672
be perplexed
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 5:9
אֱ֠דַיִן
ʼĕdayin
H116
"then"
Adj
Then or at that time, referring to a specific point in the past or future, like in the story of creation when God said 'then' the earth was formed. It is used to show a sequence of events. The KJV translates it as 'then' or 'now'.
Definition: then, afterwards, thereupon, from that time Aramaic of az (אָז "then" H0227A)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: now, that time, then. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 4:16; Daniel 7:19.
מַלְכָּ֤/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
בֵלְשַׁאצַּר֙
Bêlshaʼtstsar
H1113
"Belshazzar"
Adj
Belshazzar was a king of Babylon at the time of its fall, as told in Daniel 5. He was the son of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall for him. His name means Bel protect the king.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.5.1; son of: Nebuchadnezzar (H5019) Aramaic of be.le.shats.tsar (בֵּֽלְאשַׁצַּר, בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר "Belshazzar" H1112) § Belshazzar = "Bel protect the king" king of Babylon at the time of its fall; he to whom Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Belshazzar. See also: Daniel 5:1; Daniel 5:22; Daniel 7:1.
שַׂגִּ֣יא
saggîyʼ
H7690
"greatly"
Adj
This word means greatly or exceedingly, describing something large in size or quantity. It's used to emphasize the magnitude of something, like a great multitude.
Definition: adj 1) great, much 1a) great 1b) much, many adv 2) exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: exceeding, great(-ly); many, much, sore, very. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:9; Daniel 7:28.
מִתְבָּהַ֔ל
bᵉhal
H927
"to dismay"
Adj
This word means to hasten or terrify, and it's used in the Bible to describe people's reactions to threats or dangers. It can also mean to be in a state of alarm or trouble. It appears in stories of war and crisis.
Definition: 1) (Pual) to frighten, alarm, dismay 2) (Ithpa'al) to hurry, hasten 3) (Ithpa'al) alarmed (part.)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: in haste, trouble. See also: Daniel 2:25; Daniel 5:9; Daniel 7:28.
וְ/זִיוֺ֖/הִי
zîyv
H2122
"splendor"
Adj | N-mp | Suff
Ziv means splendor or brightness, often used to describe a person's cheerful countenance. It represents a positive and uplifting quality.
Definition: brightness, splendour
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: brightness, countenance. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 5:9; Daniel 7:28.
שָׁנַ֣יִן
shᵉnâʼ
H8133
"to change"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to change or alter something, like when God changes a person's heart. It appears in various forms, such as altering a plan or transforming a situation. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in circumstances or a shift in perspective.
Definition: 1) to change, be altered, be changed 1a) (P'al) to change, be changed 1b) (Pael) to change, transform, frustrate 1b1) different (participle) 1c) (Ithpael) to be changed 1d) (Aphel) to change, alter
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: alter, change, (be) diverse. See also: Ezra 6:11; Daniel 5:10; Daniel 7:28.
עֲל֑וֹ/הִי
ʻal
H5922
"since"
Adj | Suff
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Definition: 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 4:2; Daniel 7:28.
וְ/רַבְרְבָנ֖וֹ/הִי
rabrᵉbân
H7261
"noble"
Adj | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a noble or high-ranking person, like a lord or prince, who has power and authority. It is used to describe important people in the Bible. The KJV Bible translates it as 'lord' or 'prince'.
Definition: lord, noble Aramaic of rav (רַב "chief" H7227B)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: lord, prince. See also: Daniel 4:33; Daniel 5:9; Daniel 6:18.
מִֽשְׁתַּבְּשִֽׁין
shᵉbash
H7672
"be perplexed"
Adj
This verb means to be perplexed or confused, like being lost in thought or unsure of what to do. In the Bible, it describes people's reactions to surprising events or miracles, like the Israelites' response to God's parting of the Red Sea.
Definition: 1) to confuse, be perplexed 1a) (Ithpael) to be perplexed
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: be astonished. See also: Daniel 5:9.
Study Notes — Daniel 5:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 5:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 5:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 5:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 5:9
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 5:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
- Sermons on Daniel 5:9
Context — The Handwriting on the Wall
7The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
8So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him.
9Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.
10Hearing the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen entered the banquet hall. “O king, may you live forever!” she said. “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale. 11There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 5:6 | his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together. |
| 2 | Daniel 2:1 | In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 6:24 | We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. |
| 4 | Isaiah 13:6–8 | Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. |
| 5 | Isaiah 21:2–4 | A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.” Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see. My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror. |
| 6 | Psalms 48:6 | Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 30:6 | Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? |
| 8 | Matthew 2:3 | When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. |
| 9 | Daniel 10:8 | So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. |
| 10 | Revelation 6:15 | Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. |
Daniel 5:9 Summary
[King Belshazzar was very scared and his face turned white because he didn't understand the strange writing on the wall, and neither did his wise men. This situation made him fear for his life and the future of his kingdom. He needed someone with God's wisdom to help him understand what was happening, similar to how Daniel helped King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:48 and Daniel 4:8-9. We can learn from this that when we are faced with things we don't understand, we should seek God's guidance and wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was King Belshazzar terrified and his face pale?
King Belshazzar was terrified and his face grew pale because he was unable to understand the mysterious handwriting on the wall, and his wise men were also unable to interpret it, as seen in Daniel 5:7-8. This situation made him fear for his life and the future of his kingdom, similar to the fear experienced by King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:5.
What role did the nobles play in this situation?
The nobles were bewildered, indicating they were also perplexed and unable to provide any solution or interpretation of the handwriting on the wall, which added to the overall sense of fear and uncertainty in the kingdom, as described in Daniel 5:9.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse sets the stage for the queen's intervention in Daniel 5:10-11, where she suggests calling upon Daniel, a man known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams, as seen in Daniel 2:48 and Daniel 4:8-9.
What can we learn from King Belshazzar's reaction?
King Belshazzar's reaction teaches us that when we are faced with uncertainty or unexplained events, we should seek God's wisdom and guidance, rather than relying solely on human understanding, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some situations in my life where I feel terrified or bewildered, and how can I apply the lesson of seeking God's wisdom in those situations?
- How can I, like Daniel, be a source of wisdom and guidance for those around me who are facing uncertainty or fear?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of unexplained events or mysterious circumstances?
- How can I balance my desire for human understanding and explanation with the need to trust in God's wisdom and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 5:9
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
The second time, because his hopes in his wise men made him ashamed, and God would give him so much grief as he had pleasure in his luxury. His lords were astonied: these were associates in sinning, and therefore must share in his consternation: so far were they from comforting him.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
Daniel 5:9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.Ver. 9. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled.] In the midst of his feast he was thus damped and cast into his dumps; according to that of Amos, "I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation." Yet find we not in him any sign of true remorse. "Whoredom and wine and new wine had even taken away his heart," robbed him of himself, and laid a beast in the room.
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
(9) The terror of Belshazzar and his lords is caused by the impression that the inability of the wise men to read the inscription is the portent of some terrible calamity.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 5:9
9. greatly troubled] greatly alarmed,—a climax upon Daniel 5:6. and his brightness was changed upon him] ‘upon’ in accordance with the principle explained on Daniel 2:1. were astonied] were confused or (R.V.) perplexed.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 5:9
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled - Not doubting that this was a Divine intimation of some fearful event, and yet unable to understand its meaning.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 5:9
7-9. This Babylonian king, like his “father,” forgetting Daniel, calls for help from the same worthless crowd of “witches” (Wyclif) and Chaldeans (see note Daniel 2:2; some ancient texts omit
Sermons on Daniel 5:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Nebuchadnezzars Dream by Peter Bisset | In this sermon, the preacher draws parallels between the story of Daniel and the plight of sinners who are under the sentence of death. He emphasizes that it doesn't matter what me |
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God's Provision for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the provision of God for the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness. He begins by highlighting the contrasting rea |
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Eternal Hell (1 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon transcript, the speaker expresses his frustration with the lack of preaching on the judgment of God and the impending return of Jesus as a judge. He longs for the re |
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The Fire of God's Judgment by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher describes a horrifying train journey through Europe, where people were living in filth and despair. He emphasizes the need for a message on the judgmen |
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Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches on the downfall of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon as prophesied in the book of Daniel. The sermon highlights the divine judgment on the wicked world, |
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006 - Gentiles Reveal Jesus to the Jews by David Servant | This sermon delves into the events surrounding the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem, highlighting Herod's troubled reaction and the response of the chief priests and scribes who kn |
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The Pre-Imminence of Christ by Walter Wilson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the number eight in the Bible. They mention that David, the eighth son of his father, started a new dynasty in Israel, sym |