Daniel 5:31 — Word Study
WLCוְדָרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙ מָֽדָאָ֔ה קַבֵּ֖ל מַלְכוּתָ֑א כְּבַ֥ר שְׁנִ֖ין שִׁתִּ֥ין וְתַרְתֵּֽין׃
BSAand Dariusve.da.re.Ya.vesh Median thema.da.ya'△ he receivedka.Bel kingdom themal.khu.Ta' about a son ofke.Var yearsshe.Nin sixtyshi.Tin and twove.tar.Tein
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְדָרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙ | and Darius | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| מָֽדָאָ֔ה | Median the | Noun gentilic both singular determined, particle |
| קַבֵּ֖ל | he received | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| מַלְכוּתָ֑א | kingdom the | Noun common feminine singular determined, particle |
| כְּבַ֥ר | about a son of | Preposition, noun common both singular construct |
| שְׁנִ֖ין | years | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| שִׁתִּ֥ין | sixty | |
| וְתַרְתֵּֽין׃ | and two | Conjunction |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. |
| KJV | And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. |
| ASV | And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. |
| YLT | and Darius the Mede hath received the kingdom, when a son of sixty and two years. |
| WEB | Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. |
| BBE | And Darius the Mede took the kingdom, being then about sixty-two years old. |
Where they part company is קַבֵּ֖ל — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a prepositional phrase providing additional information about Darius's age.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbH6902
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 8 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Daniel 5:31
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Fall of Babylon and the Rise of Dariusgenerated
Daniel 5:31 recounts how Darius the Mede came to power following the fall of Babylon. This event signifies the transition from Babylonian to Median rule, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Jewish exiles. Darius's rule is noted for its impact on the Jewish people, as seen in subsequent chapters of Daniel, where he interacts with Daniel and the Jewish community.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 6:1 | Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, |
| 2 | Daniel 9:1 | In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans — |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קַבֵּ֖ל, ka.Belgenerated
The verb קַבֵּל (ka.Bel) means 'to receive' and is in the Piel stem, indicating an active sense of receiving something. This verb is used in the context of Darius taking possession of the kingdom, highlighting the act of receiving authority or rule.
The use of this verb in the perfect tense indicates that the action has been completed, emphasizing that Darius has successfully taken the kingdom. This word is significant in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, where it conveys the transfer of power.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is קַבֵּ֖ל, he received, which governs the subject and object of the sentence. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, Darius the Mede, and a noun phrase for the object, the kingdom.
The phrase מַלְכוּתָ֑א is a feminine singular noun, indicating the kingdom, while the prepositional phrase כְּבַ֥ר introduces the age of Darius, providing context for the timing of this event.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 5:31 tells us that Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was sixty-two years old. This marks a significant change in leadership following the fall of Babylon, and it sets the stage for future interactions with the Jewish people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Darius the Mede is a historical figure mentioned in the Book of Daniel, known for taking over the Babylonian kingdom after Belshazzar's death.
It indicates that Darius took control of the kingdom, signifying a transfer of power from the previous ruler, Belshazzar.
His age of sixty-two at the time of receiving the kingdom provides context for his experience and authority as a ruler.
Darius's ascension was significant for the Jewish exiles, as it led to their eventual return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does Darius's rise to power teach us about God's sovereignty in history?
- How can we understand the significance of leadership transitions in our own lives?
- In what ways do we see God's hand at work in the events of our lives, similar to how He worked through Darius?
- How can we apply the lessons from Darius's reign to our understanding of authority and responsibility?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 5:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Darius the Median took the kingdom,.... This was Cyaxares the son of Astyages, and uncle of Cyrus; he is called the Median, to distinguish him from another Darius the Persian, that came after,
Read John Gill on Daniel 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Darius the Median took the kingdom - i:e., Cyaxares II, the son and successor of Astyages, B.C. 569-536.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThere were two of this name, one called the Mede, another Darius called Persian. This in the text was he that with Cyrus besieged and took Babylon; he gave himself the name Darius, being before called Nabonnedus. He was chief in the siege, and first in the quarrel against the Chaldees.
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.Ver. 31. And Darius.] Called by Ctesias, Dαριαιος, which comes near to Dariaves, as the Chaldee here calleth him. He is thought to be the same with Cyaxares, son of Astyages, and uncle to Cyrus. Being about threescore and two years old.] Born the same year, say the Rabbis, wherein Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and destroyed it. So Augustine was born the same day in Africa that Pelagius was in Wales, say chronologers, by a wise and watchful providence of God for the good of his Church. Sedar Olam.
Read John Trapp on Daniel 5 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(31) Darius the Median.—Note the LXX. variation: “And Artaxerxes of the Medes took the kingdom, and Darius, full of days and glorious in old age.” (See Excursus D.) Took—i.e., received it from the hands of a conqueror. (Comp. Daniel 9:1, where Darius is said to have been “made king over the realm of the Chaldeans.”) D: DARIUS THE MEDE (Daniel 5:31). It appears from the account given by Daniel that Darius the Mede was the sovereign appointed to rule over Babylonia after the death of Belshazzar. Cyrus, after the capture of Babylon, appointed a man named Gubaru (Gobryas) as his governor at Babylon. Can he and Darius the Mede be the same person? It is impossible to identify Darius with any…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Daniel 5 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 31. Darius the Median took the kingdom] This is supposed to be the same as Cyaxares, son of Astyages and maternal uncle of Cyrus, to whom he gave the throne of Babylon, after himself had had the honour of taking the city. Daniel speaks nothing of the war that raged between the Babylonians and the Medes; but Isaiah speaks particularly of it, Isaiah 13, Isaiah 14, Isaiah 45, Isaiah 46, Isaiah 47; and so does Jeremiah, Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51. I need not add, that it is largely spoken of by profane authors. The Medes and Persians were confederates in the war; the former under Darius, the latter under Cyrus. Both princes are supposed to have been present at the taking of this city.…
Read AdamClarke on Daniel 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges31. And Darius the Median (or the Mede, as Daniel 11:1) received the kingdom] The idea of the writer appears to be that the Medes and Persians were acting in concert at the time of the capture of Babylon (Daniel 5:28); but that when the city was taken, ‘Darius the Mede,’ by a joint arrangement between the two peoples (or their rulers), ‘received’ the kingdom, or (Daniel 9:1) ‘was made king,’ and (ch. 6) took up his residence in Babylon as his capital. Darius, though bound by the laws of the two allied peoples, the ‘Medes and Persians’ (Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:12; Daniel 6:15), clearly, in ch. 6, acts not as viceroy for another but as an independent king, organising his kingdom into satrapies…
Read Cambridge on Daniel 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd Darius the Median took the kingdom - The city and kingdom were actually taken by Cyrus, though acting in the name and by the authority of Darius, or Cyaxares, who was his uncle.
Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 5 →The verse in English, compared — 8 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.
Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Tyndale line
And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
And Darius of the Medes tooke the kingdome, being threescore and two yeere olde.
Simplified
And Darius the Mede took the kingdom, being then about sixty-two years old.
and Darius the Mede was given the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.
Strictly literal
and Darius the Mede hath received the kingdom, when a son of sixty and two years.
T4T (Translation for Translators) is not shown above. It restates the passage rather than the verse, so there is no line of English to set beside the others — which is a fact about that translation, not a fault in it.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
וְדָרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙ מָֽדָאָ֔ה קַבֵּ֖ל מַלְכוּתָ֑א כְּבַ֥ר שְׁנִ֖ין שִׁתִּ֥ין וְתַרְתֵּֽין׃ The Masoretic Text is consistent across the witnesses, indicating no significant variations in this verse.
וְדָרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙ מָֽדָאָ֔ה קַבֵּ֖ל מַלְכוּתָ֑א כְּבַ֥ר שְׁנִ֖ין שִׁתִּ֥ין וְתַרְתֵּֽין׃
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 5:31
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ (daryavesh) refers to 'Darius,' a name associated with several historical figures, particularly during the time of the Exile and Return. The entries identify Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, and Darius the son of Hystaspes, among others. The name means 'lord' and is first mentioned in Ezra 4:5 and Daniel 5:31.
דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ 15 n.pr.m.
Darius Hystaspis
‘Darius the Mede’
base
H1868 דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ, דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ
1868 Daryavesh daw-reh-yaw-vaysh'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1867:--Darius.
see HEBREW for 01867
דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ (dar.ya.vesh) — Darius.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.5
Aramaic of dar.ya.vesh (דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ "Darius" H1867H)
§ Darius = "lord"
1) Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar; probably the same as "Astyages" the last king of the Medes (538 BC) (same as dar.ya.vesh (דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ "Darius" H1867) (1))
2) Darius, the son of Hystaspes, the founder of the Perso-Arian dynasty (521 BC) (same as (2))
3) Darius II or Darius III
3a) Darius II, Nothus (Ochus) was king of Persia during the time of Nehemiah (424/3-405/4 BC). Darius II is the most probable because he is mentioned by Nehemiah and ruled during the time of Nehemiah
AC/Npm — Conjunction · noun proper masculineAC/Npm
da-ri'-us: The name of three or four kings mentioned in the Old Testament. In the original Persian it is spelled "Darayavaush"; in Babylonian, usually "Dariamush"; in Susian(?), "Tariyamaush"; in Egyptian "Antaryuash"; on Aramaic inscriptions, d-r-y-h-w-sh or d-r-y-w-h-w-sh; in Hebrew, dareyawesh; in Greek, Dareios; in Latin, "Darius." In meaning it is probably connected with the new Persian word Dara, "king." Herodotus says it means in Greek, Erxeies, coercitor, "restrainer," "compeller," "commander."
(1) Darius the Mede (Da 6:1; 11:1) was the son of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of the seed of the Medes (Da 9:1). He received the government of Belshazzar the Chaldean upon the death of that prince (Da 5:30,31; 6:1), and was made king over…
Darius
The holder or supporter, the name of several Persian kings. (1.) Darius the Mede (Dan. 11:1), “the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes” (9:1). On the death of Belshazzar the Chaldean he “received the kingdom” of Babylon as viceroy from Cyrus. During his brief reign (B.C. 538-536) Daniel was promoted to the highest dignity (Dan. 6:1, 2); but on account of the malice of his enemies he was cast into the den of lions. After his miraculous escape, a decree was issued by Darius enjoining “reverence for the God of Daniel” (6:26). This king was probably the “Astyages” of the Greek historians. Nothing can, however, be with certainty affirmed regarding him. Some are of opinion that the name “Darius” is simply a name of office, equivalent to “governor,” and that the “Gobryas” of…
(lord), the name of several kings of Media and Persia. DARIUS THE MEDE, (Daniel 6:1; 11:1) "the son of Ahasuerus," (Daniel 9:1) who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom ont he death of Belshazzar, being then sixty-two years old. (Daniel 5:31; 9:1) (B.C. 538.) Only one year of his reign is mentioned, (Daniel 9:1; 11:1) but that was of great importance for the Jews. Daniel was advanced by the king to the highest dignity, (Daniel 6:1) ff., and in his reign was cast into the lions’ den. Dan. 6. This Darius is probably the same as "Astyages," the last king of the Medes. DARIUS, the son of Hystaspes the founder of the Perso-Arian…
1. DARIUS THE MEDE
Da 5:31 9:1 11:1, was son of Astyages king of the Medes, and brother of Mandane mother of Cyrus, and of Amyit the mother of Evil-merodach and grandmother of Belshazzar: thus he was uncle, by the mother’s side, to Evil-merodach and to Cyrus. The Hebrew generally calls him Darius; the Septuagint, Artaxerxes; and Xenophon, Cyaxares. Darius dethroned Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans, and occupied the throne till his death two years after, when it reverted to the illustrious Cyrus. In his reign Daniel was cast into the lion’s den, Da 6:1-28.
2. DARIUS HYSTASPIS
Spoken of in Ezr 4:1-7:28, Haggai, and Zechariah, as the king who renewed the permission to rebuild the temple, given to the Jews by Cyrus and afterwards…
מדיא Kt, מָדָאָה Qr n.gent. Mede;—Dn 6:1.
ref
H4077 מדיא, מָדָאָה, מָדַי
4077 Maday maw-dah'-ee
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4075:--Median.
see HEBREW for 04075
מָדָאָה (ma.da.ah) — Mede.
also called Mede frequently
Aramaic of me.dan (מְדָן "Medan" H4091)
§ Mede or Medes = "middle land"
an inhabitant of Media
ANgbsd/Ta — Noun gentilic both singular determined · particleANgbsd/Ta
Darius, "the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes," (Daniel 9:1) or "the Mede," ch. (Daniel 11:1) is thus denoted in (Daniel 5:31)
קַבֵּל (qbal) is a verb meaning 'to receive.' It is a denominative form derived from the root found in קָבַל (qa.val), which also means 'to receive.' The entries indicate that it is used in a similar sense in both Hebrew and Aramaic.
קַבֵּל vb. denom. Pa. receive
base
H6902 קַבֵּל vb. denom. Pa. receive
6902 qbal keb-al'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6901; to acquire:--receive,
take.
see HEBREW for 06901
קַבֵּל (qe.val) — to receive.
(Pael) to receive
Aramaic of qa.val (קָבַל "to receive" H6901)
AVpp3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularAVpp3ms
מַלְכוּ (malkuw) refers to concepts of royalty and dominion, encompassing meanings like kingdom, reign, and kingly authority. It is used in both abstract and concrete contexts, indicating a realm or territory as well. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
מַלְכוּ n.f. royalty, reign, kingdom
base
H4437 מַלְכוּ
4437 malkuw mal-koo'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or
concretely):--kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.
see HEBREW for 04438
מַלְכוּ (mal.khu) — kingdom.
1) royalty, reign, kingdom
1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority
1b) kingdom
1c) realm (of territory)
1d) reign (of time)
ANcfsd/Ta — Noun common feminine singular determined · particleANcfsd/Ta
בַּר (bar) means 'son' in Aramaic, corresponding to the Hebrew בֵּן (ben). It can refer to a son, grandson, or child. The entries indicate that it is a direct equivalent of the Hebrew term, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
H1247 בַּר, בֵּן
1247 bar bar
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1121; a son, grandson, etc.:--X
old, son.
see HEBREW for 01121
בַּר (bar) — son.
son
Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
AR/Ncbsc — Preposition · noun common both singular constructAR/Ncbsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שְׁנָה (shnah) means 'year' and is related to the Hebrew word שָׁנָה (shanah). It appears in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, with the Aramaic form corresponding to a similar meaning. The entries consistently define it as 'year' without significant disagreement.
[שְׁנָה] n.f. year (v. BH שָׁנָה, √ I. [שָׁנָה])
base
H8140 שְׁנָה year (v. BH שָׁנָה, √ I. שָׁנָה)
8140 shnah shen-aw'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 8141:--year.
see HEBREW for 08141
שְׁנָה (she.nah) — year.
year
Aramaic of sha.neh (שָׁנָה "year" H8141)
ANcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteANcmpa
שִׁתִּין (shittiyn) is an Aramaic word meaning 'sixty' or 'threescore.' It is derived from the Hebrew word for sixty, שִׁשִּׁים (shishim). The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant disagreement.
שִׁתִּין n.indecl. sixty
base
H8361 שִׁתִּין
8361 shittiyn shit-teen'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 8346 (compare 8353);
sixty:--threescore.
see HEBREW for 08346
see HEBREW for 08353
שִׁתִּין (shit.tin) — sixty.
sixty, threescore
Aramaic of shish.shim (שִׁשִּׁים "sixty" H8346)
AAcmpa — AAcmpa
siks'-ti (shishshim; hexekonta).
See NUMBER.
תְּרֵין (treyn) is an Aramaic word meaning 'two.' It serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number, indicating 'two' and 'second.' The entries confirm its feminine form as תַּרְתֵּין (tarteyn) and note its use in combination with other numbers.
[תְּרֵין] n.m., תַּרְתֵּין f., two
base
H8648 תְּרֵין, תַּרְתֵּין
8648 treyn ter-ane'
(Aramaic) feminine tarteyn {tar-tane'}; corresponding to
8147; two:--second, + twelve, two.
see HEBREW for 08147
תְּרֵין (te.ren) — two.
1) two
1a) two (as cardinal number)
1b) second (as ordinal number)
1c) two (in combination with other numbers)
AC/Acfda — ConjunctionAC/Acfda
too.
See NUMBER.