Bible Strands
Daniel 5:20
But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Daniel recounts the fate of a former ruler to Belshazzar during the banquet when the mysterious writing appears on the wall.
The words — The Hebrew term רִם (rim, "rose up") describes the heart’s arrogance, while תִּֽקְפַת (tikfat, "grew strong") paired with לַ/הֲזָדָה (la/haZadah, "to act presumptuously") details the spirit’s hardened pride.
The thread — This pattern of exalted pride meeting deposed authority appears in 2 Kings 17:14 and 2 Chronicles 36:13 regarding stubborn rebellion, while Exodus 9:17 notes a ruler’s refusal to release a people.
Why it lands — The text states that arrogance and a hardened spirit directly result in the loss of throne and glory, demanding recognition that human authority is subordinate to divine sovereignty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 17:14 But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.
- Exodus 9:17 Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.
- 2 Chronicles 36:13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”
- Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
- Job 40:11 Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
- Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
- Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations.
- Jeremiah 19:15 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am about to bring on this city and on all the villages around it every disaster I have pronounced against them, because they have stiffened their necks so as not to heed My words.’”