Daniel 5:31

Study note

Setting — Following the sudden death of Belshazzar that night, the narrative records the immediate transfer of royal authority to a new ruler.

The words — The Aramaic phrase דָרְיָ֙וֶשׁ (Dāryāwesh) identifies the incoming king, while קַבֵּ֖ל (qabbēl) denotes the act of receiving or taking possession of the מַלְכוּתָ֑א (malkūṯā), kingdom.

The thread — This figure is named again in Daniel 9:1 as a Mede appointed over the Chaldean kingdom, and in Daniel 6:1 where he reorganizes the administration by appointing 120 satraps.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that political power shifts instantly according to divine judgment, leaving no room for human continuity or royal succession.

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.