Bible Strands
Daniel 5:6
his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records King Belshazzar’s physical and mental collapse at the exact moment he watches a disembodied hand write on the palace wall. The text describes his visceral reaction before he calls the Babylonian wise men to interpret the inscription.
The words — The phrase זִיוֹהִי שְׁנֹהִי (ziyo-hi she-no-hi) literally means "his brightness changed," denoting the sudden pallor of the king's face. The clause וְרַעְיֹנֹהִי יְבַהֲלוּנֵּהּ (ve-ra'yo-no-hi ye-vaha-lu-ne-h) translates to "and his thoughts alarmed him," marking the internal panic that precedes his physical collapse.
The thread — This physiological description of terror parallels Ezekiel 7:17, where every hand goes limp and every knee turns to water, and echoes Daniel 7:28, where Daniel notes his own troubled thoughts and pale face. Nahum 2:10 also lists these exact signs of dread: melting hearts, knocking knees, and pale faces.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to see that royal authority and composure vanish instantly under direct divine judgment. It demands acknowledgment that human status cannot buffer against the reality of a sovereign warning.
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
Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 7:17 Every hand will go limp, and every knee will turn to water.
- Daniel 7:28 Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”
- Nahum 2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!
- Psalms 69:23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
- Ezekiel 21:7 And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”
- Daniel 4:5 I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.
- Isaiah 13:7 Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.
- Daniel 4:19 For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!
- Daniel 5:9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.
- Job 15:20 A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.