Bible Strands
Daniel 5:7
The 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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Belshazzar, paralyzed by fear after seeing the handwriting on the wall, summons Babylon’s professional diviners to solve the mystery. He addresses these wise men directly, offering royal honors to whoever deciphers the inscription.
The words — The Hebrew קָרֵא (qārēʾ) denotes the king’s urgent command to call out, while לְהֶעֱלָה (lēheʿēlâ) specifies the order to bring the conjurers and Chaldean astrologers into his presence.
The thread — This promise of royal reward echoes Belshazzar’s later fulfillment for Daniel in Daniel 5:29 and recalls Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier promotion in Daniel 2:48, while the king’s direct appeal to Daniel’s proven ability appears in Daniel 5:16.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that human wisdom fails before divine revelation. It requires the reader to wait for God’s appointed interpreter rather than rely on professional expertise.
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
The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Cross-references
- Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Daniel 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
- Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
- Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
- Daniel 2:6 But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
- Daniel 6:2 and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.
- Genesis 41:8 In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
- Numbers 22:7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
- Numbers 24:11 Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
- Esther 10:2 And all of Mordecai’s powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?