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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/5-7.htm" title="Daniel 5:7">◄</a> Daniel 5:8 <a href="/daniel/5-9.htm" title="Daniel 5:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/daniel/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/daniel/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then all the king&#8217s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/daniel/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/daniel/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/daniel/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/daniel/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise <i>men</i>: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/daniel/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now all the king’s wise <i>men</i> came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/daniel/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/daniel/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then all the king&#8217s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/daniel/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/daniel/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known its interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/daniel/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or reveal to the king its interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/daniel/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the king’s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/daniel/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the king&#8217s wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make its interpretation known to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/daniel/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/daniel/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All of King Belshazzar's highest officials came in, but not one of them could read the writing or tell what it meant, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/daniel/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/daniel/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All the king's wise advisers came, but they couldn't read the writing or tell the king its meaning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/daniel/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The royal advisers came forward, but none of them could read the writing or tell the king what it meant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/daniel/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the king's advisors came in, but they were unable to read the writing or tell the king what it meant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/daniel/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the king?s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/daniel/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So all the king's wise men came in, but they were unable to read the writing or to make known its interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/daniel/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/daniel/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/daniel/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in; but they could not read the writing, and couldn’t make known to the king the interpretation. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/daniel/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the wise men of the king are coming up, and they are not able to read the writing, and to make known the interpretation to the king;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/daniel/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Then coming up are all the wise men of the king, and they are not able to read the writing, and the interpretation to make known to the king;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/daniel/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise ones: and they were not able to read the writing, and to make known the interpretation to the king.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/daniel/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men, but they could neither read the writing, nor declare the interpretation to the king. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/daniel/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, in came all the wise men of the king, but they could neither read the writing, nor reveal the interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/daniel/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But though all the king’s wise men came in, none of them could either read the writing or tell the king what it meant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/daniel/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king the interpretation.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/daniel/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men; but they could not read the writing nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/daniel/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Then the Wise Men of the King were entering, and they were unable to read the writing and to make its translation known to the King <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/daniel/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/daniel/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known the interpretation to the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/daniel/5-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=1797" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/daniel/5.htm">The Handwriting on the Wall</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>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.” <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/116.htm" title="116: ’ĕ·ḏa·yin (Adv) -- Then, thereupon. (Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; then (of time).">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/3606.htm" title="3606: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. (Aramaic) corresponding to kol.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kā (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/2445.htm" title="2445: ḥak·kî·mê (N-mpc) -- A wise man. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chakam; wise, i.e. A Magian.">wise men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5954.htm" title="5954: ʿå̄·lă·līn (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- (Aramaic) corresponding to alal (in the sense of thrusting oneself in), to enter; causatively, to introduce.">came in,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3546.htm" title="3546: ḵā·hă·lîn (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be able. (Aramaic) a root corresponding to yakol and kuwl; to be able.">but they could</a> <a href="/hebrew/3809.htm" title="3809: wə·lā- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. (Aramaic) or lah (Aramaic) (Dan. 4:32); corresponding to lo'.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7123.htm" title="7123: lə·miq·rê (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To call, read out or aloud. (Aramaic) corresponding to qara'.">read</a> <a href="/hebrew/3792.htm" title="3792: kə·ṯā·ḇā (N-msd) -- A writing. (Aramaic) corresponding to kathab.">the inscription</a> <a href="/hebrew/6591.htm" title="6591: ū·p̄iš·rå̄ (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Interpretation. (Aramaic) from pshar; an interpretation.">or interpret it</a> <a href="/hebrew/3046.htm" title="3046: lə·hō·w·ḏā·‘āh (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To know. (Aramaic) corresponding to yada'."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: lə·mal·kā (Prep-l:: N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">for him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Genesis 41:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-11.htm">Exodus 7:11-12</a></span><br />But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Isaiah 47:12-13</a></span><br />So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-35.htm">Jeremiah 50:35-36</a></span><br />A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. / A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6-7</a></span><br />He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. / Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Ezekiel 21:21-22</a></span><br />For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver. / In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a></span><br />Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-8</a></span><br />They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1-2</a></span><br />After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38-39</a></span><br />Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11-12</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. / Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-29.htm">Luke 11:29-30</a></span><br />As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.</p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27</a></b></br> Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise <i>men</i>, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-7.htm">Daniel 4:7</a></b></br> Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Genesis 41:8</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but <i>there was</i> none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/daniel/4-37.htm">Able</a> <a href="/exodus/39-30.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/daniel/5-6.htm">King's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-11.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Read</a> <a href="/daniel/4-24.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Able</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/daniel/5-12.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/daniel/6-3.htm">King's</a> <a href="/mark/4-22.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Read</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/daniel/5-15.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-1.htm">Belshazzar's impious feast.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-5.htm">A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-10.htm">At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-17.htm">He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">reads and interprets the writing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/5-30.htm">The monarchy is translated to the Medes</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/daniel/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So all the king’s wise men came in</b><br>The wise men referred to here are likely the Chaldeans, astrologers, and magicians who served in the Babylonian court. These individuals were considered experts in interpreting dreams and signs, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The gathering of all the king's wise men underscores the gravity of the situation and the king's desperation for answers. Historically, Babylon was known for its scholarly pursuits, particularly in astrology and divination, which were integral to their religious and cultural practices.<p><b>but they could not read the inscription</b><br>The inability of the wise men to read the inscription suggests that the writing was in a form or language unknown to them. This highlights the limitations of human wisdom and understanding when confronted with divine mysteries. The inscription was likely in Aramaic or a cryptic form of it, which was not uncommon for divine messages. This moment foreshadows the need for divine revelation, which Daniel, a man of God, would later provide.<p><b>or interpret it for him</b><br>The failure to interpret the writing emphasizes the theme of divine sovereignty over human affairs. It also sets the stage for Daniel's entrance, who, through God's wisdom, would reveal the meaning. This inability to interpret the message parallels other biblical instances where human wisdom falls short, such as Pharaoh's dreams in <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Genesis 41</a>, which only Joseph could interpret. Theologically, this points to the necessity of divine intervention and revelation in understanding God's will and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_belshazzar.htm">King Belshazzar</a></b><br>The ruler of Babylon during the time of this event. He is known for his pride and disregard for the God of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wise_men_of_babylon.htm">Wise Men of Babylon</a></b><br>These were the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners who served in the king's court. They were unable to interpret the mysterious writing on the wall.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_inscription.htm">The Inscription</a></b><br>A mysterious writing that appeared on the wall during King Belshazzar's feast, which none of the wise men could interpret.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The capital city of the Babylonian Empire, known for its grandeur and as a center of pagan worship and wisdom.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_feast.htm">The Feast</a></b><br>A lavish banquet hosted by King Belshazzar, during which the writing appeared on the wall, signifying impending judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Human wisdom, no matter how advanced, is limited and cannot comprehend the things of God without divine revelation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. His plans and purposes will prevail, regardless of human understanding or intervention.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Pride can blind individuals to the truth. Belshazzar's arrogance led to his downfall, reminding us to remain humble before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_godly_wisdom.htm">The Need for Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>In times of confusion and uncertainty, seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to those who ask in faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ignoring_god.htm">The Consequences of Ignoring God</a></b><br>Ignoring God's warnings and living in defiance of His commands can lead to judgment, as seen in the fall of Babylon.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_daniel_absent_in_daniel_3.htm">Why is Daniel, a prominent figure in the king's court, conspicuously absent in the events of Daniel 3?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_nebuchadnezzar_dream_about.htm">What did Nebuchadnezzar dream about?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'mene_mene_tekel_upharsin'.htm">What does 'Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_men_did_jesus_heal_in_gadara.htm">How many demon-possessed men did Jesus heal in Gadara? (Matthew 8:28 vs. Mark 5:2)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Then</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> after the king had addressed the wise men whom he had summoned. But why could not they read an inscription which Daniel deciphered at first sight? It has been conjectured (1) that the character was old Semitic, or one which the wise men did not know; (2) that the language of the inscription was unknown to them; (3) that the words were written in vertical columns, and the wise men endeavoured to read them horizontally. The only true explanation is to be found in the supernatural character of the inscription, and in the inspiration of Daniel. In this way God asserts Himself against the false wisdom of the heathens.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof</span>. As we have already said, the Septuagint here repeats the list of wise men. and omits "the Chaldeans." If the word "Chaldean" had been in the text originally, the fact that astrologers were frequently called Chaldeans would render it unlikely that the word should be omitted. Whereas from this very ground it was a word specially apt to be added on the margin, and once on the margin it would easily drop into the text. Even in the case of the Massoretic text, there seems to be a repetition here. It is certainly more obvious in the Septuagint text. The verse according to the Septuagint is, "And there entered in the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the astrologers, and were not able to announce the interpretation of the writing." Theodotion agrees here with the received text; the Peshitta omits "all." The only way in which we can escape the idea of this being a repetition is by holding that the word "all" is emphatic. The omission of the word "all" from the Peshitta is against this. It is to be observed that in the Septuagint there is no reference to "reading the writing;" it is only to announce the interpretation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/daniel/5-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱדַ֙יִן֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·ḏa·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_116.htm">Strong's 116: </a> </span><span class="str2">Then, thereupon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3606.htm">Strong's 3606: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king’s</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְכָּ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(mal·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wise men</span><br /><span class="heb">חַכִּימֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥak·kî·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2445.htm">Strong's 2445: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wise, a Magian</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came in,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָֽלִּ֔ין</span> <span class="translit">(‘āl·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5954.htm">Strong's 5954: </a> </span><span class="str2">To enter, to introduce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they could</span><br /><span class="heb">כָהֲלִ֤ין</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·hă·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3546.htm">Strong's 3546: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3809.htm">Strong's 3809: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">read</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִקְרֵ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(lə·miq·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7123.htm">Strong's 7123: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, read out or aloud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the inscription</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּתָבָא֙</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ṯā·ḇā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3792.htm">Strong's 3792: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something written, a writing, record, book</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or interpret it</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄iš·rêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6591.htm">Strong's 6591: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interpretation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for [him].</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַלְכָּֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mal·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/daniel/5-8.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/5-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 5:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 5:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/5-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 5:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 5:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>