Daniel 5

Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC, after a reign of forty-three years. . . .

Evil-Merodach (561–560), Nebuchadnezzar’s son, followed his father on the throne but was assassinated by his brother-in-law Neriglissar

Neriglissar reigned for four years then left the kingdom to his son Labashi-Marduk.

Labashi-Marduk ruled only a few months before also being assassinated and and followed by Nabonidus.

Nabonidus was Nebuchadnezzar’s son. He became king in 555 BC, but chose to live in the North Arabian desert to worship the moon god Sin, leaving the throne to his son Belshazzar.

Belshazzar was technically Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, leading some people to challenge the Bible’s accuracy.

"Father" in Hebrew and Greek can mean ancestor, forefather, or even just patriarch of a family line, not strictly a biological dad.

For example, in Genesis 32:9, Jacob refers to Abraham as his father. In 2 Kings 22:2, David is called Josiah’s father.

Since this chapter describes the fall of Babylon, it’s 539 B.C. and Daniel is probably over 80 years old

Read Daniel 5:1-9

What can we learn about Belshazzar from the feast in vv. 1-4?

The historicity of this feast has been confirmed by extra-biblical sources. Both the Greek historians, Herodotus and Xenophon, testified that a great banquet was in progress on the night Babylon fell. [Sam Storms, Daniel, Biblical Studies (Edmond, OK: Sam Storms, 2016), Da 5:1–4.]

What did Belshazzar see immediately after the desecration of the objects from the temple (v. 5)?

What did the hand do (v. 5)?

This is where “the handwriting on the wall” comes from

How did Belshazzar respond (v. 6)?

What did Belshazzar offer whoever could interpret the writing (v. 7)?

According to Dan. 5:7, 16, 29, Bel promised that he who could interpret the handwriting on the wall would be appointed “third ruler” in the kingdom, i.e., promised to make him a triumvir. If this is the correct interpretation of the verse it would harmonize well with the historical evidence: a triumvirate over Babylon consisting of Nabonidus, Belshazzar, and eventually Daniel. [Sam Storms, Daniel, Biblical Studies (Edmond, OK: Sam Storms, 2016), Da 5:1–31.]

How did the wise men respond (v. 8)?

Read Daniel 5:10-16

Who tells Belshazzar to summon Daniel? (v. 10)

This could’ve been Nabonidus’ wife (Bel’s mom) or Nebuchadnezzar’s wideo (Bel’s grandma)

Why did the queen tell Belshazzar to summon Daniel? (v. 11-12)

What did Belshazzar offer Daniel? (v. 16)

Read Daniel 5:17-28

How does Daniel respond to the king’s gifts in verse 17?

What does Daniel say to Belshazzar in verses 18-21?

Why does he begin this way? (v. 22-24)

What was the interpretation of the writing on the wall? (26-27)

Explanation

Commentary

Read Daniel 5:29-31

Why did Daniel receive the gifts? (v. 29)

That he did finally accept them [the gifts], as verse 29 indicates, likely was because the message had then been given, and no longer could any observer think of him as having been influenced by them. If the king still wished to bestow them after the dire warning had been given, that was his business, and Daniel needed no longer to refuse” [(Wood, 145). Sam Storms, Daniel, Biblical Studies (Edmond, OK: Sam Storms, 2016), Da 5:17.]

When did Daniel’s prophesy come true? (v. 30)