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The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation of it, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Verse Takeaways

1

Seeking Help in Wrong Places

In his terror, Belshazzar immediately called for his usual astrologers. Commentators like Calvin point out this was a willful act of spiritual blindness. The king likely knew of Daniel's proven power from his grandfather's time but chose to seek answers from what Matthew Henry calls "lying vanities." This serves as a powerful warning that in crisis, our instinct can be to turn to familiar but powerless worldly solutions instead of to God.

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Book Overview

Daniel

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Commentaries

5

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Daniel 5:7

18th Century

Theologian

And the king cried aloud - The margin, as in the Chaldee, reads “with might.” This indicates a sudden and alarming cry. The king wa…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Daniel 5:7

19th Century

Bishop

The astrologers. It is worthy of notice that on this occasion the magicians (the chartummim) do not appear. We must eithe…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Daniel 5:7

16th Century

Theologian

The Prophet narrates how King Belshazzar sought a remedy for his anxiety; from this we gather how his mind was so quickly wounded, and how he felt …

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John Gill

John Gill

On Daniel 5:7

17th Century

Pastor

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the
Chaldeans, and the soothsayers
Or, "with strength" …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Daniel 5:1–9

17th Century

Minister

Belshazzar defied the judgments of God. Most historians consider that Cyrus was then besieging Babylon. Complacency and sensuality are sad signs of…