Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. New Living Translation For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! English Standard Version but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. Berean Standard Bible Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. Berean Literal Bible and against the Lord of heaven you have lifted yourself up. And the vessels of His house they have brought before you, and you, and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines, have been drinking wine from them. And to the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see, and do not hear, and do not have knowledge, you have given praise. And to the God in whose hand is your breath, and all your ways are to Him, you have not shown honor! King James Bible But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: New King James Version And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. New American Standard Bible but you have risen up against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines have been drinking wine out of them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified. NASB 1995 but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified. NASB 1977 but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified. Legacy Standard Bible but you have raised yourself up against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear, or know. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not honored. Amplified Bible And you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven, and the vessels of His house have been brought before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But the God who holds in His hand your breath of life and your ways you have not honored and glorified [but have dishonored and defied]. Berean Annotated Bible Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. Christian Standard Bible Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life. Holman Christian Standard Bible Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life. American Standard Version but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. Contemporary English Version Instead, you turned against him and ordered the cups from his temple to be brought here, so that you and your wives and officials could drink wine from them. You praised idols made of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, even though they cannot see or hear or think. You refused to worship the God who gives you breath and controls everything you do. English Revised Version but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: GOD'S WORD® Translation But you made yourself greater than the Lord of heaven. You had the utensils from his temple brought to you. You, your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them. You praised your gods made of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, or stone. These gods can't see, hear, or know anything. You didn't honor God, who has power over your life and everything you do. Good News Translation You acted against the Lord of heaven and brought in the cups and bowls taken from his Temple. You, your noblemen, your wives, and your concubines drank wine out of them and praised gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone--gods that cannot see or hear and that do not know anything. But you did not honor the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do. International Standard Version "You've exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. "You've had the vessels from his Temple brought into your presence. "And you, your officials, and your wives and mistresses drank wine from them. "You praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which can't see, hear, or demonstrate knowledge. "But you didn't honor God, who holds in his power your very life and all your ways. NET Bible Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You brought before you the vessels from his temple, and you and your nobles, together with your wives and concubines, drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone--gods that cannot see or hear or comprehend! But you have not glorified the God who has in his control your very breath and all your ways! New Heart English Bible but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your secondary wives, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor know. And the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified. Webster's Bible Translation But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drank wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleInstead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. World English Bible but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand against the Lord of the heavens you have lifted up yourself; and the vessels of His house they have brought in before you, and you, and your great men, your wives, and your concubines, are drinking wine with them, and gods of silver, and of gold, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone, that are not seeing, nor hearing, nor knowing, you have praised: and the God in whose hand [is] your breath, and all your ways, Him you have not honored. Berean Literal Bible and against the Lord of heaven you have lifted yourself up. And the vessels of His house they have brought before you, and you, and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines, have been drinking wine from them. And to the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see, and do not hear, and do not have knowledge, you have given praise. And to the God in whose hand is your breath, and all your ways are to Him, you have not shown honor! Young's Literal Translation and against the Lord of the heavens thou hast lifted up thyself; and the vessels of His house they have brought in before thee, and thou, and thy great men, thy wives, and thy concubines, are drinking wine with them, and gods of silver, and of gold, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone, that are not seeing, nor hearing, nor knowing, thou hast praised: and the God in whose hand is thy breath, and all thy ways, Him thou hast not honoured. Smith's Literal Translation And against the Lord of the heavens thou didst lift up thyself; and for the vessels of his house they brought before thee, and thou and thy nobles, and thy wives, and thy concubines, drinking wine in them; and to the gods of silver and gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone, who see not, and hear not, and know not, thou didst praise: and to the God whom thy breath in his hand, and all thy ways to him, thou didst not honor. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut hast lifted thyself up against the Lord of heaven: and the vessels of his house have been brought before thee: and thou, and thy nobles, and thy wives, and thy concubines have drunk wine in them: and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and of gold, and of brass, of iron, and of wood, and of stone, that neither see, nor hear, nor feel: but the God who hath thy breath in his hand, and all thy ways, thou hast not glorified. Catholic Public Domain Version But you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been presented before you. And you, and your nobles, and your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. Likewise, you have praised the gods of silver, and gold, and brass, iron, and wood and stone, who neither see, nor hear, nor feel, yet you have not glorified the God who holds your breath and all your ways in his hand. New American Bible you have rebelled against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your consorts and your concubines, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your very breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. New Revised Standard Version You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven! The vessels of his temple have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know; but the God in whose power is your very breath, and to whom belong all your ways, you have not honored. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut have lifted up yourself against the LORD of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your princes, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine out of them; and you have praised the gods of gold and silver, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which neither see nor hear nor know; and the God in whose hands is your breath and all your ways, you have not glorified nor honored. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you have exalted yourself against THE LORD of Heaven and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your Princes and you caused your wives and your Concubines to drink wine in them, and you praised gods of gold and of silver and of brass and of iron and of wood and of stone that do not see and do not hear and do not know, and the God in whose hands is your breath and with whom are all your ways, you have not praised and you have not honored OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy consorts and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified; Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou has been exalted against the Lord God of heaven; and they have brought before thee the vessels of his house, and thou, and thy nobles, and thy mistresses, and thy concubines, have drunk wine out of them; and thou has praised the gods of gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, and wood, and stone, which see not, and which hear not, and know not: and the God in whose hand are thy breath, and all thy ways has thou not glorified. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Daniel Interprets the Handwriting…22But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. 24Therefore He sent the hand that wrote the inscription.… Cross References Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! Psalm 2:1-4 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” … Daniel 4:30-32 the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” The vessels from His house were brought to you, 2 Chronicles 36:18 who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. 2 Kings 24:13 As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD. Daniel 1:2 And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god. and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, Esther 1:3-8 In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. / And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness. / At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. … 1 Kings 11:1-3 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. Proverbs 31:4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, Daniel 2:32-35 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, / its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. / As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. … Isaiah 40:19-20 To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. Isaiah 44:9-17 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. … which cannot see or hear or understand. Deuteronomy 4:28 And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; … Psalm 135:15-18 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. … But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Treasury of Scripture But have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you, and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine in them; and you have praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, have you not glorified: lifted. Daniel 5:3,4 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them… 2 Kings 14:10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: the Lord. Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Genesis 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. and they. Daniel 5:2-4 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein… 1 Samuel 5:1-9 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod… hath praised. Judges 16:23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. which. Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… Psalm 135:15-17 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… Isaiah 37:19 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. in whose. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Jump to Previous Brass Breath Concubines Drunk Glorified Gods Gold Hand Hear Heaven House Iron Lifted Lords Praised Silver Stone Thyself Vessels Ways Wine Wives WoodJump to Next Brass Breath Concubines Drunk Glorified Gods Gold Hand Hear Heaven House Iron Lifted Lords Praised Silver Stone Thyself Vessels Ways Wine Wives WoodDaniel 5 1. Belshazzar's impious feast.5. A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king. 10. At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought. 17. He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry, 25. reads and interprets the writing. 30. The monarchy is translated to the Medes Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. This phrase highlights the pride and arrogance of Belshazzar, the Babylonian king. In biblical context, pride is often condemned as it leads individuals to challenge God's authority. The "Lord of heaven" emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation, contrasting with the earthly power of Babylon. This act of self-exaltation is reminiscent of Lucifer's fall (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where human pride led to divine judgment. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. Persons / Places / Events 1. BelshazzarThe king of Babylon during the time of this event. He is known for his pride and sacrilege, as he used the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for a profane feast. 2. Daniel A Jewish exile and prophet who interprets the writing on the wall for King Belshazzar. He is known for his wisdom and faithfulness to God. 3. Babylon The city and empire where this event takes place. It was a center of power and idolatry during this period. 4. The Writing on the Wall A miraculous event where mysterious writing appears on the wall during Belshazzar's feast, interpreted by Daniel as a message of judgment from God. 5. The Sacred Vessels Items taken from the temple in Jerusalem, used by Belshazzar in a blasphemous manner during his feast. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideBelshazzar's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and arrogance. Pride can lead us away from acknowledging God's sovereignty and result in our downfall. Respect for the Sacred The misuse of the temple vessels by Belshazzar highlights the importance of respecting what is holy. We should treat God's gifts and symbols with reverence. God's Sovereignty Despite human pride and rebellion, God's sovereignty is unchallenged. He holds the power to humble the proud and exalt the humble. The Importance of Humility Daniel's role as a humble servant of God contrasts with Belshazzar's arrogance. Humility before God is essential for receiving His wisdom and guidance. Judgment and Accountability Belshazzar's judgment serves as a reminder that we are accountable to God for our actions. We must live with an awareness of His righteous standards. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Daniel 5:23?2. How does Daniel 5:23 highlight the consequences of pride against God? 3. What does "the God who holds your life" teach about God's sovereignty? 4. How can we avoid Belshazzar's mistake of dishonoring God with our actions? 5. Compare Daniel 5:23 with Proverbs 16:18 on pride and downfall. 6. How can we honor God daily, acknowledging His control over our lives? 7. How does Daniel 5:23 challenge the belief in human sovereignty over divine authority? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 5:23? 9. How does Daniel 5:23 illustrate the consequences of pride against God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5? 11. What happened to Belshazzar during the feast? 12. In Daniel 5:5, how could a disembodied hand literally write on the wall, and isn't this account scientifically implausible? 13. In Daniel 5:2, how do we reconcile calling Belshazzar the 'son' of Nebuchadnezzar with known Babylonian lineage? 14. Why is Daniel unknown to Belshazzar (Daniel 5:7-13) despite his prominent role under Nebuchadnezzar described in earlier chapters? What Does Daniel 5:23 Mean Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven.• Belshazzar lifted himself above the One who had placed him on the throne (cf. Proverbs 16:18; Daniel 4:25, 32). • Exalting self is the essence of pride seen earlier in Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:15; 4:30) and in Satan’s own rebellion (Isaiah 14:13-14). • Scripture calls us instead to “humble yourselves… that He may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:5-6). Ignoring this order invites God’s swift opposition (James 4:6). The vessels from His house were brought to you. • These sacred articles came from the Jerusalem temple (2 Kings 25:13-15; 2 Chronicles 36:18). They belonged exclusively to God’s worship (Exodus 25:29). • Using what is holy for carnal entertainment was an act of deliberate desecration. Compare Israel’s warning in Isaiah 22:12-13, where God’s call to repentance is met with partying instead. • God’s patience had already been tested; this final insult showed Belshazzar’s utter contempt for the Lord’s holiness (Hebrews 10:29). You praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. • The king replaced the living God with lifeless idols (Psalm 115:4-8; Jeremiah 10:3-5). • Idolatry always trades truth for a lie (Romans 1:23-25). • Isaiah mocks this folly: the same tree furnishes both a fire and a god (Isaiah 44:13-20). Belshazzar’s banquet was a vivid picture of that absurd exchange. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. • The indictment narrows to a single charge: neglecting to honor the true Sovereign (Romans 1:21). • God is not remote; “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10; cf. Acts 17:25). • To refuse Him glory is to deny the very One who sustains life (Colossians 1:17). Like Herod in Acts 12:21-23, Belshazzar learned that stolen glory brings sudden judgment. summary Daniel 5:23 exposes Belshazzar’s layered rebellion: prideful self-exaltation, profaning holy things, bowing to impotent idols, and withholding glory from the God who sustains him. Each step heightened his accountability until the handwriting on the wall sealed his fate. The passage calls readers to honor God’s holiness, reject idolatry in every form, and remember that the Lord of heaven still holds our breath and directs our ways. (23) Gods of silver . . .--Comp. Deuteronomy 4:28. Belshazzar had exceeded those limits of authority over Israel which he had by right of conquest. The Israelites were, indeed, his subjects, but he had no right to blaspheme their God. For similar instances of men exceeding the limits of their authority while acting as ministers of God's chastisement, see Isaiah 10:5-18; Jeremiah 51:20-25; Hosea 14, 5.Not glorified--i.e., dishonoured. Hebrew Instead, you have exaltedהִתְרוֹמַ֡מְתָּ (hiṯ·rō·w·mam·tā) Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7313: To be high, to rise, raise yourself against וְעַ֣ל (wə·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against the Lord מָרֵֽא־ (mā·rê-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4756: Lord -- lord of heaven. שְׁמַיָּ֣א ׀ (šə·may·yā) Noun - mdd Strong's 8065: The sky The vessels וּלְמָֽאנַיָּ֨א (ū·lə·mā·nay·yā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 3984: Vessel, utensil from דִֽי־ (ḏî-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because His house בַיְתֵ֜הּ (ḇay·ṯêh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1005: A house were brought הַיְתִ֣יו (hay·ṯîw) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 858: To arrive to you, קָֽדָמָ֗ךְ (qā·ḏā·māḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 6925: Before and as you וְאַ֨נְתְּ (wə·’ant) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 607: You drank שָׁתַ֣יִן (šā·ṯa·yin) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8355: To imbibe wine from them חַמְרָא֮ (ḥam·rā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 2562: Wine with your nobles, וְרַבְרְבָנָ֜ךְ (wə·raḇ·rə·ḇā·nāḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7261: Lord, noble wives, שֵֽׁגְלָתָ֣ךְ (šê·ḡə·lā·ṯāḵ) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7695: (royal) consort and concubines, וּלְחֵנָתָךְ֮ (ū·lə·ḥê·nā·ṯāḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3904: A concubine you praised שַׁבַּ֑חְתָּ (šab·baḥ·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7624: To adulate, adore gods וְלֵֽאלָהֵ֣י (wə·lê·lā·hê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 426: God of silver כַסְפָּֽא־ (ḵas·pā-) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 3702: Silver, money and gold, וְ֠דַהֲבָא (wə·ḏa·hă·ḇā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 1722: Gold bronze נְחָשָׁ֨א (nə·ḥā·šā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 5174: Copper, bronze and iron, פַרְזְלָ֜א (p̄ar·zə·lā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 6523: Iron wood אָעָ֣א (’ā·‘ā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 636: A tree, wood and stone, וְאַבְנָ֗א (wə·’aḇ·nā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate Strong's 69: A stone which דִּ֠י (dî) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because cannot לָֽא־ (lā-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3809: Not, no see חָזַ֧יִן (ḥā·za·yin) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual or וְלָא־ (wə·lā-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3809: Not, no hear שָׁמְעִ֛ין (šā·mə·‘în) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8086: To hear intelligently or וְלָ֥א (wə·lā) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3809: Not, no understand. יָדְעִ֖ין (yā·ḏə·‘în) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3046: To know But you have failed to לָ֥א (lā) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3809: Not, no glorify הַדַּֽרְתָּ׃ (had·dar·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1922: To glorify (God) the God וְלֵֽאלָהָ֞א (wə·lê·lā·hā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 426: God who [holds] דִּֽי־ (dî-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because in His hand בִּידֵ֛הּ (bî·ḏêh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3028: A hand your very breath נִשְׁמְתָ֥ךְ (niš·mə·ṯāḵ) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5396: Vital breath and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every your ways. אֹרְחָתָ֥ךְ (’ō·rə·ḥā·ṯāḵ) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 735: A road Links Daniel 5:23 NIVDaniel 5:23 NLT Daniel 5:23 ESV Daniel 5:23 NASB Daniel 5:23 KJV Daniel 5:23 BibleApps.com Daniel 5:23 Biblia Paralela Daniel 5:23 Chinese Bible Daniel 5:23 French Bible Daniel 5:23 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Daniel 5:23 But have lifted up yourself against (Dan. 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