Daniel 5:13

KJV

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. [And] the king spake and said unto Daniel, [Art] thou that Daniel, which [art] of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} was Daniel {H1841} brought in {H5954} before {H6925} the king {H4430}. And the king {H4430} spake {H6032} and said {H560} unto Daniel {H1841}, Art thou {H607} that Daniel {H1841}, which art of {H4481} the children {H1123} of the captivity {H1547} of Judah {H3061}, whom the king {H4430} my father {H2} brought {H858} out of {H4481} Jewry {H3061}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Dani'el was brought into the king's presence. The king said to Dani'el, "Are you Dani'el, one of the exiles from Y'hudah whom the king my father brought out of Y'hudah?

Berean Standard Bible

So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

American Standard Version

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, who art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:13 vividly captures the pivotal moment when the prophet Daniel is finally presented before King Belshazzar, who is in a state of terror and desperation following the appearance of the mysterious handwriting on the wall. The king's initial inquiry immediately establishes Daniel's renowned identity as a Judean exile, highlighting his unique background and his historical connection to the previous reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, thereby setting the critical stage for Daniel to deliver God's profound message of judgment upon the Babylonian kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The fifth chapter of Daniel opens with King Belshazzar's audacious feast, during which he compounds his revelry by sacrilegiously using the sacred vessels plundered from the temple in Jerusalem. This act of profound disrespect towards the God of Israel precipitates the immediate appearance of a disembodied hand, writing an ominous message on the palace wall, plunging the king and his court into abject fear. After his own Chaldean wise men and astrologers prove utterly incapable of interpreting the divine inscription, the queen mother, recalling Daniel's unparalleled wisdom and his past service under King Nebuchadnezzar, strongly advises Belshazzar to summon him. Daniel 5:13 marks the dramatic and long-anticipated entrance of Daniel into this scene of royal panic and spiritual blindness. The king's opening words, though seemingly a simple inquiry, subtly underscore Daniel's established reputation and his unique standing as a man of divine insight, preparing the reader for the earth-shattering revelation Daniel is about to deliver.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Daniel 5 transpire in 539 BC, on the very night Babylon falls to the invading Medo-Persian forces under Cyrus the Great. Belshazzar, serving as co-regent with his father Nabonidus, was responsible for the defense of the city. The phrase "the king my father" (KJV) in this context most likely refers to Nebuchadnezzar, who was Belshazzar's grandfather or a significant royal predecessor, as it was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern royal genealogies to refer to any prominent ancestor or dynastic founder as "father." The "captivity of Judah" refers to the series of deportations of the Judean population to Babylon, which commenced in 605 BC, followed by further exiles in 597 BC and 586 BC, fulfilling the prophetic warnings given through figures like Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity")). Daniel himself was part of the initial wave of exiles, brought to Babylon as a young man of noble birth (cf. [Daniel 1:1-6](/daniel/1-1-6 "Daniel 1:1-6 - Daniel's Arrival and Training in Babylon")). The archaic term "Jewry" is an older English designation for the territory of Judah or Judea, the homeland from which the Jewish captives originated.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, illustrating God's meticulous control over human history and His ability to elevate His chosen servants, such as Daniel, at the precise moment they are needed to fulfill His divine purposes, even after periods of apparent obscurity. Secondly, it starkly contrasts **Wisdom from God versus Human Folly and Impotence**. Belshazzar's reliance on his own court astrologers and wise men proved utterly futile, emphasizing that genuine wisdom and the ability to discern divine truth originate solely from God, a truth Daniel consistently demonstrated throughout his life (cf. [Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20-23 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise and Interpretation")). Thirdly, the king's specific inquiry about Daniel's origins and his connection to the "captivity of Judah" underscores the enduring theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**, even amidst their exile, and highlights their distinct identity and divine calling amidst the pagan cultures of Babylon (cf. [Daniel 1:8](/daniel/1-8 "Daniel 1:8 - Daniel's Resolve Not to Defile Himself")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **then (Aramaic, _ʼĕdayin'_):** This Aramaic adverb denotes a specific point in time, indicating a consequential sequence of events. In Daniel 5:13, it marks the immediate and dramatic shift in the narrative, signaling the precise moment Daniel is brought into the king's presence, following the failure of all other attempts to interpret the divine message. It underscores the urgency and the critical nature of Daniel's arrival.
* **king (Aramaic, _melek'_):** This term refers to a monarch or sovereign ruler. Belshazzar's repeated designation as "king" in this verse highlights his position of ultimate authority within the Babylonian empire, yet paradoxically, it also sets up the dramatic contrast with his utter powerlessness and terror in the face of divine judgment, which only Daniel, a servant of the true King, can explain.
* **captivity (Aramaic, _gâlûwth'_):** This word specifically refers to the state of being exiled or deported, and by extension, the collective body of those who have been taken captive. Belshazzar's explicit mention of Daniel being "of the children of the captivity of Judah" immediately frames Daniel within the context of God's judgment upon Judah and the subsequent displacement of His people, a historical reality that forms the essential backdrop for Daniel's prophetic ministry in Babylon and his unique ability to understand divine decrees.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then was Daniel brought in before the king."**: This clause marks the highly anticipated and dramatic entrance of Daniel, summoned by royal decree, into the presence of the terrified King Belshazzar. It signifies a crucial turning point in the narrative, shifting the focus from the king's failed attempts to find an interpreter to the arrival of God's divinely appointed messenger, whose presence alone carries an air of authority and destiny.
* **"And the king spake and said unto Daniel,"**: This introduces the direct interaction between the two central figures of the chapter: the desperate pagan king and the faithful prophet of God. Belshazzar, despite his fear and the immense pressure of the moment, initiates the conversation, setting the tone for his subsequent plea for interpretation and Daniel's bold, uncompromising pronouncement of divine judgment.
* **"Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah,"**: This rhetorical question serves to confirm Daniel's identity and background, even as it implicitly acknowledges his widespread reputation ("that Daniel"). Belshazzar explicitly states Daniel's origin as a Judean exile, highlighting the king's awareness of Daniel's unique heritage and the specific circumstances that brought him to Babylon, which were directly tied to God's sovereign plan for His people.
* **"whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?"**: This final clause further specifies Daniel's historical context, linking his arrival in Babylon directly to King Nebuchadnezzar (referred to as "my father" in the sense of a royal predecessor) and the initial deportations from Judah ("Jewry"). It underscores the continuity of Daniel's presence and renown within the Babylonian court across successive reigns and implicitly acknowledges Nebuchadnezzar's wisdom in recognizing and utilizing such gifted individuals, even those from a conquered nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **literary devices** that intensify the drama and underscore the theological significance of Daniel's arrival. The king's opening statement, "Art thou that Daniel...?", functions as a **rhetorical question**, which, while phrased as an inquiry, primarily serves as an emphatic affirmation of Daniel's well-established identity and reputation, particularly his connection to the Judean captivity and the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. This rhetorical device immediately highlights the stark **contrast** between Belshazzar's current state of utter helplessness and Daniel's long-standing, divinely-granted wisdom. There is a palpable sense of **dramatic irony** at play, as Belshazzar, through his ignorant sacrilege, has unwittingly brought about the very crisis that necessitates the intervention of a servant of the God he has just blasphemed. Furthermore, the explicit references to "the king my father" and "the captivity of Judah" serve as crucial **historical allusions**, firmly grounding the immediate narrative in the broader context of God's sovereign judgment on Judah and His overarching control over the rise and fall of nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:13 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign timing and His remarkable ability to elevate His faithful servants precisely when they are most needed to fulfill His divine purposes. After years of apparent obscurity within the Babylonian court, Daniel's reputation for divine wisdom resurfaces at this critical juncture, demonstrating unequivocally that God never forgets His own and can bring them into prominence for His glory, even in the most hostile and spiritually dark environments. This moment profoundly underscores the theological truth that genuine wisdom and true understanding originate not from human ingenuity, pagan divination, or worldly power, but solely from the one true God, who delights in revealing His secrets to those who walk in His ways. It also subtly emphasizes the enduring identity and distinct calling of God's covenant people, even in the midst of their exile, as set apart from the surrounding pagan cultures.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God is the Judge Who Exalts and Abases")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 5:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us of the perfect timing of God and His intricate preparation of individuals for specific moments of influence, even if their period of usefulness isn't immediately apparent. Daniel's unwavering faithfulness, uncompromised integrity, and consistent reliance on God, maintained throughout decades of exile in a foreign land, built a formidable reputation that ultimately led him to a position where he could deliver a crucial divine message to a pagan king on the precipice of judgment. This narrative powerfully encourages us to cultivate and maintain our integrity, to trust implicitly in God's overarching plan for our lives, and to remain steadfast in our devotion, knowing that He can bring us to prominence or utilize us for His purposes at any time, just as He sovereignly did for Daniel in the heart of Babylon. Our character, forged in faithfulness during the ordinary, unseen moments of life, becomes the essential foundation for extraordinary divine appointments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "in exile" or overlooked, and how might God be preparing you for a future purpose that is not yet clear?**
* **How does Daniel's enduring reputation, even after years of apparent obscurity, challenge you to live a life of consistent integrity and unwavering faithfulness to God?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's absolute sovereignty over earthly rulers, kingdoms, and the unfolding of human history?**

### FAQ
**Why did Belshazzar need to ask "Art thou that Daniel"? Didn't he know who Daniel was, given his past service?**

Answer: While Daniel was indeed a renowned figure from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar's question likely served several nuanced purposes beyond simple identification. Firstly, Daniel, being an older man by this time, may have been less prominent or even out of favor in Belshazzar's court, which was relatively short and perhaps characterized by different advisors and political factions. Secondly, the question emphasizes Daniel's specific background: "of the children of the captivity of Judah," highlighting his foreign, exiled status and his unique connection to Nebuchadnezzar, which was central to the queen mother's strong recommendation to summon him (cf. [Daniel 5:10-12](/daniel/5-10-12 "Daniel 5:10-12 - The Queen Mother's Counsel to Belshazzar")). It functions as a rhetorical question, confirming his identity and the precise reason for his summons—his unique, divinely-given wisdom that profoundly set him apart from the impotent Babylonian wise men (cf. [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28 - Daniel Declares God Reveals Secrets")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's dramatic appearance before King Belshazzar, a monarch steeped in idolatry and defiant rebellion against God, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation between the kingdom of darkness and the glorious Kingdom of God, supremely personified in Jesus Christ. Daniel, the "son of the captivity" brought in to interpret divine judgment, serves as a profound type of Christ, who came from the "captivity" of humanity's sin and alienation from God to declare God's ultimate truth and righteous judgment upon a fallen world (cf. [John 3:16-19](/john/3-16-19 "John 3:16-19 - God's Love and Judgment Through Jesus")). Just as Daniel was uniquely gifted with divine wisdom to reveal hidden mysteries and interpret the inscrutable (cf. [Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")), Christ is the very embodiment of God's wisdom and the ultimate, perfect revealer of God's will and redemptive plan for salvation (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). Belshazzar's desperate plea for light and understanding in his moment of terror mirrors humanity's profound need for the true light of the world (cf. [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who ultimately brings both judgment upon those who reject Him and eternal life to all who believe (cf. [John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing Jesus' Word and Believing")). The prophetic declaration of Babylon's fall, delivered by Daniel, points inexorably to the ultimate triumph of Christ's eternal kingdom over all earthly powers, spiritual wickedness, and the final overthrow of every opposing dominion (cf. [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 6:13

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which [is] of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Daniel 5:11

There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, [I say], thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, [and] soothsayers;

Daniel 2:25

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Ezra 10:16

And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, [with] certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by [their] names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

Ezra 4:1

¶ Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

John 7:3

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

Ezra 6:19

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth [day] of the first month.