Daniel 5:15

KJV

And now the wise [men], the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

KJV (with Strong's)

And now {H3705} the wise {H2445} men, the astrologers {H826}, have been brought {H5954} in before {H6925} me, that they should read {H7123} this {H1836} writing {H3792}, and make known {H3046} unto me the interpretation {H6591} thereof: but they could {H3546} not {H3809} shew {H2324} the interpretation {H6591} of the thing {H4406}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the sages, the exorcists, were brought in to me so that they could read this inscription and tell me what it means, but they couldn't interpret it for me.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.

American Standard Version

And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:15 captures King Belshazzar's recounting of his desperate attempt to understand the mysterious handwriting on the wall. Having summoned his most trusted and learned advisors—the wise men and astrologers of Babylon—he charged them with the critical task of reading and interpreting the divine inscription. However, despite their renowned expertise in divination and occult knowledge, these esteemed figures proved utterly incapable of deciphering the message, highlighting the profound limitations of human wisdom when confronted with the sovereign revelation of God. Their failure sets the stage for God's chosen instrument, Daniel, to be brought forward.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by King Belshazzar himself, immediately following his initial terror and lavish promises to anyone who could interpret the divine handwriting that appeared on the palace wall during his feast (as detailed in [Daniel 5:5-7](/daniel/5-5 "Daniel 5:5-7 - The Handwriting on the Wall and Belshazzar's Terror")). The king had already seen his most trusted advisors—the Chaldean wise men, astrologers, and soothsayers—fail spectacularly in their attempts to read or interpret the ominous message, a failure explicitly stated in [Daniel 5:8](/daniel/5-8 "Daniel 5:8 - The Failure of the Wise Men"). Belshazzar's words in verse 15 serve to reiterate this failure, setting the narrative tension for the entrance of Daniel, who is subsequently recommended by the queen mother in [Daniel 5:10-12](/daniel/5-10 "Daniel 5:10-12 - The Queen Mother Recommends Daniel"). This repetition underscores the profound spiritual crisis facing Babylon and prepares the reader for God's chosen interpreter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel 5 takes place on the night Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians, during a grand feast hosted by King Belshazzar. Historically, Belshazzar was the co-regent with his father Nabonidus, making him the acting king in Babylon. Mesopotamian society, particularly the Babylonian court, placed immense value on divination, astrology, and various forms of occult knowledge. The "wise men" (including astrologers, enchanters, and sorcerers) were not merely scholars but highly influential and powerful figures who advised the king on matters of state, interpreted omens, and performed rituals. Their inability to interpret the writing was not just a personal failure but a profound spiritual and political crisis, demonstrating the impotence of Babylon's gods and their most esteemed practitioners in the face of the true God of Israel. This event occurs on the eve of Babylon's destruction, a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy and world history.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 5:15 powerfully illustrates the **failure of worldly wisdom** in the face of divine revelation. The most learned and spiritually connected individuals in the Babylonian Empire, from their own pagan perspective, could not decipher God's clear message, demonstrating the limitations and impotence of human intellect, divination, and occult practices. This highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and exclusive knowledge**, emphasizing that true understanding and interpretation of God's will come solely from Him, not from human ingenuity or pagan arts. The verse also serves a crucial narrative function by **setting the stage for God's instrument**, Daniel. The abject failure of the Chaldean wise men underscores Daniel's unique position as God's chosen vessel, contrasting sharply with their impotence and elevating God's power and Daniel's faith, as seen in Daniel's successful interpretation later in [Daniel 5:25-28](/daniel/5-25 "Daniel 5:25-28 - Daniel's Interpretation of the Handwriting").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wise (Aramaic, _chakkîym'_):** This term (H2445) refers to a "Magian" or a wise person, specifically within the context of the Babylonian court. These were not merely intellectually astute individuals but those who practiced various forms of divination, astrology, and occult arts. Their wisdom was rooted in human and demonic sources, making their failure to interpret God's message a stark demonstration of the inadequacy of such wisdom.
* **astrologers (Aramaic, _ʼashshâph'_):** This word (H826) denotes a "conjurer" or one who practices astrology and enchantment. These individuals were highly respected in Babylonian society for their supposed ability to interpret signs, omens, and celestial events to predict the future or understand divine will. Their inability to decipher the handwriting on the wall directly challenged the very foundation of their power and knowledge, revealing the supremacy of the God of Israel.
* **interpretation (Aramaic, _pᵉshar'_):** This term (H6591) specifically means an "interpretation." In the context of Daniel, it refers to the deciphering of dreams, visions, or, as here, mysterious writings. The repeated emphasis on their inability to "shew the interpretation" highlights that the message was not merely illegible, but its meaning was divinely obscured from those not enlightened by God, emphasizing the need for a supernatural revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now the wise [men], the astrologers, have been brought in before me":** Belshazzar recounts his immediate action following the terrifying appearance of the handwriting. He summoned the most esteemed and powerful members of his court, those considered the pinnacle of Babylonian wisdom and spiritual insight, to address the crisis. This demonstrates the king's reliance on his established system of advisors and the urgency of the situation.
* **"that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof":** The king clearly states the two-fold task he assigned to his wise men: first, to read the mysterious inscription, and second, and more importantly, to provide its meaning or interpretation. This highlights that the challenge was not merely linguistic but hermeneutical and spiritual, requiring insight beyond mere literacy.
* **"but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing":** This concluding clause delivers the critical outcome: the utter failure of the Babylonian wise men. Despite their collective knowledge, magical arts, and presumed connection to the divine, they were powerless to provide the king with the answers he desperately sought. This failure underscores the limitations of human wisdom and pagan practices when confronted with the sovereign and exclusive revelation of the Most High God.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:15 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very individuals designated as "wise men" and "astrologers"—those expected to possess profound insight and spiritual understanding—are rendered utterly foolish and impotent in the face of divine truth. Their inability to interpret the writing directly contradicts their professional claims and societal roles. This creates a sharp **contrast** between the purported wisdom of Babylon and the true, divine wisdom that only God can impart. The verse also builds **dramatic tension**, as the failure of the king's inner circle intensifies the mystery and the king's desperation, effectively setting the stage for the dramatic entrance of Daniel. Furthermore, the scene serves as **foreshadowing**, as the failure of Babylon's spiritual elite to understand God's message foreshadows the imminent fall of the Babylonian Empire itself, a judgment they could neither predict nor avert.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:15 powerfully illustrates the biblical theme of the limitation of human wisdom and the exclusive nature of divine revelation. In a world that often exalts human intellect, scientific discovery, or even occult practices as the ultimate source of knowledge, this verse serves as a stark reminder that true understanding, especially concerning spiritual realities and God's sovereign plans, originates solely from Him. The failure of Babylon's most esteemed wise men and astrologers demonstrates the spiritual bankruptcy of pagan systems and the futility of relying on human ingenuity or false deities to comprehend divine truths. God intentionally obscures His messages from those who do not seek Him or His truth, reserving such revelation for His chosen vessels, thereby magnifying His glory and authority over all earthly powers and wisdom.

* [1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - The Wisdom of the World Made Foolish")
* [Isaiah 44:25](/isaiah/44-25 "Isaiah 44:25 - God Frustrates Omens and Makes Diviners Mad")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - Wisdom and Knowledge Come from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Daniel 5:15 offers a timeless lesson for believers today. In a world saturated with information, expert opinions, and diverse philosophies, we are constantly tempted to place our ultimate trust in human wisdom, whether it be in financial advisors, political pundits, scientific consensus, or even self-help gurus. However, this verse reminds us that when confronted with life's deepest mysteries, spiritual challenges, or the unfolding of God's sovereign plan, human wisdom, no matter how sophisticated, often falls short. True insight and guidance, particularly in matters of faith and eternal significance, come from God alone, revealed through His Word and by His Spirit. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility, seeking divine revelation through diligent study of Scripture, fervent prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, rather than placing our ultimate confidence in the fleeting wisdom of this age.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on worldly wisdom or human expertise more than on God's divine guidance?**
* **How does the failure of the Babylonian wise men encourage you to seek understanding and direction primarily from God's Word and prayer?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God's wisdom rather than the wisdom of the world?**

### FAQ

**Who were the "wise men" and "astrologers" in Babylon, and what was their significance?**

Answer: In ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in Babylon, the "wise men" (Aramaic: _ḥakkîmîn_) and "astrologers" (Aramaic: _ʾaššāfîn_) were highly influential and respected members of the royal court. They comprised various classes of learned individuals, including magicians, enchanters, soothsayers, diviners, and interpreters of omens. Their role was critical: they advised the king, interpreted dreams and celestial events, and practiced various forms of occult arts to discern the will of the gods or predict future events. They represented the pinnacle of pagan spiritual and intellectual power within the Babylonian Empire. Their inability to interpret the handwriting on the wall was therefore a profound indictment of their entire system of knowledge and their gods, demonstrating that their wisdom was utterly inferior to the God of Israel.

**Why couldn't the Babylonian wise men interpret the writing on the wall, despite their expertise?**

Answer: The Babylonian wise men could not interpret the writing for several crucial reasons. Firstly, the message was not simply a linguistic puzzle but a divine revelation, a direct communication from the God of Israel. Their pagan practices and reliance on false deities provided no access to the true God's mind or His specific judgments. Secondly, God intentionally withheld the understanding from them. This served to highlight the limitations of human wisdom and divination, demonstrating that God's knowledge is exclusive and sovereign. Their failure also created a dramatic narrative void that only God's chosen instrument, Daniel, could fill, thereby magnifying God's power and Daniel's faith. The message itself was a judgment against Belshazzar and Babylon ([Daniel 5:25-28](/daniel/5-25 "Daniel 5:25-28 - Daniel's Interpretation of the Handwriting")), and God chose to reveal it through a faithful servant, not through those steeped in idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Daniel 5:15, with its stark portrayal of human wisdom's failure and the desperate need for divine revelation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Babylonian wise men, for all their accumulated knowledge and occult practices, could not decipher the mystery of God's judgment. This inadequacy points forward to a profound spiritual truth: humanity, left to its own devices, remains blind to the deepest truths of God and the mysteries of His kingdom. Jesus, however, is presented in Scripture as the very embodiment of divine wisdom and the ultimate revealer of God. In Him are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden all Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). He is the one "who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who interprets the divine will and executes God's judgment and salvation. Unlike the failed astrologers, Christ perfectly reveals the Father, for "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Makes God Known")). The failure of Babylon's wise men underscores the universal human need for a divine interpreter and mediator, a role perfectly fulfilled by Jesus, who is "the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's spiritual blindness, providing not just interpretation but salvation itself.

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 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. [And] the king spake, and said to the wise [men] of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:8

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.

Isaiah 47:12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Daniel 2:3

And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Daniel 2:11

And [it is] a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Isaiah 29:10

For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

Isaiah 29:12

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.