Daniel 5:15

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:

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}:

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.

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.

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.

Context

Daniel 5:15 is spoken by King Belshazzar during the infamous feast where a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the palace wall. This verse immediately follows Belshazzar's desperate offer of lavish rewards to anyone who could read and interpret the terrifying inscription (Daniel 5:7). Despite his initial panic and the grand promises, the king's own trusted advisors, including the Babylonian wise men and astrologers, proved utterly incapable of understanding the divine message. Their failure sets the stage for Daniel, a man of God, to be brought before the king, as suggested by the queen mother in Daniel 5:10-12.

Key Themes

  • Failure of Worldly Wisdom: The verse powerfully illustrates the limitations and impotence of human wisdom, divination, and occult practices when confronted with divine revelation. The most learned and spiritually connected individuals in the Babylonian Empire—from their own perspective—could not decipher God's clear message.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Exclusive Knowledge: God's messages are often beyond the grasp of human intellect alone, especially when they pertain to His judgment or future plans. This highlights that true understanding and interpretation come from Him, not from human ingenuity or pagan arts.
  • Setting the Stage for God's Instrument: The inability of the astrologers to interpret the writing serves a crucial narrative purpose: it underscores Daniel's unique position as God's chosen vessel. His eventual success in interpreting the message (Daniel 5:25-28) contrasts sharply with the failure of the Chaldean wise men, elevating God's power and Daniel's faith.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "wise [men], the astrologers" translates from the Aramaic terms ḥakkîmîn (wise men) and ʾaššāfîn (enchanters or astrologers). These were not simply scholars, but members of the Babylonian court who practiced various forms of magic, divination, and interpretation of omens. They represented the peak of pagan spiritual and intellectual power in that culture. Their inability to interpret the writing signifies a profound spiritual crisis for Babylon, demonstrating that their gods and their wisdom were inferior to the God of Israel.

Practical Application

Daniel 5:15 serves as a timeless reminder that human knowledge, even at its most sophisticated, has limits, especially when it comes to understanding spiritual truths or God's will. We are often tempted to rely on our own intellect, worldly experts, or popular opinions to navigate life's challenges. However, this verse emphasizes that true wisdom and insight, particularly regarding spiritual matters, come from God alone. It encourages us to seek divine revelation through His Word and prayer, rather than placing ultimate trust in human philosophies or systems that lack a foundation in God's truth. As 1 Corinthians 1:25 states, "the foolishness of God is wiser than men."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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