And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
And I {H576} have heard {H8086} of thee {H5922}, that thou canst {H3202} make {H6590} interpretations {H6591}, and dissolve {H8271} doubts {H7001}: now {H3705} if {H2006} thou canst {H3202} read {H7123} the writing {H3792}, and make known {H3046} to me the interpretation {H6591} thereof, thou shalt be clothed {H3848} with scarlet {H711}, and have a chain {H2002} of gold {H1722} about {H5922} thy neck {H6676}, and shalt be the third {H8531} ruler {H7981} in the kingdom {H4437}.
However, I've heard that you can give interpretations and solve knotty problems. Now if you can read the inscription and tell me what it means, you will be dressed in royal purple, wear a gold chain around your neck and be one of the three men ruling the kingdom."
But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
But I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
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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. -
Genesis 40:8
And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you. -
Daniel 5:29
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and [put] a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. -
Acts 8:18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Daniel 5:16 (KJV) captures a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of King Belshazzar's feast, where the future of the Babylonian kingdom hangs in the balance. After a mysterious hand writes an indecipherable message on the palace wall, King Belshazzar, desperate for an explanation, turns to Daniel, whose reputation for divine insight precedes him.
Context
This verse follows the terrifying appearance of a disembodied hand writing on the wall during a lavish feast hosted by King Belshazzar, where sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple were profaned (Daniel 5:3). Neither the king's astrologers nor soothsayers could interpret the cryptic message. It is the queen mother (likely Nitocris, Nabonidus's wife and Belshazzar's mother) who reminds Belshazzar of Daniel, a man in whom "the spirit of the holy gods" resides, known for his extraordinary wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and solve difficult riddles (Daniel 5:11-12). Belshazzar's address to Daniel in verse 16 is an urgent plea, acknowledging Daniel's renowned capabilities and offering immense rewards for his interpretation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrases "make interpretations" and "dissolve doubts" accurately convey Daniel's known abilities. The Aramaic word for "interpretations" is pithron (פִּתְרוֹן), often used for dream interpretations, as seen in Daniel 2. "Dissolve doubts" comes from the Aramaic qitrin (קִטְרִין), meaning "knots" or "difficulties," implying Daniel's skill in untangling complex or obscure matters. The offer of being "the third ruler in the kingdom" is significant. As Belshazzar was likely co-regent with his father Nabonidus (who was often absent), he himself was effectively the second in command. Thus, the third position would be the highest possible rank beneath the two co-regents.
Related Scriptures
Daniel's unique gift for interpreting divine messages was evident much earlier in his life, notably when he interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams (Daniel 2:28 and Daniel 4:18). This episode in Daniel 5 underscores the biblical principle that God reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Belshazzar's offer of earthly riches contrasts sharply with the eternal value of spiritual wisdom and the truth of God's word, a theme echoed in Proverbs 3:13-15, which extols wisdom as more precious than rubies.
Practical Application
This verse reminds us that true wisdom, capable of discerning God's will and understanding profound truths, comes from above, not from human intellect or worldly pursuits. Even in times of crisis, when human solutions fail, God can raise up faithful individuals to speak His truth. For believers today, it serves as an encouragement to cultivate a relationship with God, seeking His wisdom through prayer and study of His Word, for He still "dissolves doubts" and illuminates understanding for those who seek Him (James 1:5). Furthermore, it shows that God's servants may be overlooked for a time, but He will bring them forward when their unique, God-given gifts are most needed to declare His message.