Daniel 5:17

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Then {H116} Daniel {H1841} answered {H6032} and said {H560} before {H6925} the king {H4430}, Let thy gifts {H4978} be {H1934} to thyself, and give {H3052} thy rewards {H5023} to another {H321}; yet {H1297} I will read {H7123} the writing {H3792} unto the king {H4430}, and make known {H3046} to him the interpretation {H6591}.

Dani'el answered the king, "Keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else. However, I will read the inscription to the king and tell him what it means.

In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Commentary

Daniel 5:17 captures a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of King Belshazzar's feast, where the prophet Daniel stands before the bewildered king.

Context

King Belshazzar, during a lavish feast, profaned sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem, prompting a mysterious handwriting to appear on the wall. Terrified, the king offered immense rewards—purple robes, a gold chain, and the position of third ruler in the kingdom—to anyone who could read and interpret the cryptic message (Daniel 5:16). After his own wise men failed, Daniel, renowned for his wisdom and connection to God, was summoned. In this verse, Daniel responds to the king's extravagant offer, setting the stage for the interpretation of the ominous message.

Key Themes

  • Integrity and Disinterest in Worldly Gain: Daniel's immediate refusal of the king's gifts highlights his profound integrity and his motivation stemming solely from obedience to God, not personal enrichment. He was not swayed by the allure of power or wealth, demonstrating a clear prioritization of divine truth over earthly rewards.
  • Divine Authority Over Human Power: By declining the king's material incentives, Daniel subtly asserts the supremacy of God's message over Belshazzar's earthly authority. His focus is on delivering God's word, not on gaining favor or position from a human monarch. This sets the stage for the powerful and humbling interpretation that follows, emphasizing God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.
  • Faithful Prophetic Obedience: Despite rejecting the rewards, Daniel unequivocally states his commitment to read and interpret the writing. This underscores his unwavering dedication to his role as God's messenger, delivering potentially unwelcome truth without compromise or personal agenda.

Linguistic Insights

The book of Daniel, particularly chapters 2 through 7, is written in Aramaic, reflecting its setting in the Babylonian and Persian empires. The mysterious "writing" on the wall (Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin) was also in Aramaic. Daniel's unique ability to interpret it was not due to superior linguistic skill alone, but to a divine revelation, as he himself states in Daniel 5:11, attributing his wisdom to "the spirit of the holy gods" (from a pagan king's perspective) or truly the Spirit of God.

Practical Application

Daniel's response in Daniel 5:17 serves as a powerful example for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own motivations: are we driven by personal gain, recognition, or worldly success, or are we primarily motivated by a desire to faithfully serve God and declare His truth? Daniel’s integrity reminds us that our most valuable reward comes from God Himself, not from human accolades or riches. Like Daniel, we are called to be faithful stewards of the truth, speaking it boldly and without compromise, even when it might be unpopular or when earthly incentives are offered. This commitment to truth and integrity is a hallmark of seeking God's kingdom first.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:16

    But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.

  • Genesis 14:23

    That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

  • 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 8:20

    But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

  • 2 Kings 3:13

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

  • Daniel 2:6

    But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

  • Psalms 119:46

    I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
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