Daniel 5:2

KJV

Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which [was] in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

Belshazzar {H1113}, whiles he tasted {H2942} the wine {H2562}, commanded {H560} to bring {H858} the golden {H1722} and silver {H3702} vessels {H3984} which his father {H2} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} had taken {H5312} out of {H4481} the temple {H1965} which was in Jerusalem {H3390}; that the king {H4430}, and his princes {H7261}, his wives {H7695}, and his concubines {H3904}, might drink {H8355} therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

While tasting the wine, Belshatzar ordered that the gold and silver vessels which his father N'vukhadnetzar had removed from the temple in Yerushalayim be brought; so that the king, his lords, his wives and his concubines could drink from them.

Berean Standard Bible

Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

American Standard Version

Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink therefrom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:2 vividly depicts King Belshazzar's audacious act of sacrilege during a lavish feast, as he commands the sacred golden and silver vessels plundered from the Jerusalem Temple by his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar to be brought forth for profane use. This deliberate desecration, involving the king, his princes, wives, and concubines drinking wine from these holy artifacts, serves as a profound act of defiance against the God of Israel, setting the immediate stage for divine judgment upon the Babylonian Empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 5:2 immediately follows the opening verse of the chapter, which introduces Belshazzar's great feast for a thousand of his lords. This verse sets the critical scene for the dramatic events that follow, particularly the appearance of the mysterious hand writing on the wall in [Daniel 5:5](/daniel/5-5 "Daniel 5:5 - The Writing on the Wall"). The act of bringing out the sacred vessels is not a mere detail but the specific catalyst for God's immediate and visible intervention. It stands in stark contrast to the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar detailed in [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling"), highlighting Belshazzar's failure to learn from his "father's" experience and serving as a direct affront to the God who had demonstrated His sovereignty over the mightiest of kings. The narrative builds tension, moving from the revelry of the feast to the profound spiritual transgression that precipitates the empire's downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Belshazzar was the co-regent of Babylon with his father, Nabonidus, who was away from the capital at the time. The "father" reference for Nebuchadnezzar is a common ancient Near Eastern custom, referring to an ancestor or predecessor rather than a direct biological father. These golden and silver vessels were not mere treasures but sacred implements from the Temple in Jerusalem, plundered by Nebuchadnezzar when he conquered Judah and destroyed the Temple around 586 BC (as recorded in [2 Kings 25:13-17](/2_kings/25-13 "2 Kings 25:13-17 - Plunder of the Temple")). While Nebuchadnezzar had placed them in the temple of his own god, Marduk, perhaps as a sign of his god's supremacy, Belshazzar's act went further. To use these vessels for a drunken, idolatrous feast was an act of extreme sacrilege, a direct insult and challenge to the God of Israel, whom the Babylonians had ostensibly "conquered." This act would have been understood culturally as a profound statement of contempt and a deliberate provocation of the deity associated with the conquered people.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme emerging from Daniel 5:2 is **Sacrilege and Defiance**. Belshazzar's command is a deliberate act of profaning what is holy, directly challenging the God of Israel by misusing His consecrated vessels for pagan revelry. This action underscores the theme of **Pride and Arrogance**, as Belshazzar, despite the historical precedent of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling (see [Daniel 4:37](/daniel/4-37 "Daniel 4:37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty")), demonstrates an audacious disregard for divine authority and power. His actions also highlight the theme of **Disregard for History and Divine Warning**, as he fails to learn from the past and heed the clear demonstrations of God's sovereignty over earthly kings. Ultimately, this verse serves as the immediate trigger for the theme of **Impending Judgment**, signaling that Belshazzar's insolent act is the tipping point for the swift and decisive divine intervention that will bring about the end of his reign and the Babylonian Empire.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belshazzar (Aramaic, _Bêlshaʼtstsar'_):** This word refers to the Babylonian king, Belshazzar, whose name likely means "Bel protect the king" or "Bel's prince." His prominent mention here immediately establishes him as the central figure of the narrative and the one whose actions will directly invite divine judgment. The very act of naming him highlights his personal responsibility for the sacrilege.
* **tasted (Aramaic, _ṭᵉʻêm'_):** From a root meaning "flavor" or "judgment," this word in context means "while he tasted" or "while he was drinking." It emphasizes the king's active participation in the revelry and the indulgence in wine that preceded and perhaps fueled his audacious command. The use of this word underscores the atmosphere of sensory indulgence and lack of spiritual discernment that characterized the feast.
* **temple (Aramaic, _hêykal'_):** This term refers to "a large public building, such as a palace or temple." In this context, it specifically denotes the sacred Temple in Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The vessels taken from this "temple" were consecrated for divine worship, making their profane use by Belshazzar an act of profound disrespect and direct affront to God's holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels":** This clause establishes the central figure, Belshazzar, and the immediate context of his command – during a period of indulgence in wine. The "golden and silver vessels" are immediately identified as the objects of his command, emphasizing their preciousness and, implicitly, their sacred origin, which will be explicitly stated next. The king's command is presented as a deliberate act, not an accidental oversight.
* **"which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which [was] in Jerusalem;":** This critical phrase provides the provenance of the vessels, linking them directly to Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Jerusalem and the plunder of its Temple. The mention of "his father Nebuchadnezzar" (understood as predecessor/ancestor) serves as a stark reminder of the historical context and the divine judgment previously meted out to Nebuchadnezzar, which Belshazzar evidently ignored. The explicit reference to the "temple which was in Jerusalem" underscores the sacred, consecrated nature of these items, heightening the gravity of Belshazzar's subsequent actions.
* **"that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.":** This final clause reveals the profane purpose for which the sacred vessels were commanded. The inclusion of the king, his high-ranking officials ("princes"), and his royal women ("wives, and his concubines") highlights the widespread nature of the sacrilege, encompassing the entire royal court and indicating a collective act of defiance against God. Drinking wine from these vessels, consecrated for Yahweh's worship, was the ultimate act of desecration, turning instruments of holiness into tools of pagan revelry.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:2 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Belshazzar, in his attempt to assert his power and mock the God of Israel, inadvertently sets the stage for his own swift downfall, demonstrating the ultimate sovereignty of the very God he defies. The **Symbolism** of the golden and silver vessels is profound; they are not just valuable objects but tangible representations of God's holiness and His covenant with Israel. Their desecration symbolizes Belshazzar's contempt for God Himself. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as this act of extreme sacrilege immediately precedes the appearance of the hand and the writing on the wall, signaling that this specific transgression is the catalyst for divine judgment. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** between the respectful (though misguided) handling of the vessels by Nebuchadnezzar, who placed them in his god's temple, and Belshazzar's utterly contemptuous and profane use of them, highlighting the latter's heightened arrogance and insolence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Belshazzar's act in Daniel 5:2 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's holiness and His intolerance for sacrilege. It demonstrates that God's sacred things, even when plundered by human hands, retain their inherent sanctity in His eyes. Belshazzar's deliberate profanation was not merely a political statement but a direct affront to the divine majesty and an act of spiritual rebellion. This event powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall, and that even the most powerful earthly rulers are accountable to the sovereign God, who will not be mocked. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His own glory and His readiness to execute judgment when His name and His holy things are treated with contempt.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God is the Judge")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 5:2 stands as a timeless warning against the dangers of spiritual arrogance and the profaning of what is holy. In our contemporary context, while we may not have physical temple vessels, the principle remains: God's holiness demands reverence. This extends to how we treat His name, His Word, His church, and the sacred callings He places upon our lives. Belshazzar's downfall reminds us that unchecked pride leads to spiritual blindness, causing us to disregard divine warnings and historical lessons. We are called to humility, recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers and possessions. Our lives should reflect a deep respect for God's presence and purposes, avoiding any attitude or action that treats His sacred truth or calling with casual contempt or self-serving indulgence. We must continually examine our hearts to ensure we are not, like Belshazzar, using God's blessings or spiritual gifts for our own glory or profane purposes, but rather for His honor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, treat God's holy things or His name with less reverence than they deserve?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Belshazzar's pride, and how can I cultivate a spirit of humility in my own life?**
* **How does my use of time, talents, and resources reflect my understanding of God's sovereignty and holiness?**
* **Am I attentive to the "writing on the wall"—the warnings and lessons God provides through Scripture, history, and personal experience?**

### FAQ
**Who was Belshazzar and why was his act of using the temple vessels so significant?**

Answer: Belshazzar was the co-regent of Babylon, ruling alongside his father, Nabonidus. His act of using the golden and silver vessels from the Jerusalem Temple was profoundly significant because these were not ordinary items but sacred implements consecrated for the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. They had been plundered by Nebuchadnezzar decades earlier (see [2 Kings 25:13-17](/2_kings/25-13 "2 Kings 25:13-17 - Plunder of the Temple")), but Nebuchadnezzar had at least placed them in the temple of his own god, showing a degree of respect for their religious nature. Belshazzar, however, commanded them to be used for a drunken, pagan feast, a direct and deliberate act of sacrilege and defiance against the God of Israel. This was a public mockery of God's holiness and power, setting the stage for immediate divine judgment upon him and the Babylonian Empire.

**What is the meaning of "his father Nebuchadnezzar" in this verse, given historical records?**

Answer: The phrase "his father Nebuchadnezzar" should be understood in the broader ancient Near Eastern sense of "ancestor" or "predecessor," rather than direct biological paternity. Historical records indicate that Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, and likely the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. In ancient Semitic cultures, terms like "father" (Aramaic: _ʼab_) could encompass grandfathers, ancestors, or even predecessors in office, reflecting a lineage or succession. The crucial point for the narrative is that Belshazzar was aware of Nebuchadnezzar's reign and, more importantly, of the divine humbling Nebuchadnezzar experienced, as detailed in [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling"). His disregard for this history underscores his profound arrogance and spiritual blindness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 5:2, with its stark portrayal of sacrilege and impending judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Belshazzar's act of defiling the physical vessels from the Jerusalem Temple, which foreshadowed the ultimate destruction of that temple, points to the profound spiritual defilement of humanity's sin against a holy God. Christ, however, is the true [Temple of God](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the Temple"), whose body was broken and raised, becoming the ultimate place where God dwells and where true worship is offered. Where Belshazzar mocked God's holiness, Christ perfectly upheld it, living a life of absolute obedience and reverence. The judgment that fell swiftly upon Belshazzar for his pride and sacrilege is a shadow of the ultimate judgment for sin, which Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly bore on the cross, becoming the atoning sacrifice for our defilement. He cleanses us from our own acts of spiritual sacrilege and rebellion, transforming us into living vessels consecrated for God's glory, enabling us to offer true worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, the defiled vessels of Daniel 5:2 are ultimately redeemed in the new covenant, where believers, through Christ, become [temples of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit"), dedicated to God's sacred purposes.

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 1:2

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

2 Kings 24:13

And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

2 Kings 25:15

And the firepans, and the bowls, [and] such things as [were] of gold, [in] gold, and of silver, [in] silver, the captain of the guard took away.

Ezra 1:7

Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

Ezra 1:11

All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

Daniel 5:23

But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Jeremiah 27:16

Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.