Daniel 5:20

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

But when his heart {H3825} was lifted up {H7313}, and his mind {H7308} hardened {H8631} in pride {H2103}, he was deposed {H5182} from {H4481} his kingly {H4437} throne {H3764}, and they took {H5709} his glory {H3367} from him {H4481}:

But when he grew proud and his spirit became hard, he began treating people arrogantly, so he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him.

But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Daniel 5:20 (KJV) describes the historical precedent of King Nebuchadnezzar’s fall from grace due to his immense pride, serving as a stark warning to his successor, Belshazzar. This verse is part of Daniel's interpretation of the mysterious handwriting on the wall during Belshazzar's feast, where the current king had defiantly used sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple.

Context

This verse recounts the period when King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian Empire, reached the zenith of his pride. Instead of acknowledging God as the source of his power and glory, he attributed his vast kingdom and achievements to his own strength and wisdom. The narrative in Daniel 4 details how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar by temporarily removing him from his throne and sanity, causing him to live like a beast until he recognized the sovereignty of the Most High God. Daniel 5:20 explicitly states the reason for Nebuchadnezzar's deposition: his arrogant heart and hardened mind. This historical account is presented to Belshazzar as a direct challenge, emphasizing that he, too, was aware of this divine judgment but failed to learn from it.

Key Themes

  • Pride and Humiliation: The central theme is the destructive nature of pride. Nebuchadnezzar's "heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride," leading directly to his downfall. This serves as a timeless warning that arrogance precedes a fall, a principle echoed throughout Scripture (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's absolute authority over earthly rulers and kingdoms. It was not mere political upheaval but divine judgment that "deposed from his kingly throne" and "took his glory from him." This underscores that God sets up kings and removes them (Daniel 2:21).
  • Consequences of Unrepentant Arrogance: Nebuchadnezzar experienced severe consequences for his pride, ultimately losing his power and prestige until he humbled himself. Belshazzar, aware of this precedent, faced an even swifter judgment because he willfully ignored this lesson, demonstrating a harder heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Aramaic phrases in this verse are particularly potent:

  • "heart was lifted up" (râm lĕbābēh) implies an inflated ego, a haughty disposition that disregards divine authority.
  • "mind hardened in pride" (qashyâ rûḥēh lĕmīṣḥab) denotes a stubborn, unyielding spirit that resists acknowledging God's supremacy. It speaks of a soul made rigid by arrogance, unable to humble itself.
  • "deposed" (ḥuttat) is a passive verb, emphasizing that the action was done to him, implying divine agency as the ultimate power behind his removal.
  • "they took his glory from him" (wîqārāh yĕʿadîw minneh) similarly points to an external, higher power (God) stripping him of his royal dignity and splendor.

Reflection and Application

Daniel 5:20 offers a powerful lesson for all generations. It reminds us that true authority and lasting glory come from God, not from human strength or position. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to his humbling, and Belshazzar's willful ignorance led to his demise, so too does arrogance ultimately lead to downfall. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing our dependence on God and giving Him the glory for any success or position we attain. It encourages us to learn from history, particularly from the consequences of others' pride, rather than repeating their mistakes. True wisdom lies in understanding and respecting God's supreme sovereignty over all things.

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.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:13

    And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 13:18

    Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, [even] the crown of your glory.

  • 2 Kings 17:14

    Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

  • Exodus 9:17

    As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

  • Hebrews 3:13

    But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

  • Job 40:11

    Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one [that is] proud, and abase him.

  • Job 40:12

    Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

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