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:

But hast lifted up {H7313} thyself against {H5922} the Lord {H4756} of heaven {H8065}; and they have brought {H858} the vessels {H3984} of his house {H1005} before {H6925} thee, and thou {H607}, and thy lords {H7261}, thy wives {H7695}, and thy concubines {H3904}, have drunk {H8355} wine {H2562} in them; and thou hast praised {H7624} the gods {H426} of silver {H3702}, and gold {H1722}, of brass {H5174}, iron {H6523}, wood {H636}, and stone {H69}, which see {H2370} not {H3809}, nor {H3809} hear {H8086}, nor {H3809} know {H3046}: and the God {H426} in whose hand {H3028} thy breath {H5396} is, and whose are all {H3606} thy ways {H735}, hast thou not {H3809} glorified {H1922}:

Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven by having them bring you the vessels from his house; and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them; then you offered praise to your gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, which can't see, hear or know anything. Meanwhile, God, who holds your very breath in his hands, and to whom belongs everything you do, you have not glorified.

Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.

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 from 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.

Context of Daniel 5:23

Daniel 5:23 is a pivotal verse in the dramatic account of King Belshazzar's feast, where the mysterious hand wrote judgment on the palace wall. Belshazzar, co-regent or grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar, hosted a lavish banquet in Babylon. In an act of profound disrespect and defiance, he commanded that the sacred gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:15) be brought out. These holy vessels, consecrated for the worship of the God of Israel, were then used by Belshazzar, his lords, wives, and concubines to drink wine, effectively mocking the God to whom they were dedicated. This particular verse is part of Daniel's scathing indictment of Belshazzar's actions, delivered immediately before the interpretation of the "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sacrilege and Defiance: The primary sin highlighted is the deliberate desecration of holy objects. Belshazzar's use of the temple vessels for profane purposes was a direct affront to God's holiness and sovereignty. It was an act of open rebellion against the "Lord of heaven."
  • Idolatry vs. The Living God: Belshazzar not only profaned God's vessels but also "praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone." Daniel sharply contrasts these lifeless, impotent idols, "which see not, nor hear, nor know," with the true and living God who holds the king's very breath. This underscores the folly and offense of worshipping false deities.
  • Pride and Unrepentant Heart: Despite knowing how God had humbled his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, for his pride (Daniel 4:37), Belshazzar "lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven." His actions demonstrated an unteachable and arrogant spirit that refused to acknowledge God's supremacy, a classic example of pride going before destruction.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Accountability: The verse powerfully asserts God's absolute control over all life and destiny: "the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways." Belshazzar's failure to glorify this sovereign God, who is the source of his very existence (Acts 17:25), sealed his fate.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lord of heaven" (Aramaic: 'Elah Shemayya') is a significant title in Daniel, emphasizing God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation, contrasting sharply with the earthly kings and their limited powers. The description of idols as those "which see not, nor hear, nor know" is a common biblical polemic against false gods, highlighting their utter impotence and lifelessness compared to the omniscient and omnipresent God of Israel (Psalm 115:4-7).

Practical Application

Daniel 5:23 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual arrogance and the desecration of what is holy. It reminds us:

  1. To Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Every breath we take, every path we walk, is ultimately in God's hand. True wisdom begins with acknowledging Him as the source of life and all blessings.
  2. To Beware of Pride: Like Belshazzar, we can become so consumed by our own power or pleasures that we forget or actively defy the One who sustains us. Humility before God is essential.
  3. To Respect the Sacred: While we may not have physical temple vessels, the principle of reverencing God and what belongs to Him remains. This includes our worship, our bodies (as temples of the Holy Spirit), and our spiritual disciplines.
  4. To Worship the True God Alone: The verse starkly contrasts the living God with lifeless idols. It calls us to examine what we truly praise and glorify in our lives – whether it's material possessions, human achievements, or the one true God.
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.

  • Job 12:10

    In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

  • Daniel 4:37

    Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

  • Isaiah 2:12

    For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

  • Jeremiah 10:23

    O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  • Isaiah 37:23

    Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Israel.

  • Job 31:4

    Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

  • Proverbs 20:24

    ¶ Man's goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

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