Daniel 5:24

Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

Then ^{H116} was the part ^{H6447} of the hand ^{H3028} sent ^{H7972} from ^{H4481} him ^{H6925}; and this ^{H1836} writing ^{H3792} was written ^{H7560}.

This is why he sent the hand to write this inscription;

Therefore He sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.

Daniel 5:24 (KJV) marks the pivotal moment when the mysterious, supernatural handwriting appeared on the wall during King Belshazzar's impious feast. This verse clarifies that the "part of the hand" was sent by God, establishing the divine origin of the terrifying message that would seal the fate of the Babylonian Empire.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during the final days of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, specifically during the reign of King Belshazzar, who was co-regent with his father, Nabonidus. Belshazzar held a lavish feast, profaning sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 5:2). In the midst of this sacrilege and revelry, a disembodied hand mysteriously appeared and wrote a message on the palace wall (Daniel 5:5). The king and his wise men were unable to interpret it, leading to Daniel being called upon to provide the divine revelation. Verse 24 confirms that this miraculous event was a direct act of God, not a random occurrence or human trickery, signaling the impending fall of the Babylonian kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Intervention and Sovereignty: The verse explicitly states that the hand was "sent from him" (God), emphasizing God's direct involvement in human affairs and His ultimate control over nations and rulers. This echoes the theme of God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms seen throughout the book of Daniel (Daniel 4:17).
Immediacy of Judgment: The sudden appearance of the writing served as an immediate, undeniable sign of impending judgment against Belshazzar's arrogance and blasphemy. It left no doubt that a divine reckoning was at hand, a swift consequence for his actions.
Revelation of God's Will: The mysterious writing was a clear, supernatural communication from God, designed to reveal His decree and judgment. Although unintelligible to the Chaldean wise men, it was a message meant to be understood by one with divine wisdom, highlighting God's ability to communicate His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "part of the hand" (KJV) conveys the supernatural and incomplete nature of the manifestation—only a portion of the hand was visible, enough to perform the act of writing. The Aramaic phrase for "was sent from him" (אֶל-מִנֵּהּ שְׁלִיחַ, 'el-minneh shliach) strongly indicates a divine agent or messenger, reinforcing that this was a direct act of God's will. The repetition "this writing was written" emphasizes the certainty and finality of the divine inscription, leaving no room for doubt about its authenticity or authority.

Practical Application

Daniel 5:24 serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively engaged in the world and that human actions, especially those involving pride and defiance against Him, do not go unnoticed. It underscores the principle that God holds ultimate authority over all earthly powers and that His judgment is righteous and sure. For believers, it reinforces the importance of humility and reverence for God's holiness, recognizing that all authority ultimately stems from Him. For all, it speaks to the reality of consequences for our choices and the undeniable truth that God's plan will ultimately prevail, regardless of human arrogance or resistance. Just as Belshazzar faced a sudden divine reckoning, we are called to live with an awareness of God's presence and His moral standards, for pride goes before destruction.

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.

Daniel 5:5

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.