Daniel 5:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} commanded {H560} Belshazzar {H1113}, and they clothed {H3848} Daniel {H1841} with scarlet {H711}, and put a chain {H2002} of gold {H1722} about {H5922} his neck {H6676}, and made a proclamation {H3745} concerning {H5922} him, that he should be {H1934} the third {H8531} ruler {H7990} in the kingdom {H4437}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Belshatzar gave the order; and they clothed Dani'el in royal purple, put a gold chain around his neck and proclaimed of him that he was to be one of the three men ruling the kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

American Standard Version

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:29 records King Belshazzar's immediate and dramatic fulfillment of his promise to Daniel, elevating the prophet to the third highest position in the Babylonian kingdom. This act of honor, involving lavish clothing and a golden chain, occurred mere hours before the kingdom's catastrophic fall, underscoring the fleeting nature of human power and the swift, sovereign hand of God in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 5:29 serves as the climax of a highly dramatic narrative in Daniel chapter 5. The preceding verses detail King Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast, where he profaned sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple, leading to the miraculous appearance of a disembodied hand writing a cryptic message on the palace wall ([Daniel 5:5](/daniel/5-5 "Daniel 5:5 - The Writing on the Wall")). After his wise men failed to interpret the ominous words, Daniel was summoned. Despite Daniel's bold and uncompromising rebuke of Belshazzar's pride, idolatry, and failure to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's downfall ([Daniel 5:22-23](/daniel/5-22 "Daniel 5:22-23 - Daniel's Rebuke of Belshazzar")), and even his initial refusal of the king's promised gifts ([Daniel 5:17](/daniel/5-17 "Daniel 5:17 - Daniel Refuses Gifts")), Belshazzar, perhaps out of desperation or a desire to uphold his royal word, proceeded with the promised reward immediately after Daniel delivered the terrifying interpretation. This verse sets the stage for the immediate and devastating fulfillment of the prophecy in [Daniel 5:30-31](/daniel/5-30 "Daniel 5:30-31 - The Fall of Babylon").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Daniel chapter 5 occur on the night Babylon falls to the Medo-Persian forces. Historically, this corresponds to 539 BC, when Cyrus the Great's army diverted the Euphrates River and entered the city under the walls. Belshazzar was likely a co-regent with his father, Nabonidus, who was away from Babylon. This explains why the "third ruler" position was the highest available, as the king (Nabonidus) was first and Belshazzar (acting king/crown prince) was second. Scarlet clothing and gold chains were common symbols of high honor, royal favor, and elevated status in ancient Near Eastern courts. Such adornments signified induction into the highest echelons of the kingdom's administration, granting the wearer immense authority and prestige.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over human kingdoms, demonstrating His ability to raise up or cast down rulers and empires at His will. Belshazzar's act of honoring Daniel, though seemingly a human decision, was orchestrated by God to vindicate His prophet just before judgment fell. Secondly, it underscores the **Vindication and Elevation of God's Faithful Servants**. Daniel, who had remained faithful through various Babylonian administrations, is finally elevated to a position of immense influence, showcasing God's faithfulness to those who honor Him, even if the recognition is fleeting in human terms. Lastly, the verse vividly portrays the **Irony of Worldly Power**, as Daniel's elevation to the pinnacle of Babylonian authority occurs precisely on the night that very authority is utterly annihilated. This serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate, enduring reality of God's eternal kingdom, a central message of the entire book of [Daniel](/daniel/1 "The Book of Daniel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belshazzar (Aramaic, _Bêlshaʼtstsar'_):** This name, meaning "Bel protect the king," identifies the Babylonian monarch who profaned the temple vessels and was subsequently judged by God. His immediate command to honor Daniel, despite the dire prophecy, highlights his desperation and perhaps a last-ditch effort to appease the divine power Daniel represented, even as his kingdom was on the brink of collapse.
* **scarlet (Aramaic, _ʼargᵉvân'_):** This refers to a deep red or purple dye, historically associated with royalty, wealth, and high status. Clothing Daniel in scarlet was a public declaration of his elevated position, marking him as a person of immense honor and authority within the Babylonian court, a visible symbol of the king's decree.
* **ruler (Aramaic, _shallîyṭ'_):** This term denotes someone mighty, having permission, or a premier. In this context, it signifies a person of significant authority and power, specifically the "third ruler." This position was the highest possible for someone not of the royal line, indicating Daniel's immense influence and administrative power, albeit for a very brief period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then commanded Belshazzar":** This phrase emphasizes the immediate and decisive nature of the king's action. Despite the terrifying interpretation Daniel had just delivered, Belshazzar, perhaps driven by a sense of obligation to his promise or a desperate hope that fulfilling it might somehow avert the prophecy, issues the command without delay.
* **"and they clothed Daniel with scarlet":** This act was a public ceremony, a visible sign of Daniel's new status. Scarlet, a color of royalty and high honor, symbolized his induction into the highest echelons of the kingdom's administration, marking him as a person of immense prestige.
* **"and put a chain of gold about his neck":** The golden chain was another prominent insignia of high office and royal favor in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signified distinction, authority, and perhaps even a form of investiture, further cementing Daniel's elevated position in the eyes of the court and the populace.
* **"and made a proclamation concerning him":** This indicates a public declaration, ensuring that Daniel's new status was widely known throughout the kingdom. This was not a private honor but a public acknowledgment of his unique wisdom and the king's gratitude, further solidifying his authority.
* **"that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom":** This specifies the exact nature of Daniel's promotion. Given that Belshazzar was likely co-regent with his father Nabonidus (the first ruler), the "third ruler" was the highest possible position for anyone outside the direct royal line, granting Daniel immense power and influence over the kingdom's affairs.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Daniel 5:29 is **Irony**. Daniel is elevated to the highest possible position in the Babylonian kingdom, adorned with symbols of immense power and prestige (the **Symbolism** of scarlet and gold), just hours before that very kingdom is utterly destroyed. This dramatic juxtaposition creates a profound sense of irony, highlighting the fleeting nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Daniel's brief moment of glory immediately precedes the catastrophic judgment upon Babylon, setting the stage for the fulfillment of the "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" prophecy. The **Contrast** between Daniel's faithfulness and Belshazzar's hubris is also starkly drawn, with God's servant being honored even as the proud king faces divine wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:29 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs and His faithfulness to His servants. Even in a moment of profound crisis for a pagan empire, God orchestrates events to bring about the vindication and honor of His prophet. This temporary elevation of Daniel, though brief, demonstrates that God's timing is perfect, and He will indeed honor those who honor Him, often in unexpected ways and at pivotal moments. It underscores that true authority and recognition ultimately come from God, not from human decrees, and that worldly accolades are fleeting in the face of divine judgment.

* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - God Honors Those Who Honor Him")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Brings Down")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - Righteous Rule vs. Wicked Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 5:29 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers and that His purposes will prevail. Daniel's elevation, though short-lived, was a divine vindication of his unwavering faithfulness in a hostile environment. It teaches us to prioritize God's approval over human recognition, understanding that true honor comes from Him and is eternal, unlike the transient accolades of this world. We are called to live faithfully, serving God with integrity and wisdom, trusting that He sees our devotion and will honor it in His perfect timing, whether in this life or the next. This passage encourages us to maintain our witness even when it seems futile, knowing that God can turn the tide of history in a single night.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's temporary elevation challenge or affirm your understanding of God's timing and methods of honoring His faithful servants?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to seek worldly recognition over divine approval, and how does this passage reorient our priorities?**
* **What does Belshazzar's action, immediately followed by judgment, teach us about the consequences of delaying repentance or ignoring divine warnings?**

### FAQ
**Why was Daniel made the "third ruler" instead of the second?**

Answer: In the Babylonian hierarchy of the time, the king (Nabonidus) was the first ruler. His son, Belshazzar, was likely the co-regent or crown prince, effectively the second in command. Therefore, the "third ruler" was the highest possible position for anyone not of the direct royal line. This position still granted Daniel immense power and authority within the kingdom's administration.

**What is the significance of the scarlet clothing and gold chain?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, scarlet (often a deep red or purple) was a color associated with royalty, wealth, and high status, while a gold chain was a mark of distinction, honor, and authority. These were visible symbols of Daniel's elevation to a position of immense prestige and power within the Babylonian court, publicly acknowledging his unique wisdom and the king's favor.

**Did Daniel benefit from this promotion?**

Answer: While Daniel was indeed honored with a high position and lavish gifts, his benefit from this promotion was extremely short-lived. The very night he was elevated, the Babylonian kingdom fell to the Medo-Persians ([Daniel 5:30-31](/daniel/5-30 "Daniel 5:30-31 - The Fall of Babylon")). This highlights the fleeting nature of worldly power and honor, contrasting it with the enduring spiritual honor and divine favor Daniel consistently received.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's dramatic, albeit temporary, elevation in Daniel 5:29 serves as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate and eternal kingship. Just as Daniel, a faithful servant of God, was honored and given authority in a pagan kingdom on the eve of its judgment, so too is Jesus Christ, the ultimate faithful Son, exalted to the highest position in the universe. While Daniel's rule was brief and earthly, Christ's reign is everlasting and cosmic, for "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The scarlet and gold bestowed upon Daniel, symbols of earthly royalty, pale in comparison to the divine glory and authority with which Christ is clothed, as the one "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). Daniel's vindication before a doomed king points to Christ's ultimate triumph over all earthly powers and the forces of darkness, culminating in His enthronement at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")). The irony of Daniel's fleeting honor before Babylon's fall underscores the eternal, unshakable nature of Christ's kingdom, which "will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")), a kingdom into which all who believe are invited to share in His glory ([Revelation 22:5](/revelation/22-5 "Revelation 22:5 - They Will Reign Forever")).

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 5:16

And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. [And] the king spake, and said to the wise [men] of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.