Daniel 5:3

KJV

Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which [was] at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} they brought {H858} the golden {H1722} vessels {H3984} that were taken {H5312} out of {H4481} the temple {H1965} of the house {H1005} of God {H426} which was at Jerusalem {H3390}; and the king {H4430}, and his princes {H7261}, his wives {H7695}, and his concubines {H3904}, drank {H8355} in them.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they brought the gold vessels which had been removed from the sanctuary of the house of God in Yerushalayim; and the king, his lords, his wives and his concubines drank from them.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

American Standard Version

Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:3 vividly recounts the moment King Belshazzar of Babylon, in a display of audacious impiety, commanded that the sacred golden vessels plundered from the temple of God in Jerusalem be brought forth for use in his drunken feast. This act of profound sacrilege, involving the king, his princes, his wives, and his concubines drinking from these consecrated items, served as the immediate catalyst for divine judgment, setting the stage for the dramatic appearance of the "writing on the wall" that would seal Babylon's fate.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of Daniel chapter 5, which describes Belshazzar's infamous feast and the subsequent fall of Babylon. It immediately follows Belshazzar's decree in [Daniel 5:2](/daniel/5-2 "Daniel 5:2 - Belshazzar's Command for the Vessels") to bring the vessels. The narrative flow swiftly moves from this act of profanation to the miraculous hand that appears and writes on the wall in [Daniel 5:5](/daniel/5-5 "Daniel 5:5 - The Hand Writing on the Wall"), signaling imminent judgment. The use of these specific vessels links directly back to the opening chapter of Daniel, where Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar's predecessor, first carried them away from Jerusalem to the temple of his god in Shinar ([Daniel 1:1-2](/daniel/1-1 "Daniel 1:1-2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Jerusalem and Plunder")). This deliberate reintroduction of the vessels underscores the continuity of God's dealings with the Babylonian empire and highlights Belshazzar's heightened culpability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, and was acting as co-regent during his father's absence. The feast described in [Daniel 5:1](/daniel/5-1 "Daniel 5:1 - Belshazzar's Great Feast") was a lavish affair, typical of Babylonian royalty, but held during a time of great geopolitical instability with the Persian army under Cyrus the Great besieging the city. In ancient Near Eastern culture, temple vessels were considered the property of a deity, imbued with sacredness through their dedication and use in worship. While it was common for conquerors to plunder the gods of vanquished nations and display their spoils, using these particular vessels—which represented the God of Israel—for a drunken, idolatrous banquet was an extreme act of defiance. It was a deliberate insult to the God of the Hebrews, whose power Nebuchadnezzar had eventually acknowledged ([Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar Praises God")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon") is the **Profanation of the Sacred**. Belshazzar's act of using God's holy vessels for common revelry represents a blatant disregard for divine holiness and a deliberate blurring of the lines between the sacred and the profane. This immediately highlights the theme of **Arrogance and Hubris**, as Belshazzar, despite knowing (or having access to knowledge of) God's judgment on his predecessor for pride ([Daniel 5:22](/daniel/5-22 "Daniel 5:22 - Belshazzar's Lack of Humility")), actively mocks the God of Israel. His actions are a direct challenge to God's authority and sovereignty. This defiant act serves as the precipitating event for **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating that God will not tolerate open contempt for His holiness. The swift and dramatic judgment that follows ([Daniel 5:25-31](/daniel/5-25 "Daniel 5:25-31 - The Interpretation and Fulfillment of the Writing")) underscores God's absolute control over human kingdoms and His unwavering commitment to upholding His own glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **vessels (Aramaic, _mâʼn'_):** This term refers to a utensil or container. In this context, the "golden vessels" were not merely ordinary cups but specific implements consecrated for use in the worship and service of God in the Jerusalem Temple. Their sacred designation made their use for common, idolatrous revelry a profound act of desecration, violating their intended purpose and God's holiness.
* **temple (Aramaic, _hêykal'_):** This word denotes a large public building, specifically a palace or a temple. Here, it refers to the sacred edifice in Jerusalem, the dwelling place where God's presence was uniquely manifested. The origin of the vessels from this holy "house of God" underscores their intrinsic sacredness and the gravity of their profanation.
* **drank (Aramaic, _shᵉthâh'_):** This verb means "to imbibe," literally or figuratively. The act of drinking from these holy vessels by the king, his court, and his concubines, in the context of a pagan feast, was not merely a casual act. It was a deliberate, celebratory consumption that mocked the God to whom these vessels were dedicated, turning an act of worship into an act of blasphemy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which [was] at Jerusalem;":** This clause establishes the origin and nature of the objects. The "golden vessels" emphasize their value and the preciousness associated with divine service. The explicit mention of their removal "out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem" highlights their sacred provenance and the historical context of their capture during Nebuchadnezzar's conquest. This detail immediately signals to the reader the profound sacrilege about to occur, as these items were dedicated to the worship of the one true God.
* **"and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.":** This clause describes the act of profanation itself and identifies the participants. The inclusion of "the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines" underscores the widespread nature of the impiety, involving the highest echelons of Babylonian society in this act of disrespect. Their collective "drinking in them" signifies a deliberate, public, and collective act of defiance against the God of Israel, turning instruments of holy worship into tools of drunken revelry and idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:3 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the golden vessels themselves symbolize the holiness of God and the sanctity of His worship. Their desecration is a direct symbolic assault on God's character and authority. The scene is rich in **Contrast**, juxtaposing the sacred purpose of the vessels with their profane use in a drunken, idolatrous feast. This stark contrast amplifies the severity of Belshazzar's sin. The verse also serves as a potent piece of **Foreshadowing**, as this act of extreme impiety immediately precedes and precipitates the divine judgment that unfolds in the rest of the chapter. The lavish setting and the king's overconfidence, despite the impending Persian threat, create a sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows the doom that awaits Belshazzar, while he remains oblivious, celebrating his perceived power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:3 serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute holiness of God and the severe consequences of profaning what is dedicated to Him. Belshazzar's act was not merely a lapse in judgment but a deliberate, arrogant affront to the God of Israel, whose power and authority had been demonstrated to his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. This incident underscores that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and will not tolerate open defiance or the desecration of His name and holy things. It teaches us that true reverence for God extends to how we treat everything associated with Him, whether physical objects, spiritual principles, or the very concept of His divine majesty. The immediate and dramatic judgment that follows this act highlights God's active involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to uphold His own glory.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor")
* [Romans 1:18-23](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18-23 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Daniel 5:3 offers enduring lessons for believers today, reminding us of the profound importance of reverence for God and the dangers of spiritual arrogance. Just as Belshazzar treated the sacred as common, we too can fall into the trap of trivializing God's holiness, whether through casual attitudes toward worship, neglecting His Word, or misusing the gifts and blessings He has bestowed upon us. This verse calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our lives reflect a genuine awe and respect for the Lord. It warns against the spiritual pride that believes it can defy God's standards without consequence, echoing the biblical truth that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Ultimately, it challenges us to live lives that consistently honor God, recognizing that everything we have and are belongs to Him, and should be used for His glory, not our own self-indulgence or defiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be treating what is sacred or set apart for God as common or profane?**
* **How does Belshazzar's arrogance in this verse challenge my own tendencies toward pride or self-sufficiency?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in my daily life and worship?**
* **Considering the swift judgment on Belshazzar, how does this story encourage me to take God's commands and holiness more seriously?**

### FAQ

**Why was using these specific golden vessels such a serious offense to God?**

Answer: The offense lay in the profound act of **sacrilege** and **blasphemy**. These were not ordinary drinking cups; they were holy implements, consecrated and set apart for the exclusive service and worship of the God of Israel in His temple in Jerusalem. Their gold material signified their preciousness and dedication. By using them for a drunken, idolatrous feast, Belshazzar and his court were deliberately profaning objects dedicated to the one true God, mocking His holiness, and asserting their own perceived superiority over Him. This act was a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and a public display of contempt for His divine majesty, which God, being holy, could not overlook ([Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God Will Not Share His Glory")).

**What was Belshazzar's relationship to Nebuchadnezzar, and why is that significant for this verse?**

Answer: Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, and was serving as co-regent during his father's absence. While not Nebuchadnezzar's direct son in the modern sense, the Bible refers to him as Nebuchadnezzar's "son" or "descendant" in a broader dynastic sense ([Daniel 5:2](/daniel/5-2 "Daniel 5:2 - Belshazzar's Command for the Vessels")). The significance lies in the fact that Belshazzar knew, or should have known, the history of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God. [Daniel 5:22](/daniel/5-22 "Daniel 5:22 - Belshazzar's Lack of Humility") explicitly states, "And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this." Nebuchadnezzar had experienced God's power firsthand, acknowledging Him as the Most High God after a period of divine judgment ([Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar Praises God")). Belshazzar's defiance, therefore, was not born of ignorance but of willful rebellion against a God whose power had already been demonstrated to his royal predecessor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profanation of the temple vessels in Daniel 5:3 finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament temple and its vessels were **types and shadows** pointing to a greater spiritual reality. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). He is the true and ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, and in Him, God's holiness is perfectly embodied. Belshazzar's sacrilege highlights humanity's propensity to defile what is holy, but Christ came to cleanse and sanctify. He entered the physical temple and cleansed it from those who profaned it with commercialism, demonstrating His zeal for God's house ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). More profoundly, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ offers a means for humanity, once defiled by sin, to be made holy and become "vessels for noble use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" ([2 Timothy 2:21](/2_timothy/2-21 "2 Timothy 2:21 - Vessels for Noble Use")). The judgment that fell upon Belshazzar for his irreverence foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all who reject God's holiness, but Christ, the Lamb of God, bore that judgment on the cross, making it possible for us to approach a holy God not with fear of condemnation, but with confidence, through His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). In Christ, the sacred is not merely protected, but perfectly fulfilled and graciously extended to all who believe.

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.