Daniel 5:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the same hour {H8160} came forth {H5312} fingers {H677} of a man's {H606} hand {H3028}, and wrote {H3790} over against {H6903} the candlestick {H5043} upon {H5922} the plaister {H1528} of the wall {H3797} of the king's {H4430} palace {H1965}: and the king {H4430} saw {H2370} the part {H6447} of the hand {H3028} that wrote {H3790}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the palace wall by the lampstand. When the king saw the palm of the hand that was writing,

Berean Standard Bible

At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:5 dramatically recounts the terrifying, supernatural event during King Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast when disembodied fingers of a human hand miraculously appeared and began inscribing a mysterious message on the plastered wall of the royal palace. This abrupt and visible divine intervention, witnessed directly by the king, served as an immediate and deeply unsettling response to Belshazzar's audacious blasphemy, instantly transforming his revelry into terror and setting the stage for the pronouncement of God's impending judgment upon his kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse stands as the dramatic climax of the narrative in [Daniel chapter 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Writing on the Wall"), immediately following King Belshazzar's audacious act of desecrating the sacred vessels plundered from the Jerusalem temple by using them for a pagan feast ([Daniel 5:1-4](/daniel/5-1-4 "Daniel 5:1-4 - Belshazzar's Blasphemy")). The sudden, unannounced appearance of the hand and its subsequent writing on the wall serves as a direct, divine intervention, marking an abrupt turning point from impious revelry to profound terror. It directly precedes the king's physical and emotional collapse ([Daniel 5:6](/daniel/5-6 "Daniel 5:6 - Belshazzar's Terror")) and the subsequent desperate call for interpreters, ultimately leading to Daniel's prophetic interpretation of the mysterious message and the swift downfall of Belshazzar's kingdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Belshazzar, as co-regent with his father Nabonidus, ruled Babylon during a period of significant political instability, with the mighty Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great posing an imminent threat. The feast described in [Daniel 5:1](/daniel/5-1 "Daniel 5:1 - Belshazzar's Great Feast") was a lavish royal banquet, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, designed to display power and confidence. However, its defining and most provocative feature was the deliberate use of the consecrated vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the temple in Jerusalem ([Daniel 1:2](/daniel/1-2 "Daniel 1:2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Jerusalem")). This was not merely an act of opulence but a profound and intentional act of blasphemy, a direct affront to Yahweh, the God of Israel, by treating His holy objects as common implements for pagan worship. The "candlestick" mentioned likely refers to a prominent lampstand, providing ample light to illuminate the wall, while the "plaister of the wall" indicates a smooth, prepared surface, ideal for receiving an inscription.

* **Key Themes:** Daniel 5:5 powerfully embodies several overarching themes central to the [Book of Daniel](/daniel/1 "The Book of Daniel - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Firstly, it underscores **Divine Intervention**, demonstrating God's active, immediate, and often dramatic involvement in human affairs, particularly in confronting human arrogance and impiety. Secondly, it signals **Imminent Judgment**, as the very act of writing, even before its decipherment, is understood by the king as a terrifying precursor to divine reckoning. This foreshadows the ultimate downfall of Belshazzar and his kingdom, echoing earlier prophecies about the transient nature of earthly empires (e.g., [Daniel 2:31-45](/daniel/2-31-45 "Daniel 2:31-45 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Statue")). Thirdly, the verse highlights the severe **Consequences of Blasphemy**, illustrating that disrespecting God and His holy things provokes a swift and visible divine reaction. Finally, it reinforces God's absolute **Sovereignty** over earthly rulers and empires, a recurring motif in Daniel, where God is consistently portrayed as the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hand (Aramaic, _yad'_):** This Aramaic term (H3028), corresponding to the Hebrew _yad_, signifies not merely the physical appendage but comprehensively encompasses **power, means, and direction**. In Daniel 5:5, the appearance of "fingers of a man's hand" emphasizes a disembodied, supernatural manifestation of divine power, directly intervening in human affairs. It is the undeniable agent of the mysterious writing, a clear demonstration of God's active presence, authority, and the instrument of His impending judgment.
* **wrote (Aramaic, _kᵉthab'_):** Corresponding to the Hebrew _katab_, this verb (H3790) means **to grave, inscribe, describe, or write**. The act of writing is central to the verse, as it is the very means by which the divine message is conveyed. The performance of this inscription by a supernatural hand immediately signifies a message of profound importance and divine origin, demanding immediate attention and interpretation, and indicating an unalterable decree.
* **saw (Aramaic, _chăzâʼ'_):** This Aramaic verb (H2370) means **to gaze upon, behold, or perceive**, often implying a direct and impactful observation. The repeated emphasis that "the king saw" the hand underscores the direct, personal, and undeniable nature of Belshazzar's encounter with the supernatural. This direct observation is crucial to the narrative, as it is the immediate catalyst for his terror and the subsequent desperate search for an interpreter, leaving no room for doubt about the reality of the divine manifestation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediacy and supernatural nature of the event. "In the same hour" emphasizes that the divine response was instantaneous to Belshazzar's audacious blasphemy, highlighting God's swift justice. The "fingers of a man's hand" appearing without a visible body highlights the mysterious, awe-inspiring, yet terrifying source of the phenomenon, clearly indicating a divine, not human, origin, designed to strike fear and demand attention.
* **"and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace:"**: This section precisely specifies the location and action. The writing occurs "over against the candlestick," implying it was in a well-lit and prominent position, ensuring maximum visibility for the king and his astonished guests. The "plaister of the wall" indicates a smooth, prepared surface, ideal for receiving a clear inscription, making the message clearly legible once deciphered. The setting within the "king's palace" underscores that this divine judgment was directed precisely at the seat of earthly power, pride, and defiance.
* **"and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote."**: This concluding clause reiterates and reinforces the king's direct personal encounter with the supernatural. The repetition of "the king saw" emphasizes his undeniable witness to this terrifying spectacle, which directly leads to his profound fear, distress, and physical trembling described in the subsequent verses. It ensures there is no ambiguity about who experienced this divine manifestation and its immediate, paralyzing effect.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:5 is rich in **Supernaturalism**, as evidenced by the disembodied "fingers of a man's hand" appearing and writing on the wall, an event that transcends natural explanation and immediately signals divine intervention. This supernatural element serves to underscore God's absolute power and His direct engagement with human history. The "hand" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's active presence, His sovereign power, and His impending judgment. It is a visible manifestation of an invisible God, directly confronting human arrogance and impiety. The entire scene is imbued with intense **Dramatic Irony**: while Belshazzar and his court are reveling in their perceived power and sacrilegious defiance, God is literally writing their doom on the wall, a message initially unseen and unheeded until the terrifying manifestation. This moment also serves as a strong point of **Foreshadowing**, as the very act of writing, even before its content is known, portends a significant and ominous message, preparing the reader for the pronouncement of judgment that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:5 stands as a stark and unforgettable reminder of God's unwavering sovereignty over all earthly powers and His absolute intolerance for human pride and blasphemy. It demonstrates that no human authority, regardless of its might, perceived invincibility, or geographical reach, operates outside the purview of divine oversight and ultimate accountability. The immediate, public, and terrifying nature of this divine intervention underscores that God is actively engaged in the affairs of nations, holding rulers accountable for their actions, particularly when they defiantly desecrate His holiness. This dramatic display of power serves as a timeless warning against spiritual arrogance and the desecration of that which is sacred, affirming that true and ultimate power resides not in human hands but solely in the Hand of the Almighty God.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God Brings Princes to Nothing")
* [Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Rider on the White Horse")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling account of the writing on the wall in Daniel 5:5 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary life. It compels us to consider the seriousness with which God views our actions, particularly those that demonstrate defiance, arrogance, or a blatant disregard for what is holy and sacred. Just as Belshazzar's revelry was abruptly interrupted by a visible manifestation of divine judgment, we are reminded that our lives are lived under the watchful eye of a sovereign God who holds us accountable for our stewardship, our attitudes, and our reverence. This verse challenges us to cultivate genuine humility, to recognize that all authority and blessing ultimately derive from God, and to treat sacred things, whether physical, relational, or spiritual principles, with the utmost reverence. It calls us to examine our own hearts for any areas of pride, self-sufficiency, or casual disregard for God's will, encouraging us to live in a manner that consistently honors Him, acknowledging His active presence and ultimate authority in every aspect of our lives, lest we, too, find ourselves weighed in the balance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like Belshazzar, be taking God's blessings, His grace, or sacred truths for granted, or even treating them with subtle disrespect?**
* **How does the suddenness and undeniable nature of God's intervention in this verse challenge my assumptions about divine timing or my own sense of security and control?**
* **What specific areas of my life, my attitudes, or my priorities need to be brought into greater alignment with humility, reverence, and a deeper acknowledgment of God's absolute sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the hand writing on the wall?**

Answer: The significance of the hand writing on the wall was multifaceted and profound. First, it was a direct, supernatural manifestation of God's immediate presence and power, demonstrating His active involvement in human history and His instantaneous response to Belshazzar's blasphemy. Second, it served as a divine judgment, a visible sign that Belshazzar's kingdom was being weighed and found wanting, unequivocally foreshadowing its imminent and catastrophic downfall. The very act of writing, even before its message was deciphered, instilled overwhelming terror and signaled that an unalterable divine decree was being issued. Finally, it powerfully highlighted God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers and empires, showing that He is the one who ultimately determines the rise and fall of kingdoms, a truth Daniel later explicitly articulates to the king in [Daniel 5:21](/daniel/5-21 "Daniel 5:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings").

**Why did the hand appear specifically during Belshazzar's feast?**

Answer: The hand appeared specifically during Belshazzar's feast because this particular event was the culmination of his audacious defiance and open contempt for God. Belshazzar had deliberately ordered the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be used for drinking wine and praising pagan gods ([Daniel 5:2-4](/daniel/5-2-4 "Daniel 5:2-4 - Belshazzar's Blasphemous Use of Temple Vessels")). This act was not merely a lapse in judgment but a profound desecration and open blasphemy against the Lord, the God of Israel, and a direct challenge to His holiness and power. The timing of the supernatural intervention was therefore a direct, immediate, and public divine rebuke, demonstrating that God does not tolerate such open contempt for His holiness, His people, or His sacred things. It underscored the principle that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 5:5 describes a moment of terrifying divine judgment and revelation in the Old Testament, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The mysterious hand writing on the wall, revealing God's decree and judgment, foreshadows the ultimate divine revelation and final judgment that comes through the Son. Just as the hand revealed God's sovereign decree to Belshazzar, Jesus Christ is the full and final revelation of God to humanity, the very "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus, the Radiance of God's Glory")). The judgment pronounced on Belshazzar's kingdom by the writing hand points forward to Christ as the ultimate and righteous Judge, to whom "all judgment has been committed" by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Jesus, the Judge")). Furthermore, the absolute sovereignty of God displayed through the hand's appearance is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is "before all things, and in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Sustainer of All Things")), and who will ultimately return as the King of kings and Lord of lords, with a name written on His robe and on His thigh ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), to execute righteous judgment and establish His eternal, unshakable kingdom. Thus, the terrifying hand on the wall points to the one whose powerful hand not only judges but also graciously saves and eternally sustains 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.

Cross-References

Daniel 4:31

While the word [was] in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Daniel 5:24

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

Daniel 5:28

PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Colossians 2:14

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?